News

Maybe you’ve heard piecemeal about incentives available to keep your farm a farm. Commissioner Simpson is the loudest and proudest champion for conserving ag land through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. There are federal programs that fund agricultural conservation easements, too. In a few places,…

FieldClock, an official Florida Farm Bureau member benefit, in partnership with Agri Placements International, is hosting a webinar for farmers and ranchers interested in learning more about the services offered by this benefit. The webinar, titled "The Florida Challenge: Putting Policy into Practice Without a Compliance Department", will take place…

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Brian Aungst Jr. to the Southwest Florida Water Management District on January 8. About Brian Aungst Jr. Aungst is an Attorney and Shareholder at Macfarlane Ferguson and McMullen, P.A. Active in his community, he serves on the Pinellas County Charter Review Board and…

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the Florida USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and, in support of the Trump Administration’s…

More than 400 grassroots members spent a day in Tallahassee to meet with elected officials at the state level during Farm Bureau Day. The day featured a legislative breakfast briefing, where members heard from key policymakers representing the Florida House and Senate and UF/IFAS leadership. The day concluded with a Taste of Florida Agriculture reception that celebrated Florida’s farmers and ranchers. Members shared their story and discussed key policy issues that…

More than 4,000 farmers and ranchers from across the country gathered in Anaheim, Calif. for the 107th American Farm Bureau Convention January 9-14. Florida members participated in competitive events, the voting delegate policy session and breakout workshops.   Young Farmers and Ranchers members Sarah Luther (Alachua County), Katie Quincey (Gilchrist County) and Tyler Shadrick (Madison County) competed in the Discussion Meet,…

Farmers and ranchers from across Florida will gather at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 27, for Farm Bureau Day, an annual event that connects farmers and ranchers with state lawmakers to discuss key policy issues. Agriculturalists will share firsthand perspectives on priority issues, including protecting private property rights, safeguarding…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Federal Political Action Committee (FedPAC) announced its endorsement of Senator Ashley Moody in her campaign to return to the U.S. Senate. Through the years, FedPAC has supported its agricultural champions in the halls of Congress and has helped to elect and support leaders who prioritize Florida’s…

In episode 34 of the Rural Recharge podcast, Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith has a conversation with Christy Chiarelli, the director of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute, to discuss the institute’s role in shaping future leaders.  [caption id="attachment_26948" align="alignleft" width="300"] Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith with Christy Chiarelli, director of the…

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the reappointment of Robert Spottswood Jr. to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. [caption id="attachment_26939" align="alignleft" width="243"] Photo courtesy of South Florida Water Management District[/caption] Robert Spottswood Jr. is the President of Spottswood Companies, Inc., Spottswood Management and Keystar Construction. Additionally, he is a…

The USDA has announced the official per-acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, a one-time support initiative intended to help producers manage ongoing financial pressure while Congress continues work on longer-term farm policy solutions. Program Overview The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program was announced by the…

By J. Scott Angle [email protected] @IFAS_VP You can trust your Extension agents to keep conversations with you private. We’re learning that, in addition to a handshake agreement about on-farm work, you want to know that we’re protecting your sensitive data about yields, fertilizer use, irrigation…