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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

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS As you watch workers use chainsaws to cut down the bines of hop cones for this year’s fall harvest, you can almost sense the craft beer the hops will eventually produce. Last week, scientists at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), hosted about 50 brewers from

Tips on Selecting the Ideal Gourd, Plus a Bonus Recipe by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS It’s almost Halloween, so you might be in the market for a pumpkin to greet your trick-or-treaters. But not just any pumpkin – a jack-o’-lantern. If you are, now is the time to buy one. “A lot of people want a

by FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES On Oct. 3, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Eugene McAvoy, John Hoblick, and John Schlechter as the 2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Have you ever wondered where your food comes from? While you buy food from the grocery store, it originates on farms. That’s why you might consider a tour of farms and research facilities being hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).  Stops on the November

by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS Communities are hungry for urban food production. Engagement continues at an all-time high when there is opportunity to grow food in containers, hydroponic systems, rooftops, community gardens and any available green space. Why? Urban food production, also called urban agriculture, provides an avenue to grow food locally, fight food insecurity and

by TORY MOORE, UF/IFAS Initiated this year, UF/IFAS hemp research and Extension teams will prioritize hemp crops with climate-smart management with help from a five-year USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant. The $4.9 million grant led by Florida A&M University will help researchers support hemp production for conservation and carbon sequestration that can help combat climate change.