“WHY DO YOU FARM?” This is a question that most farmers and ranchers hear over and over, year after year. One short answer is “Family,” and not just for our own families. In reality, the pursuit of agriculture production can at times present challenges to fulfilling our responsibilities to our own families — and the […]
FLORIDA GROWERS just harvested the smallest orange crop in nearly 50 years, and all because of a tiny insect that spreads an incurable disease. Citrus greening (a.k.a., Huanglongbing or HLB), a bacterial disease spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, is an existential threat to Florida’s signature crop. Trees infected with citrus greening produce fruit that
IN THE PHOTOS: Left, FFA youth ham it up during the 87th Annual Florida FFA State Convention & Expo. Right, Abby Crawford signs her letter of intent to teach agriculture after attending the UF Ag Education Institute session. THIS YEAR, THE THEME OF FLORIDA FFA was to become a part of the revolution. At the
Ag Time with Abby: Being part of the revolution Read More »
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL the graduating seniors — the Class of 2015! You have made it through all of the trials and triumphs, heartaches and good times, the FCAT, EOCs, and AP exams. I am sure that you tried new things, joined new clubs, and found new happiness. I am also sure that the memories and
Ag Time with Abby: Class of 2015, you did it! Read More »
SINCE THE ARRIVAL of European explorers in the 1500s, agriculture has played a critical role in the in the history and growth of our state. Today, Florida agriculture helps to produce the food and fiber that people throughout our state, across the nation, and around the world have come to depend on.
Commissioner’s AgriCorner: Century Pioneer Family Farms Read More »
ANTICIPATION can be disappointing. We were at a dog show in Georgia — you know, where the great peaches come from — and someone said “peach cobbler.” Just the thought set us on a quest for cobbler.
Recipe Spotlight: In peach anticipation Read More »
EACH YEAR, immediately following the end of the Legislative Session, the Polk County Farm Bureau hosts our Legislative Wrap-Up event. This year’s event was scheduled for Tuesday, June 9. Given the Special Session, which must take place in order to present a state budget, the June 9 PCFB Legislative Wrap-Up has been canceled and will
PCFB President’s Column: Legislative Wrap-Up event gets bumped Read More »
MORE THAN 47,000 farms in Florida work day in and day out to produce the food and fiber that Florida — and the world — depend on. Florida agriculture produces a variety of products — nearly 300 different commodities — and generates more than $120 billion in annual economic impact. As Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture,
Commissioner’s AgriCorner: Growing ‘Fresh From Florida’ Read More »
AG LITERACY DAY was held April 21, and our local FFA chapters spent their day educating Polk County elementary students on Florida’s livestock and poultry industries. The story was narrated by an old truck, Ole’ Red, that took the readers on a road trip throughout the state of Florida visiting different farms and learning about
Ag Time with Abby: Memoirs of an Ag Literacy Day reader Read More »
NOW IS THE TIME to get stuffing. Not turkeys, that’s months away, but sweet peppers. Florida peppers are here to about the end of May. A little work now will yield quick, tasty meals from the freezer for months.
Recipe Spotlight: A good bell pepper deserves a great stuffing Read More »
