If you’re a regular reader of Central Florida Ag News, you’ve heard me talk time and again about the resilience of Florida’s farmers — specifically our citrus growers. And now, as many Florida growers started the month fresh off a potentially catastrophic freeze event, we’re getting a firsthand glimpse of that same grit and adaptability […]
As we step into 2026, it is time to offer a long-overdue tribute to the backbone of the Sunshine State — our Florida farmers, ranchers, and their hardworking families. While most of the world celebrates the New Year with a pause, the rhythm of the farm never stops. To the families who rise before the
Central Florida Ag News has spent the past 15 years serving the ag community, sharing the stories that matter and keeping our readers informed. Along the way, we’ve forged invaluable partnerships with readers, advertisers, schools, the Polk County Farm Bureau leadership and members, and so many more. We like to think we have a good
For more than a decade, our November edition has been dedicated to exploring the many ways art intersects with agriculture. At first glance, it may seem like a light topic. But as we’ve learned over the years, there’s far more depth to it than meets the eye. At our core, we are champions of all
The folks at CRAFT repeatedly promised growers that this year’s cycle was going to be different — less red tape, less confusion, more streamlined processes. The goal was to remove the obstacles and minimize the hassle that could possibly deter growers interested in taking a chance. Judging by the response, I’d say the Foundation’s recruiting
Like the first taste of cooler temperatures after a relentlessly sizzling summer, there’s a new energy creeping into the Florida citrus industry. For more than a decade, Florida citrus has existed in survival mode, its identity shaped by HLB, hurricanes, development, and a sense of impending doom. But since Sen. Ben Albritton’s rallying push that
There’s been so much excitement about citrus industry funding getting the green light in the state budget and the CRAFT application period opening that there was another development that flew a bit under the radar. In late July, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins met with Florida ag leaders and announced that help was
Florida Gets $675.9 Million for Hurricane Recovery Read More »
The Florida ag community heaved a collective sigh of relief when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the $117.4 billion State Budget and left $140 million in funding for the Florida citrus industry intact. The celebration of that victory was overwhelming, and rightfully so! But there were other measures in the Budget also worth noting that will
While most people already know I’m a UCF man through and through (go Knights!), our Annual Blueberry Roundup Edition tends to bring out some pride in the orange and blue. That’s because the University of Florida and the state’s blueberry industry are inextricably linked in more ways than most people know. The bottom line is
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
