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by GENE McAVOY, Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations at UF/IFAS SWREC and Regional Vegetable Extension Agent Emeritus  provided to Central Florida Ag News  Markets On Tuesday, March 24, a local broker says, everything changed. From brokers, orders stopped and everything got quiet. Wednesday, the 25th, super-quiet. Since then, tomato volumes are down 85 percent, green […]

Florida Cattlemen Open Up About Riding Out Fluctuations by TIM CRAIG It would be nearly impossible to discuss the livestock industry without the lens of the current health pandemic hanging low and shading whatever picture is created. With local, state, and national factors changing on an almost daily basis and codified patterns of behavior in

In March, the COVID-19 pandemic effected industries, businesses, and millions of people across the U.S. As fear and panic-shopping set in among consumers with the unknown uncertainty of the duration of the virus and social distancing and stay-at-home orders in place across multiples states, the food supply chain was beginning to shake with demand for

Florida’s Livestock Industry a Powerhouse for the Country Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida Agriculture is one of the top four industries that drive the economy of the state. Florida is well-known as one of the country’s agriculture giants with its tropical climate and year-round growing season, but the focus is usually on oranges

Beleaguered Lakeland Dairy Farm Among Many  in Struggle to Survive Virus Fallout by MARY TOOTHMAN The H.C. Dairy has seen hard times before. Like most farming operations, the family-run dairy farm operated by Mike and Freda Carey has struggled to make ends meet. Built roughly 100 years ago, it is thought to be the last

Agri-Fest Has a Strong History of Introducing Youth to Florida Agriculture by TERESA SCHIFFER In 1988, a new idea emerged in Central Florida for a method of engaging young people in agriculture. The goal was to provide interactive agricultural education to students in Polk County. Agri-Fest was born. What started as a one-day field trip

Florida Beef Ambassador Hopes to Get More Youth Involved in Industry by CATHERINE CERVONE For many teens, the end of high school is about prom, graduation and other senior traditions. McKettrick  McKettrick has a few other things on her mind. McKettrick is a senior at DeSoto County High School finishing out the last few months

Is your farm selling produce direct to consumers? If so, FFVA wants to help spread the word. With the current supply-chain disruption, many producers are now selling directly to the public to move their product, and consumers are eager to find out where fresh, local produce is available for purchase. If you or a company

FDACS Creating Online Database for Produce and Seafood On Monday afternoon, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced its effort to establish an online site to facilitate the sale or donation of fresh produce and seafood that might otherwise be left to rot because of the marketplace economics due to COVID-19 impacts. 

Young Rancher Credits UF/IFAS Extension for Much of Her Success by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS correspondent Megan Johnston works alone, proudly managing a 140-acre ranch. Though there are no typical days, Johnston gets up about 5:30 every morning to feed the cows and their calves on land near Floral City, Florida.  Johnston attributes much of her