Marcia Lightsey of Lake Wales, whose family owns several Central Florida cattle ranches known for their progressive environmental practices, has been selected to receive the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award for 2009. ...more

December 27, 2009

With 76 percent of the vote, the Florida citrus growers overwhelmingly voted to continue funding a self-imposed tax to conduct canker and greening research for another six years. Consensus was reached through a statewide referendum that concluded Wednesday. ...more

December 14, 2009

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services continues to expand the global market reach of Florida products with a new promotion that will feature Florida strawberries in Ireland during December. The Ireland-based grocery chain SuperQuinn has partnered with the department and will promote Florida's premier winter berry crop to shoppers. ...more

December 13, 2009

When consumers are holiday shopping this year, chances are pretty good that they will be charged the correct price. That's the conclusion of Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson following a pre-holiday scanner survey in which 54 stores in 27 Florida cities were inspected for scanner accuracy. ...more

December 13, 2009

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Officials say qualified individuals can shorten the time it takes to get a concealed weapon license by visiting one of eight licensing division regional offices. ...more

October 6, 2009

That swarm of insects that just flew by may want to eat your house. It's termite season, says Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson. "Now is the time to take protective action to avoid costly damage. This swarming season appears to be more active, perhaps because of last year's substantial rainfall." ...more

March 11, 2009

Florida has recorded twice as many wildfires this year compared with this time a year ago, and the danger increases every day. ...more

March 11, 2009

Florida has recorded twice as many wildfires as a year ago at this time and the danger increases every day. ...more

March 10, 2009

Zale Jewelry Closing 115 Stores Zale Corp., the Dallas-based jeweler, will close 115 underperforming stores across the country in the next 18 months, but it wasn't clear how many will close in the Tampa Bay area. A spokeswoman for Zale said the company will reveal that information shortly before each store closes. ...more

February 27, 2009

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced that the deadline for submitting nominations for the Commissioner's 2009 Agriculture Environmental Leadership Awards is April 1. ...more

February 15, 2009