This time last year, we posted an article sharing how a recent study by the University of Florida showed Floridians were buying more locally grown foods. The survey showed that one-fifth of Floridians bought locally grown food, whether from restaurants, farmers markets, grocers or direct from the farms. Shoppers are partial to their local community [...]
In the fall of 2013, the citrus growers and beekeepers of Florida were involved in a voluntary and collaborative initiative to guarantee the protection of beehives growing close to citrus groves. Other states around the country have looked to the Florida initiative as a model for their own state on how to create partnerships between [...]
Did you know that the Panama Canal is 100 years old this month? The canal was opened on August 14, 1914 and is a great reminder of what the agriculture industry has evolved to in the last 100 years. A $6 billion expansion of the canal is underway and projected to be completed in 2015. [...]
In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, a private forecaster projects the Florida orange industry will hit a 50-year low for the 2014-15 year. We have shared several posts about the challenges facing the industry from citrus greening, to crop freeze damage, to industry pest problems. The produce industry battles for success against [...]
Florida’s blueberry and strawberry crops provide billions of dollars of revenue for the state each year. They are some of Florida’s most important agriculture commodities. They are also two crops that are rather expensive to grow and so when danger approaches, such as with pests, farmers must be proactive. The University of Florida is one [...]
Florida agriculture is going on the road. Justin Timineri is the executive chef and culinary face of Fresh from Florida, the Florida State Department of Agriculture initiative. He is an advocate for Florida agriculture and shares hundreds of recipes featuring Florida’s finest produce. This past Tuesday, Timineri featured some of his favorite recipes at a [...]
The Associated Press reported Monday that 67 Giant African Land Snails, also known as GALS, were confiscated and eventually incinerated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. These slimy crawling monsters were flown into the Los Angeles International Airport aboard a Nigerian flight in early July. Prohibited in the US, the snails are one of the [...]
The Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern has named its 2014 Farmer of the Year. The organization recognizes C. Dennis Carlton, a real estate investor and citrus grower with the honor. Carlton is recognized for the huge impact he has made in the city of Tampa but also in neighboring areas of Florida. He will receive the [...]
Today, we produce more than 300 agriculture commodities in Florida. Agriculture production began small but has grown to make a $100 billion economic impact today. With more than 47,000 farms across the state, an important shift in our agriculture is the growth of small community farms. A recent study conducted by the University of Florida [...]
Agriculture is an important industry for everyone. It’s a life-sustaining industry and necessary for our survival. Maintaining a successful farm or crop takes a great deal of hard work and talent, especially when it comes to battling weather challenges and pesky pests. […]
