Public News Service

Numerous studies have shown that for years, Black farmers have been rejected for loans by the USDA more than their white counterparts. (RyanMcGuire/Pixabay)

Black farmers in Florida grapple with USDA aid, land challenges

In a move to address historical injustices, the Biden administration announced $2 billion dollars in direct payments for Black and minority farmers …

Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont all have banned the sale of neonicotinoids, bee-killing pesticide, according to Environment America. Florida has yet to do so, but the group hopes it also will take action in order to save the insect. (Adobe Stock)

On Earth Day, Environmentalists Push to Save Bees

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today is Earth Day, and environmental advocates are calling on citizens to do their part to save the bees. National …

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced K-12 schools will continue with distance learning for the rest of the school year due to COVID-19. (stevepb/Pixabay)

Florida Educators: Funding Essential to Reopen Safely

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida will use nearly $1 billion in federal CARES Act funds to help schools reopen at full capacity in …

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages Lake Okeechobee water levels with the goal of balancing flood control, public safety, navigation, water supply and ecological health. (ernie114/Pixabay)

Proposal Could Tip the Balance in Lake Okeechobee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - About 30 Florida conservation groups are telling Congress to reject a proposal that could lead to more water being kept in Lake …

Florida's telemedicine bills would authorize providers to use telehealth to perform patient evaluations online, including eye exams. (SofieZborilova/Pixabay)

Remote, Online Eye Care Could Help Rural Floridians

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Legislature is considering bills that would make it easier for people to get some of their healthcare services &…

The farm bill, a large, multifaceted piece of legislation that impacts farm commodity prices and nutrition programs, expires Sept. 30. (Pixabay)

Farm Bill Faces Gridlock Over SNAP Work Rules

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Congress may not be able to finish the farm bill by the end of the month, when the old one expires. One deadlock is a …

Supporters claim Chlorpyrifos is a critical component in the

Labor and Health Groups Push to Ban Harmful Pesticide

TALLAHASSEE – A federal judge heard final arguments Monday in a case challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's decision not to ban a wid…

According to Earthjustice, approximately 10,000 to 20,000 pesticide poisonings occur every year among farmworkers. (Pixabay)

Farmworker Groups Sue EPA for Withholding New Pesticide Training Materials

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Farmworkers are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to make pesticide safety training mandatory …

A core objective of Florida�s Action for Dental Health is to maximize the utilization and capacity of Florida�s current dental workforce to optimally serve Floridians with preventive and therapeutic dental care. (Pixabay)

Proposed Bills Could Help Oral Health in Rural Communities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After being vetoed two years ago, there are new bills in the Florida Legislature that would establish a dental student loan …

A tiny bug newly introduced to Florida from Asia attacks citrus trees and some ornamental plants. (Department of Agriculture)

Florida Homeowners Asked to Help with Citrus Crop

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A tiny insect is placing Florida citrus in jeopardy, but residents can help. Citrus trees in the Sunshine State are under …

Fast food giant KFC is phasing out the use of antibiotics in raising chickens. (Gracey/morguefile)

KFC to Switch to Antibiotic-Free Chicken

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Consumer and public health advocates are applauding the latest pledge by a fast food chain to phase out its use of chickens …

Farmers say consumers will pay more for fruits and vegetables if millions of undocumented workers are deported. (kconnors/morguefile)

Farm Groups Fear Impact of Deportations on Ag Industry

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to deport as many as 11 million undocumented immigrants, a plan that has …

Farmworker advocates are petitioning the EPA to ban the use of a widely used toxic pesticide in the fields.(Wasan Gredpee/iStockphoto)

Florida Farmworkers Fight "Unconscionable" Use of Pesticide

TALLAHASSEE, Fl. - Florida farmworkers are among those nationwide taking a stand against a highly toxic pesticide. A group of agriculture, labor and …

A panel of federal judges overturned the EPA's approval of a bee-killing pesticide. Credit: alexandrmagurean/iStock

Court Voids EPA Approval of Bee-Killing Pesticide

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - An agricultural pesticide that has been linked to the collapse of bee colonies soon may be off the market. The Ninth Circuit …

A new poll says hunters and anglers support expanding the Clean Water Rule to smaller tributaries. Credit: bissel/iStock

Poll: Hunters and Anglers Support Clean Water Rule

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Hunters and anglers support restoring the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule to smaller headwaters …

PHOTO: Jodi James and her colleagues at the Florida Cannabis Action Network display their wares, all made from hemp, at the Florida State Capitol. Photo credit: Phil Latzman

Will Hemp Get Over the Hump in Florida?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A table full of hemp products recently made for a strange sight inside Florida's Capitol building, especially when growing …

PHOTO: Saturday marks the 42nd anniversary of the Clean Water Act, and the EPA is currently accepting public comments on a proposal the agency says would strengthen protection of streams and wetlands. Photo credit Lou Kellenberger/Florida Wildlife Federation.

Happy Birthday Clean Water Act: Legislation Turns 42 Saturday

TAMPA, Fla. – This Saturday marks the 42nd anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Before the legislation was put in place, only one-third of the …

PHOTO: A comparison of studies concludes listing genetically engineered ingredients on food labels would cost $2.30 per person, per year. Photo credit: Mangostock/iStockphoto.com.

The Food You Eat: Report Calculates Cost of GE Food Labeling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A consulting group has "studied the studies" about what it could cost consumers to label the genetically engineered …

Photo: Clearstream LLC, based in Harrisburg, N.C., applies its product to a variety of residential and commercial spaces. Courtesy: Clearstream LLC

The Meat We Eat: An Alternative to Livestock Antibiotics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida's hundreds of livestock farms – including poultry and swine – soon will have to look for other means to …

Photo: Palm warblers are among the birds migrating between Canada's boreal forest and Florida every winter. Photo credit: Jeff Nadler

Something to Tweet About: Protecting Florida's Migrant Birds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Most of Florida's "snowbirds" have hopped on I-95 for the drive north. Meanwhile, birds of the feathered variety have done the …

PHOTO: Wetland areas around Florida, such as cypress domes in the Florida Everglades, will see greater protection if the rules are put in place. Courtesy: Miguel Leyva

Proposed Rule Would Close Gap in FL Water Protection

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For more than a decade, 20 million wetland acres and 2 million miles of streams – including many in Florida – …

PHOTO: Biomass pellets are used worldwide for energy generation, and they're growing in popularity in Europe. Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Biomass in FL: An Embarrassment of Riches?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The rich vegetation found in parts of Florida, thanks to plentiful water and lots of sunshine, is feeding a worldwide need for …

Photo: Toxic slime is appearing on Florida waterways. Courtesy: Earthjustice.

Florida's Rainy Summer Spreading Toxic Algae to Florida Waters

ST. LUCIE, Fla. - This summer's unseasonably heavy summer rains are not just spurring the growth of toxic algae in Florida's coastal waters. A new …

Photo: Strawberry fields at Cottle Organics. Courtesy: Cottle Organics

New Safety Regulations Could Root Out Local Food

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The landscape of Florida's farming industry could change drastically if new food-safety regulations take effect. The changes come …

Photo: Coast near Sewell's Point. Courtesy: Thurlow-Lippisch

Toxic Slime, Algae Make Some Florida Beaches a "Ghost Town"

SEWELL’S POINT, Fla. – The thousands of Floridians and tourists planning to enjoy the last of summer on this Labor Day weekend will find …

Foto de Migel Zelaya, Reina Lemus de Zelaya y su hija, Selena Zelaya, de 18 a�os. Miguel y Reina son trabajadores agr�colas en Florida. Cortes�a: Alex Saunders, de la Farmworker Association of Florida.

Trabajadores agrícolas de Florida demandan protección contra pesticidas

WASHINGTON – Quienes cultivan y cosechan gran parte de los alimentos que comemos, trabajadores agrícolas de Florida y de todo el país…

Photo of Miguel Zelaya, Reina Lemus de Zelaya and their daughter, Selena Zelaya, 18. Miguel and Reina are farmworkers in Florida. Courtesy: Alex Saunders of Farmworker Association of Florida.

Florida Farmworkers Demand Protection from Pesticides

WASHINGTON - Farm workers from Florida and around the country are on Capitol Hill today, asking Congress to protect them from potentially hazardous …

Farm Bill Amendment Could Impact Animal Treatment in FL

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lawmakers are putting many "eggs" in the Farm Bill "basket" in Washington, one of which could affect the welfare of farm animals…

Photo: March Against Monsanto taking place on Saturday, May 25th. Courtesy: March Against Monsanto

Memorial Day: Statewide March Against Genetically Modified Seeds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Saturday, thousands of Floridians will start their Memorial Day weekend by speaking up against an international company…

PHOTO: Last-minute changes will delay federal income tax refunds for some. The average refund timing has gone from 9 days in past years, to 21 this year. Courtesy: IRS.gov

Some Tax Refunds Will Be Delayed This Year

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Don't plan on spending your income tax refund too quickly this year: refunds are expected to be delayed for some taxpayers…

Photo: Fishkill in Wiggins Pass in southwest Florida. Courtesy: Earthjustice

Environmentalists: Florida Isn't Ready to Manage Its Waterways

TAMPA, Fla. - Protests are planned today in Tampa in response to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement of the Clean Water Act in Florida…

Photo: North Carolina farmworker. Courtesy: NC Justice Center

Immigration Reform for Farmworkers is on the Table this Holiday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - As we prepare the food for our holiday dinners today, immigration reform advocates are hoping citizens put the subject of …

PHOTO: The federal Environmental Protection Agency will set new, strict standards for Florida waters that are expected to have an impact nationwide.

EPA Sets Limits for Florida Waters

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - New pollution standards are being called a giant step forward for Florida water quality and beyond. Late Friday the EPA agreed to …

Recent polls show major opposition to cutting food assistance programs like SNAP.

FL Religious Leaders Address the "Moral Dimension" of Hunger

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Recent polls show major public opposition to cutting food assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance …

Lesley Gamble paddles through green slime outbreak on the Santa Fe River on May 22, 2012. Photo by John Moran.

Green Slime Outbreak on Florida Waterway

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. - This Memorial Day weekend, red, white and blue weren't the only colors visible on Florida waterways. Visitors also saw green …

Survey Shows Majority of Americans Want Clean, Affordable Energy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida has one of the highest per-capita electricity usage rates in the country, with utility bills climbing even higher during …

Report Asks: Biofuel Crop or Invasive Weed?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Biofuels are hot new crops around the nation, but a new report urges caution before plowing to seed the fields. The National …

Florida Drivers Look for Ways to Stretch Gasoline Dollars

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Shelling out close to four dollars a gallon for gasoline may be motivating Florida drivers to look for new ways to save fuel…

Looking for Ways Panthers and Ranchers Can Coexist in FL

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - A new study in Florida is aimed at helping determine the best ways for cattle and panthers to coexist. The endangered Florida …

Fake vs. Real Christmas Trees? A Surprising Answer

EUSTIS, Fla. - Many Floridians will soon be making the big decision of this season: whether to buy a real Christmas tree or a fake fir. It's a choice …

Social Security Cuts: Greatest Impact On FL Small Towns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - America's small towns will be hit hardest by any cuts in Social Security, according to a new analysis by the rural news website …

Raising 'Sugar-Cane': Investigative Report Follows the Money Trail

This is Part Two of a two-part series that began Monday, October 3 BELLE GLADE, Fla. - In South Florida, sugar cane is king. Courting political …

Raising 'Sugar-Cane': Investigative Report

BELLE GLADE, Fla. - A battle being waged in the ethanol industry pits sugar against corn, and it reaches from Florida to the Midwest to Latin America…

FL Water Coalition to Congress: "Our Rivers Are In Trouble"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - An environmental advocacy group has written members of the state's congressional delegation, demanding action to address algae …

Farm Act Could Boost FL Family Farm Subsidies

OCALA, Fla. - Legislation introduced in Congress could level the playing field for farmers in Florida and elsewhere. The Rural America Preservation …

Mississippi Flooding Worsens Gulf Environment

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The most severe flooding of the Mississippi River in many decades has earned it a "special mention" in American Rivers' annual list …

Rubio Backs Budget Rider to Block FL Water Pollution Limits

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's junior U.S. senator, Republican Marco Rubio, hopes to use the budget debate happening now in the Senate to block new …

More Farmer Exchanges Planned to Ease Hunger

MIAMI, Fla. - When it comes to feeding the world's hungry, hooking up farmers in Florida with producers in developing countries is a great place to …

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FL: Rural/Farming