News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army have engaged with State and Tribal co-regulators; industry and agricultural stakeholders; environmental and conservation stakeholders; and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of “waters of the United States” considering the Supreme…

Florida’s farmers drive our state’s prosperity, and in Washington, D.C., bold policies are paving the way for agricultural success. From securing strong trade deals to slashing taxes and reining in government overreach, here is a snapshot of recent developments putting American farmers first. U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal: Winning Markets for American…

By J. Scott Angle [email protected] @IFAS_VP Scientific work we do in Mexico and Ethiopia helps farmers in Suwannee Valley, the Everglades Agricultural Area and Southwest Florida. In the short term, work abroad is our first line of defense against pests and disease. The hope is to stop…

Florida residents should prepare for an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service.   The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will start June 1 and last until November 30. NOAA predicts a 30% chance…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation commends Governor Ron DeSantis for signing legislation that will expand healthcare access for Florida residents, especially for those in rural and agricultural areas. SB Bill 480, Nonprofit Agricultural Organization Medical Benefit Plans, will offer Floridians affordable and personalized health care plans for those who do not…

Florida Farm Bureau submitted comments to the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the review of atrazine. Atrazine is the first herbicide to be reviewed under the scopes of the EPA's Final Herbicide Strategy. Atrazine is commonly used for sugarcane and sweet corn, which are both popular…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation in conjunction with American Farm Bureau will hold its second bi-annual Candidate School August 26-27 at Goodwood Museum & Gardens in Tallahassee.  The two day program will provide nonpartisan training to anyone interested in running for public office at the…

In late 2021 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) published proposed changes to their trapping regulations, many of which would have proven detrimental to farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to control feral hogs and other nuisance wildlife. After extensive public comment received from Farm Bureau and others,…

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has been required to update all Basin Management Action Plans (BMAP) by July 1, 2025. As part of this requirement, they are adding 5-year milestones (required by House Bill 1379 which was passed in 2023) to each BMAP, where they didn’t…

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced its intent to withdraw from the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. This termination is set to become effective on July 14th, 2025, reinstating 20.91% tariffs on all imported fresh and chilled tomatoes from Mexico. The Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA)…

By J. Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior Vice President As I thank you for your support for the UF/IFAS legislative agenda this year, I emphasize how important that support was at this political moment. This year’s legislative session started with a call from our Senate president for a rural renaissance. That…

Eleven farm families were honored for their sustainability efforts with a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award during the 24th Annual Suwannee CARES Celebration at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center- Suwannee Valley. The event drew a record-breaking attendance with more…