by LUIS RODRIGUEZ, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Every year, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Polk County Farm Bureau, and Polk County School Board collaborate on Agri-Fest. Agri-fest is an agricultural event catered to teach fourth-grade students about agriculture in Florida and its importance. The event is divided into six stations, and the students rotated within three […]
Agri-Fest 2024: Florida Farms Station Overview Read More »
By Rob Gilbert ragilber@ufl.edu @IFAS_VP You are about to see the biggest expansion of UF/IFAS presence in support of Hillsborough/Polk agriculture in a generation. As the University of Florida’s new interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and head of UF/IFAS, one of my goals is to deliver two big projects to your
The Title Is New, but My Commitment to Farmers Is Not Read More »
by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida It’s April, and that means it’s finally Florida blueberry season! While many may not think of Florida as a major blueberry producer, we’re one of the top 10 blueberry producing states in the nation. Every year around March and April, our blueberry season begins, with
Florida Among the Top 10 Blueberry Producing States Read More »
We recently held our Central Florida Ag Deputy Luncheon where members and guests were able to network with Polk agriculture law enforcement officers to exchange information on how to better protect your agribusiness property. Thank you to event sponsors Agriliance, Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., Kelly Buick GMC, Lightsey Cattle Company, Magnatronix Corporation, The Mosaic Company,
President’s Letter Read More »
Each year, the Legislative session is filled with high hopes that are met by 160 pairs of scrutinizing eyes in bid to make it to the final budget. The 2024 State Legislative Session yielded some pretty big wins for Florida agriculture within the $117 billion budget. Perhaps most notably, the budget includes $47 million in
Legislative Wins for Florida Ag Read More »
photo by POLK COUNTY FARM BUREAU Congratulations to Kelsey Jeznach from Fort Meade Senior FFA for winningthe Polk County Farm Bureau’s Farm City Week Essay Contest!
Farm City Week Essay Contest Winner Read More »
Homeland, Fl Jan. 17-28, 2024 photos by VENUS SANSOM
53rd Annual Alafia River Rendevous Read More »
by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS We’re at the height of the Florida strawberry harvesting season – a time when the state’s growers are doing all they can to make sure consumers can choose from among the best of their favorite fruit at the market. Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, thanked Vance
UF/IFAS Strawberry Breeders Play Key Role in Thriving Industry Read More »
It’s been good to see so much effort focused on making it easier for Florida growers and ranchers to get their goods out into the community. Over the past year, Visit Central Florida’s has continued its push to create a network and website where growers in Polk and nearby can list their crops so that
Fresh From Florida Farmers Read More »
by CLAYTON KEENE, Lake Wales Senior, Polk County FFA Federation Officer January has been jam-packed with many events for 4-H and FFA members across Polk County. Most members participated in the Polk County Youth Fair in some way, shape, or form. From family and consumer sciences, livestock projects, small animals, horticulture projects, archery, and special
Polk FFA and 4-H Members Celebrate Wins at Youth Fair Read More »
