SO FAR THIS YEAR, more than 1,300 wildfires have ravaged our lands and forests. Florida wildfires are a real and present danger, relevant to all landowners — whether residential, rural, or agricultural. When a wildfire breaks out, the risk to loss of timber, wildlife habitat, homes, as well as animal and human lives is a […]
Preventing and protecting our lands from wildfires Read More »
SINCE THE ARRIVAL of European explorers in the 1500s, agriculture has played a critical role in the in the history and growth of our state. Today, Florida agriculture helps to produce the food and fiber that people throughout our state, across the nation, and around the world have come to depend on.
Commissioner’s AgriCorner: Century Pioneer Family Farms Read More »
OFTENTIMES, FARMERS, RANCHERS and other ag folks are portrayed as being at odds with environmentalists and conservationists. Nothing could be further from the truth. As an agriculture and environmental lawyer, I can attest that there are few people who care as much about the land they live and work on and their animals as do
Stewards of the land and our environment Read More »
How the Legacy Leadership program is helping ensure the future of Florida agriculture WE KNOW HOW to grow things in Florida — oranges, blueberries, coleus, you name it. Fortunately, we also know how to grow leaders in our agriculture and natural resources industries. Their vision will be essential in how successful we are in feeding
Leaders must be a signature crop Read More »
Eighth Annual Youth Field Day promises engaging and educational range cattle demonstrations EVERY YEAR in June, the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona, Florida, hosts its annual Youth Field Day event. This event provides students ages eight to 18 who are interested in agriculture, more specifically range cattle, with a unique hands-on opportunity
Where youth can meet their meat and more Read More »
AS THE NUMBER of peach acres continues to climb in Florida, so does the consumer’s love for this sensation. The Florida peach is not only juicy and sweet, but they’re also the only peaches available from mid-March to mid-May. What spells opportunity better than a great product and a market window with no direct competitors?
Publisher Letter: A growing sensation among Florida crops Read More »
When dedication rules out the limits of age and size in the rodeo WHEN THEN-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Hannah Quarles saw her cousin riding sheep in a rodeo, she had a surprising reaction: She wanted to do it too. Hannah has been participating in the Central Florida Rodeo Association’s (CFRA) monthly events ever since, shares Hannah’s mother, Nicky
Little Hannah, get your saddle Read More »
MORE THAN 47,000 farms in Florida work day in and day out to produce the food and fiber that Florida — and the world — depend on. Florida agriculture produces a variety of products — nearly 300 different commodities — and generates more than $120 billion in annual economic impact. As Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture,
Commissioner’s AgriCorner: Growing ‘Fresh From Florida’ Read More »
AG LITERACY DAY was held April 21, and our local FFA chapters spent their day educating Polk County elementary students on Florida’s livestock and poultry industries. The story was narrated by an old truck, Ole’ Red, that took the readers on a road trip throughout the state of Florida visiting different farms and learning about
Ag Time with Abby: Memoirs of an Ag Literacy Day reader Read More »
THEY SAY NECESSITY is the mother of invention, and it’s the spark that lights innovation as well. Here in Florida, a good portion of the year offers daily rain showers, hot temperatures, and high humidity. It’s also a haven for insects like termites and other wood-loving critters. This all adds up to bad news for
Trending on the farm: Steel barns and outbuildings Read More »
