An emergency rule designed to guard Florida's citrus crop against a fungus that might be on California fruit shipped into the state withstood an initial court challenge Wednesday. ...more

December 20, 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

Florida has soured on California-grown citrus. A legal dispute has emerged between the two states over the importing of fresh citrus, and concerns of fungus-laden fruit making its way into Florida groves and markets and, eventually, into Korea. ...more

December 15, 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

Florida is enlisting the help of hundreds of farmers and nursery growers to clean up the state's polluted waterways, but environmentalists complain the environment is suffering under the partnership. ...more

November 18, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Aggressive Africanized bees are living above Bob Woodworth's home. The 7 feet by 3 feet hive is home to an estimated 40,000 bees, according to exterminator Jeff McChesney. ...more

October 28, 2007

The worst-case scenario is projected more than 50 years out, but environmental activists said Tuesday that the time to start protecting Florida's agricultural lands from urban development is now. ...more

October 24, 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

WASHINGTON — Mason Smoak, a citrus producer and cattle rancher from Lake Placid, testified before Congress on Thursday about the labor needs of the American agriculture industry. The House Agriculture Committee convened a hearing, requested by U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Palm Beach Gardens, to examine the issues of worker verification, hiring and retaining agriculture laborers, and the implications of current federal regulations. ...more

October 6, 2007

If we keep doing what we're doing today, what will Highlands County look like in 50 years? ...more

September 21, 2007