When the average American sees a spike in their electric bill, it sometimes means the cost of liquid propane has gone up. We gripe and we paid the bill. But for poultry farmers who uses substantially more energy to keep their birds warm, a rise in the cost of propane can significantly affect the bottom [...]
It seems that for the past couple of years, the wealthiest man on earth has been purchasing thousands of acres of farmland in northern Florida. That’s right, Bill Gates. A subsidiary of one of Gates’ investment companies has recently bought nearly 5000 acres in Suwannee County for almost $28 million. Large amounts of land were [...]
If we say, “Florida Agriculture” what springs to mind? Probably oranges, blueberries, strawberries or corn. All the delicious things that can get your stomach rumbling. But agriculture’s beauty isn’t belly deep! She gives us many other benefits that often go unnoticed. Take a look at what Florida Agriculture is busy doing for you while you [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
