Click here for a high-res photo MAITLAND, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2021) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) honored the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Marketing and Development with its 2021 Friend of the Industry Award. The award was presented during FFVA’s 77th annual convention in Naples on Sept. 14. The award recognizes the …
FDACS Budget Proposal Addresses Specialty Crops
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Legislative Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 includes proposals for various specialty crops. Included is $8 million for citrus greening research, funded in the Agricultural Emergency Eradication Trust Fund. Funding will be passed through to the Citrus Research and Development Foundation. There is also a request for $1.45 million for Citrus Crop …
FFVA Statement on New FDACS Report
Aug. 30, 2021 On Monday, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) released its latest report on the impacts of Mexican imports on Florida’s seasonal producers. The report “demonstrates that Florida producers continue to suffer a disproportionate economic injury.” The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association issued the following statement on the report: “Today’s economic impact report from FDACS …
UF/IFAS Extension To Assist in FDACS Project Connecting Food-Insecure Families With Florida-Grown Produce
By: Kirsten Romaguera, 352-294-3313, kromaguera@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is among the organizations partnering on a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)-led grant project to fight food insecurity in several rural Florida communities. In a virtual press conference last Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the project, funded by a $100,000 Walmart …
FDACS Launches Hemp Permit Application Portal
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the state’s online Hemp Cultivation Licensing Portal, allowing interested growers to apply for licenses. The portal’s user-friendly interface provides applicants with a checklist of recommended steps to allow for a quick and easy application process. “As we continue building our state hemp program into a national …
FDACS Agricultural and Seafood Availability Notice
(HCCGA) — FDACS has created the attached form for producers to fill out with their product availability. Once submitted, FDACS will utilize to forward to their Fresh From Florida contacts, as well as the Florida Department of Corrections, food banks and make connections with other State Departments of Agriculture in hopes of providing market opportunities to move product during the Coronavirus …
FFBF and FDACS Host Town Hall on COVID-19 & Florida Agriculture
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick held a town hall meeting on Thursday with the state’s agriculture community on pressing issues. Some of the topics of discussion included: Ensuring agriculture and all related industries are essential at the federal, state and local levels. Promoting the continued and efficient processing of H-2A worker visas. Inter- and intra-state weight waivers for …
UF/IFAS and FDACS Working to Bring Pesticide Licensing Online
(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are working to identify ways to provide online testing for certified pesticide applicators while in-person testing is unavailable due to COVID-19. All in-person UF/IFAS Extension programs and activities, including pesticide testing, have been postponed or cancelled through …
FDACS Taking Action to Protect Lychee Trees
(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is announcing the treatment of lychee trees in Miami-Dade County, the first of eight Florida counties undergoing eradication for lychee erinose mite (LEM) to protect trees and crops from severe damage. To date, only one positive tree has been identified in Miami-Dade County. The mite causes erineum galls (hairy, …
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, …