AGP Executive Report

Pesticide Accountability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer-risk warnings for products like glyphosate, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to weigh whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. Health & Farm Safety: A new review links pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals tied to early-life exposure. Florida Citrus Innovation: Florida researchers are testing CRISPR gene editing on citrus rootstock to potentially shut off receptors that let citrus greening bacteria spread, aiming to reduce heavy spray burdens. Animal Health Rules: Florida tightened rules for bringing warm-blooded pets and livestock into the state amid New World screwworm threats, requiring veterinary exams and restricting shelter animals. Coastal & Seafood: Palm Beach County asks residents to check rules before removing sargassum during sea turtle nesting, while Texas researchers report oyster-shell recycling is helping rebuild reefs in the Coastal Bend. Wildlife & Fishing: A Southwest Florida fishing rescue ended with a snowy egret euthanized after severe line injuries, underscoring proper line disposal. Food Recall: FDA recalled Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers sold in Florida over possible metal contamination.

Pesticide Accountability Fight: A new push for “liability shield” laws is gaining momentum as pesticide makers lobby states to block lawsuits tied to products like glyphosate/Roundup, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to weigh whether federal law can limit state failure-to-warn claims. Health Research: Separate reviews link pesticide exposure during pregnancy and early childhood to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors, with the strongest signals tied to early life exposure. Florida Livestock Protection: Florida’s agriculture department moved to block shelter dogs and cats from Texas and New Mexico after New World screwworm detections, tightening import rules to protect cattle, pets, and wildlife. Coastal Cleanup Rules: With sargassum piling up on Florida beaches, officials say small hand removal is allowed, but mechanical cleanup needs permits. Food Safety: The FDA recalled Farm Rich frozen Pizza Cheese Crunchers sold in Florida after reports of possible metal contamination. Fishing Management: A judge ordered Florida’s red snapper pleasure fishery closed ahead of the season, while the agency says it will appeal.

New World screwworm threat: USDA says the flesh-eating screwworm is back in the U.S. after detections in Texas and New Mexico (five cattle, one goat, and one dog), prompting emergency response and renewed concern for animal health across the region. Florida biosecurity: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson expanded screwworm import restrictions, including blocking shelter and rescue dogs and cats from states with confirmed detections. Food safety recall: FDA recall coverage expanded to 21 states for Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers after a delayed Class II metal-risk designation. Farmers get protection: Nearly 90 Florida laws take effect July 1, including a “farm equipment lemon law” requiring manufacturers to repair, replace, or refund defective ag equipment after repeated failed fixes. Rural hunger support: Polk County is expanding USDA Summer BreakSpot free meal sites as need grows, with one location serving about 2,000 meals on weekdays. Aquaculture funding: UH Hilo is a core member of a $13.5M federal aquaculture research consortium to boost seafood supply and markets.

New World Screwworm Response: The FDA has issued emergency approval of an over-the-counter Nitenpyram tablet treatment for dogs and cats as screwworm cases rise in Texas and New Mexico, raising alarms for livestock producers and beef prices. Biosecurity at the Border: Idaho tightened warm-blooded animal entry rules after detections, requiring veterinary inspections and added documentation for arrivals from screwworm-affected areas. Public Health Watch: Florida reported two more Vibrio vulnificus cases, including a hospitalized 17-year-old after swimming with a scrape, as peak beach season ramps up exposure risk from warm coastal waters and raw shellfish. Everglades Drought Signals: Audubon reports drought-linked stress on Everglades wading birds, tied to reduced small prey fish and disrupted nesting. Soil & Climate Research: A new global map finds arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks are densest in undisturbed grasslands, including flooded Everglades soils—highlighting the value of protecting native habitat. Pesticides & Kids’ Health: A review links pregnancy and early childhood pesticide exposure to higher risks of childhood leukemia and brain tumors.

New World screwworm crackdown: Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner expanded screwworm import restrictions and extended emergency rules after new detections, as beef prices and livestock risk rise with the parasite spreading beyond Texas. Water quality upgrade: Orange County celebrated finishing a septic-to-sewer conversion for 95 properties in Pine Hills, aiming to cut nutrient pollution in the Wekiwa Spring and Rock Springs watersheds. Food access in Florida: Second Harvest’s Mobile Farmers Market wrapped its first year in Volusia County, delivering thousands of pounds of produce and hundreds of produce prescriptions through its “Food is Medicine” push. Dairy spotlight: Pace softball ace Hannah DeMarcus was named Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Softball. Animal health and safety: Idaho added new entry requirements for warm-blooded animals after screwworm detections, while a Ridglan Farms beagle case in Florida raised concerns about alligator attacks and GPS tracking failures. Local agriculture education: Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy earned second place in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fishing & Conservation Challenge. Coastal life and risk: Coast Guard crews rescued two mariners after a power outage off Ormond Beach, underscoring the need for reliable communications at sea.

New World Screwworm Watch: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson expanded emergency rules after new detections in Texas and New Mexico, tightening bans on at-risk animal imports and redefining “infested zones” to include affected counties and nearby areas—aimed at protecting the state’s cattle industry. Beef Prices Pressure: A new report says U.S. ground beef prices hit fresh highs as drought and the screwworm keep the herd smaller longer, with consumer relief fading. Local Food & Retail: Sprouts Farmers Market will add 10 Buddy Brew Coffee cafes inside select Florida stores across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Sarasota. Marine Science Under Fire: A report says the Trump administration is dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative, raising alarms about weaker ocean and climate monitoring. Wildlife & Community: A Windermere teen built a butterfly garden to support monarchs, planting milkweed and nectar plants to help the species rebound.

New World screwworm threat: USDA confirmed new New World screwworm cases in Texas (and reports expanding into nearby areas), reviving border restrictions and emergency animal-import rules as cattle producers brace for higher costs and tighter movement of livestock. Aquaculture push: The University of Hawaiʻi joined a $13.5 million national aquaculture research consortium led by NOAA to strengthen U.S. seafood supply and expand sustainable marine farming. Florida fisheries boost: Mote Marine Laboratory plans to release thousands of juvenile snook at Robinson Preserve, using tracking to monitor survival and support Florida’s inshore game fish population. Agriculture funding: The House passed an agriculture appropriations package that backs plant and animal health programs, including citrus response and screwworm-related readiness. SNAP fraud spotlight: A new report highlights SNAP benefits going to deceased recipients, raising questions about how hard it will be to stop improper payments. Local ag land protection: Florida approved preservation of thousands of acres of working agricultural land to limit development pressure. Boater safety: Two Central Florida anglers were found safe after more than 24 hours stranded offshore, underscoring the risks of mechanical trouble and limited communications.

New World Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed more New World screwworm cases, bringing detections to five (three Texas calves, a Texas goat, and a dog in New Mexico), and Florida is on high alert as officials push emergency rules and urge pet and livestock owners to watch for symptoms. NOAA Aquaculture Push: NOAA launched CIFARM, a new cooperative institute hosted by the University of New Hampshire, with Florida Sea Grant among partners, aiming to boost sustainable marine aquaculture research and markets. Florida Land Protection: Gov. DeSantis approved permanent conservation easements covering 6,237 acres across Highlands, Manatee, and Okeechobee counties to protect working ranchland and wildlife corridors from development. Local Food Retail: Sprouts Farmers Market announced a new Lecanto store, highlighting fresh produce from local/regional farmers and wellness-focused offerings. Agritourism Expansion: Split Oak Ranch in Flagler County is expanding into a broader agritourism and community events destination with a new event center planned.

New World Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed five new New World screwworm cases, including a Texas calf, a Texas goat, and a New Mexico pet dog, reviving the flesh-eating parasite threat to livestock and pets and prompting quarantines, movement controls, surveillance, and sterile-fly releases. Florida Response: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued emergency rules tightening animal import restrictions to keep the pest out. Livestock Impact: Officials warn the outbreak could drive up beef prices as the U.S. works to contain a pest not seen in Texas since 1966. Honey Industry Hit: A major fire destroyed a Crystal River honey processing facility, with investigators still looking at what sparked the blaze. Marine & Seafood Watch: A court order blocked Florida’s Atlantic red snapper season before it started, adding uncertainty for anglers and fisheries managers. Citrus Pressure: A new report highlights how an invasive insect has devastated Florida’s orange industry, shrinking production dramatically. Local Agriculture Planning: DeSoto County held a public workshop for its comprehensive plan update, with input sought on future growth affecting farming and land use.

New World screwworm alert: USDA confirmed two more New World screwworm cases in Texas—a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County—bringing the total to four and raising fresh concerns for the $113 billion U.S. cattle industry as officials sample suspected cases and push eradication efforts. Livestock economics: Coverage notes the pest’s return could mean more treatment costs and fewer saleable animals, with beef prices potentially staying under pressure. Florida response angle: A University of Florida entomologist says early detections trigger heightened vigilance, and that a handful of new cases could appear even if spread isn’t rapid. Local agriculture & food retail: Sprouts Farmers Market opened new stores in Lecanto (FL) and added locations in Texas and California, highlighting produce partnerships with local and regional farmers. Community agriculture culture: A North Florida tomato festival is sparking conversation about the future of farming and who will grow crops next. Marine stewardship: Loggerhead Marinelife Center documented Florida’s first-ever olive ridley sea turtle nest, with researchers pointing to warming seas and fishing pressure as possible drivers.

Emergency Livestock Biosecurity: Florida moved fast after Texas confirmed the New World screwworm, tightening warm-blooded animal imports, adding certification and veterinary inspection rules, and quarantining or denying entry for noncompliant shipments to protect the state’s cattle industry. Local Agriculture & Food Safety: A Florida mother and daughter filed suit against Campbell’s and Walmart alleging SpaghettiOs contained worms or parasites and that they suffered serious illness after eating the product. Reef Fish Data Incentives: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched a Tampa Bay pilot “Cast for Cash,” paying recreational anglers up to $1,500 to install temporary cameras and log data on released reef fish. Farm Succession & Costs: A North Florida Tomato Festival spotlighted the next generation of growers, with younger farmers saying the hardest parts are land, money, and staying afloat long enough to turn a profit. Mosquito Control Watch: Google/Alphabet is seeking EPA approval to release up to 32 million specially treated mosquitoes in parts of the U.S., including Florida, as a biological approach to reduce mosquito-borne disease spread. Waterfront Stewardship: Brevard County promoted Florida-Friendly Landscaping guidance focused on protecting the Indian River Lagoon waterfront, including erosion control and native plantings.

Livestock Biosecurity: Florida has enacted emergency rules to keep the New World screwworm out after Texas detected the flesh-eating parasite in a calf. FDACS is temporarily restricting warm-blooded animal imports from affected areas, pausing entries through June 10, then requiring pre-arrival certification and veterinarian inspection; animals from high-risk zones without paperwork face quarantine, and infested-zone shipments are denied. Waterfront Stewardship: Brevard County residents are being urged to “protect the waterfront” along the Indian River Lagoon with practical yard steps—like managing erosion around seawalls/bulkheads and using native plantings behind structures—to help safeguard the lagoon system. Homegrown Fruit Guidance: UF/IFAS shared a new “Papaya Growing in the Florida Home Landscape” guide for Central and South Florida gardeners, focusing on site selection, drainage, cold protection, and pest awareness. Community Food Access: Miami-Dade schools will run USDA-funded Summer BreakSpot with free breakfast and lunch for kids up to age 18 at 170 sites, with meals required to be eaten on-site. Fishing & Food Safety: A Florida freshwater fishing forecast highlights early-June feeding patterns for anglers, while a CDC update expands a Salmonella warning tied to imported moringa leaf supplements.

New World screwworm threat: USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in south Texas, just miles from the first, renewing fears for Florida’s cattle and livestock supply; Florida responded with emergency rules and expanded monitoring to keep the flesh-eating pest out. Hurricane readiness for farm families: Farm Share Florida and Global Empowerment Mission staged statewide hurricane preparedness drives, including free supplies like food, water, flashlights, and candles at sites in Sunrise and Hialeah. Food-price pressure tied to energy: A Florida-based hydrogen executive points to Middle East-driven fuel shocks pushing up the UN FAO food price index, with food spending already a major share of household budgets. Automation on sugar farms: US Sugar deployed an autonomous John Deere tractor fleet in south Florida, aiming to boost accuracy and reliability while improving productivity across its large acreage. Local agriculture & water events: A Florida beach-and-fishing community angle shows up in coverage of summer fishing and festival activity, alongside warnings about harmful algal blooms affecting recreational waters.

Livestock Health Watch: USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in south Texas, detected in a calf about 5.5 miles from the first site, prompting a quarantine zone and intensified containment efforts; Canada also imposed a temporary livestock ban from Texas to protect its herd. Florida Biosecurity: Florida is already moving to block the pest’s entry with emergency rules and expanded monitoring after the Texas detections, with officials citing the threat to cattle and other warm-blooded animals. Ag Tech on the Farm: US Sugar deployed an autonomous fleet of John Deere tractors in south Florida, using Mobius autonomous management to run multiple vehicles with one operator and reporting gains in accuracy, production, and reliability. Fishing & Food Supply: A legal fight over red snapper rules has halted what could have been the longest season in years, adding uncertainty for anglers and seafood demand. Community & Workforce: Florida State University’s entrepreneurship program for veterans graduated its first Leon County cohort, pairing training and mentorship to help participants launch and grow businesses.

New World screwworm threat: USDA confirmed a second case in south Texas, this time in a 3-week-old calf near the first detection, reviving fears for the cattle industry and triggering quarantine and intensified surveillance. Florida border response: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued emergency rules tightening animal imports from high-risk zones, including stricter veterinary inspection requirements and limits on movement documentation. Wildlife pressure in Florida waters: Researchers say dolphin entanglements in the Indian River Lagoon are rising, with discarded fishing gear driving a sharp increase in cases and a high likelihood of death. Conservation win on the water: The Ding Darling & Doc Ford Tarpon Tournament raised more than $226,000 for conservation and water-quality research off Sanibel/Captiva. Drought and fireworks risk: With drought conditions still severe, Florida officials warn Fourth of July fireworks could raise wildfire risk, even as retailers report early demand.

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.