May 2018 e-Newsletter

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HEADLINE NEWS

Jason Brown, Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference keynote speaker

NFL ATHLETE KEYNOTES “ROOTED IN AG” CONFERENCE

Former NFL football player Jason Brown will talk about his faith and farming at the Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference in St. Augustine, July 13-15. Brown will serve as the keynote speaker at the Activity Awards Banquet on July 13.

NEW STABLE FLY TRAP CATCHES MORE FLIES

A recent Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study reported that a new stable fly trap catches more flies than the standard trap. Stable flies can cost livestock producers more than $2.4 billion annually due to decreased milk production in dairy cows, decreased weight gain in beef cattle and lowering feed efficiency.

Women’s Fund Receives Prestigious Award
The Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Fund will receive the 2018 Florida FFA Distinguished Service Citation on June 12 at the 90th Annual State FFA Convention and Expo in Orlando. The award recognizes their support and promotion of FFA and its opportunities to students in Florida.

Win Cash With Your Photo

Farm Bureau members can showcase Florida agriculture and the people who make it a success in Florida Farm Bureau’s 2018 Online Photo Contest. The contest offers photographers the opportunity to explore the many activities, seasons, triumphs and faces of Florida agriculture. Winning photos will be published in various Florida Farm Bureau Federation media.

ENTER NOW

GROWER INPUT NEEDED ON BMPs
UF/IFAS researchers at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center would like input from growers who have used Best Management Practices (BMPs) in 2016-17. We encourage you to take a short confidential survey on how your operation is improving water quality.

TAKE SURVEY

IN THE COMMUNITY

Boots Under the Moon Fundraiser

The Hardee County Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee planned and coordinated the Boots Under the Moon fundraiser dinner. The event raised $13,000 for their Leadership and Youth Development programs.

FARM RAISED | FARM PROUD

WENDY SMITH

Wendy Smith serves as the District 3 representative on the Florida Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee. Smith and her husband, Jeb, live in St. Johns County with their four children, Jared, Cady, Jeremy and Cayla. Jeb is also a member of the Florida Farm Bureau State Board of Directors.

JACK PAYNE

Sometimes I’m asked whether there’s a dichotomy in my job title: Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Am I presiding over an academic house divided? Can we help Florida farmers produce more food and simultaneously protect the health of soil, water, people and animals?

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR LIVESTOCK, HONEY BEES AND FARM-RAISED FISH (ELAP)

ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary. ELAP assistance is provided for losses not covered by other disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, such as losses not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

Check out what’s going on around Florida at our Industry Insight web page.

Chuck Johnston, of 2J Farms a 2014 CARES Farmer.

Chuck Johnston, 2014 CARES rancher from Sarasota County, utilizes BMPs such as solar pumps to provide fresh water through his cattle pasture as well as rotational grazing to improve soil health.

WATCH VIDEO

PUBLIC POLICY

FFB TAKES ON D.C. MAY 8-10 FOR ANNUAL FLY-IN

Roughly 100 members of Florida Farm Bureau will travel to Washington, D.C. next week for an annual effort to bring agricultural issues to congressional offices. This year, the Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers leadership team will join other members in issue briefing sessions, Hill visits with their representatives, a joint reception with UF/IFAS and an informational meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency.

STATE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

As we entered the 2018 legislative session in January, one of the main priorities of the Florida Legislature was hurricane relief, recovery and preparation for future storms. FFB helped secure a valuable tax rebate for hurricane damage.

LEARN MORE

MEMBER BENEFIT

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Use your Tickets at Work member discount to take mom to the movies!

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

Find out when fruits and vegetables in your area are in peak season with the Florida Fresh app developed by UF/IFAS. Free download on Android and iPhone.