Category: Florida Agriculture

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service Friday are recognizing January 28 through February 3, 2024, as the state’s annual Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, highlighting the importance and benefits of prescribed fire burning in Florida’s lands and forests. “Prescribed fire is…

Read More Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Florida Forest Service Kick Off Prescribed Fire Awareness Week

On Wednesday, the Florida House began moving forward with a wide-ranging Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill that would ban making or selling “cultivated” meat in the state. The House Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee voted 9-5 to approve the bill (HB 1071),…

Read More Florida House Looks To Block ‘Cultivated’ Meat

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the opening of the nomination process Monday for the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award and the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards. The Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award annually recognizes the achievements of women who have made…

Read More Florida Ag Commissioner Seeks Nominations For 2024 Woman Of The Year In Agriculture

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs totaling over $112 million in funding Tuesday to assist Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers in rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Idalia. Affected agricultural producers can now apply…

Read More Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs Launched For Florida Farmers

 Florida’s struggling citrus industry opened the new year without seeing changes in production estimates for this growing season, as state lawmakers begin to decide how much money to pump into agriculture issues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday issued a report that kept estimates…

Read More Florida Citrus Numbers Unchanged As Disease Fight Continues

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services spent $1.6 million through the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to purchase a conservation easement that will shield from development 237 acres in Okeechobee County, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said Friday. The deal involving what…

Read More Florida State Deal Conserves Okeechobee Land

Florida Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of over 2,000 acres of Florida ranchland through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. With the Governor and Cabinet’s approval today, approximately 2,101 acres of working agricultural lands…

Read More Florida Ag Commissioner Simpson Announces Protection Of Over 2,000 Acres Of Ranchland

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Thursday that Larry Paul, wildland firefighter and lead rotor-wing pilot, as the Florida Forest Service’s 2023 Firefighter of the Year. A retired Lt. Commander following a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, Paul began his Florida Forest Service…

Read More Ag Commissioner Simpson Announces 2023 Florida Forest Service Firefighter Of The Year

As it hopes for a warm winter, Florida’s struggling citrus industry could be showing signs of recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Ian and progress in the decades-long fight against citrus greening disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday revised a forecast for the…

Read More Florida Citrus Forecast Shows Uptick

Fall is not normally when you find Florida-grown blueberries at the grocery store. But that may change, thanks to University of Florida researchers.   This comes as good news for consumers and growers, who would be able to expand their market window by several months.  In…

Read More New Genetic Finding Could Pave Way For Fall Blueberries In Florida