AGP Executive Report

Livestock Biosecurity: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule after the New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas, tightening cattle import controls to protect the state’s ranches. Animal Health & Accountability: Simpson also promised enforcement after suspected herbicide-linked deaths of chickens and bees in East Milton, with investigators still working to identify the cause. Fishing Rules Clash: A legal fight over red snapper season and federal release practices is testing tensions between anglers, regulators, and environmental groups as Trump-era deregulation efforts face court blocks. Invasive Species Watch: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service flagged the Asian swamp eel as an ecological risk in South Florida, citing declines in local species where it’s established. Food Access in Florida: Second Harvest’s Mobile Farmers Market reported its first-year results in Volusia County—5,490 pounds of produce distributed and hundreds served through produce prescriptions. Local Ag Economy: Tampa Bay’s Salty Scales expanded from charters into a broader fishing brand with apparel and education aimed at building a Gulf Coast angler community.

New World screwworm alert: USDA confirmed the flesh-eating New World screwworm fly in south Texas for the first time in decades, discovered in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County; officials say the case is being treated and contained, but the return of the pest raises alarms for cattle producers and nearby livestock. Florida drought and growth pressure: Despite recent rains, Central Florida’s worst drought in 25 years is still straining water supplies and threatening development plans, with Brevard County facing rising infrastructure costs as fresh-water limits tighten. Water and wildfire risk: Florida’s drought remains severe enough to keep burn bans in place in multiple counties, and fireworks rules for July 4 could change depending on rainfall. Fresh produce access: Second Harvest’s Mobile Farmers Market hit major milestones in Volusia County, distributing thousands of pounds of produce and filling hundreds of produce prescriptions through its “Food is Medicine” push. UF strawberry health work: UF researchers are testing and tracking strawberry diseases like crown rot to help growers time treatments and keep local fields productive. Marine rules debate: Florida lawmakers are pushing to extend the state’s shark-feeding ban farther offshore, while scientists argue the case for a federal ban isn’t strong. Local fishing notes: Anglers get weekend guidance for red snapper and inshore bites, with reminders about where recreational fishing is allowed.

Livestock Health Alert: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, south Texas, triggering quarantines and sterile-fly releases to stop the flesh-eating parasite from spreading—officials say there’s no sign it’s established yet and that it doesn’t infest food. Florida Agriculture Policy: Florida tightened dairy cattle import rules with an emergency avian influenza testing/movement requirement after confirmed H5N1 cases in Idaho, while regulators stress pasteurization keeps the milk supply safe. Local Farm Impacts: Glades County residents in Ortona are complaining about black ash and soot from sugarcane burns, saying burn-permit wind rules leave their neighborhood exposed. Food Safety Lawsuit: A Florida mother sued Campbell Soup and Walmart alleging “moving worms or parasites” in SpaghettiOs, claiming serious injuries for her and her daughter. Community Support for Farms & Families: In Marion County, a pastor-led effort is distributing thousands of pounds of Florida-grown food weekly, including beef processed through Farmers Feeding Florida. Environment & Land Use: UF plans to cut 1,168 trees in Graham Woods to improve stormwater drainage, drawing questions about biodiversity loss.

New World screwworm in Texas: USDA confirmed the first U.S. New World screwworm case since 1966 in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, South Texas, triggering quarantines, movement controls, expanded trapping, and sterile fly releases to stop spread—officials say the food supply isn’t at risk. Florida animal health & agriculture connections: The response includes a unified incident command with Texas animal health officials and outreach to producers to watch livestock for suspicious lesions. Everglades cleanup deadline pressure: Florida is “flunking” pollution cleanup timelines tied to Stormwater Treatment Areas, with major work still not completed toward 2026 clean-water goals. Beagle rescue surge tied to Ridglan Farms: Another 135 beagles are being released, including 67 headed to Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s Florida campus, as placements continue nationwide. Local ag economy & tech: U.S. Sugar rolled out the largest autonomous tractor fleet in the U.S. sugar industry across South Florida sugarcane acres. Food safety lawsuit: A Florida mother and daughter sued Campbell’s and Walmart over alleged worms/parasites in SpaghettiOs, claiming illness after eating the product. Florida property tax fight: Lawmakers advanced a homestead exemption amendment that could reshape how property taxes are assessed and capped statewide, with voters deciding in November.

Dairy Biosecurity: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule tightening dairy cattle import testing and restrictions after H5N1 concerns in other states, requiring negative tests and veterinary inspection certificates for lactating animals. Ag Leadership: GreenPoint Ag named Athens resident Amy Winstead as its new CEO, tapping her multi-location retail leadership background to guide the agribusiness into its next chapter. Food Safety Lawsuit: A Florida mother and daughter sued Campbell’s and Walmart over alleged SpaghettiOs contamination, claiming “actively moving” worms or parasites and seeking damages under food safety laws. Space Coast Jobs & Industry: Space Florida approved up to $24.2 million for Blue Origin’s Project Horizon, a planned 830,000-square-foot New Glenn upper-stage manufacturing expansion tied to about 500 jobs. Aquaculture & Research Tech: FAU researchers developed an underwater acoustic monitoring system that can detect shell-crushing feeding events by whitespotted eagle rays, aiming to better track predator-prey impacts on shellfish. Local Development: Winter Garden approved a rezone for the Johns Lake Urban Village plan, including 613 homes and agricultural uses, with traffic concerns front and center. Okra Spotlight: UF/IFAS highlighted okra as a “Food is Medicine” crop, pointing to its year-round South Florida production potential and health-focused benefits. Pesticides & Cancer: A Supreme Court decision on whether pesticide and herbicide makers can face cancer-related lawsuits is expected next month, with a roundup of key takeaways for consumers and growers.

Biosecurity & Livestock Health: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule blocking out-of-state dairy cattle over avian influenza fears, as federal officials confirm HPAI in dairy herds nationwide. Disaster Relief for Growers: U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack and Sen. Rick Scott/Ashley Moody backed the bipartisan Florida Freeze Disaster Assistance Act, seeking $3.5B in state-administered aid after the January 2026 freeze damaged crops. Pest Control Research: Google/Verily is seeking federal approval to release up to 32 million sterile male mosquitoes in Florida and California under its “Debug Project,” aiming to shrink disease-carrying populations over time. Marine Conservation: Residents rallied against a federal rollback of protections for the Oculina Bank deep-water coral reef off Fort Pierce, warning trawling could undo decades of recovery. Community Food Access: Putnam County’s Summer Feeding Program plans no-cost meals for kids and teens, partnering with Summer BreakSpot for countywide distribution. Weather Watch: Isolated storms across the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast could bring damaging winds and hail, with afternoon thunderstorm risk for farm areas.

Dog Rescue Update: Ridglan Farms will release 135 beagles Wednesday, with 67 heading to Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s Florida campus for medical care and adoption prep. State Tax Policy: Florida lawmakers advanced a property-tax cut plan that local governments warn could trigger fee hikes or service cuts; separate tax relief also passed, including hunting, fishing and camping sales-tax breaks plus a revised back-to-school holiday. Agriculture & Seafood Workforce: UF/IFAS named Sharon Cilano to lead the Franklin County extension program, focusing on shellfish, aquaculture and seafood literacy. Marine Impacts on Fishing/Tourism: Researchers warn a massive Gulf Coast sargassum bloom could worsen this summer, with beach washups already reported in Florida and Alabama. Citrus/Ag Economy: U.S. Sugar highlighted its South Florida job and economic impact, citing billions in annual activity tied to farming and processing. Aquaculture/Coastal Safety: NASA shipped a deployable wastewater treatment system from Kennedy Space Center to the University of North Dakota for testing—aimed at sustainable water and nutrient use for future Moon/Mars habitats.

Florida Agriculture Funding: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson backed a record $425 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, the biggest Rural and Family Lands Protection investment yet, using conservation easements to keep working farms producing while permanently blocking development. Land Preservation in Pasco: Pasco County completed its largest land preservation project, a $68 million conservation easement protecting about 1,893 acres of ranchland in Land O’ Lakes, designed to safeguard wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space as growth accelerates. Aquaculture & Markets: Wakulla oyster farmers say supplying high-end, Michelin-recognized restaurants is expanding demand and helping local farms grow, with growers pointing to Spring Creek water and consistent husbandry as key to meeting restaurant specs. Coastal Safety & Resilience: Loxahatchee residents celebrated a newly finished levee meant to prevent a repeat of Tropical Storm Isaac flooding, with officials citing rising storm risk and the need to finish earlier protection work. Legal Pressure on AI: Florida sued OpenAI and Sam Altman over claims ChatGPT was marketed while concealing serious risks—an issue that could affect how tech is used in everyday life, including agriculture-adjacent services.

Drought Pressure on Florida Farms: A Gainesville blueberry farm, River & Root, says extreme drought plus earlier freeze damage cut production by about 70%, forcing daily irrigation and an early end to the season. Water & Wildlife Impacts: North Central Florida’s drought is reshaping ecosystems—experts warn of tighter hunting space for alligators, higher fish densities, and increased manatee risk as low river levels push them toward boat-prone surface areas. Funding to Keep Farms Working: Florida lawmakers approved a record $425 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to help shield working farms and ranches from development. Coral Restoration Boost: In the Florida Keys, a land-based nursery expansion aims to protect corals from heat and disease, adding capacity for 100,000 more corals. Invasive Species Watch: South Florida’s spectacled caiman is flagged as an invasive of highest impact concern, with breeding populations reported in Miami-Dade and Broward. Fishing Enforcement: FWC says three people were caught off Key West with 51 illegally harvested great barracudas hidden in a cooler, far over limits. Infrastructure for Coastal Communities: FDOT begins a $101.9 million replacement of the Sebastian Inlet Bridge, with multi-year lane closures and marine traffic maintained. Citrus Outlook: Global orange juice forecasts point to weaker demand and lower production, with Brazil’s crop pressured by weather and citrus greening.

Mosquito Control Push: Google is seeking EPA approval to release up to 32 million Wolbachia-treated male mosquitoes in Florida and California over two years, aiming to suppress disease-spreading populations. Shellfish Restoration: Cedar Key oystermen are getting nearly $2 million from the RESTORE Act to rebuild hard bottom habitat at Corrigan’s Reef, helping oysters recover after storms. Equine Education: UF/IFAS is hosting an Equine Farm Field Day June 17 in Port Orange, focusing on manure composting, soil analysis, and equine nutrition. Animal Welfare Enforcement: Calhoun County deputies arrested a woman on aggravated animal cruelty charges after finding goats, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats, and other livestock in poor condition. Fishing & Community: The Daily’s Old School Kingfish Shootout returns June 13 to the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier with $240,000 in prizes, while “Fishing for Freedom” brings veterans from 21 states to fish and connect. Local Farming Innovation: A Moore Haven family is expanding coffee farming as a new crop option, pitching it as a way to help “save Florida farmers.”

Invasive Species Watch: A new push is underway to hunt invasive snakehead fish using high-powered bows and arrows, as the predator spreads through waterways and threatens native fisheries. Aquaculture & Seafood Policy: A federal judge has halted an extended red snapper season, throwing Florida and neighboring states’ plans into legal limbo and keeping harvest closed. Pollinator Tech: Pasco County’s Angeline community is installing an AI robotic beehive system to help monitor and manage collapsing bee populations and support local pollination. Florida Citrus Investment: Florida lawmakers approved nearly $196 million to help citrus recover from disease and storm damage, aiming to speed up recovery and innovation. Fishing & Community: Florida’s outdoor calendar highlights local fishing opportunities and events, including a Florida Keys fishing report and tournament coverage. Agriculture Workforce: Veterans are exploring farming opportunities at an Armed to Farm workshop in Havana. Food Safety: A lawsuit alleges an E. coli illness tied to ground beef kofta sold by a chain operating in Florida, adding pressure on food safety compliance.

Florida Citrus Funding: Florida lawmakers approved nearly $196M in state investment for citrus to speed recovery and innovation, targeting disease and storm damage. Agricultural Security: UF/IFAS research says Southeastern residents increasingly back stronger protections against pests and diseases, with 63% worried about pests and diseases and 83% supporting regulations to curb spread. Food-System Costs: Tomato prices are up about 40% year over year in the U.S., with analysts pointing to trade policy, extreme weather, and Mideast-related disruptions. State Budget & Taxes: Florida passed a $114.5B budget and new tax rules, including a hunting/fishing/camping sales tax holiday and a back-to-school holiday shift. Local Food & Community: Volusia County Schools will run summer meals for kids through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Fishing & Seafood: Florida was ranked No. 1 for fishing in 2026 for saltwater access and angler demand, and South Florida charters report mixed offshore conditions with strong bottom-fishing action. Plant Care: A practical frost guide recommends frost cloth, watering soil, mulching roots, and moving potted plants indoors when temps drop. Policy Watch: A new Florida law (HB 905) tightens rules against foreign influence and hostile actors in government and critical infrastructure.

State Budget & Taxes: Florida lawmakers approved a $114.5 billion budget in a late special session, with Democrats criticizing gaps on affordability and voucher oversight while Republicans tout education, public safety, healthcare, and environment funding; lawmakers also passed a tax relief package cutting revenue by about $272.2 million, including breaks tied to guns, fishing, camping, and tennis. Citrus Recovery: The budget sets aside nearly $196 million for Florida citrus, including $160 million for CRAFT field trials and support for new plantings and disease-fighting work as growers battle greening and storm damage. Coastal Agriculture & Aquaculture: Dry Tortugas researchers outplanted experimental “Flonduran” elkhorn corals, aiming to build heat resilience for reef protection. Food Prices: Tomato prices are up nearly 40% year over year, with trade policy shifts and weather/disease impacts in Florida and Mexico cited as key drivers. Local Farm & Wildlife Impacts: Santa Rosa County residents report animal losses after power-line herbicide spraying, with an investigation underway. Community Nutrition: Volusia County Schools will run a summer meal program for kids through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Marine Health Watch: Dr. Beach excluded Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park from its Top 10 list due to excessive sargassum.

Shellfish & Aquaculture Funding: Florida’s budget talks include a $500,000 shellfish aquaculture workforce development appropriation, but critics are raising eyebrows over how the program would be administered, since the executive director also serves as the trade association’s lobbyist. Everglades Water Quality: A Florida Trib report says the state’s stormwater treatment areas are not on track to meet phosphorus limits, putting Everglades restoration and cleaner coastal water goals at risk. SNAP Drop in Florida: New federal figures show SNAP participation fell sharply nationwide, with Florida among the biggest declines—nearly 490,000 fewer recipients since early 2025. Red Drum Rules: South Carolina’s new red drum catch limits start July 1, tightening daily and boat limits and changing hook requirements to help rebuild an overfished stock across the South. Sargassum on Florida Beaches: FIU’s Dr. Beach excluded Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park from its 2026 Top 10 list due to excessive sargassum, reflecting how seaweed blooms are reshaping beach conditions. Conservation Funding: Florida lawmakers zeroed out new money for Florida Forever in the proposed budget, shifting focus toward easements that critics say don’t deliver the same public benefits as land purchases. Marine Safety: A rocket explosion on Florida’s Space Coast triggered warnings that hazardous space debris could wash ashore, including risks for people fishing nearby.

Aerial spraying dispute hits Florida farms: Santa Rosa County beekeepers and a family farm say FPL-contracted helicopter herbicide spraying killed more than 50 chickens and wiped out about 75% of field bees, prompting calls for answers and possible adjustments. State budget conservation fight: Florida lawmakers are set to vote on a budget proposal that omits new funding for Florida Forever, raising alarms for the state’s wildlife corridor and connected land protection. Data center backlash grows in Florida: Escambia residents protest a reported AI data center push, while Hernando County leaders weigh a potential moratorium over water, power, and neighborhood impacts. Red snapper rules stay in the spotlight: Florida’s red snapper season has been paused/reshaped after court action, with charter captains reporting cancellations and lost revenue. Agriculture & food policy pressure: Missouri lawmakers cut funding for a SNAP produce incentive program, intensifying debate over restricting what benefits can buy while cutting fresh-food support. Local agriculture-adjacent developments: A proposed Palm Harbor K-8 charter school has residents worried about traffic and environmental effects near farmland. Research and inputs: Nutrien Ag Solutions secured BIRD Foundation support for an AI-driven targeted spraying system with an Israeli partner.

Red Snapper Rules Upended: A federal judge halted Florida’s expanded Atlantic red snapper season, freezing NOAA’s Exempted Fishing Permit and forcing FWC to revert to a default bag limit of two red snapper per person (20-inch size limit) while state plans adjust. Coastal Impacts: Dr. Beach excluded Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park from its Top 10 list due to excessive sargassum, with coastal Florida facing major economic hit estimates tied to seaweed incursions. Weather & Water: South Florida braces for unsettled conditions with impact downpours and storm chances, including lightning near Lake Okeechobee. Local Farm Life: Nassau County’s Conner’s Amazing Acres invites families to the final weekend of sunflower U-Pick, while Red Hills Small Farm Alliance brings on a second full-time director to support regional small farms. Ag Policy & Markets: Florida lawmakers finalize agriculture/environment spending, and a new Florida processing update from RenX highlights soil-amendment production capacity in Myakka City.