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The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a webinar series to educate Floridians about private wells and septic systems, including routine maintenance and storm preparation. Nearly 2.6 million septic systems are in operation throughout the state, representing 12% of…
Read More Virtual Series to Educate on Septic, Well Water Systems
Tuesday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, hosted a press conference announcing the release of the FDACS Biden-Harris Administration Partnership Plan: Keeping Florida & America Growing, a state-federal partnership plan. The plan outlines areas of future collaboration between the Florida Department of Agriculture and…
Read More Florida Ag Commissioner Releases FDACS & Biden Admin Partnership Plan
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Setting prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control, as many Floridians witnessed during the state’s wildfire emergency in 2017. That’s why the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will be conducting prescribed burns…
Read More District Aims to Reduce Risk of Wildfires by Scheduling Prescribed Fires for Hillsborough County
Morgan Norris of Port Charlotte represented young farmers across the United States at the International Young Farmers Forum. Norris was one of 19 farmers selected by the World Farmers’ Organization to take part in the invitation-only forum, which is a part of the 13th annual Global Forum for Food and…
Read More Young Florida Agriculturist Helps Shape Global Food Supply of the Future
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service are highlighting prescribed fire and its role in public safety and the health of Florida’s natural and agricultural lands during Florida’s Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, January 24 – 30. This year, the Forest Service is launching an initiative encouraging Floridians to…
Read More Florida Ag Commissioner Highlights the Benefits of Prescribed Fires
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered formal comment to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) on two ongoing investigations into imports of strawberries and bell peppers into the American market. Fried has been joined by seasonal crop growers, industry associations, and Florida’s congressional delegation in calling for an end to unfair…
Read More Florida Agriculture: Act on Investigations of Mexican Imported Strawberries & Peppers
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program is launching a virtual workshop with research and program updates, available online beginning January 11 for $40. The workshop consists of a collection of pre-recorded lectures and prepared documents available for on-demand viewing. In addition…
Read More Florida: UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp virtual workshop available Jan. 11
The funding is being provided through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which was created under the 2008 Farm Bill and reauthorized under the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA seeks applications for the Fiscal Year 2021 funding. The deadlines to apply for grants are Feb. 1,…
Read More USDA Loan and Grant Opportunities in Florida and U.S. Virgin Islands
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Raise your tree knowledge while learning at home with free, online classes from the UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service during the “Raise Them Right: Young Tree Establishment and Care” virtual series. Beginning Thursday, January 7, 2021, join Florida Friendly Landscaping…
Read More UF/IFAS Pasco Extension to Offer Free Tree Care Series
The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s request for a Secretarial disaster declaration for several key counties impacted by Hurricane Sally. The Secretarial disaster declaration names Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties as primary disaster areas related to Hurricane Sally, as well as Bay, Gulf,…
Read More Florida Agriculture Commissioner Granted Hurricane Sally Secretarial Disaster Declaration