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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
An increase in the forecast for the Florida citrus growing season means a little more juice in the budget for the Department of Citrus without an increase in the “box” taxes assessed growers. The Florida Citrus Commission on Wednesday approved a revised operating budget of…
Read More Florida’s Citrus Budget Boosted
Florida is back in the business of race-car sponsorships. This past weekend, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ “Fresh from Florida” brand was featured on a Ford F-150 as part of the ThorSport Racing team participating in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the…
Read More Revving Up ‘Fresh From Florida’ With Race Car Sponsorship
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced Dr. Saundra TenBroeck as the 2023 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. “I am honored to announce Dr. Saundra TenBroeck as Florida’s Woman of the Year in Agriculture,” said…
Read More Florida Commissioner Simpson Announces 2023 Woman Of The Year In Agriculture