By Ashley Robinson Increased adoption of best management practices (BMPs) by agricultural producers is a potential tool for improving water resource conditions. However, the economic feasibility of this approach is largely unknown in watersheds connected to the Florida aquifer. The University of Florida (UF) has joined three other Southeastern universities in research efforts to help ensure water for agricultural production …
UGA Economist Says Block Grant Funds Will Help Georgia Producers
By Clint Thompson Georgia farmers hoping for financial relief from Hurricane Michael in 2018 can begin submitting online applications to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) for the $347 million in Farm Recovery Block Grant funds on March 18. Adam Rabinowitz, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension assistant professor and agricultural economist, believes the block grant funds will provide extra benefits …
Why Florida Citrus Variety Display Days Need Fine-Tuning
Course correction required to ensure industry engagement in early evaluation process.
Public Field Hearings on Foreign Trade Policies and Produce
(FBGA) — The Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce will hold public hearings in Florida (April 7) and Georgia (April 9) to discuss foreign trade policies that may be harming American growers of seasonal and perishable produce. At the hearings, officials from the federal agencies will hear …
Ag Secretary Hears From Strawberry Growers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, accompanied by two congressmen, heard Florida strawberry growers’ concerns about trade and labor issues March 6 in Plant City. Perdue, Florida Congressman Ross Spano and Indiana Congressman Greg Pence, older brother of Vice President Mike Pence, lunched with growers at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Perdue says he likes to hear directly about issues from …
State Hemp Plan Notice of Change for Florida
(FDACS) — On March 6, 2020, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) published a Notice of Change for Rule 5B-57.014, F.A.C. – State Hemp Plan (hemp cultivation rule). The Notice of Change includes updates and modifications to the proposed rule based on public comments and brings the proposed rule in alignment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
FFVA Urges All Members to Attend Plant City Trade Hearing
Now is your chance to tell the administration: Unfair Mexican trade practices threaten our ability to grow fruits and vegetables. (FFVA) — Representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce will hold a public hearing on April 7 to hear from Florida growers of fresh fruit and vegetables about the severe economic losses …
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, …
Hemp Production Has Risks
There are risks and significant costs in growing hemp, Tyler Mark warned about 50 attendees at the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference 2020. The event, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food and Resource Economics Department, took place Feb. 27 at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. Mark, a University of …
Florida Farm Values Reported at Land Conference
Reports on 2019 land sales for row crops in Central Florida and several crops in the Homestead area were released at the Feb. 27-28 Lay of the Land Florida Land Conference in Lakeland. The reports were prepared by SVN | Saunders Ralston Dantzler Real Estate. A report declared that sales in 2019 far exceeded those of 2018 for row crop …