2004

November 15: Farm-City Week Salutes The Efforts Of All Those Who Make Agriculture Work -- As Thanksgiving approaches, state agriculture leaders are encouraging Floridians to remember the efforts of all those responsible for providing safe, affordable and abundant food for dining tables year-round. Farm-City Week, observed November 19-25, salutes all those whose efforts make agriculture work under the theme “Partners in Progress.” FULL TEXT

October 29: Florida Farm Bureau celebrates its 63rd annual meeting -- Farm Bureau members from across the state gathered at the Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 63rd Annual Meeting Oct. 27-29. Highlighting the event was the presentation of awards to agricultural leaders: FULL TEXT

October 29: Shawn and Ila Crocker win Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer & Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award -- Shawn and Ila Crocker will represent Florida in the national Young Farmer & Rancher Excellence in Agriculture competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation at Charlotte, North Carolina in January 2005. The Excellence in Agriculture Award Program is designed as an opportunity to recognize farmers and ranchers under the age of 35 who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation. They received the state award Oct. 28 at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at the Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort. FULL TEXT

October 29: Froehlichs win Florida Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher Award -- Spring and Jay Froehlich were recognized at the Federation’s annual meeting Oct. 28 at the Coronado Springs Resort as winners in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher (YF&R) competition. FULL TEXT

October 29: Florida Farm Bureau honors four "Legislators of the Year" -- Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general-interest agricultural organization, has honored Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River, Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Winter Haven, Rep. Joe Pickens, R-Palatka and Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, as “Legislators of the Year” for outstanding work on behalf of Florida agriculture during the 2004 session of the Florida legislature. FULL TEXT

October 29: Florida Farm Bureau Re-elects Loop and Roth -- Carl B. Loop, Jr. and Rick Roth were re-elected president and vice president, respectively, of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation during the Federation’s annual meeting Oct. 28 at the Coronado Springs Resort. Loop, a Jacksonville nursery owner, has served as president since 1984. Roth produces vegetables and sugar cane in Western Palm Beach County. Loop and Roth will serve two-year terms. FULL TEXT

October 29: Three Elected to Florida Farm Bureau State Women's Committee -- Three women were elected to the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s State Women’s Committee at the Federation’s annual meeting Oct. 26-29 at the Coronado Springs Resort. Norma Jean Parrish of Jacksonville will represent District 4; Brittany Phypers of Lake Placid will represent District 6 and Carol Ann Swanson of Homestead will represent District 8. FULL TEXT

October 29: Etheridge and Horvath Win Discussion Meet and Youth Speech Contest -- Brad Etheridge of Levy county and Philip Horvath of Suwannee county won the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet and Youth Speech Contest, respectively, during the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 63rd Annual Meeting at the Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort Oct. 27-29. FULL TEXT

October 29: Florida Farm Bureau Names Letitia Stein 2004 Newsperson of the Year -- Florida Farm Bureau Federation honored Letitia Stein, a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, as the 2004 Newsperson of the Year during its annual meeting Oct. 26-29 at the Coronado Springs Resort. FULL TEXT

October 29: Two Florida Agriculturists to Receive Florida Farm Bureau’s Highest Honor– Hilward Morgan of White Springs and James Watson of Jacksonville will receive Distinguished Service Awards from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation. The awards will be presented during the Federation’s annual meeting Oct. 27-29, 2004 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. FULL TEXT

October 29: Mark Maffett Recieves Certified Crop Adviser Award -- Mark Maffett of Dade City, a certified crop adviser (CCA) and field representative for the Growers Fertilizer Corporation, is the 2004 winner of the Florida Excellence in Crop Advising Award sponsored by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and the Florida Certified Crop Adviser Program. FULL TEXT

October 7: Area farmers recognized for environmental stewardship -- Farmers who have voluntarily adopted best management practices (BMPs) to manage the flow of nutrients to the Santa Fe Basin will be recognized for their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship at a dinner hosted by Sen. Rod Smith Tuesday, October 12 at the DeChamplain Heaven’s Gate Farm in Trenton. Florida Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with the Suwannee River Partnership and the Suwannee River Water Management District, will induct five agricultural producers who have implemented sound environmental practices into the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program. FULL TEXT

September 30: Florida Farm Bureau changes venue for 63rd annual meeting Oct. 27-29 - The 63rd annual meeting of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation has been relocated to Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando October 27, 28 and 29. Due to damage from recent hurricanes, the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Daytona Beach was unable to meet our needs. FULL TEXT

September 24: Veneman Announces Agricultural Disaster Relief Package for Hurricane Victims -- Producers of citrus, fruits, vegetables and nursery crops located in Florida counties that have received a Presidential disaster declaration for hurricanes Charley and Frances will be eligible for special disaster relief, announced Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today in Bartow. FULL TEXT

September 14: Agriculture sustains losses in excess of $2 billion from storm damage – Losses to Florida agriculture will exceed $2 billion, equal to about 30 percent of the total cash receipts, due to the one-two punch thrown by hurricanes Charley and Frances, according to estimates reported by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A third strike, Hurricane Ivan, could increase those numbers. FULL TEXT

August 27: Florida Farm Bureau will celebrate 63rd Annual Meeting Oct. 27-29, 2004 - Farmers and ranchers from across the state will gather at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Daytona Beach Oct. 27-29 for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 63nd Annual Meeting. They will share knowledge and perspectives with colleagues as they set organizational policies for the coming year. FULL TEXT

July 15: Supreme Court strikes homestead exemption amendment, sales tax amendment from ballot - A proposed ballot measure to increase the state's homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 and another that could have led to the revocation of some sales tax exemptions are flawed and will not appear on the November ballot, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday. FULL TEXT

July 15: Dale S. Sauls chosen 2004 Florida Farmer of the Year - The beginning of Dale Sauls’ agricultural career in Anthony, FL, was far from glamorous or a smashing hit. In fact, in the early l970s he lost his job on a beef cattle operation when the beef market fell. Next focus for Sauls – dairy farming, and what a wise decision it turned out to be. He entered into partnership on an older small dairy farm that covered only 80 acres of land and a 70-cow dairy herd. FULL TEXT

July 12: USDA Releases County Statistics from the 2002 Census of Agriculture - For the first time the United States Department of Agriculture has released a special report of county agricultural statistics that makes it easy to see how agricultural production impacts a county and how a county ranks in the state and the nation. FULL TEXT

July 8: Florida Farm Bureau Responds to Governor’s Veto of SB 1712 - Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Carl B. Loop today issued a statement in response to the veto of SB 1712, the Agricultural Economic and Development Act. FULL TEXT

July 1: North Florida producers honored for environmental stewardship - Thirty-six North Florida farmers were recognized July 1 for outstanding environmental stewardship. Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson and Florida Farm Bureau President Carl B. Loop Jr. presented the awards for implementing best management practices (BMPs) that reduce or eliminate the flow of nutrients into the middle Suwannee River. More than 600 people attended the dinner at state Rep. Dwight Stansel’s farm in Suwannee County. FULL TEXT

June 21: Farm Bureau opposes increasing homestead exemption - Florida Farm Bureau Federation opposes increasing the exemption on homesteads from $25,000 to $50,000. At its June 2004 meeting the Federation’s board of directors put the state’s largest general interest agricultural organization on the record in opposition to a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution that would double the current exemption. FULL TEXT

June 21: Farm Bureau pays for new building at FFA Leadership Center - Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and the Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Companies will deliver a check for $225,000 to the Florida FFA Foundation to fund construction of a villa at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center, 5000 Firetower Road, near Haines City, Fla. FULL TEXT

May 25: CARES Program receives Sustainable Best Practices Award - The Council for Sustainable Florida has awarded the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship Program (CARES) its 2004 Sustainable Florida Best Practices Award in the business partnership category. The Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Suwannee River Water Management District developed the voluntary partnership initiative known as CARES. The program was recognized in a ceremony at the Capitol on Monday. FULL TEXT

May 17: Florida Farm Bureau Members take their concerns from the "Field to the Hill" - Florida Farm Bureau Federation members headed to Washington, D.C. this month to visit with Florida’s congressional delegation concerning issues important to Florida agriculture, helping the Florida delegation to make informed voting decisions. FULL TEXT

April 21: Florida Farm Bureau Announces Staff Appointments - Florida Farm Bureau Federation President Carl Loop Jr. announced recent federation appointments designed to assure the organization’s continued success as the voice of Florida agriculture. "These adjustments to our leadership team will help us build upon the positive momentum that we have established and enhance our ability to serve our members," said Loop. FULL TEXT

March 30: Additional Time Granted for Methyl Bromide Alternative Research - An intergovernmental meeting on the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has granted limited “critical use exemptions” to 11 developed countries facing a year-end deadline for phasing out methyl bromide. This action will allow farmers in the United States an additional year to use the compound. FULL TEXT

February 12: Florida Supreme Court upholds law on citrus canker eradication - The Florida Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the scientifically based 1,900-foot canker eradication law Thursday. The law and the science state that if a tree is infected, it must be removed, along with exposed trees within 1,900 feet of the infected tree. FULL TEXT

January 8: Dodge and Farm Bureau Offer Scholarships to FFA Students - American Farm Bureau Federation, Dodge Division, and the National FFA Organization are pleased to announce that Dodge Division and the DaimlerChrysler Fund are offering collegiate scholarships to FFA members across the country. Dodge has been a sponsor of the National FFA Scholarship Program since its inception and Farm Bureau joined FFA and Dodge as a partner in 1999. FULL TEXT

2003

October 24, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Celebrates Its 62nd Annual Meeting - Farm Bureau members from across the state gathered in Daytona Beach for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's 62nd Annual Meeting Oct. 22-24. Attendees shared knowledge and perspectives with colleagues as they set organizational objectives for the coming year. Highlighting the event was the presentation of awards to the many agricultural leaders who keep agriculture in the forefront of the state. FULL TEXT

October 24, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Honors Bill Cotton of Hastings and Herb Bryan of Homestead with Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award - William R. “Bill” Cotton, a Hastings-area farmer and the late Herbert H. Bryan, a researcher with the University of Florida/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, received Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, Oct. 23 at the organization’s 62nd Annual Meeting at Daytona Beach. FULL TEXT

October 24, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau honors four “Legislators of the Year” - Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest general-interest agricultural organization, has honored Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River, and Reps. Marty Bowen, R-Winter Haven, Ralph Poppell, R-Titusville, and Richard Machek, D-Delray Beach, as “Legislators of the Year” for outstanding work on behalf of Florida agriculture during the 2003 session of the Florida Legislature. The awards were announced at the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 22-24 at the Adam’s Mark Daytona Beach Resort. FULL TEXT

October 24, 2003: William and Sarah Carte Win Florida Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Competition – William and Sarah Carte of Suwannee County drove away in a new Dodge Ram quad cab truck courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company and $500 courtesy of the Dodge Division of Daimler-Chrysler Corporation, as winners in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher competition. The announcement came during the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 22-24. The Cartes also received an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in Honolulu, HI, where they will represent Florida in the national YF&R competition. The winner of the national competition receives a Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 SLT pickup with a 5.9L 24-valve Cummins diesel engine and an Arctic Cat® 454 4x4 All-Terrain Vehicle. FULL TEXT

October 24, 2003: Tim and Erin Best win Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer & Rancher Excellence in Agriculture Award - Tim and Erin Best of Weirsdale will represent Florida in the national Young Farmer & Rancher Excellence in Agriculture competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation at Honolulu, HI in January 2004. They received the state award Oct. 23, 2003 at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at the Adam’s Mark hotel, Daytona Beach. The Bests also collected $500 as winners of the Florida competition. The Excellence in Agriculture Award Program is designed as an opportunity to recognize farmers and ranchers under the age of 35 who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation. Participants are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations. FULL TEXT

October 24, 2003: Crocker and Hinton Win Discussion Meet and Youth Speech Contest - Shawn Crocker and Melissa Hinton, both of Hillsborough County, won the Young Farmer and Rancher Discussion Meet and Youth Speech Contest, respectively, during the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach Oct. 22-24. FULL TEXT

October 2, 2004: Florida Farm Bureau Celebrates Record-setting Membership Year – Florida Farm Bureau Federation set a new record when the 2003 membership year ended September 30, 2003 with 151,645 new and renewing members. The unprecedented success of the year is attributed to a growing awareness of the importance of the agricultural industry to Florida. FULL TEXT

August 15, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Mourns the Loss of Dennis Emerson - They called him “Mr. Farm Bureau.” His career embraced virtually every aspect of the Farm Bureau organization. Dennis Emerson, FFBF director of field services, lost his battle with cancer in Gainesville on Aug. 14. FULL TEXT

August 8, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Leader Opposes Plan to Require Vote on Land Use Amendments - Requiring local governments to submit proposed changes to comprehensive land use plans to a popular vote is a bad idea, the president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the state's largest agricultural organization, said today. FULL TEXT

August 5, 2003: Food for Thought: The 2003 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting - Florida Farm Bureau Federation announces its 62nd annual meeting, an information-packed program that will attract nearly 500 agricultural professionals from around the state to Daytona Beach Oct. 22-24, 2003. Attendees will have an opportunity to share knowledge and perspectives with colleagues as they set organizational objectives for the coming year. FULL TEXT

July 7, 2003: Donald R. Rou Receives Certified Crop Adviser Award - Donald R. Rou of Williston, a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and senior sales consultant for Agro Distributions, is the 2003 Florida winner of the Excellence in Crop Advising Award from the American Farm Bureau Foundation. Terry Teuton, Anthony, Fla., and Gene Waldron, Sr., owner of Waldron Farms, Citra, Fla. nominated Rou for the honor. FULL TEXT

July 3, 2003: Suwannee River Basin Farmers Honored for Environmental Stewardship - Farmers who have voluntarily adopted Best Management Practices (BMPs) to manage the flow of nutrients to the Middle Suwannee Basin will be recognized for their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship at a dinner Thursday, July 3 at Rep. Dwight Stansel's Farm located near Live Oak. Florida Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with the Suwannee River Partnership and the Suwannee River Water Management District, will induct 32 agricultural producers who have implemented sound environmental procedures into the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship program (CARES). FULL TEXT

May 20, 2003: BSE Found in Canadian Cow - The United States has placed Canada under its bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) restriction guidelines and will not accept any ruminants or ruminant products from Canada pending further investigation, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman stated today. FULL TEXT

May 16, 2003: USDA Receives Input on Country of Origin Labeling in Florida - Americans should have the option of choosing products made in the United States of America. At least that's what was decided on May 13, 2002, when President Bush signed into law the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, more commonly known as the 2002 Farm Bill. FULL TEXT

May 9, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Members Impact Washington - Florida Farm Bureau members descended upon Washington, D.C. this week in an effort to have Florida's congressional delegation understand issues important to Florida agriculture, allowing the congressional members to make informed voting choices. FULL TEXT

April 28, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Rewards Good Samaritan After Thief Arrest - Florida Farm Bureau Federation was pleased to award a Good Samaritan a $500 reward for his help in convicting a thief who made off in the night with rare and exotic orchids. FULL TEXT

March 12, 2003: Farmland Protection Overdue - Agricultural and environmental groups joined ranks to express support for House and Senate bills to finance protection of vanishing Florida farmland. The groups launched a renewed effort to pass SB 728 and HB 1101, which would implement the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act. FULL TEXT

February 25, 2003: UF/IFAS Funding Crucial to Research and Economic Development - The Florida Legislature should approve the 2003 proposed budget initiative requested by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences along with three budget initiatives: serving and protecting Florida's agricultural and natural resources economic value, local extension matching initiative and teacher partnerships. That recommendation is among those contained in a report published by Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) summarizing a review of the structure, function and future of UF/IFAS. FULL TEXT

February 18, 2003: Farmers and Ranchers Reminded to Participate in the Nation's 26th Census of Agriculture - Your agriculture census report form wouldn't be hiding, would it? If so, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman urges farmers and ranchers to complete and return their forms today to make it known – agriculture counts! FULL TEXT

February 11, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Congratulates the 2003 Inductees Into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame - The 2003 inductees into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame were inducted during the 25th annual awards celebration Tuesday at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. Ninety-six people have been inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame; these four inductees will bring the total to 100. FULL TEXT

January 20, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Seeks Realistic Standards for Everglades Restoration - The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF), the state’s largest general interest agricultural organization, is urging members of the Environmental Regulatory Commission (ERC) to base new phosphorus standards for water flowing to the Everglades on scientific information. The Federation also is asking the ERC to consider economic impacts and to assess the relative risks and benefits to the public as it considers the standard. FULL TEXT

January 6, 2003: Florida Farm Bureau Celebrates Food Check-Out Day Feb. 6 - Food in America is affordable. In fact, between Jan. 1 and Feb. 6, the average American will have earned enough disposable income to pay for his or her food supply for the entire year, according to Florida Farm Bureau. FULL TEXT