News

May 2024 FloridAgriculture e-Newsletter On April 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced changes to the pesticide labeling requirements of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion. Additionally, the EPA committed to issuing Endangered Species Protection Bulletins that set geographic limitations for these organophosphate insecticides, which will be available on Bulletins Live!…

On Saturday, May 4, in a groundbreaking initiative, Sumter County Farm Bureau and Everglades Equipment Group partnered to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in the agricultural community. Through this alliance, every EVERGLADES John Deere CAB tractor sold throughout Florida will now feature a decal with…

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Farm Bureau and vital to our success. They don’t raise their hands expecting a thank you or a favor in return. In communities large and small, Farm Bureau members are stepping up and leading the way to support their neighbors and the next generation.

Celebrate Earth Day with the 14th episode of Rural Recharge. This episode features Pat Durden, president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and owner of Durden Red Angus. Durden’s family has been farming and ranching for more than 15 decades and practices conservation and preservation on his family’s…

April 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter Jorin Ouwinga YF&R Leadership Group, Western Palm Beach County, District 9 Jorin Ouwinga grew up in northern Michigan’s Missaukee county, where he was surrounded by farms and rural life. His grandparents on both sides were farmers, which influenced his interest and involvement in farming. He started…

April 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter By Rob Gilbert [email protected] @IFAS_VP Vivek Sharma has grant money, soil moisture probes, a lab, brilliant graduate students, and the full backing of a UF/IFAS faculty appointment to figure out how to get maximum yield with minimal environmental impact. Gilchrist County Farm Bureau board member BJ…

April 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter Private landowners often encourage wildlife on their properties, with white-tailed deer being a popular species in Florida. However, certain wildlife activities, particularly those of deer, can lead to substantial damage to field crops and ornamental plantings. Reports of wildlife damage to agricultural crops have increased over…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds in six states: Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Idaho, Michigan and Ohio. Most cases are the result of interactions with infected wild birds. Cases in Idaho and Michigan have been confirmed to…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation hosted its second annual Ag Policy and Commodity Forum on Wednesday, March 27 in Gainesville, Fla. The forum brought together more than 150 industry experts that serve on Florida Farm Bureau’s state advisory committees. These experts represent a variety of commodities including beef, cotton, fruits…

Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 31 million pounds of food and raised $425,879 to help fight hunger and assist in other community service outreach in 2023 through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations totaled the…

March 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter Dallas Hull grew up in New Smyrna Beach where she was involved in her local 4-H and FFA programs. Her father was a Volusia County Fair Association Director during Hull’s childhood, which led to her involvement showing livestock at the county fair. She has always been…

March 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter By Rob Gilbert [email protected] @IFAS_VP I see my job as the new leader of UF/IFAS as supporting the discovery and delivery of knowledge that helps you make a living. I can’t do it all from the office. I’ll be making a lot of trips across town…