Each year around April the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) awards the prestigious Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award to three agriculture operations that stand out for their demonstration of “a sustained commitment to conserving Florida’s natural resources and improving our environment.” Florida ag has long known that it holds a stewardship role for the unique environments [...]
Florida’s citrus industry is in dire need of a turnaround, so the passage of the Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act is the best of news. It’s the latest in a line of news items that seem as if the Florida citrus industry may be on the brink of a welcome improvement. […]
The craft beer industry is growing quickly, and a UF/IFAS research team is exploring whether Florida growers could benefit from the growth of this niche industry through supplying this much-needed crop to large and small breweries. The research was started in the backyard of UF horticulturist Brian Pearson, who wanted to see if he could [...]
If you live in Florida, and work in the Florida ag industry or enjoy nature, then you’re likely used to creepy-crawly things like bugs, arachnids and various reptiles. The tropical nature of Florida’s climate certainly invites a broad spectrum of snakes, spiders and other less-than-welcome creatures. Compared with other states, it seems Florida gets the [...]
October is National Seafood Month, which makes it a great time to highlight this unique section of the Sunshine State’s agricultural endeavors: Florida seafood. Few states can boast as many agrarian endeavors as Florida can. According to data compiled by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida is first in produce like [...]
Do you support a local or national charity? Most people I know do support charitable causes, whether it’s buying toys for at risk children during the holiday season or helping find a cure for cancer, they support something important to them or their family. Some people I know go even further and have launched a [...]
The Florida Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association state headquarters held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 10. The new headquarters is part of the Florida Farm Bureau in Gainesville. There were an estimated 230 guests in attendance, of which 100 or so FFA members – all middle or high school age. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam [...]
Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is voicing his support of the new Farm Bill. He also recognized Congressman Steve Southerland who helped ensure that Florida’s $100 billion industry is protected in the Farm Bill. […]
An article published this week in the Highlands Today newspaper shared that Between November and May each year, Florida produces about 300 agricultural commodities that are sold across the U.S. and in more than 120 countries around the world. This has been supported by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and the Fresh [...]
