governor

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces the Appointment of Ron Bergeron to the South Florida Water Management District Board

Web AdminEnvironment, Florida, Industry News Release, Water

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Ronald M. “Alligator Ron” Bergeron to the board of the South Florida Water Management District. The appointment comes after the Florida Commission on Ethics voted 8-0 to adopt an advisory opinion allowing Bergeron to join the board. “I am pleased the Florida Commission on Ethics reached a conclusion on this matter and I …

south florida

Key Facts and Direct Ag Input Missing at South Florida Water Board Workshop

Web AdminFlorida, Water

by Gary Cooper It was a packed house Wednesday as the new crop of South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board members met in West Palm Beach for their first workshop. Input from the audience was tightly controlled. Even though there was an expert on the guest panel who is involved in working with agriculture in the region, agriculture …

south florida

South Florida Water: Combating Fake News with Facts and Farm Tours

Web AdminEnvironment, Florida, Water

In recent weeks, South Florida farmers and residents continue to grow with nervous concern about misinformation circulating about Lake Okeechobee and related regional water issues. A couple of meetings taking place in recent days in local communities around the lake exemplify the growing rumble among grassroots residents and businesses throughout the entire region, especially those in rural areas. A growing …

water

South Florida Environmentalist Shares Concerns Amidst Growing Water-Quality Debate

Web AdminEnvironment, Florida, Water

A native of the Pacific Northwest and now a resident of St. Lucie County, Nyla Pipes began working in 2013 with those concerned about growing water-quality and related environmental issues in Florida. She’s been a driving force and is now executive director of the non-profit One Florida Foundation. Pipes gave an exclusive interview following the February meeting of the South …

strawberry

Aromatic Strawberry Variety Grows in South Florida

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Strawberry

As National Strawberry Day approaches on Feb. 27, University of Florida (UF) scientists have found another variety that can grow in South Florida. It’s largely unknown to American consumers, it’s temptingly tasty and it’s good for local markets, UF researchers say. Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of horticultural sciences with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), led …

benjamin butler

South Florida’s Water Politics Raising Questions

Web AdminEnvironment, Water

By Gary Cooper One of several bombshells dropping at last week’s South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board meeting was the resignation of district executive director Ernie Marks.  In the audio clip below, Governing Board Member and Vice Chair Brandon Tucker echoed the feelings of several other board members about Marks’ resignation:  There was no quorum at last week’s …

UF ‘Dream Team’ Plans to Change Face of South Florida Ag, Natural Resources

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Top Posts

Contact: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu HOMESTEAD, Fla. – They don’t wear capes and tights, but the new University of Florida (UF) faculty members hope their research will help grow the state’s agriculture and natural resources, and stave off enemies that threaten industry. The eight scientists, based at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead, Florida, are bringing new …

Downy Mildew Confirmed in North Florida, South Georgia Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Not only that, it was also confirmed in South Georgia as well. But growers must consider all the facts before responding to the breaking news. Hochmuth …

Thrips Populations Increasing in Southern Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Thrips populations are increasing across multiple areas in southern Florida. This is according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts reported moderate levels of chili thrips and low levels of flower thrips in strawberry fields in central Florida. Population levels are increasing in Southwest Florida. Levels have increased from low to moderate for flower thrips and melon thrips. …

High Whitefly Populations Across Southern Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

High populations of whiteflies are being observed across the southern region of Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. High population levels are being reported in some watermelon fields in Southwest Florida. However, scouts indicate low, yet increasing population levels in most crops, with nymphs being reported in some older fields. Whitefly …