News

With more than 240 attendees, the 2025 Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference provided an opportunity for agriculturalists to come together, enhancing both their leadership skills and farming scope. The conference, hosted July 11-13 at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort included inspirational panelists, discussion meets and…

United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). The announcement was made during a White House visit with…

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the landmark “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping budget and tax package with major implications for agriculture. For Florida farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, the bill delivers meaningful wins across the board: long-term funding for the Farm Bill, pro-growth tax relief, and…

The Florida Farm Bureau Classroom Mini-Grant applications are now open. Florida educators engaged in agriculture education in the classroom for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade levels are eligible to apply for a $250 classroom mini-grant to be used for promotion of agriculture in their classroom. Interested teachers must complete an…

Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2025 election must be postmarked or received in…

New World Screwworm (NWS) is a devastating pest which can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. When NWS fly larvae burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. This is a serious concern to…

The 2025 legislative session was a standout year for Florida agriculture—fueled by decisive legislative leadership, the unwavering commitment of Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the strong approval of Governor Ron DeSantis, and the relentless advocacy of Florida’s farmers, ranchers and agricultural champions. Legislative Wins Health Coverage by Nonprofit Agricultural Organizations SB 480…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced it is suspending enforcement of the Biden Administration’s burdensome 2024 farmworker rule, effective June 20, 2025. The decision provides clarity for American farmers navigating the H-2A program. Multiple federal court injunctions have created significant legal uncertainty,…

There are 6,000 active and retired agriculture Extension agents nationwide. Only 78 are in the agents’ Hall of Fame. Bob Hochmuth is now one of them. Having Bob inducted into the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Hall of Fame at its annual conference…

Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday continue to find high prices at the grocery store, based on the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey. An Independence Day cookout will cost $70.92 for 10 guests this year. This is down only 30 cents from last year’s…

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today expressed concern over reports that immigration enforcement focus will resume on farms and ranches. “President Trump recently emphasized agriculture faces unique circumstances that warrant a different approach to enforcement practices. Agriculture is inherently labor intensive – farmers cannot care for…

Assistance for Flood-Impacted Producers Coming Summer 2025 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. Secretary Rollins committed on May 7 to release…