Publisher’s Letter

If you’ve been waiting for a definitive word about the State of Florida’s final 2025-2026 budget, you’re going to have to hold out a little longer. The State Legislature failed to pass a budget and will be reconvening in Tallahassee on May 12 to iron out the details. Of particular interest is the portion of […]

Each year, the Legislative Session sends us on a virtual rollercoaster ride as bills make a splash, face scrutiny, and ultimately pass or fade in the chambers. A bill currently picking up support as it moves through the Senate prioritizes research on emerging crops in Florida. SB 178 would direct Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Since its inception in 2010, Central Florida Ag News has been a staunch supporter of youth in ag. Even though we specifically designate this month as our “Youth in Ag” edition, we work throughout the entire year to highlight accomplishments and ongoing opportunities.  For example, our FFA Corner has been a longtime staple of our

People like to refer to citrus as Florida’s gold, but in February, our hearts are drawn to something a bit more red. While Florida’s citrus growers may be feeling a bit dismayed at the current outlook, there’s another group of growers whose industry is positively booming — strawberries. That’s because right now, Florida is in

We spend a lot of time discussing citrus, berries, and other various seasonal Florida crops here in Central Florida Ag News, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the state’s impressive nursery and landscape industry. It is, after all, one of the largest in the country. In fact, about 80% of all tropical and

There’s been a lot of talk and handwringing this year over the Corporate Transparency Act, which requires small businesses to report ownership information to the federal government by Jan. 1. So when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the legislation from being enforced, it constituted

Florida growers have been through a lot in the past month. Between the disappointing citrus forecast and dual hurricanes, growers throughout the state have faced their share (and more!) of adversity.  Hopefully, relief will make its way to those who need it thanks to payments the U.S. Department of Agriculture started issuing at the beginning

If you’ve spent any time in Florida, you know hurricanes are a fact of life. If you’ve spent any time in publishing, you know deadlines and the ability to pivot on a dime are also a fact of life. So when you put the two together, you have my life and that of my colleagues

It makes me sad that Florida farmland is being replaced by subdivisions and apartment complexes. There, I said it, and I’m not alone in feeling this way. I fully understand the economic aspect of why those decisions are made by those who get to decide, but it doesn’t make it stink any less that parts

If you own a farm or ranch or are involved in some way in an agriculture operation, there’s a good chance you’re a busy person who wears multiple hats and is forever juggling responsibilities, chores, financial matters, and so forth and so on.  The last thing you need is someone telling you what a great