By Peter Chaires Each year, the citrus breeding teams provide opportunities for interested parties to sample fruit from new and recent selections. This is a great opportunity to keep current on the results of this research. Some of these events also include field tours and opportunities to see the trees. A significant effort is being made to accelerate the identification …
U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Research, Nutrition and TradeÂ
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, endorsed legislation that would address major priorities tied to research, nutrition and trade laid out in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations: “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has …
Commerce Department Investigation Could Impact Tomato Trade Pact
The U.S. Department of Commerce opened an investigation by the request of the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) that could result in anti-dumping duties on Mexican tomatoes. In June of 2023, FTE filed a request to eliminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. The purpose behind this request was to end the unfair trading pattern between the U.S. tomato industry and the …
Labor Relations Forum Scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2023
Heat awareness and safety concerns continue to be a priority for agricultural employers and their employees. Producers can learn more about heat illness prevention during the 49th Annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2023 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. Attendees will learn of the hazards associated with heat illness, resources for employers, compliance and more. Speakers on this topic include …
Labor Forum to Feature Workshops on Heat Illness Prevention
Heat awareness and safety concerns continue to be a priority for agricultural employers and their employees. Producers can learn more about heat illness prevention during the 49th Annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2023 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. Attendees will learn of the hazards associated with heat illness, resources for employers, compliance and …
Agriculture’s Share in Florida’s Blockbuster Budget
By Frank Giles The Florida Legislature passed a record budget of $116.5 billion as it wrapped up its work on May 5. It was an active session for agriculture. It also was a session in which Gov. Ron DeSantis was looking to score wins prior to announcing his run for president in 2024. DeSantis announced his presidential bid on May …
Action Taken Against Adverse Effect Wage Rates Rule
In late February, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) pushed through a new methodology used to determine the hourly adverse effect wage rates (AEWR) for agricultural employers. The rule became effective March 30. Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Director of Labor Relations Jamie Fussell discussed the action’s impact on growers: IMPACT ON EMPLOYERSSimply, the new rule may mean that multiple …
Florida Budget’s Impact on Agriculture
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a historic $116.5 billion budget last week for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Included were important victories for the agricultural industry, especially those in the specialty crop sector. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) sent an email to its members last week, outlying the impact from the budget on the state’s agricultural sector. The University …
Mark Your Calendar: Florida Ag Labor Relations Forum to be held in September
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) encourages specialty crop farmers and industry leaders to mark their calendars for the 49th annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum. The Florida Specialty Crop Forum will present the three-day event on Sept. 6-8 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. Every year the forum educates agricultural employers, which includes producers, shippers, farm labor …
Coalition Calls on Policymakers to Safeguard Produce Supply
The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce recently called on national and international policymakers to implement measures to safeguard the supply of affordable and safe fruits and vegetables worldwide. The coalition also sought to ensure the viability of the fruit and vegetable industry. The coalition made the requests in a report titled Global Value Chains for Fresh Produce: An Urgent Call for …