By Johan Desaeger Plant-parasitic nematodes are some of the most difficult pests or diseases that growers in Florida are facing. They are difficult to recognize, are often confused with other biotic or abiotic problems, and can cause total crop loss in many fruits and vegetables. This is especially true in Florida’s warm and sandy soils, where nematodes, such as root-knot …
VSC Expo Registration Opens June 1
AgNet Media is excited to introduce a new industry event: Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo (VSC Expo). Held in conjunction with the Citrus Expo, which is now in its 28th year, VSC Expo is set to be an event that growers won’t want to miss. Last year, AgNet Media incorporated vegetable and specialty crop seminars into Citrus Expo. After receiving …
Growing Medical Marijuana in Florida
By Alison DeLoach Growing hemp and medical marijuana continues to be a hot topic for growers in Florida. Jim Spratt, owner of Magnolia Strategies LLC, discussed the challenges of growing medical marijuana at the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference in February. Spratt said while the Florida Legislature ventured into medical marijuana, he had the opportunity to be involved in some …
New Crops Provide New Hope
By Alison DeLoach Farmers and ranchers in Northwest Florida are looking to make a comeback after Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc on their crops. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), is working to help growers affected by the hurricane. According to Aiken, the affected areas …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints Holly Bell as Director of Cannabis
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Holly Bell as the Director of Cannabis. Bell’s selection comes after a national search and interviews with multiple finalists for the position. In her role as Director of Cannabis, Bell will oversee the development of rules, work directly with scientific experts, and ensure Commissioner Fried’s vision for cannabis in Florida continues moving forward. Bell will work closely with the Department’s …
New Crops Proposed After Michael Devastation
Hemp and hops are being promoted among alternatives for crops wiped out by Hurricane Michael in the eastern Panhandle. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center, said Monday the need for alternatives has grown as farmers in an eight-county region suffered most of the estimated $1.5 billion hit to the state’s agriculture industry …
Florida Legislators Discuss Ag Issues
By Gary Cooper Red tide, blue-green algae, hemp and hurricanes were among the items discussed in recent days during legislative committee meetings in Tallahassee, Florida. Lawmakers and state officials are getting down to business and looking forward to the start of the legislative session in early March. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Tuesday gave senate agriculture committee members a status …
Sneak Peek: February VSCNews Magazine
Hemp has been a hot topic in the vegetable and specialty crop industry, however there is still much to figure out regarding production practices and opportunities for southeastern growers. The February issue of VSCNews magazine will discuss the hype on hemp. In an article written by AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor and Ernie Neff, readers will learn about the crop and …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Inaugurated as 12th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Commissioner lays out a fresh agenda that will keep Florida growing Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried was inaugurated as Florida’s 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As Commissioner, she will oversee a $1.8 billion department with nearly 4,000 employees, a $137 billion economic impact, and widespread responsibility for Florida’s food production and safety, consumer protection and licensing, and our state’s …
The 2018 Farm Bill Is Officially Here
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, known as the 2018 farm bill, has now been made official after being signed by President Donald Trump today. It was a long and strenuous process drafting a version that both congressional houses could agree to. The farm bill will ultimately cost $867 billion over the next 10 years through a series of programs intended …