Agriculture

Lyrianne Gonzalez in New York is looking for Florida descendants of the federal program that brought foreign workers to farms here. The guest worker program dates back decades, and usually brought foreigners to American farms for set periods of time, and then the workers went back home. But some guest workers chose to pursue legal U.S. citizenship, and then settled in Florida and other farm states.

The open house held at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center showed off what UF agricultural researchers are doing to solve problems growing citrus and vegetables

Florida scientists are determining how cattle grazing impacts plants, green house gas emissions, and carbon stored in the soil, using collars and cell towers.

In the second preliminary report on agricultural damage from Hurricane Idalia, state officials on Wednesday estimated the Aug. 30 storm caused up to $447 million in losses for the industry.

According to a preliminary report Thursday from the University of Florida, predicted losses for livestock are pegged at between $30.1 million and $123.4 million. Estimates for field and row crop losses are between $30.7 million and $93.6 million, with greenhouse and nursery products accounting for $4.7 million to $68.8 million.

Particle pollution from sugar cane burning can cross the blood brain barrier and lead to brain inflammation.

They are trying to persuade an appeals court that state health officials were wrong to scrap his application because he died before the licensing process was complete.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has taken steps that effectively eliminate mandated water breaks for construction workers. In response, protesters came to Washington, D.C., to press for federal protections.

Florida’s new immigration law includes penalties for employers who hire people who aren’t legally authorized to work in the U.S. Although, seasonal workers are not specifically mentioned in the law.

“I'm sure there's folks in the agricultural industry that are probably like me scratching their heads wondering ‘what was he thinking?’ Because he didn't veto any of the other conservation funding,” said land broker Dean Saunders.

Booneslick Heritage Farm uses sustainable farming practices to improve soil health and reduce fertilizer use.

Vance Whitaker, with the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, discusses the science behind breeding the berries and offers insight into the … umm … field.