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August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter By Rob Gilbert [email protected] @IFAS_VP Mickey Diamond is a bridge between UF/IFAS and the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. He builds that bridge with service. Part of that service is as your voice. He serves with straight talk. When I travel the state visiting our research centers,…

August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter Jared Freeman’s passion for agriculture and love for animals sparked at an early age. He spent countless hours in the pasture with his grandfather growing up, and that time together was pivotal in Freeman’s path in life. He was an active member of 4-H and FFA…

August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter On July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced their recommended decision to amend the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders across the U.S.  Included in the proposed changes are some top priorities for Florida Farm Bureau, such as reverting to the ‘Higher-of’ formula for fluid…

August 2024 FloridAgriculture  eNewsletter As the agriculture industry becomes more advanced and complex, new challenges arise.  For the livestock sector, animal disease traceability has received greater attention over the last several decades as domestic and international movement of live cattle and fresh beef has increased.  For this reason, in 2013…

August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter On July 2, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule which they believe will help protect workers from extreme heat. If the rule is finalized, the agency estimates it could help protect more than 36 million workers in outdoor and indoor settings…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation has announced a statewide mental health initiative to help better understand the challenges and needs of Florida farmers and ranchers. Together, we can reduce the stigma and ensure Florida farmers and ranchers live full, healthy lives.    The Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing…

Hurricane Debby has impacted areas of the Sunshine State with wind and heavy rain. This page contains resources from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Overview of USDA Program Flexibilities for Hurricane Recovery OAWP Issues Emergency Rule for Hurricane Debby Replacement Fertilizer Applications Critical Access Memo Memorandum to…

 With a hunger to grow their leadership skills and desire to meet other young professionals, more than 200 agriculturalists gathered in West Palm Beach for the 2024 Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference July 12-14. The conference offered motivational speakers, intense competitions and breakout sessions that pushed individuals to…

The Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence is a new recognition program launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation with support from Farm Credit. AFBF and Farm Credit will recognize one individual who has served or is currently serving in the U.S. military and is actively…

Kevin Lussier, AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair, joins President Jeb S. Smith on the newest episode of Rural Recharge.   Lussier owns and operates Hawthorne Creek Creamery in Alachua County. In 2021, Lussier and his wife, Shelby, were the Florida Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture state winners. Kevin has served…

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter  Tyler and Emily Shadrick are first generation blueberry growers in Madison County. Growing up in a small, rural town, their families were friends long before the two became a couple. Although they did not grow up on farms, the couple enjoys being part of the agriculture…

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter The Suwannee to Gulf (S2G) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Project proposal addresses the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) natural resource concerns of the Longleaf Pine Critical Conservation Area through a strategy of easement programs coupled with conservation land management.  Their goals are: Permanent land protection:…