Learn why growers are concerned with new guidance on phosphorus.
Right to Farm Bill Highlights Florida Ag Interests
By Adam Basford Florida farmers and ranchers gained a significantly stronger level of protection from frivolous lawsuits when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 88 on April 29. Sponsored by Sen. Jason Brodeur and Rep. Jayer Williamson, the Right to Farm bill modernizes the law that was established in 1979. All 50 U.S. states have enacted Right to Farm laws that …
Florida Producer: All We’re Doing is Killing the Economy of Our Country
Labor Shortage a Reason for Lack of Supplies, Specifically Pallets By Clint Thompson Like most vegetable and specialty crop producers, blueberry farmer Ryan Atwood is an avid user of pallets. Over the course of his season in Florida, Atwood will use more than 14,000 pallets. Like every other grower in the Southeast, Atwood was impacted by the ongoing pallet shortage …
Defining Day for Florida Agriculture
What was ‘decision day’ for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis turned into a ‘defining day’ for Florida agriculture. The governor signed SB 88: Farming Operations into law which modifies Florida’s Right to Farm Act to broadly protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits if they’ve followed regulatory requirements. Overwhelming Support Legislators, farmers and industry leaders applauded the bill: Speaker Chris Sprowls (R-Palm Harbor) …
Florida Preps for Algae Blooms from Lake Releases
(NSF) — Measures are in place to offset potential blue-green algae blooms after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started Wednesday to schedule water releases from lower Lake Okeechobee, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. A news release late Wednesday said the department and the South Florida Water Management District are prepared to use “innovative technology” if needed …
Hemp Industry Primed for Growth in Florida
One of the first commercial hemp growers in Florida believes the industry is primed for growth in the Sunshine State. “All of the skills and experience and ability to make what you need, to observe and adapt to your environment, those are crucial skills to being successful with the crop and Florida farmers are going to know how to grow …
Fried Calls for Statewide Mask Requirement
The News Service of Florida With thousands of additional COVID-19 cases being added each day in Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried called Thursday for a statewide requirement that people wear masks in public places. Many local governments have approved mask requirements as the number of cases has surged this month, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a statewide …
Florida Governor Issues Stay-At-Home order
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide “Safer at Home” Executive Order (EO), which will begin at 12:01 a.m. on April 3 and, unless extended, will expire on April 30. This “Safer at Home” declaration orders all people in Florida to limit their movements and personal interactions to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential …
Farmers and Other Essential Food Production Workers will Carry Permission Letters during COVID-19 Shutdown
(U.S. Sugar) — All U.S. Sugar employees and suppliers who have been deemed essential to the nation’s food supply and national security will begin carrying authorization letters to inform authorities that they are approved to be out of their homes and working. “Our farmers, workers and other essential food production vendors will continue working around the clock to keep safe, …
Farmers, Other Essential Food Production Workers Will Carry Permission Letters During COVID-19 Shutdown
Contact: Judy Clayton Sanchez 863-902-2210 Clewiston, FL – Today, all U.S. Sugar employees and suppliers who have been deemed essential to the nation’s food supply and national security will begin carrying authorization letters to inform authorities that they are approved to be out of their homes and working. “Our farmers, workers and other essential food production vendors will continue working …