An unusually warm February followed by a cold March could mean trouble for crops in the South. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Stephanie Ho has more on this story with USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey. Hear the full story: Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming Project …
Florida Senate Ag Chair on Water: ‘Science Is on Our Side’
During Wednesday evening’s Florida Cattlemen Association legislative reception festivities near the state Capitol, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Ben Albritton said water issues abound in discussion circles this year. In this brief report, Albritton emphasized agriculture’s presence in the legislative process is critical. He added that the facts about agriculture must be heard above misinformation and misguided rhetoric that too often …
Trump Budget Rapped Over Everglades Money
Environmentalists and some high-profile supporters of President Donald Trump are criticizing his proposed budget for not including enough money for Everglades restoration. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., issued a news release Wednesday saying the White House budget request “failed to include sufficient funding for …
Farm Bureau Leader Responds to Congressman’s “Menace” Remarks
Among many reactions to south Florida Rep. Francis Rooney’s (SW FL – District 19) recently reported comments about what he called the “menace” of agriculture in the Everglades Agriculture Area, Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick is reaching out to the Congressman requesting a meeting to discuss the facts directly. In his letter, Hoblick informed Rooney that the Congressman’s recent …
Former SFWMD Gov. Board Member Talks Flood Control, Misinformation and Ag Concerns
This is the final installment in a series about the recent dismantling, and complete replacement underway of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board. As the debate about South Florida’s water woes continues to grow almost as fast as the Florida population, farmers and ranchers around the state are starting to wonder what these abrupt changes at SFWMD might …
Former SFWMD Governing Board Member Notes Ag’s New Absence
Family farmer Sam Accursio from Homestead was among the last four remaining South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board members who spoke their minds bluntly during their final board meeting last month. Accursio’s family has been farming vegetables in Homestead for generations. He says recent actions and operational decisions could indicate a change of direction for the regional flood …
UF Researchers Develop Model to Help Keep Crop Seeds Healthy
Working with international researchers, University of Florida scientists have developed a model that will help protect good seeds, which are necessary to plant healthy crops and determine what areas are at higher risk for unhealthy seeds. In many parts of the world, people lack adequate access to nutritious food because there aren’t enough quality seeds for food production, said Karen …
South Florida Environmentalist Shares Concerns Amidst Growing Water-Quality Debate
A native of the Pacific Northwest and now a resident of St. Lucie County, Nyla Pipes began working in 2013 with those concerned about growing water-quality and related environmental issues in Florida. She’s been a driving force and is now executive director of the non-profit One Florida Foundation. Pipes gave an exclusive interview following the February meeting of the South …
Florida Congressman Francis Rooney to ‘Deal with the Continuing Menace of Agriculture’
Singling out farmers south of Lake Okeechobee during a speech to area residents in Cape Coral, Florida, in late February, Rep. Francis Rooney (R – SW FL District 19) stated he wants to “try to deal with the continuing menace of agriculture in the EAA (Everglades Agriculture Area).” This video excerpt of the congressman’s comments, transcribed below, is now being …
Taste of Florida Agriculture Event Engages Lawmakers
Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) members again hosted state lawmakers for food and festivities during the opening week of the legislative session, as part of the annual Farm Bureau Days event Wednesday at the state Capitol. Farm Bureau organizes this event and involves many of the state’s other commodity groups and related businesses, as a way to help educate lawmakers about …