The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for thiophanate-methyl (TM) fungicide. Strawberry, cucurbit vegetable, succulent bean, potato and peach producers, including FFVA members, benefit from the fungicide, as it manages and suppresses key diseases. These include white mold, crown rot, …
Stuart Scholarship Applications Open
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) reminds college students interested in pursuing a career in the specialty crop industry that the 2023 Stuart Scholarship applications are due Saturday, April 15. The scholarship is available to incoming juniors through graduate program students who intend to pursue a career in the industry. The FFVA created the Mike and Karen Stuart Scholarship in 2021 …
No Ag Labor Reform in Omnibus Package
By Frank Giles On Dec. 22, the U.S. Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill. The $1.7 trillion measure would fund the federal government through the remainder of 2023. The measure now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote to avoid a government shutdown on the evening of Dec. 23. Much to the dismay of farm groups nationwide, …
Florida Associations Applaud Senate Farm Labor Bill
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) supports the bill introduced in the Senate on Thursday, titled the Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2022 (ASFA). The bill is similar to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that was passed in the House in 2021. It would create a path to legal status for undocumented farmworkers and freeze the Adverse Effect …
Florida Lawmakers Call for Hurricane Relief Funds
The Florida citrus industry has an urgent need for disaster aid in the wake of Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation advised the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations. In a Dec. 8 letter, the U.S. representatives stated that Hurricane Ian impacts caused an estimated $675.5 million in preliminary damages to the industry. They reported that damage came from …
Florida H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate Up Nearly $2
By Frank Giles The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the results of its Farm Labor Survey. This data is used by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to determine the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which establishes the minimum wages for H-2A workers in states. The survey results indicate the new AEWR in 2023 is estimated to be $14.33, …
Florida BMP Inspections Put on Hold
The requirement that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) conduct Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation verification visits has been temporarily suspended for several counties impacted by Hurricane Ian. The action was taken Oct. 31 by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. The 60-day suspension is effective for the counties of Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, …
BMP Inspections Put on Hold Due to Hurricane Ian
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) suspended Best Management Practice (BMP) site visits to the counties most impacted by Hurricane Ian. The emergency order was declared on Monday and will be in place through Dec. 30, 2022. The counties include Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, …
USTR Declines Section 301 Petition, But Recognizes Southeastern Grower Challenges
This week the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after members of Congress requested an examination of certain issues in a Sept. 8, 2022, Section 301 petition. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) released …
New Date Set for Ag Labor Relations Forum
The 48th annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum has been rescheduled following the postponement from Hurricane Ian. The labor relations forum will now be presented in a virtual format over a four-week period, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation presents the forum. It educates agricultural employers, including growers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers, on compliance with Ag labor laws …