The Florida Farm Bureau Classroom Mini-Grant applications are now open. Florida educators engaged in agriculture education in the classroom for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade levels are eligible to apply for a $250 classroom mini-grant to be used for promotion of agriculture in their classroom. Interested teachers must complete an…
Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2025 election must be postmarked or received in…
New World Screwworm (NWS) is a devastating pest which can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. When NWS fly larvae burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. This is a serious concern to…
The 2025 legislative session was a standout year for Florida agriculture—fueled by decisive legislative leadership, the unwavering commitment of Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the strong approval of Governor Ron DeSantis, and the relentless advocacy of Florida’s farmers, ranchers and agricultural champions. Legislative Wins Health Coverage by Nonprofit Agricultural Organizations SB 480…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced it is suspending enforcement of the Biden Administration’s burdensome 2024 farmworker rule, effective June 20, 2025. The decision provides clarity for American farmers navigating the H-2A program. Multiple federal court injunctions have created significant legal uncertainty,…
There are 6,000 active and retired agriculture Extension agents nationwide. Only 78 are in the agents’ Hall of Fame. Bob Hochmuth is now one of them. Having Bob inducted into the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Hall of Fame at its annual conference…
Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday continue to find high prices at the grocery store, based on the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey. An Independence Day cookout will cost $70.92 for 10 guests this year. This is down only 30 cents from last year’s…
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today expressed concern over reports that immigration enforcement focus will resume on farms and ranches. “President Trump recently emphasized agriculture faces unique circumstances that warrant a different approach to enforcement practices. Agriculture is inherently labor intensive – farmers cannot care for…
Assistance for Flood-Impacted Producers Coming Summer 2025 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release…
Yesterday, Florida Farmer of the Year, Jim Alderman, owner of Alderman Farms in Boynton Beach, Fla., provided testimony before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging to address the impact of the aging agricultural workforce and its impact on food security. “Farming isn’t just about growing crops—it’s about passing down…
Boynton Beach farmer Jim Alderman, owner of Alderman Farms will provide testimony before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. The Committee Hearing, The Aging Farm Workforce: America’s Vanishing Family Farms will air June 4 at 4:15 p.m. EST. The special committee on aging, chaired by U.S. Senator…
Report Shows Mental Toll of Hurricanes and Farming in Florida A new statewide mental health report released by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with the UF/IFAS Center for Leadership and Mind Your Melon Foundation, finds that Florida farmers and ranchers are facing emotional…
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