(NSF) — With Gov. Ron DeSantis facing a deadline this week to act on the bill, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services held a final public workshop Monday as it prepares to carry out a measure that would lead to a state hemp program. The bill (SB 1020) would require the department to create a regulatory framework to …
Second Hemp Rulemaking Workshop Held in Central Florida
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officials to host the second public hemp rulemaking workshop at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. “The goal of these workshops is to hear from the public on the coming state hemp program — to create a successful and inclusive program. It’s essential that we …
FFBF Sends Letter to Gov. DeSantis About Final SFWMD Board Seat
The Honorable Ron DeSantisGovernor of FloridaPlaza Level 05, The Capitol400 S. Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor DeSantis, On behalf of Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and our 147,000 member families, we respectfully request that you consider filling the final South Florida Water Management Governing Board seat with someone who can represent agricultures interests. Agriculture is a primary consumptive user …
Sneak Peek: July VSCNews Magazine
The 2019 Florida, Georgia and Alabama legislative sessions have officially wrapped up, and the July issue of VSCNews magazine will tell readers how agriculture fared in each state. Adam Basford, director of state legislative affairs for Florida Farm Bureau, discusses the successes and ongoing work in Tallahassee this session. Mary Ann Hooks, director of governmental affairs with the University of …
Commissioner Fried Hosts First Hemp Rulemaking Workshop in South Florida
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officials to host the first public hemp rulemaking workshop at Broward College in Pembroke Pines. “The upcoming state hemp program marks a new industrial revolution — after 80 years of stalled progress, we can finally put hemp to work for farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers here …
Industrial Hemp Growing in Florida for First Time in Decades
University of Florida pilot project plants seeds for new Florida crop GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) industrial hemp pilot project has passed a critical milestone towards understanding the potential of growing hemp throughout Florida. Hemp plants have been planted at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead Florida …
UF Researchers Seeking Higher Quality Mangoes
By Karla Arboleda The National Mango Board (NMB) funded an experiment at the University of Florida (UF) to look for better mangoes. Jeff Brecht, professor of postharvest horticulture at UF, has been testing several mango varieties for their response to the exporting process, their postharvest storage potential and their sensitivity to chilling injury. The goal is to find mangoes better …
Meet Holly Bell, Florida’s Cannabis Czar
Ever since Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried appointed Holly Bell in February as the first director of cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, people have been curious about Bell’s background. Raised on an Indiana farm, Bell has been working in the cannabis industry for a number of years. She received her bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics …
Mexican Senator Misinformed on Antidumping Investigation
In a recent letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee, Mexican Senator Gustavo Madero made some confusing and misleading statements. Senator Madero states that the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement was “due to the demands of some Florida farmers and their representatives in Congress.” In fact, the …
UF/IFAS Vice President to Retire in 2020
By Karla Arboleda After serving nearly 10 years as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Jack Payne announced he will retire next year. His last day with UF/IFAS will be July 1, 2020. Payne has overseen Extension offices across Florida and its 12 research and …