AgNet Online

Florida Farm Bureau has joined with a company called AgraGate to educate landowners and agricultural producers around the state about the revenue potential of Carbon Credits.

Report (1:00 mp3)

It is with great sadness and tremendously heavy hearts we report of the passing of Lee V. McCoy, known to many of his legions of friends and colleagues as the “RealMcCoy”. Lee lost his battle with cancer early morning Thursday May 22 in a Georgia hospital, admitted the Monday before in a bout with pneumonia.

Please find details regarding Lee’s memorial services at the end of this news post.

For nearly a decade until making a move into a new career opportunity last year, Lee was a regional representative of this radio network. He travelled the region and nation, and occassionally overseas, newsgathering and representing the network from his home location (more…)

We all knew it was coming, but today President Bush officially vetoed the 2007 Farm Bill, and Tyron Spearman updates where things now stand with the overall process.  Report (1:25 mp3)

New carbon market opportunities for Florida agriculture, meeting set for Molino

MOLINO, Fla.—Some Florida farmers, ranchers and private forest owners may be able to capitalize on a new partnership between the state’s largest general agricultural organization and the nation’s leading supplier of carbon credit aggregation services to agriculture.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation and AgraGate Climate Credits Corp. have agreed to partner in providing carbon credits services to farmers, ranchers and private forest owners. Those interested in learning more can attend one of three meetings being held this month in West Florida. (more…)

(OKEECHOBEE, Fla.)—Twenty-nine farmers were honored for their environmental stewardship Thursday at the Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center. The owners of the agricultural operations were recognized by Florida Farm Bureau’s County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program for their outstanding efforts in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Rep. Denise Grimsley hosted the event along with Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick and Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole attending to help recognize the farmers. (more…)

(Gainesville, Fla.) – The 2008 farm bill passed yesterday by the House of Representatives promises to be more supportive of Florida agricultural producers than previous bills, according to Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick.
“This farm bill contains a safety net for commodities, increased funds for conservation programs and mandatory spending for specialty crops,” Hoblick said. “It is the best agriculture policy ever for Florida.” (more…)

Here’s Florida Farm Bureau’s legislative Ag Watch May 16, 2008 (pdf file)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Gainesville, Fla.—Some Florida farmers, ranchers and private forest owners may be able to capitalize on a new partnership between the state’s largest general agricultural organization and the nation’s leading supplier of carbon credit aggregation services to agriculture.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation and AgraGate Climate Credits Corp. have agreed to partner in providing carbon credits services to farmers, ranchers and private forest owners. Those interested in learning more can attend one of three meetings being held this month in north Florida. (more…)

Here’s Florida Farm Bureau’s legislative Ag Watch April 18, 2008 (pdf file)

Ben Parks of Florida Farm Bureau gives the latest update on the Florida Legislative session.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Here’s Florida Farm Bureau’s legislative Ag Watch April 11, 2008 (pdf file)

Here’s Florida Farm Bureau’s legislative Ag Watch April 4, 2008 (pdf file)

Thanks to Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) for allowing us to post this timely article about the importance of UF/IFAS research efforts for one of Florida’s most important industries - agriculture. The article is by FFB’s G.B. Crawford, (photo right)…
According to various research reports issued by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), production agriculture in the Sunshine State generates an annual economic impact of more than $100 billion. Recent declines in other economic sectors have highlighted the stability of the industry’s contribution to Florida’s material life. (more…)

As the Florida Legislative session enters its fourth week, agricultural interests continue to wait anxiously to see what budget cuts will be made to IFAS. Rick Roth of Belle Glade, who is vice president of Florida Farm Bureau, says IFAS research is vital to Florida agriculture.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Ben Parks of Florida Farm Bureau gives an update on week three of the Florida Legislative session.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick is happy with the turnout this week in Tallahassee for legislative day activities.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Here’s this week’s 3-21-08 edition of Florida Farm Bureau’s
Ag Watch (pdf file) from the FFB Legislative office in Tallahassee.

The Wedgworth Leadership Institute is a fantastic leadership development program for young professionals in the private sector in Florida Agriculture. In this interview with Institute Director Dr Hannah Carter (3:25 mp3) , she describes the intensive leadership program that every couple of years or so gives a handful of individuals the educational opportunity of a lifetime. If you are involved in Florida agriculture, you should listen to her comments and consider someone from your community to nominate for the next class!

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson opened the program for a bio-fuels informational conference held as part of the Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) legislative day activities Tuesday in Tallahassee. In this interview (4:01 mp3) , Bronson discusses the potential in this area for agriculture in Florida, and outlines several questions that need answers so farmers can get the ball rolling.
One of the south Florida farmers in attendance was Rick Roth, who operates Roth Farms in Belle Glade. Roth is also Vice President of Florida Farm Bureau Federation. In this interview with Roth (6:15 mp3) , he talks to questions being asked by Florida farmers, and explains why he is so excited about the potential for agriculture in the energy production industry.

Florida Farm Bureau’s annual Legislative Day activities in the state Capitol drew one of the largest turnouts ever, of both farmers and ranchers from around the state as well as lawmakers turning out to discuss the issues and fellowship with folks from back home. In this interview with Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick (4:07 mp3) during Tuesday night’s FFBF Legislative Reception, he discusses the state of the economy and how Florida agriculture fits into the state budgeting picture, and offers an update on a recent meeting he and other state ag leaders had with University of Florida President Bernie Machen. In photo top right, Hoblick discusses the issues with Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson at Tuesday’s FFBF legislative reception in Tallahassee. In photo on left, Hoblick and Representative Baxter Troutman visit in the midst of the crowd.

Here is the March 2008 South Florida Water Management District Ag Report from FFBF (pdf file).

Florida farmers and ranchers in Tallahassee this week for Florida Farm Bureau legislative day activities probably would rather have been doing something else, but like Senate Ag Committee Chairman J D Alexander they know it is important to make their voices heard.

Report (1:00 mp3)

As Florida Farm Bureau members from around Florida visit Tallahassee this week, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson comments on agriculture’s economic impact on the state and potential for more ag growth through farm-to-fuel types of initiatives. Report (1:00 mp3)

Here’s this week’s edition of Florida Farm Bureau’s Ag Watch (pdf file) from the FFB Legislative office in Tallahassee.

Florida Farm Bureau is preparing for annual Farm Bureau Day at the state capitol March 18.

Limited seats are still available for the briefing dinner at the Cross Creek Driving Range and Golf Course on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required and the cost is $10 per person. A second issue briefing will be held in the Civic Center Exhibition Hall at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, with the legislative reception officially beginning at 5:30. The reception cost is $10 each.

Also on Tuesday there will be a briefing on alternative energy from 3-5 pm at the Leon County Civic Center. Speakers are Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson, Public Service Commission Chair Matt Carter, Bill Willingham of the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and Dana Weber of the Florida Biofuels Association.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Florida Cattlemen’s Association members have “a good day in the state Capitol” during their quarterly meeting in Tallahassee this week. A good turnout of cattlemen and a good turnout of legislators at the reception Wednesday night. Some of these folks will be back again next week during Florida Farm Bureau’s legislative day activities and reception Tuesday night.



On Friday morning,
the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting while in Tallahassee. The FCA leaders, like others in Florida agriculture this year, are very concerned about all the talk of budget cuts that could target University of Florida IFAS programs disproportionately.

It is a growing reality that major cuts to IFAS will impact far more than just agriculture industries in Florida. In these reports, comments from Florida Pest Control President/CEO Dempsey “D.R.” Sapp Jr, who is in Tallahassee this week as part of a Florida Pest Management Association member delegation.
Speaking of industry events in the state Capitol, Florida Cattlemen’s Association members are arriving in Tallahassee early this week for several days of legislative visits, and next week is Florida Farm Bureau’s huge legislative reception Tuesday March 18th at the Civic Center located a couple blocks behind the state Capitol. More information on the Farm Bureau activities can be found through your nearest county Farm Bureau office. Report (1:00 mp3) Report (1:00 mp3)

It’s the second week of the 2008 Florida legislative session and the budget is the primary concern for agriculture, with lawmakers looking to cut between 3 and 4 billion dollars this year.

Florida Farm Bureau’s Ben Parks talks about their concerns.
Report (1:00 mp3)

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson says the process is just beginning.
Report (1:00 mp3)

It’s more important than ever for agriculture to make its voice heard in Tallahassee this year and one way to do that is the Florida Farm Bureau legislative day reception that will be held March 18 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. Tickets for Farm Bureau members are available at local county Farm Bureau offices for $10 each.

Once again this year Southeast AgNet will be working with an agriculturally connected college intern in the state Capitol during the legislative session. Kristen Williams also works directly with Sam Ard who represent’s Florida Cattlemen’s Association. For Southeast AgNet Kristen will help keep our visitors and listeners updated on key ag issues, filing stories and doing interviews through the course of the legislative Session. Kristen is from Ft Myers, FL and is preparing to enter medical school after her internship in legislative circles concludes. Stay tuned!

This commentary by John Hoblick, President of Florida Farm Bureau Federation

What is the future of Florida’s agriculture industry?
I am often asked questions very similar to this and I have given it a great deal of thought.
As president of the state’s only general agriculture organization representing 143,000 member families, I can say I see a bright future for Florida. (more…)