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Did you ever sit back, cross your legs on a hassock, pull your hat over your closed eyes and think about how lucky we are to live in Central Florida? Our weather is the best. We’re close to beaches. Big cities are just far enough away. And there’s always a special food to discover.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Click […]

More than 500 years ago, when European settlers landed in Florida, livestock were raised and produce was grown for subsistence. The settlers produced just enough to feed themselves and their families. Over time, advances in farm machinery, technology and practices, as well as innovations in transportation, helped Florida agriculture become the economic pillar it is

We live in a culinary smoothie. Florida food is a bit of this and a bit of that from many countries, all smooshed together as immigrants settled here and they shared the bounty enjoyed by Native Americans.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”] And as Floridians, we have added

When deciding whether to irrigate during frost-freeze conditions or when to apply nutrients during wet months, agricultural producers depend on accurate weather information. Producers often have to settle for information from other parts of the region. With the new “ My Florida Farm Weather ” program, however, agricultural producers across Florida can access real-time local

Fall lasts about three days in our neck of the woods, or so it seems. One day the crepe myrtle has its leaves, a couple of days later it’s just berries for the birds. We are lucky though that three of our delicious fall crops last a long time. Squash, sweet corn, and tomatoes are

A lot of people today use smartphones and mobile app technology to have up-to-date information right at their fingertips, but not every profession, Clyde Fraisse notes, has been quick to embrace these advances.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”] For one thing, even though there are now smartphone apps

We grow a lot of fruits in Florida. Most folks barely know about some of them. They are experimental or they come from tiny groves or large backyards. We think of them as foreign flavors.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”] If you look hard you can find plenty

As Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, improving the nutritional value of school meals by adding more locally grown produce to school trays is one of my top priorities. In 2011, I worked with the Legislature to move Florida’s School Nutrition Program from the Department of Education to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Simply

Two years ago, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services launched Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program that invites wounded service members and veterans of the U.S. military to enjoy recreational activities on Florida State Forests. The program is the result of a collaboration between the department, legislators, and the Wounded Warrior Project to honor