federal

Federal Government Reopens for Now

Web AdminBusiness, Legislative

After a month-long shutdown, the federal government reopens officially for three weeks following an announcement from President Donald Trump. The 800,000 federal workers who have been on furlough will be receiving back pay for the days that offices were closed due to the shutdown. The funding will keep the government running until Feb. 15. “I am very proud to announce …

applications

Applications Now Available for Pilot Industrial Hemp Production

Web AdminHemp, Industry News Release

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) is now accepting applications from eligible producers, farmers, and universities interested in growing industrial hemp.  ADAI is also accepting applications from prospective industrial hemp processors. In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975, tasking the Department with the development of a …

New, Yet Old, Competition for Florida Avocados?

Web AdminAvocado, Top Posts

By Taylor Hillman There may soon be some new, yet old, competition — with tropical flair — for Florida avocados. After 25 years, Hawaii has again begun shipping Sharwil avocados to the mainland. Three thousand pounds of the avocado variety are being sent to Seattle, and the industry hopes to continue shipping through March. Hawaii has shipped avocados to the …

Tickets On Sale for Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Top Posts

TAMPA, Fla. — Tickets are now on sale for the 40th annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet on Feb. 12, which will honor four inductees who have made invaluable contributions to Florida agriculture. The banquet, which each year celebrates the accomplishments of industry leaders who have served in research, education and business, is held in the Special Events Center …

Crop Insurance Survey

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Top Posts

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) needs your help! It sent out this recent release calling on growers: At the recent Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Board of Directors meeting, the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) discussed interest in providing a crop insurance program for several crops, including tomato, sweet corn, bell pepper, specialty pepper, cucumber, squash …

farm bill

The 2018 Farm Bill Is Officially Here

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, known as the 2018 farm bill, has now been made official after being signed by President Donald Trump today.  It was a long and strenuous process drafting a version that both congressional houses could agree to.  The farm bill will ultimately cost $867 billion over the next 10 years through a series of programs intended …

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Winning Fight Against Destructive, Disease-Carrying Snail

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Pests, Top Posts

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that more than 168,000 Giant African Land Snails (GALS) have been eliminated in Florida since the invasive snail was discovered in Miami-Dade County in 2011. In addition, due to the success of the program, the department has decommissioned two additional core areas, two of the largest is the …

Secretary Perdue Comments on Signing of USMCA

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Top Posts, USMCA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the signing of the new trade pact, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), replacing the outdated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): “I have often said that we live in the best neighborhood on Earth – North America – and the signing of a new trade agreement with Mexico and …

Southeast Climate Hub Developing Hurricane Manual for Landowners

Web AdminTop Posts, Weather

Southeastern agriculture is faced with many challenges, including hurricanes. Most recently, Hurricanes Irma, Florence and Michael have devastated sectors of southeastern agriculture. Steven McNulty, director of the Southeast U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Climate Hub, wants to help farmers prepare their land as best as they can before a storm hits. McNulty organized a recent meeting in Gainesville to gauge …