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FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL press release Bartow – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued the December 2023 citrus crop forecast today for the 2023-2024 harvest season. The federal agency estimates production to be 20.5 million boxes of oranges this season. The forecast of oranges remains unchanged since the October 2023 estimate. Additionally, the USDA forecasted 2.4 million […]

It’s a First: UF Scientists Find Ethyl Vanillin in a UF/IFAS-bred Strawberry by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS University of Florida scientists have found ethyl vanillin — an aroma compound in many artificial vanilla-flavored food products — in a UF/IFAS-bred strawberry.   This is a key finding for the food and beverage industry and for the UF/IFAS strawberry

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Fall is not normally when you find Florida-grown blueberries at the grocery store. But that may change, thanks to University of Florida researchers.   This comes as good news for consumers and growers, who would be able to expand their market window by several months.  In the Sunshine State, the fruit normally

by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS People have begun their holiday grocery shopping, and as food enters the picture, why not keep food waste to a minimum? Make this holiday season the start of your composting practices and the gift that keeps on giving.  Experts at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)

Highlands County 4-H members will host a Kids Business Fair on Dec. 2 from noon-2 p.m. at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center at 4509 George Blvd. Sebring, FL 33875. This event will help 4-H youth develop entrepreneurial skills, learn to count money and make change, advertise, interact with customers, sell a product, and

PRESS RELEASE Winter Haven — Sow Exotic, the renowned purveyor of rare fruiting and medicinal plants, recently moved to a larger and upgraded nursery expansion property. This development marks a major milestone in the company’s journey, and it comes after two years of meticulous planning and dedicated effort. The new nursery expansion property boasts several

by FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced Dr. Saundra TenBroeck as the 2023 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. “I am honored to announce Dr. Saundra TenBroeck as Florida’s Woman of the Year

by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced in late September that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary estimates of damage to Florida agriculture from Hurricane Idalia, including more than $447 million in total losses and damages across the state’s diverse agricultural sectors. “Today, as

by BRAD BUCK Many farmers are incorporating tourism into their operations to draw visitors and earn an alternate source of income. If you’re interested in establishing an agritourism business, you can now register for and attend a workshop scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. November 14 on Zoom.  Luis Rodriguez and Allie Williams, the