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Florida Farm TEAM Card Commonsense Legislation

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By Clint Thompson The Florida Farm Bureau and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with State Senator Jay Collins and State Representative Danny Alvarez are assisting Florida producers with sales tax exemption. New legislation would create a Florida Farm Tax Exempt Agricultural Materials (TEAM) card that could be used to purchase agricultural materials and be exempt from sales …

Current Dry Period Benefiting Florida’s Blueberry Quality

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By Clint Thompson The current prolonged dry period affecting the majority of Florida is impacting fruit quality in the state’s blueberry crop. Most of the state is in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. That has had a positive effect on blueberries, which are beginning to be harvested in certain areas across Florida, said Ryan Atwood, who …

USDA Highlights Disaster Assistance Available to Florida Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian

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Polk County, Florida – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited a citrus grove in Polk County, Florida on Thursday to survey the impact of Hurricane Ian and meet with producers impacted by the storm. The Secretary highlighted efforts by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist growers in rebuilding their operations and increase their bottom lines. “We know how devastating …

UF/IFAS, UF College of Medicine Team Up for Clinic, Nutrition Event to Help FarmWorkers

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Faculty from the University of Florida (UF/IFAS) and the UF College of Medicine will test farmworkers for chronic diseases from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23 in Arcadia, Florida. The screenings will be at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St. The clinic will be held in conjunction with a UF/IFAS Extension agricultural employee safety training at the …

Legislative Bill Focuses on Promoting Florida Grown Products

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By Clint Thompson Key industry priorities for the Florida Farm Bureau were highlighted during last week’s Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food and Resource Economics Department. Courtney Larkin, director of state legislative affairs with Florida Farm Bureau, discussed a new initiative aimed at promoting Florida grown products. It …

UV Light May Help Farmers Vanquish Deadly Cantaloupe Pathogen

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University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientists want to help Florida farmers and U.S. producers grow a cantaloupe to satisfy consumers’ tastes and one that’s protected against powdery mildew disease. Even with fungicides, producers struggle to control powdery mildew, a disease that can damage or kill the fruit. Thanks to UF/IFAS research, growers may now implement …

Thrips Pressure in South Florida

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Thrips are reported to be observed at low to moderate levels overall in southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Thrips palmi populations are at moderate levels and increasing. Populations are dense enough that they are causing some leaf and fruit scarring in some crops. Populations remain low in beans. Asian bean thrips are the dominate …

FFVA Submits Letter to EPA Regarding TM Fungicide

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The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for thiophanate-methyl (TM) fungicide. Strawberry, cucurbit vegetable, succulent bean, potato and peach producers, including FFVA members, benefit from the fungicide, as it manages and suppresses key diseases. These include white mold, crown rot, …

Florida Agricultural Policy Conference to Focus on Farm Bill, Crops

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This year’s Farm Bill, commodity outlooks and environmental management issues will headline topics for the eighth annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, scheduled for Thursday, March 2, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center or via Zoom. Click here to register. The conference engages stakeholders around the state about …

Thrips Pressure Increasing in South Florida

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Thrips pressure is moderate to high on multiple crops in southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Infestations are moderate to high on tomato, moderate on pepper and eggplant and low potato and watermelon. Populations are low in beans but increasing in certain areas. Thrips numbers had begun to increase in beans along the east coast, …