Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Legislative Leaders Launch Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs for Florida Farmers

Dan Cooper Agribusiness, Economy, Legislative, Specialty Crops

The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with more than $112 million in funding to assist Florida farmers in rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program.  In …

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Applauds Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Hurricane Idalia Recovery Efforts for Agriculture

Web Admin Florida, Hurricanes

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the efforts of the Florida Legislature last week following the conclusion of a special session that prioritized Hurricane Idalia recovery relief for Florida’s agriculture industry: “Florida’s agriculture industry sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Idalia, with an estimated loss of over $447 million in crops, livestock and infrastructure. Our state’s farmers, ranchers, and growers …

Optimistic First Forecast for Florida Citrus

Web Admin Citrus, Citrus Crop Forecast

The bad news is that severe weather warnings caused the annual citrus crop luncheon to be cancelled at Putnam Ranch in Zolfo Springs, Florida. The good news is that the Florida citrus crop forecast is up in all categories. Bill Curtis, agricultural statistics administrator with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, presented the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) …

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces the Protection of 13,371 Acres of Ranchland through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program 

Web Admin Legislative

Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of 13,371 acres of Florida ranchlands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 13,371 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective agricultural conservation easements totaling $36,754,000. Agricultural conservation easements prevent future development of the land …

FDACS Seeking Feedback on Farm to School Program

Web Admin Uncategorized

Attention Florida fruit and vegetable farmers! The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hopes to get your feedback regarding the Farm to School Initiative. As part of an effort to further develop the existing Farm to School Initiative, FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are currently working together and identify opportunities for more effective …

FDACS Seeks Input from Producers on Farm to School Program

Web Admin Agri-business, Florida

Attention Florida fruit and vegetable farmers! The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hopes to get your input regarding the Farm to School Initiative. As part of an effort to further develop the existing Farm to School Initiative, FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are currently working together and identify opportunities for …

Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award Nominations Open

Web Admin Industry News Release

Nominations for the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award, sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in conjunction with the Florida State Fair Authority, are now being accepted. All nominations must be submitted by Aug. 1. The award annually recognizes the achievements of women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. “The Woman of …

Quarantine Established in Lee County Due to Giant African Land Snail 

Web Admin Pests

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 16, 2023) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and its Division of Plant Industry (DPI) announced that a quarantine has been established in specific areas of Lee County in response to previously detected Giant African Land Snails (GALS). Under the quarantine, it is unlawful to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but not limited to, plants, plant parts, plants in …

Wilton Simpson: Florida’s New Agriculture Commissioner Issues Statement

Web Admin Florida Grower

 JANUARY 4, 2023 Wilton Simpson was sworn in as Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture this week. He issued the following statement: “I am deeply appreciative of the privilege and responsibility of serving as Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture and leading the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Florida’s agriculture and related industries are the quiet, and often overlooked, giant of …

Citrus Trunk Injection Product Registered for Use 

Web Admin Citrus, HLB Management

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on Oct. 28 granted a 24(c) special local need registration for the citrus trunk injection of ReMedium TI for the control or suppression of HLB. The TJ BioTech product is oxytetracycline (OTC) hydrochloride, an antibiotic. “EPA (the federal Environmental Protection Agency) has 90 days to object, but it is my understanding …