By Frank Giles Hurricane Ian will have far reaching impacts on Florida agriculture. An initial estimate released by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) puts farm losses at between $787 million and $1.56 billion. The storm brought hurricane-strength winds to nearly 1.2 million acres agricultural lands in Florida. Vegetable growers are reporting varying degrees of …
New Push for Farm Workforce Modernization Act
By Frank Giles Despite the myriad challenges thrown at Florida growers, when asked what their biggest challenge on the farm is, most reply sourcing labor. This long-time problem was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various efforts to ease farm labor pains have been attempted over the years with limited success. A new push is underway to pass the Farm Workforce …
USDA to Measure Florida, Georgia Vegetable Chemical Use
Members from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will interview almost 300 vegetable producers in Georgia and Florida to compile data for the 2022 Vegetable Chemical Use Survey this fall. The survey will gather information on bearing acreage, pest management practices, treated acres, application rates and fertilizer and pesticide applications for 22 different vegetable crops. Growers …
Gov. Ron DeSantis Has the Backs of Florida’s Farmers
By Team DeSantis Editor’s Note: With the November elections fast approaching, we asked the major candidates in Florida’s governor’s race to weigh-in on why Florida farmers should support their campaigns. Here’s what Gov. Ron DeSantis team had to say. Also note, this article was written prior to Hurricane Ian making landfall. See Charlie Crist’s article here. Florida is home to …
Crist: A Healthy Florida Needs a Healthy Ag Sector
By Charlie Crist Editor’s Note: With the November elections fast approaching, we asked the major candidates in Florida’s governor’s race to weigh-in on why Florida farmers should support their campaigns. Here’s what Charlie Crist had to say. Also note, this article was written prior to Hurricane Ian making landfall. See Gov. Ron DeSantis article here. As Florida has transformed itself …
The Florida Ag Expo Program Now Available
By Frank Giles The Florida Ag Expo is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The educational program is now published. It will provide attendees with a wide range of topics from the supply chain to pest management. The morning general session will host industry leaders speaking on key issues facing the specialty crop …
5 Tips for Hurricane Reporting and Documentation
As growers begin to assess the damage left by Hurricane Ian, there’s some important considerations to keep in mind. Kimberly Lott, with Crop Disaster Recovery, provides five tips. She noted that many growers didn’t receive the full amount of money they could have been eligible for after Hurricane Irma — reporting and documentation are key. 1. REPORT LOSSES, GET INSPECTIONGrowers …
Hurricane Ian Damage Assessment Gets Underway
By Frank Giles There is no question Hurricane Ian will go down as a historic catastrophe in Florida. It’s impact on agriculture will likely be historic as well. While it is too early to know the full extent of damage, AgNet Media is reaching out to growers and various industry associations and agencies to learn the extent of damage to …
Florida Agriculture Braces for Hurricane Ian
As Hurricane Ian approaches landfall this week, state agriculture associations and agencies are springing into action to prepare for the storm. Several events schedule for the week have been cancelled or postponed, including Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Labor Relations Forum planned for Sept. 28-30 in Orlando. The association will provide further information on new dates for the event. Matt …
Small U-Pick Farm Expands by Adding New Products for Customers
By Frank Giles Beginning farmers face obstacles when there is no land, equipment and expertise being handed down from one generation to the next. But many multigenerational farms face similar challenges when family transitions take place. The Casey family in Hernando County has dealt with those issues as the younger generation sought to keep the farming tradition alive. Jeff Casey, …