commissioner

Florida Producers Still Concerned with Foreign Produce in Stores

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

During the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Town Hall last week concerning COVID-19 and its effects on Florida agriculture, one issued discussed was how fresh produce growers were having difficultly moving their products. But foreign produce continues to be prevalent in stores. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said this is something …

UF/IFAS Seeking Partners for Hemp On-Farm Trials

Web AdminFlorida, Hemp, Top Posts

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hemp program is seeking 20 qualified partners across Florida for on-farm trials. Zack Brym, agronomist at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead and research coordinator of the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, says partner farms will conduct a coordinated field planting on 2 acres with variations in land …

The Day South Florida Agriculture Changed

Web AdminCorn, Cucurbits, Florida, Fruit, General, Grains, Grapes, Industry News Release, Leafy Vegetables, Mangos, Mushrooms, Onion, Organic, Peaches, Pecan, Pomegranates, potato, Produce, Stone Fruit, Strawberry, Sugar, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Top Posts, Tropical Fruit, Vegetables, Watermelon, Wheat

Submitted by Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus with UF/IFAS “Up to the end of Feb our growers were having a banner year and it looked like this season would be one of those homeruns that come around every 5-6 years.” Here is a report that I prepared on the state of S Florida ag and shared with …

Florida Watermelon Farmers Face Uncertainty Due to COVID-19

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Watermelon

(UF/IFAS) — As fruit and vegetable farmers in South Florida decide what to do with produce once destined for now-closed schools and restaurants, watermelon farmers in North Florida have recently finished planting their crop. Given the uncertainty around the market for fresh produce, the decision to plant came down to economics, said Mark Warren, agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Levy …

Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Connecting Farmers With Consumers

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) wants to help farmers sell their crops while provide consumers with options on where to buy fresh, local produce. In doing so, consumers will support an industry that’s been decimated amid the coronavirus pandemic. Farmers and farming operations are asked to email information@ffva.com as soon as possible with the following …

FDACS Agricultural and Seafood Availability Notice

Web AdminAvocado, Berries, Citrus, Corn, Cucurbits, Florida, Fruit, Grains, Grapes, Industry News Release, Leafy Vegetables, Mangos, Mushrooms, Nuts, Olives, Onion, Organic, Peaches, Pecan, Pomegranates, potato, Produce, Stone Fruit, Strawberry, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Tropical Fruit, Vegetables, Watermelon, Wheat

(HCCGA) — FDACS has created the attached form for producers to fill out with their product availability. Once submitted, FDACS will utilize to forward to their Fresh From Florida contacts, as well as the Florida Department of Corrections, food banks and make connections with other State Departments of Agriculture in hopes of providing market opportunities to move product during the Coronavirus …

Florida Farmer: We’ve Left About 5 Million Pounds of Cabbage in the Field

Web AdminFlorida, Fruit, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson One of the largest produce farmers in the Southeast has already lost quite a bit of his spring crop and fears what the future might hold amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve left about 2 million pounds of green beans already (in the field) and about 5 million pounds of cabbage,” said Paul Allen, president of R.C. …

U.S. Congressman: Additional Funds Will be Ready if Needed for Paycheck Protection Program

Web AdminAgri-business, Alabama, Business, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), an integral part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, that will aid small businesses recover amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, may not have sufficient funds to support the $350 billion allocated for the program. One United States Congressman insists, though, that additional funds will be ready …

Farmers Need to Beef up Security During Desperate Times

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Farmers need to beef up their security amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Gene McAvoy, Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations for the University of Florida IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. As unemployment continues to skyrocket across the country, this often leads to an increase in theft instances. McAvoy said farmers are vulnerable right now since …