December 7, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF), the state's largest agricultural organization, today praised members of the Florida congressional delegation who worked to assure Florida producers' concerns were reflected in the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) measure which passed the House by one vote Dec. 6. However, Loop said, the bill does not deal with all of the concerns of Florida agricultural producers. "Florida agriculture would be more inclined to support TPA if more of our major concerns were addressed. Unfortunately, the proponents of the bill were unable to do that during the negotiating process. We must now look to the Senate to improve the bill," he said. FULL TEXT

November 19, 2001: Citing the increasing importance of agriculture to Florida's troubled economy, Florida Farm Bureau Federation today asked the state legislature to limit cuts to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to $2 million. This would allow for an orderly reorganization and transition within UF/IFAS over the next two years. FULL TEXT

November 19, 2001: Charles Counter, crop adviser to Haines City Citrus Growers Association, is the state winner of the Excellence in Crop Advising Award from the American Farm Bureau Foundation. Counter was nominated for the honor by the Polk County Farm Bureau, where he is a member. The award recognizes outstanding Certified Crop Advisers nationwide. FULL TEXT

November 19, 2001: Preliminary results of a U.S. Department of Agriculture referendum show that a majority of Florida and Georgia tobacco producers have approved the sale of flue-cured tobacco quota across county lines within these two states. The referendum was held Oct. 15-19. "Florida Farm Bureau spearheaded the call for this referendum in our state because of the policy positions created by our members," said Kevin Morgan, Florida Farm Bureau associate director of Ag Policy. "We are very pleased with the results." FULL TEXT

November 9, 2001: Carl B. Loop, Jr, president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation, received the Honorary American FFA Degree at the 74th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. on October 26, 2001. The degree is the highest honorary award presented by the National FFA Organization and it recognizes those who advance agricultural education and the FFA through outstanding personal commitment. Loop was nominated by the Florida FFA Association to receive this prestigious degree for his contributions to agricultural education and FFA at the local, state and national levels. FULL TEXT

November 7, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau, the state's largest general agricultural organization, is urging farmers, ranchers and all others involved in the production and distribution of agricultural products to maintain a sense of heightened awareness to suspicious activities as these may precede potential follow-up acts of terrorism. Any suspected problems, evidence of tampering or trespassing should be reported immediately to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services 'Agricultural Law Enforcement Office at 1-800-342-5869.  FULL TEXT

November 6, 2001: As America becomes more urbanized, fewer people have a personal connection to the nation's farmland. It is important, however, for all Americans to understand the sources of their food, clothing and shelter. Florida Farm Bureau, the state's largest general agricultural organization, has long supported National Farm-City Week. This year it will be celebrated Nov. 16-22, promoting positive interaction between urban and rural America. Producers and consumers alike have reason to celebrate the safest, most abundant food supply in the world. FULL TEXT

November 1, 2001: Jeb Smith, Hastings, and Joanna Vickers, Myakka City, won the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet and Youth Speech Contest, respectively, during the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 60th Annual Meeting in Orlando Oct. 26-29. Hunter Williams, Coral Springs, was first runner-up in the Youth Speech Contest. "Each year the quality of participants in both of these contests is raised to a new level,” said Dennis Emerson, director of Field Services. ll of the entrants this year were excellent and deserving of the awards.” FULL TEXT

October 29, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau's prestigious Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award was presented to Jim Fogarty of High Springs, an accomplished agricultural leader, and Charles Partin of Kissimmee, whose family is one of Florida's best-known and best-respected pioneer ranch families. The awards were presented during the 2001 Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 60th Annual Convention Oct. 26-29 at the Orlando Airport Marriott. FULL TEXT

October 29, 2001:  Reps. Joe Spratt (R-LaBelle), Lindsay Harrington (R-Punta Gorda) and Dwight Stansel (D-Live Oak) were honored as Florida Farm Bureau Legislators of the Year at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 2001 annual meeting Oct. 26-29 at the Orlando Airport Marriott. FULL TEXT

October 29, 2001:  Emerald Kinsley, publisher of the Madison County Carrier and Madison Enterprise Recorder, and Susan Salisbury, a reporter for the Palm Beach Post, were honored as "Newspersons of the Year" by Florida Farm Bureau Federation. The awards were presented at the Federation's 60th Annual Meeting Oct. 26-29 at Orlando. The two were honored for outstanding coverage of Florida's agriculture industry. "These individuals have produced outstanding work that keeps their readership abreast of developments in agriculture, an industry that is of increasing economic importance to the state," said Rod Hemphill, director of public relations for Florida Farm Bureau, the state's largest general-interest agricultural organization. "They were nominated by the presidents of their respective county Farm Bureaus." FULL TEXT

October 27, 2001:  Rich and Lori Watson, who operate a 600-acre Gilchrist County dairy farm, have been named Outstanding Young Farmers & Ranchers by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. The award was presented at the Federation's 60th Annual Meeting in Orlando Oct. 26-29. The Watsons will take home a brand new Dodge truck, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance, and $500, courtesy of the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler Corporation. They will also receive an expense-paid trip to Reno, Nev. next January to represent Florida in the Outstanding YF&R competition sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation. There they will be competing for a Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, again courtesy of Dodge. FULL TEXT

October 27, 2001: Richard Machek, an ornamental horticulturist and state legislator from Palm Beach County, and Mark Byrd, who operates an Orange County foliage nursery, were elected to the state board of directors of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation during the Federation's annual meeting Oct. 26-29 at Orlando. Also joining the board is Jason Raulerson, an Alachua County farmer and a field representative for Southern States, an agricultural cooperative. Raulerson chairs the Young Farmer and Rancher state committee. John Hoblick, a Volusia County fern grower, was re-elected Secretary and Myron Bryan, an Alachua County farmer, was re-elected Treasurer. Hoblick serves on the Volusia County Farm Bureau board of directors; Bryan is president of the Alachua County Farm Bureau. Machek, a resident of Delray Beach, was elected to House District 70 in 2000. His legislative district consists of parts of Highlands, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. Byrd is president of the Orange County Farm Bureau. FULL TEXT

October 24, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Photos and News Releases

October 5, 2001: The Farm Security Act of 2001, also known as the “Farm Bill,” was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 291 to 120. “We are pleased that this piece of legislation has passed as it takes into consideration some of the unique qualities of Florida agriculture,” said Carl Loop, president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation. “Our farmers and ranchers provide water recharge and environmental and social benefits as well as agricultural products,” Loop said. “This legislation protects our farmers and ranchers as well as those from other areas of the country.” FULL TEXT

October 2, 2001: The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation has announced the agricultural leaders who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in February 2002. They are Bernard A. Egan of Vero Beach, a fresh citrus export pioneer; the late J.R. "Rip" Graves of Vero Beach, a citrus grower and industry advocate; Carl B. Loop Jr. of Jacksonville, wholesale nursery owner and president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation; and George F. Sorn of Orlando, the former executive vice president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. They will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame during the 24th annual awards celebration Feb. 12, 2002. FULL TEXT

September 19, 2001: American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman and Florida Farm Bureau President Carl B. Loop, Jr. have been appointed to serve on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade (APAC). The announcement was made Sept. 17 by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick. FULL TEXT

September 18, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general-interest agricultural organization, today praised the Florida Chamber of Commerce for backing producers of import-sensitive commodities that could be adversely affected by freer world trade. FULL TEXT

September 13, 2001: -The Department of Agriculture announced that it has received petitions from 25 percent of active flue-cured tobacco producers in the states of Georgia and Florida requesting a referendum among active flue-cured tobacco producers in each of those states. The referenda will be conducted from Oct. 15 to Oct.19, 2001. Results will determine whether or not USDA will permit the sale of flue-cured tobacco quota across county lines within the states of Florida and Georgia beginning with the 2002 crop. FULL TEXT

July 5, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural organization, today snorted at an attempt to “lard up” the Florida Constitution with amendments relating to narrow issues rather than broad public policies. FULL TEXT

May 18, 2001: The American Farm Bureau Federation and the Florida Farm Bureau Federation have honored 15 members of Congress with the "Friends of Farm Bureau" award. FULL TEXT

May 10: Florida Farm Bureau today praised the decision of Governor Jeb Bush to appoint Sen. Charlie Bronson as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. FULL TEXT

April 12, 2001: Steve and Michelle Yoder of Altha have been appointed to a two-year term on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) Committee. The Yoders recently attended their first committee meeting in Chicago, IL. FULL TEXT

March 15, 2001: International travelers coming into Florida by air or sea may experience some minor inconvenience due to intensified inspections at seaports and airports, triggered by the detection of foot and mouth disease in other countries. Florida Farm Bureau Federation wants travelers to understand the importance of these exclusionary measures. FULL TEXT

March 13, 2001: Palm Beach County agriculture will take center stage at the First Annual Palm Beach County Growers Appreciation Dinner/Dance April 28, 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. Tickets for the gala event are $65 per person or $600 for a table of ten. FULL TEXT

Jan 29, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau is encouraging agricultural producers to speak out at Listening Sessions sponsored by NFACT, a coalition formed by the state of New Mexico, Florida, Arizona, California and Texas. FULL TEXT

Jan. 29, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau Federation has awarded 25 elementary and middle school teachers up to $250 each to help them incorporate agriculture into their classroom instruction during the 2000-2001 school year. FULL TEXT

Jan 21, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau reacts to pre-inauguration settlement between EPA and National Resources Defense Council on implementation of Food Quality Protection Act. FULL TEXT

Jan. 4, 2001: About 5,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation will gather in Orlando for the American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) 82nd convention and annual meeting, Jan. 7-10, 2001. FULL TEXT

Jan. 4, 2001: Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state's largest agricultural organization, is asking Bob Crawford, Florida commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, to investigate propane prices. FULL TEXT

Jan 4, 2001: Food Check-out Day, Feb. 7, 2001, is the day when the average American has earned enough income to pay for the entire year's food supply – food eaten outside of as well as within the home! FULL TEXT

July 11: Florida Farm Bureau announces web site upgrade

July 11: Mini-grants available to classroom teachers

June 16: Governor Signs Ag Bill