Action Taken to Protect the United States From Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus

Web AdminFruit, Industry News Release, Tomatoes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is taking immediate action to prevent the introduction of tomato brown rugose fruit virus into the United States and protect U.S. tomato and pepper production worth more than $2.3 billion annually. APHIS has issued a federal order imposing restrictions on imports of tomato and pepper seed lots …

Public Comments Sought for Revisions to the Produce GAPs Harmonized Standard

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Produce

The deadline to submit comments is Jan. 30, 2020. (United Fresh) – United Fresh has opened the public comment period to the just-posted redline version of the Produce GAPs Harmonized Standard, detailing the proposed revisions that were reviewed by the Technical Working Group at its September meeting. “We continue to strive for a balanced standard that is both accessible for …

governor ron desantis

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Two to the SFWMD Governing Board

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Water

(FLGOV) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Jack Bispham and Seth Weightman to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. Jack Bispham Bispham, of Myakka City, is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation. Previously, he was the owner of Bayside Sod from 1988 until 2018. He has served as a Soil and Water Conservation Service …

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Governor DeSantis Appoints Benjamin Butler to the SFWMD Governing Board

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Water

(FLGOV) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Benjamin Butler to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. This appointment fills the final vacancy on this nine-member board. Benjamin Butler Butler, of Lorida, is the manager of Butler Oaks Farm, a family owned dairy farm. Butler Oaks Farm has operated for more than 80 years and has received …

Microbial Marauder of Potato, Tomato Crops Has an Accomplice

Web AdminIndustry News Release, potato, Research, Tomatoes

(USDA/ARS) — Descendants of the fungus-like pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine in the 1840s — Phytopthora infestans — may have had a “helping hand” in recent U.S. outbreaks of the costly blight disease. Reporting in the September 2019 issue of Virus Research, a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Cornell University (CU) and Rutgers University scientists announced they had identified a virus that …

Florida Tomato Committee Names McAvoy Researcher of the Year

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Research, Tomatoes, Top Posts

(UF/IFAS) — He may hold the title “emeritus,” which means “retired,” but Gene McAvoy remains active with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and research, helping bring farmers’ concerns back to UF/IFAS scientists. In fact, he just won the Researcher of the Year Award from the Florida Tomato Committee. For the past 22 years, McAvoy …

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SFWMD Starts Public Process to Revise Rules for Northern Everglades and Coastal Estuaries Water Quality

Web AdminEnvironment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Water

Schedule of public workshops and interactive website announced where public can participate and provide input as District works to amend a Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program rule (SFWMD) — The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) initiated a public rule-making process to support water quality improvements in the Northern Everglades, which includes the Lake Okeechobee Watershed and the St. Lucie …

Outbreak of E. coli Possibly Linked to Romaine Lettuce Appears to Be Over

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Leafy Vegetables

(FDA) — “We are sharing news of a recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was likely associated with romaine lettuce. We do not believe there is a current or ongoing risk to the public and we are not recommending the public avoid consuming romaine lettuce,” said U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas. “However, …

Research to Reduce Pepper Diseases; Boost Production

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Research, Vegetables

(UF/IFAS) — Pepper is popular. Consumers eat all kinds, including jalapenos, habaneros, chilis and more. Because people eat so much of the fruit, peppers are worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the Florida and national economies. In fact, in 2018, bell and chili peppers alone were a $181 million-a-year industry in Florida and a $628 million-a-year industry …

USDA Establishes Domestic Hemp Production Program

Web AdminHemp, Industry News Release, Top Posts

(USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 farm bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to …