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Florida Blueberry Growers Work Through Pandemic by PAUL CATALA In late March, blueberry farmer Bobby Barben said he wasn’t sure what to expect for the 2020 Florida blueberry growing and harvesting season but was “fine, so far.”  But as the COVID-19 virus continues its relentless spread around the globe, across the United States and into […]

Industrial Hemp Pilot Project Expands to On-Farm Trials by TORY MOORE, UF/IFAS correspondent  As the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project moves into its second year, on-farm research trials begin with commercial growers across the state. Twenty farms across 12 Florida counties were selected for the UF/IFAS on-farm trials. These farms are in different agricultural regions

COVID-19 Gives Unexpected Boost to Demand American Grown Campaign by TERESA SCHIFFER It is not yet possible to determine the full impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the world’s economies, industries, and social structures, but it is already clear that the global health crisis has had a major impact on almost every segment of

Stone Fruits Round Out Florida’s Sweet Offerings Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida by ERIKA ALDRICH While citrus may be The Sunshine State’s bread and butter when it comes to crops, there are many other types of prize crops in Florida besides citrus. Stone fruits like peaches, nectarines, and plums love the Florida sunshine

Farming as a career isn’t always an easy road. No one signs up for it to coast, but because farmers are passionate about what they do.    But that doesn’t mean they want to do it all by hand. Farming equipment can be costly to buy, and costly to maintain, but may cost the farmer

Alecia Crauswell’s Business Buzzing at Lakeland’s Red Roof Farms by MARY TOOTHMAN After 24 years in military service, it was quite a career switch when Alecia Crauswell found her way into the beekeeping life at Red Roof Farms.  But once a family member got into beekeeping, she found herself drawn to the fascinating world of

Florida Young Farmers and Ranchers compiling online directory of farms selling directly to consumers. by PAUL CATALA At 34, Ryan Armstrong already has seven years literally in the field growing citrus. He knows firsthand the effort, dedication and devotion it takes to get Florida-grown produce and from soil to table.  Armstrong is the current class

Florida Sun Grown Tobacco Farm Works to Bring Tobacco Growing Back to Florida by HEATHER MACHOVINA Florida has an illustrious history of growing the world’s finest cigar tobacco. It began in the 1820s when a Virginian moved to Gadsden County to experiment with tobacco as a market crop. By 1860, more than half of the

Lori Proctor’s Goat Farm a Story of Success Born From New Adventure by TERESA SCHIFFER Lori Proctor, proprietor of Proctor’s Goat Farm and Goat Life, isn’t your typical farmer. For one thing, she didn’t really grow up in an agricultural lifestyle, like so many in the industry have. Proctor’s background is in advertising, sales, and

USDA’s Blessing Sets Florida Hemp Program Into Action by TIM CRAIG As the USDA formally approved Florida’s state hemp program, the path to begin cultivating the alternative crop is turning green, particularly for one company who was there at the beginning and now has a sizable footprint in Central Florida.   The USDA approved Florida’s