News

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…

On December 8, President Trump and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, a short-term support initiative intended to provide economic relief to producers affected by market disruptions, high input costs and ongoing trade pressures. Below is a summary of the key program details released…

Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Jeb S. Smith commented on the USDA’s announcement to provide $12 billion in economic relief to America’s farmers and ranchers until benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act go into effect. “Florida Farm Bureau Federation extends our sincere appreciation to President Trump and the…

The 2025 Farm-City Week celebrations united rural and urban communities and recognized the partnerships that provide an abundance of safe and nutritious food supply worldwide.   This year, 43 Farm-City Week events across Florida connected farmers, ranchers, elected officials, consumers and community members. Award ceremonies, farm-to-table meals, farm tours, proclamation readings, parades and community service activities fostered appreciation for the contributions of both urban…

Many of us experience the UF/IFAS-Farm Bureau partnership through our personal relationships -- leader to leader, farmer to county agent. At October’s fantastic annual meeting in Daytona the relationship was codified – again. It’s the policy of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation to partner with UF/IFAS.