Latest News - Central Florida Ag News

USDA Invests More than $7.5 Million in Composting and Food Waste Reduction Projects

Two Florida Projects Selected GAINESVILLE, Fla. – January 15, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $7.5 million in 26 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements are part […]

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Alico: Citrus No Longer Economically Viable for Us in Florida

Company winding down its citrus division to focus on its long-term diversified land usage and real estate development strategy. FORT MYERS, Fla.— Alico, Inc. announced Monday a strategic transformation to become a diversified land company with each of its properties now expected to create profitable agricultural revenue opportunities that are not citrus-related. Alico owns approximately

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Florida Agricultural Production Losses From Hurricane Milton Top $190 Million

by MEGAN WINSLOW, UF/IFASphoto by CAT WOFFORD, UF/IFAS Hurricane Milton caused agricultural production losses with an estimated value between $190.4 million and $642.7 million in Florida, according to a preliminary report by the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP). The report is based on a diverse set of baseline data and surveys UF/IFAS agricultural economists distributed to producers. Milton

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Bultemeier to lead UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Brett Bultemeier has been selected as the new director of the UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office. Bultemeier succeeds Jay Ferrell, who was appointed chair of UF’s department of agronomy. Ferrell mentored Bultemeier as both PIO director and as his graduate supervisor. He referred to Bultemeier as a natural fit for the directorship.“Dr.

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Ag Commissioner Announces Preservation of Adams Farm and Triple S Ranch Through Rural and Family Lands Protection Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of two Florida farms through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Adams Farm, a 1,687-acre farm located in Walton and Holmes counties, and Triple S Ranch, an 806-acre farm in Citrus County, are being preserved

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USDA Updates Citrus Forecast Following Hurricane Milton

BARTOW, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its December 2024 citrus crop forecast on Dec. 10, projecting 12 million boxes of oranges, 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit, and 350,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos for the 2024-2025 harvest season. This month’s forecast reflects a decrease in production since the USDA’s October 2024 crop estimate, which estimated 15

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Farm Credit of Central Florida and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit Announce Merger Plans

LAKELAND, Fla. and BAINBRIDGE, Ga. – Farm Credit of Central Florida and Southwest Georgia Farm Credit are pleased to announce the board of directors of both associations have unanimously agreed to pursue a merger of the two organizations by signing a letter of intent to merge. “Farm Credit of Central Florida and Southwest Georgia Farm

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South Florida Farmer Named Farmer of the Year

Gainesville, Fla.— Jim Alderman of Alderman Farms in Palm Beach County has been named the 2025 Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year. Alderman has been an organic vegetable farmer since 1979, growing an array of fresh vegetables, ranging from tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, eggplant, cabbage and fresh herbs. In addition to organic vegetables, Alderman owns

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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces 2025 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Cary and Marcia Lightsey, Madeline Mellinger, and Jim Strickland as the 2025 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees. Since 1980, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame has honored men and women who have made lasting contributions to agriculture

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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Launches Loan Program for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Milton

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property

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