Latest News

The estimate revises expectations to 11.5 million boxes of oranges. Bartow, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its February 2025 citrus crop forecast today, projecting 11.5 million boxes of oranges, 1.1 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 the production of oranges and grapefruit since the January […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On Feb. 7, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to prohibit the addition of any non-water quality additives into the public water supply, such as fluoride. The proposal will not completely remove the option of fluoridated water, as private water manufacturers will still be permitted to

Sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow and Rep. Kaylee Tuck, this strong bill will support and grow Florida agriculture, increase consumer protection and transparency, and more. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On February 4, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Senator Keith Truenow, and Representative Kaylee Tuck announced legislation to support Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS A name and face familiar to those in Polk County and across the UF/IFAS Southwest Extension District has been named interim director of the district. Nicole Walker, director of UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and associate director of the Southwest Extension District, has been selected to lead during the search for a

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS You can taste them now – sweet, succulent strawberries. February and March mark the peak time for Florida strawberry production, and University of Florida experts point to several reasons consumers gobble up the juicy fruit. “Strawberries are tasty because they are sweet and slightly tangy. This comes from the sugars and

WINTER HAVEN, Fla, — The Mixon Family, known for their success in Florida’s blueberry industry with the creation of SunnyRidge Farms, are making a bold return to their citrus roots. They’ve announced the hiring of industry veteran Ed Leotti, former COO of Tamiami Citrus LLC, as Vice President of Production to lead their expansion into

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS A name and face familiar to those in Polk County and across the UF/IFAS Southwest Extension District has been named interim director of the district.Nicole Walker, director of UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and associate director of the Southwest Extension District, has been selected to lead during the search for a new

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