A statement from Danielle Alvarez, spokesperson for EAA Farmers, Inc., following the federal approval of the EAA reservoir: “Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) farm families are pleased that the EAA reservoir will be achieved in a way that will accomplish restoration goals while also protecting homegrown food supply. Restoration has been a tremendous success south of Lake Okeechobee and serves as proof that …
Putnam Briefs Pence and Perdue on Initial Agricultural Damage from Hurricane Michael
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, and today Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam briefed Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on the initial agricultural damage assessment. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black joined Commissioner Putnam for the briefing. Commissioner Putnam’s statement is below: “Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, and …
Florida and Georgia Renew ‘Water Wars’
Florida and Georgia have renewed their fight over the impact of Georgia’s water consumption on the Apalachicola River system. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late June that Florida be given another chance to prove its case that Georgia’s overconsumption of water is damaging the Apalachicola region, the states filed a joint legal pleading this week before a federal …
Support for House Trade Bill to Protect Florida Growers
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association wholeheartedly supports the Agriculture Trade Improvement Act of 2018 introduced by U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo (District 26) and Al Lawson Jr. (District 8) on Tuesday. The Agricultural Trade Improvement Act of 2018 would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 and allow American specialty crop growers to request the imposition of antidumping or countervailing duties. …
A Community Celebration for Upcoming Sugar Harvest
In the midst of an ongoing algae debate, it can be difficult to remember the community of people who live in the Glades area. These communities and families live and breathe agriculture. Below is a news release from Florida Crystals regarding the Pre-Harvest Celebration held this past Sunday. The account below shows the communal support for agriculture in that area. …
Putnam and the USDA Declare the Oriental Fruit Fly Eradicated in Miami-Dade County
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have declared eradication in the Oriental fruit fly outbreak in the predominantly agricultural Redland area of Miami-Dade County. Due to early detection and rapid response, no quarantine was required during this program. This successful Oriental fruit fly eradication is the second one during this …
RESTORE Council Approves Florida’s State Expenditure Plan
Plan providing $291M for 69 Projects across 23 Coastal Counties Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler sent a letter to Mr. Noah Valenstein, Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Designated Alternate for the Governor of Florida to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council), approving the State of Florida’s State …
FDACS Delivers Thousands of Pounds of Food to Hurricane Florence Victims
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has delivered thousands of servings of food to Hurricane Florence victims in North Carolina. The department coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ready and deliver USDA Foods to disaster relief sites and shelters. USDA Foods include a variety of canned, fresh, …
Commissioner Putnam Announces 2019 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Honorees
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees for 2019. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 12, 2019. More information is available FloridaAgHallofFame.org. “Agriculture is Florida’s oldest industry, and it continues to support …
Senators Take Aim at Unfair Trade Practices Hurting Florida Fruit and Vegetable Growers
U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices. The bill comes amid long-standing and increasing complaints from Florida farmers that Mexican growers illegally flood the U.S. market with subsidized produce during the winter season. Florida is one of the few places in the country that can …