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

Portions of Highlands County are safer from wildfire thanks to federal stimulus dollars that funded efforts to reduce the wildfire danger. ...more

December 11, 2009

Those considering opening their hearts and wallets during this holiday season are advised to do a background check before donating to charities. ...more

December 3, 2009

In the Republican primary for Florida agriculture commissioner, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow seems like a natural.But state Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis intends to put up a fight against Putnam in the primary. Claiming the role of the true conservative in the race, he hopes to turn the race into the kind of ideological battle that's becoming common in the Republican Party. ...more

November 23, 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

Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson announced Monday that his department is instituting a regulation that prohibits additives, chemicals or adulterants in honey produced, processed or sold in Florida unless consumers are clearly told what else is in it. ...more

July 13, 2009

People with respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors because of smoky conditions caused by multiple wildfires burning in eastern and central Florida and two brush fires in Hernando County. ...more

May 14, 2009