From the Editor’s Desk

The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and just like usual this time of year, pollen is raining down. But that’s not all! Springtime in Central Florida means the blueberries are bursting into the fields! Unfortunately, the devastating freeze earlier this year resulted in many farms canceling their u-picks this season. Blueberry u-picks are […]

Florida’s ag industry is nothing if not creative and resourceful. Present a problem to a farmer, and their solution will often involve some unconventional thinking. That ingenuity is what continues to open the door to new possibilities across the industry.  During the recent Highlands County Ag Tour, that mindset was on full display. Zack Farr,

They say there is always a silver lining … that the challenge lies in finding it. In the wake of a severe freeze that brought significant losses to Florida growers, that idea may seem hard to grasp. Yet even amid the devastation, the response to the event has revealed something more meaningful.  During the past

Much like November is a slippery slope into the holidays, January marks the start of the fleeting whirlwind that is fair season here in Central Florida. Ag parents can likely attest that even though preparation began long ago, one blink at the turn of the new year and suddenly it’s April. For many kids in

As the end of 2025 draws near, I can’t help but be proud of the stories we’ve shared with readers. Looking back through our editions, it’s easy to see just how quickly the ag industry is adapting and growing, and we’re here for it.  Here’s a quick recap of just some of the stories that

What a wild ride the past month has been. For many residents throughout the state and the nation, the federal government shutdown has brought more than a minor inconvenience; it has meant an abrupt halt to food assistance programs that families rely on.  The uncertainty and anxiety that reverberate throughout Florida’s communities do, however, underscore

This time of year, I’m usually oohing and aahing over the fall festivals that are popping up around Central Florida. (I’ll still be stalking the festivals, just not writing another column on them! But make sure to watch for next month’s edition, which will offer a sneak peek of Golden Ridge Groves!) I’d be remiss

Tucked into lush greenery at Polk County’s Eagle Haven Ranch, a sign boasts renderings for a planned luxury resort. But that’s the furthest the development will advance thanks to a joint effort by conservation buyers Arnie and Lauren Bellini. On September 3, Conservation Florida announced it had helped secure permanent protection of 2,317 acres along

You have no doubt heard me champion the countless benefits of agritourism over the years, so you likely won’t be shocked by this hat tip to the Manatee County commissioners. Two years ago, Central Florida Ag News brought you a feature on East Bradenton’s iconic Mixon Fruit Farms shutting its doors after 84 years in

If you’re anything like me, then there’s nothing more captivating than listening to someone who is not only knowledgeable but also has firsthand experience take a deep dive into a topic they are passionate about. It’s akin to getting a front-row seat at the best TED Talk, minus the predictable formulaic structure.  That’s probably why