Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaOctober 12, 2016

The federal government is forecasting a 14 percent decrease in Florida orange production next year and a drop in grapefruit of 11.5 percent. The National Agriculture Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its report Wednesday. In another sign of the citrus greening epidemic facing the industry, the service foresees yields of only 70 million boxes of […]

Associated PressMay 16, 2016

The mosquitoes that can spread Zika are already buzzing among us. The U.S. government could use some help figuring out exactly where. No experience is necessary for what the U.S. Department of Agriculture envisions as a nationwide experiment in citizen-science. Teenagers already have proven themselves up to the task in tryouts involving a small number […]

Jim RosicaMay 10, 2016

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam isn’t yet sanguine about the future of Florida citrus. He reacted Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest crop forecast for 2015-16. The feds now expect 81.1 million boxes of oranges, up from 76 million boxes last month, according to Putnam. A so-far incurable disease called citrus greening is attacking fruit, causing it to turn green and […]

Scott PowersJanuary 26, 2016

Continuing research at the University of Central Florida has brought another federal grant of $1.9 million to develop a method for protecting the troubled citrus industry from the disease HLB, also known as citrus greening. In awarding the funding to UCF nanoparticle researcher Swadeshmukul Santra, the U.S. Department of Agriculture also recognized the University of Central Florida […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, an alumnus of Florida A & M, has a clear understanding of the importance of historically black colleges and universities, and to that end, her Land Grant Opportunity Act, introduced on Monday, is intended to redress funding inequities. Her news media office asserted on Wednesday that “the “Land Grant Opportunity Act … […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 9, 2015

The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday said it would lead a “Washington, D.C. fly-in” to meet with members of Florida’s congressional delegation. Chamber board members will be “urging support of job creators and pushing back against burdensome regulations.” Here’s the press release: With job creators facing a tidal wave of overreaching federal regulations, the Florida Chamber […]

Associated PressMay 12, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a bleak estimate for the state’s citrus industry, saying that the 2014-2015 Florida orange crop will yield 96.4 million boxes of fruit, down from the 104 million boxes produced last year. The estimate released Tuesday represents a decline of 60 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 […]

Associated PressMay 2, 2015

Some of Florida’s agriculture experts say normalizing relations with Cuba could threaten the state’s citrus and vegetable crops. The Lakeland Ledger reported on Saturday that Florida growers fear lax inspections at U.S. Department of Agriculture border checkpoints will allow the importation of pests and fungal disease that would harm Florida crops. Members of the Florida […]

Bruce RitchieApril 9, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says Florida’s citrus industry still is threatened by disease despite a federal forecast that shows the industry holding almost steady. Florida agriculture faces a threat from citrus greening, a bacterial disease that is spread primarily by Asian insects called citrus psyllids. Acreage planted with citrus declined from 845,250 acres in 1998 […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 23, 2014

We live in a fast-paced society, driven by technology and air conditioners. What would be the motivation for someone to get outside their box and go outside? I have spent most of my life outdoors. I identify with nature; it is my home. But too many miss the opportunity to understand the value and relationship […]

Tag: U. S. Department of Agriculture

Citrus production forecast remains in freefall

Citizen-scientists: Uncle Sam wants you to fight Zika!

Adam Putnam still cautious on citrus outlook

UCF, UF research efforts to stop citrus greening draw U.S. agriculture grants

Corrine Brown introduces bill to boost black college funding

Florida Chamber of Commerce to hold D.C. ‘fly-In’

Florida’s orange crop to be smaller than anticipated

Florida growers worry about Cuban imports

Adam Putnam says citrus still threatened despite improved forecast

Alaina Bernard: Get outside the box – and go outside!