Division of Marketing and Development
Nelson L. Mongiovi, Director
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner
A referendum for citrus growers will be held this month to determine whether the Citrus Research Order will be renewed for another six years. Implemented following a similar referendum in November 1991 and renewed in 1997 and 2004, the research order generates funds for citrus research through an assessment on each box of fruit produced. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will mail ballots on November 16 to those who produce and market citrus. The ballots must be returned to the Department no later than December 9, 2009.
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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has presented awards to two agricultural operations in recognition of their leadership in promoting progressive environmental practices. The 2009 Commissioner’s Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards were presented during the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting in Daytona Beach on October 30. This year’s winners are Dairy Production Systems in High Springs, and Loop’s Nursery and Greenhouses Inc. in Jacksonville.
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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that the federal government will soon release funds totaling more than $8 million to help rebuild portions of the Immokalee State Farmers’ Market that were extensively damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. “The farming community in the Immokalee area depends on the infrastructure provided by this market facility,” Bronson said. “We plan to move forward as quickly as possible now that the impasse regarding funding has been resolved.”
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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation have announced the agricultural leaders who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in February 2010. They are: Richard Alger of Homestead, Ben Hill Griffin III of Frostproof, Rudy Hamrick of Madison, and Dan McClure of Bradenton (deceased). They will be inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame during the 32nd annual awards celebration February 9, 2010, during the Florida State Fair in Tampa. These four inductees will bring the total to 132.
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Fresh Florida produce items will take center stage in Publix markets this spring when they will be featured during "Simple Meals" in-store demonstrations and at Publix Cooking Schools. A variety of Florida produce will be featured from February to May 2010.
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