The spread of citrus greening to more counties in the state has come at nearly the same time that Congress is considering a federal farm bill that would set aside about $2 billion for "specialty crops," including citrus fruits. That is good news for the citrus industry, which needs additional research to solve problems like canker and greening, said Adam Basford, assistant director of agricultural policy for Florida Farm Bureau. Growers in Manatee County say they are learning all they can...

farmers produce more food than any other country in the world and are tops in corn, soybeans, milk and cattle, according to a United Nations agriculture census. Within the next decade those older farmers will be looking for someone to take over their operations and selling millions of acres of land. At the same time, it's becoming more costly for young people to go into farming, and many of them see that they can make a better living by leaving the rural areas. Computerized gadgets that...

Donnelly says he spoke with farmers from 12 counties here in northern Indiana asking them what they wanted to see happen with farming. It would give more federal farm support and food assistance to farmers both here locally, and nationally. And we were able to put in a safety net underneath so if prices don't hold up to a certain point, we can make sure the family farm is safe the average age of farmers is getting older and older. Many farmers say they hope to see more young people take...

State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on a variety of topics, including disease control, pest management, weed control, and tomato variety yield trials. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the research plots by wagon, including one that will have a Spanish translator for non-English speaking participants. The field day also will feature presentations on other vegetable crops. State University will discuss the latest research involving fresh market tomatoes, is scheduled...

It is now widely accepted that the future of ethanol is cellulosic: Rather than distilling corn for ethanol to fuel our cars, accepted wisdom is now that we will be able to replace a large fraction of our current fuel consumption with ethanol distilled from agricultural and forestry waste, as well as dedicated energy crops, such as switchgrass and hybrid poplar. It is now widely accepted that the future of ethanol is cellulosic: Rather than distilling corn for ethanol to fuel our cars,...

With spotting's in Monroe County and other areas, farmers are worried if this airborne tobacco disease is not treated then it will attack their crops as well. Pedigo said it's a battle farmers can't stop fighting, especially since it can effect other farmers' crops. He's been a local farmer for twenty-five years and is facing the fungus again this year. Pedigo said spraying his crops is the key to preventing other farms from getting this airborne fungus. We got a good tobacco crop, but it...