Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Bill RuftyApril 17, 2018

Former State Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican, announced Tuesday that he will seek Florida’s 15th Congressional District seat left open by U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross. Ross, a Republican from Lakeland, announced last week he will not seek re-election to the post he has held since January 2011. Combee, 58, made his announcement at […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 12, 2018

Recent Florida citrus estimates are steady for the first time since Hurricane Irma struck Florida. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s January estimates reflect no change from December’s, marking the first stable citrus forecast since the storm. The USDA in October forecasted 54 million boxes of oranges for 2017-2018 production. In November, that forecast dropped to 50 […]

Danny McAuliffeNovember 22, 2017

One of the state’s messages on the impact of Hurricane Irma was that its path could not have been “more lethal” for Florida agriculture — especially citrus. The damage is still unfolding, as shown by changing USDA citrus forecasts. It’s hard to grasp the full extent of what’s happened to Florida oranges. Ahead of Thanksgiving, […]

Staff ReportsFebruary 6, 2017

Congressman Vern Buchanan announced Monday federal money for citrus greening has been awarded to researchers working to find a cure for the devastating disease. In the most recent round of funding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $13.6 million to citrus greening research projects. The funding was made possible by a USDA program the […]

Florence SnyderDecember 7, 2016

Not every vegetarian is opposed to eating meat in every circumstance. What they do oppose is the Fresh from Factory Farms brand of agriculture that makes antibiotics manufacturers rich and the rest of us fat and sick. So, it’s great news that Nicole Kozak and Manny Cruz have found a way to make a living […]

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 […]

Ryan RayJanuary 19, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham began her 14-county “North Florida Farm Tour” Tuesday in Tallahassee with an announcement that nearly all of the counties in her Second Congressional District are now included in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “StrikeForce” initiative. Graham brought some Washington, D.C., brass back to the newly redrawn district in the person of USDA Deputy […]

Ryan RayDecember 15, 2015

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham announced what a spokesman called a “huge district event” Tuesday: The freshman congresswoman will tour more than a dozen farms in her Panhandle district to highlight agricultural issues. Graham’s “North Florida Farm Tour” will make stops in all 14 counties in her 2nd Congressional District, which runs from Madison to Bay counties in […]

Ryan RaySeptember 15, 2015

Twenty members of Congress signed a letter to the nation’s top agricultural official on Tuesday calling for federal assistance in the Florida’s fight against an infestation of Oriental Fruit Flies that threatens the nation’s wintertime supply of fruits, vegetables and nuts. U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, the Florida delegation’s sole freshman Democrat, joined 12 Republicans and […]

Mitch PerryMay 26, 2015

More thsn two dozen anti-GMO activists crowded into Tampa Bay area U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor‘s West Tampa District office Tuesday, asking her to oppose legislation that would prevent states from imposing their own laws requiring mandatory GMO labeling laws. “We want those members of Congress, especially those on the committees, that we want labeling,” Dessa […]

Tag: USDA

Neil Combee makes it official; announces run for Dennis Ross’ seat

Stable, still dismal: Citrus forecast low but steady

Bouncing back from Irma: Florida citrus

Vern Buchanan says citrus greening aid finally bearing fruit

Family farms offer big quality for just a little capital

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

Gwen Graham kicks off North Florida farm tour, trumpets new “StrikeForce” USDA designation

Gwen Graham announces “North Florida Farm Tour” next month

U.S. House members from Florida implore USDA to help battle fruit fly infestation

Activists go to Kathy Castor’s office calling on her to reject food labeling law