The Florida Tomato Exchange filed a request with the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement, because it has failed to stop unfairly traded Mexican tomatoes from destroying the U.S. tomato industry. Since 1996, five different suspension agreements have tried to stop the unfair trade practices used by Mexican tomato exporters, but each agreement has proven …
Florida Tomato Growers File Request to End Suspension Agreement
On June 16, the Florida Tomato Exchange filed a request with the U.S. Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 tomato suspension agreement because it has failed to stop unfairly traded Mexican tomatoes from destroying the U.S. tomato industry. Since 1996, five different suspension agreements have tried to stop the unfair trade practices used by Mexican tomato exporters, but each …
Agricultural Trade Mission to Japan
A country known for its many purchases of U.S. agricultural products could soon become a greater buyer following an agricultural trade mission (ATM). Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade Alexis Taylor brought almost 40 U.S. food companies and commodity groups to Japan in hopes of boosting farm and food exports to the country. “I heard a lot of real positive …
Block Grant Assistance Act Passes
Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) announced the House of Representatives passed the Block Grant Assistance Act on June 12. This critical bill provides needed authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue block grants to growers devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. Those supporting the Block Grant Assistance Act include Florida Commissioner of …
Reps. Cammack, Moore, Others Introduce Bill to Include Phosphate & Potash as Critical Minerals
Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL-02), Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) introduced a bill to include phosphate and potash on the final list of critical minerals of the Department of the Interior. “A nation that cannot feed itself is not secure. Without the necessary inputs to feed, clothe and fuel our nation, we’re leaving …
USDA Assisting Small Businesses and Individuals in Identifying Procurement Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of a tool to assist industry and small disadvantaged entities in identifying potential opportunities for selling their products and services to USDA. USDA’s Procurement Forecast lists the types of anticipated solicitations that small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses, HUBZone businesses, service-disabled veterans, and other businesses may be able to participate …
Applications Now Open for Florida Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the opening of an application cycle for landowners to apply to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program, which partners with farmers and ranchers through conservation easements, aims to safeguard working agricultural operations that contribute significantly to Florida’s economy and the production of food and fiber. Landowners can now submit …
North Carolina Apple Growers Association Notice of Assessment Referendum
The North Carolina (N.C.) Apple Growers Association will be conducting a referendum for the assessment of apples sold to first purchasers in North Carolina on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Voting will take place at County Extension Offices in counties where commercial apple growing occurs, during regular business hours. The method and amount of assessment being considered will remain as it …
A New Ilarvirus in Florida Tomatoes
By Ozgur Batuman and Salih Yilmaz Ilarviruses can infect both herbaceous and woody plants and are known to be transmitted by pollen and seed with varying efficiency. Thrips have been associated as vectors of ilarviruses since they create wounds during feeding that can serve as entry points for virus particles carried in or on infected pollen. Tobacco streak virus (TSV) …
USDA Report: Fresh Vegetable Imports Up in 2022
It should come as no surprise to specialty crop producers in the Southeast, but fresh vegetable import volume was up in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The U.S. remained a net importer of fresh market vegetables in volume and value in calendar year 2022. Some of the trade highlights for …