SENATE VOTE BLOCKS FARM BILL PROGRESS

Progress on a new Farm Bill stalled Nov. 16 after the Senate failed to get enough votes to close debate and move the bill forward.

Sen. Tom Harkin has offered a substitute amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill that strikes House-passed language and inserts language reported by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The 55-42 vote for cloture fell short of the needed 60 votes. Debate will continue after the Thanksgiving recess, reducing the chance that a new Farm Bill will be passed before next year’s elections.

On the House side, Ranking committee member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced a bill on Nov. 15 to extend current Farm Bill for one year.

Acting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner said Nov. 15, "I believe Congress has a responsibility to deliver a new farm bill.” He highlighted specialty crops in his remarks, saying, “We heard a strong message from specialty crop growers who simply asked for more equitable support in the form of funding for research and fighting trade barriers. Failure to pass a new farm bill would send specialty crop growers a message that they haven't yet earned more equitable treatment in farm policy.”

Several congressional staffers and members of Congress speculated that President Bush is urging Senate Republicans to kill the Farm Bill so that he will not be forced to make good on his threatened veto.

USDA REVISES REGULATIONS FOR MOVEMENT OF CITRUS FRUIT FROM FLORIDA

USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced Nov. 16 it is amending its citrus canker regulations to eliminate the pre-harvest grove inspection for all Florida citrus moving interstate. Instead, the amended regulations will require samples of each lot of citrus at the packinghouse be inspected to ensure the fruit is disease-free. APHIS will continue to prohibit Florida citrus from being shipped to other citrus-producing states and territories. The rule has been published in the Nov. 19 Federal Register.

STUDY: FRUITS AND VEGGIES PLAY IMPORTANT PART IN CANCER PREVENTION

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) published research on cancer prevention earlier this month that included ten evidence-based recommendations for reducing cancer risk. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in the prevention of common cancers, the report's recommendations included eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. The report's 10 recommendations for cancer prevention can be accessed by clicking here.

FORMER UF VP FOR AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS KENNETH TEFERTILLER DIES

Agricultural economist Kenneth Ray Tefertiller, head of the University of Florida’s agriculture program from 1973 to 1988 and a retired professor of food and resource economics, died Nov. 13. He was 77.

Tefertiller created the centers for Natural Resources Programs, Environmental Toxicology, Aquatic Plant Research, Biomass Energy Systems and Cooperative Agriculture Programs.

He also put great emphasis on expanding IFAS. During his 15 years as vice president for agricultural affairs, it became one of the country’s largest and best land grant agriculture programs.

FLORIDA FRUITS AND VEGETABLES STAR IN TIMES SQUARE

Florida citrus, tropicals, and other fruits and vegetables will take center stage during the holiday shopping season on the CBS "Super Screen" at 42nd Street between Seventh and Eight avenues in New York.

Four 15-second video spots promoting "Fresh from Florida" agricultural products will air regularly on the 26-by 20-foot screen from Nov. 18 through Dec. 1, a period that includes the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The spots also will be broadcast by cable television affiliates throughout Florida from Thanksgiving through the end of December. To view the television spots online, visit www.Florida-Agriculture.com/holiday_video.htm.


MARION COUNTY FARM BUREAU AND UF TO SUPPORT LOCAL AG STUDENTS

The Marion County Farm Bureau has established a $100,000 endowment to benefit students in the University of Florida’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences who hail from Marion County and pursue agricultural careers. The endowment is eligible for up to $50,000 in state matching funds.

Six students will benefit from the endowment each year, receiving a $1,000 scholarship. If there are not sufficient students in one year to award all scholarships, the remaining funds will be used to support research at UF’s Plant Sciences Research and Education Unit in Citra.

COLLEEN BOGGS OF HOMESTEAD NAMED "WOMAN OF THE YEAR” IN AGRICULTURE

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced Nov. 16 that Colleen Boggs of Homestead has been selected to receive the Woman of the Year in Agriculture award for 2007. Boggs is owner and president of Pine Island Nursery in southern Miami-Dade County.