Departments

TWO AMERICAN SOLDIERS sustained significant injuries across the street from one another, a year apart, while serving in Fallujah, Iraq. Years later, chance brought these two American heroes together while on a hunting trip with Operation Outdoor Freedom, where they realized their shared Falluja experience sitting around a campfire.

ONE OF THE JOYS of living in Central Florida is just-picked citrus. We had citrus in the Great White North but it was an imported treat. Grapefruit was often picked too early and made no friends because it was still sour. Florida also has plenty of other fruits that can pair with citrus to expand

OVER THE PAST few years, schools around Polk County have been adding new components to their agriculture programs. One growing addition I keep seeing is aquaculture and aquaponics.

WHEN I SAY we’re off to a great year, boy, oh boy, do I mean it! There are three big fundraising events that our local FFA chapters are hosting, and I’m pretty stoked about them.

THE SHOPPER in the family knows how pricey meat is. It’s easy to spend what seems like almost a car payment on a big chunk of tender cow. For affordability, you can’t beat fish you catch.

AGRICULTURE IN FLORIDA is high-tech. It’s not Old McDonald’s Farm anymore, and in order to feed our global population of 10 billion by 2050, we need to invest in our youth. We need to mentor young people and set an example of how innovation and passion can continue to propel the agriculture industry forward. Our

THE BEGINNING OF EACH school year ushers in a whole new set of experiences for Florida’s children, whether it is a new classroom, new teacher, new classmates, or even a whole new school. This year, Florida students will be going back to more than new classes, teachers, and friends — we’re working to make sure

State’s Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory modernized FLORIDA’S FARMERS AND RANCHERS face a variety of threats, including pests, diseases, and market changes. In fact, the survival of Florida’s 500-year-old agriculture industry has hinged on its ability to prevent, diagnose, and respond to crises. Now, with an upgrade and modernization of the Florida Department of Agriculture