georgia blueberry

Georgia Congressman Relieved Disaster Package Passed

Web AdminBerries, Georgia, Legislative, Top Posts, Weather

Disaster-aid legislation has now been signed into law by President Trump. The bill includes $19.1 billion for areas that suffered from natural disasters, including southwest Georgia, southern Alabama and Florida’s Panhandle, which saw major destruction following Hurricane Michael. While passing the aid for farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael is already a huge win, Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-1) is also pleased …

USMCA Not Likely to Change for Southeastern Produce Industry

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative, NAFTA, Produce, Top Posts, USMCA

The Southeastern produce industry has been very vocal about the issues it faces with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and now the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is the NAFTA rewrite. Due to heavy competition from Mexico, the industry says rural communities have been impacted and businesses have not been able to survive. After the USMCA was released, it …

Fighting for Florida Ag in D.C.

Web AdminFlorida, Legislative, Top Posts

Each year, Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) gives its members the unique opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Florida agriculture to their legislators. Farmers and ranchers from throughout the state attended the Field to the Hill event last week along with FFB state staff. AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor was able to tag along with the Farm Bureau members …

Panel Advocates for Florida Ag to Florida Delegation

Web AdminLegislative, Top Posts

A panel of Florida agricultural leaders had a unique opportunity on May 16 to discuss Florida agriculture issues in front of the Florida delegation in Washington, D.C. The panel mainly focused on two topics: hurricane relief dollars and the impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on Florida produce. Led by delegation co-chairs Alcee Hastings and Vern Buchanan, Florida’s representatives …

Tomato Suspension Agreement Officially Terminated

Web AdminLegislative, Tomatoes, Top Posts

On May 7 the Tomato Suspension Agreement officially terminated. The Department of Commerce announced the U.S. withdrawal in the beginning of the year. The agreement, made back in 2013, was designed to prevent an anti-dumping investigation in exchange for Mexican growers agreeing to certain restrictions. Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, has been very vocal about …

UGA Study Shows NAFTA Impact

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative, NAFTA, Top Posts, USMCA

A new study from the University of Georgia (UGA) breaks down the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on the Southeast’s fruit and vegetable industries. Southeastern growers and industry groups have been very vocal about the negative impacts of NAFTA. With the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (the NAFTA rewrite) coming down the pipeline, the industry continues to speak …

Georgia Grower Discusses Ag Labor in D.C.

Web AdminLabor, Legislative, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Bill Brim begins his testimony at 48:20. Growers in the United States are facing many challenges when it comes to the current H-2A agricultural visa program. On April 9, Bill Brim, owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Georgia and board member of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, testified on his struggles with agricultural labor to …

Tomato Suspension Agreement Battle May Not Be Over Yet

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Legislative, Top Posts

The termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement may be stopped in its tracks after associations representing the Mexican tomato industry have proposed changes to the agreement. The agreement was set to be terminated on May 7. The associations recently presented their proposal to the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to a report from Abasto (https://abasto.com/en/mexican-growers-tomato-imports/), the changes proposed by the …

fried

Florida Ag Commissioner Urges Support for Fresh From Florida Budget

Web AdminFlorida, Legislative

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried urges Florida farmers to make their voices heard now during this tough year for agriculture program funding. She says state lawmakers are debating key budget items between House and Senate versions that could leave some department programs woefully underfunded. One area of big concern right now is the popular Fresh From Florida marketing program. In …

florida fruit

2019 Trade Prognosis

Web AdminLegislative, Top Posts, Trade

Trade is always a top-of-mind issue for growers and industry leaders, and it can keep the industry on its toes as it is constantly changing. Bill Lane, executive director of Trade for America, gave his opinion on what the trade environment is going to look like in 2019 during his presentation at the recent Flower and Vegetable Seed Conference held …