Florida residents should prepare for a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service. [caption id="attachment_27270" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cone Graphic image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center[/caption] In addition to a below-normal hurricane season,…
More than 4 in 10 Florida farmers are at least 65 years old. Collecting Social Security is not the future of Florida farming. We’ve got an aging workforce challenge on our hands. UF/IFAS can’t make you younger (give us a few more years to work…
Taylor County native LaDonna LaValle was one of 12 farm and ranch women leaders that graduated from the spring session of Women’s Communications Boot Camp hosted by the American Farm Bureau Federation. These women completed an intensive four-day course that featured hands-on sessions focused on public speaking, working…
An overwhelming majority of America’s farmers who responded to a nationwide survey say they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. The percentage who pre-purchased fertilizer varies significantly by region. Conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation April 3-11, the survey shows 70% of respondents…
Throughout her career at a high school with no ag program, Musiq Williams has been tested on distinguishing beneficial bugs from agricultural pests, how the farm-to-fork chain feeds us, and on reading nutrition labels. She has also learned parliamentary procedure, toured farms, attended Farm Bureau meetings, and delivered a speech…
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting applications for its Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was created to respond to Florida farmers and ranchers who have suffered significant agricultural losses or expenses as a result of hurricanes and other natural disasters. Farmers and ranchers seeking relief can apply…
More than 100 Florida Farm Bureau grassroots members traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this week to advocate for agriculture in the U.S. Capitol. Florida Farm Bureau leaders, county presidents, the Women’s Leadership Committee and members of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group engaged with policy makers and…
Florida Farm Bureau has commented on the recent Farm Bill passing through the House Agriculture committee. "Farm policy is national security policy. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026/ Farm Bill 2.0 is a step toward giving Florida’s farmers the certainty they need to keep producing…
Final Rule Approval – February 2026 At its February 2026 Commission meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to approve final rule amendments governing wildlife trapping in Florida. The approved rules will take effect December 31, 2026, a date updated from an earlier proposed July…
Seven Florida Farm Bureau members have been selected to serve on an American Farm Bureau Issue Advisory Committee (IAC). These committees give members the opportunity to lend their expertise on important issues that impact agriculture. Their guidance helps develop national policy for the grassroots organization. The following Florida members were…
Florida Farm Bureau continues to monitor federal issues that impact farmers and ranchers, including the Farm Bill and trade policies. Tariff Policy Update Following Supreme Court Ruling Recent developments at the U.S. Supreme Court have significantly reshaped the national trade policy conversation. In a 6–3 decision, the Court ruled that…
Almost everything we do at UF/IFAS contributes to keeping working lands working. We do it with a laser focus on keeping you profitable. The combined threats of rising input costs, volatile markets, extreme weather and pests can threaten farmers’ bottom lines and make it more economically attractive to…
