TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reaching out to growers, distributors and retailers of Florida-grown tomatoes to help restore confidence in the state's tomato crop. In an effort to assist with the sale of Florida tomatoes now that the areas in production have been declared safe, the department will offer "Fresh from Florida" labels and/or point of purchase materials upon request. Anyone involved in the production or sale of Florida tomatoes can call the Division of Marketing and Development at 850-488-9948 or e-mail mailto:fapc@doacs.state.fl.us. The logos are also temporarily being placed on the department's Web site, www.florida-agriculture.com, for distributors and retailers to download. There will be no charge for the requested materials or for shipping. The material will be available for 10 days. For continued use of the "Fresh from Florida" logo, businesses are encouraged to contact the Division of Marketing and Development for information about Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign (FAPC) membership. On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration put the areas of Florida currently in tomato production on the "safe to eat" list indicating they could not be the source of a salmonella outbreak that has impacted predominantly western states. Tomato harvesting is currently under way in the Quincy, Palmetto and Ruskin areas. ...more

June 14, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about a salmonella outbreak linked to certain types of tomatoes. ...more

June 11, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about a salmonella outbreak linked to certain types of tomatoes. ...more

June 10, 2008

Monday's small brushfire in Avon Park Estates will hopefully serve as a reminder for residents to be prepared. To see just how devastating brushfires can be, check what happened in Brevard County last week. All it took apparently was tossing a cigarette and the result was thousands of acres of land burned, 30 homes destroyed, 140 structures damaged, people displaced and lives impacted for years to come. Although May is officially the last month of the brushfire season, the threat of fire is still very possible in many parts of the state. It has been dry – as evidenced by lawns turning brown – and will likely continue to remain that way. May is traditionally one of the driest months of the year in Florida. ...more

May 17, 2008

SEBRING — State Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is warning people about a new attempt to get personal information or money with a claim to help people get a tax rebate from the federal government. "If you receive a phone call or e-mail with a promise of assistance in getting a check, hang up on the caller or delete the e-mail," Bronson said. Paul Hinman with the Highlands County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit said Tuesday he personally has not gotten any local complaints on this new twist to the various IRS scams out there. ...more

February 11, 2008

United States Envirofuels, a Tampa alternative fuel corporation, has been given a $7 million grant to build an ethanol plant in Venus. ...more

January 23, 2008

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging the state's farmers and ranchers to watch their mail in early January for the arrival of the 2007 Census of Agriculture form. "I urge all of Florida's agricultural producers to participate in the Census by completing and returning the form," Bronson said. "The input received by the Census helps shape the future of agriculture for years to come, and we want to make sure that the voices of Florida's farmers and ranchers are heard." ...more

December 30, 2007

Another hurricane season has come and gone and fortunately our state avoided the big storms this year. However, we can't let down our guard because another potentially dangerous time – brush fire season – is upon us. While brush fire season doesn't seem to draw the attention as hurricanes do, wild fires can be deadly and destructive. If you don't believe that, check with the folks in California. Now is the time to make homes as safe as possible from the threat of brush fires. ...more

December 17, 2007

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging consumers to check out charitable organizations before making any donations. As the holidays get under way, charities are gearing up for their busiest time of the year. Many collect about half their annual donations in the short time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Florida law requires most charities that do business in the state – regardless of where they are headquartered – to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and provide financial information about income and expenditures. There are 12,597 charitable organizations registered with the state. ...more

December 9, 2007

DAYTONA BEACH — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson will present awards to four agricultural operations — including two in Highlands County — in recognition of their leadership in promoting progressive environmental practices. ...more

October 12, 2007