(USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 farm bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to …
Leaders Urged to Take ‘Risks’ in Michael Recovery
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-Oct. 4, 2019) — Northwest Florida does not have the luxury of time as it slowly recovers from devastating Hurricane Michael, one of the nation’s best-known disaster recovery experts advised a group trying to rally support for the region this week. With the one-year anniversary of the deadly Category 5 storm next week, Craig Fugate, a former head …
Legislative Leaders Meet on USMCA and Disaster Relief
It was a busy Friday in the Southeast for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he and other legislative leaders sat down with representatives from Florida and Georgia agriculture on June 7. The day started with a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a meeting in Doerun, Georgia. The main topics of discussion were the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and …
Industry Reaction to U.S. Senate Approval of a Disaster-Aid Package
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded Senate passage of a disaster supplemental that will provide much-needed funds to Florida’s Northwest communities, which were devastated by Hurricane Michael more than seven months ago. With Senate passage, Rubio urged the U.S. House of Representatives to swiftly approve the long overdue disaster-relief package, and send the measure to …
Farm Bureau Gears Up to Fight for Florida Ag
The Florida legislative session begins next week, and Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) is ready for a busy session. Adam Basford, FFB legislative affairs director, is gearing up to fight for Florida agriculture. Every year, FFB has multiple priorities to bring to legislators. For this session, one of the biggest focus points will be on the damage caused by Hurricane Michael, …
Panhandle Growers See Major Losses from Michael
By Breanna Kendrick Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle hard. Farmers across this region have lost some, if not all, of their crops. Josh Freeman, associate professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, surveyed the area of Gadsden and Jackson counties for crop damages. …