The official account of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Logan Whisenhunt as the winner of the sixth annual Florida Future Chef student cooking competition. Logan won first place with his dish, Cast Iron Panhandle Chicken with First Coast Corn Crostinis and Sunshine Matcha Mangos.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/4tu4ture
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Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of over 1,000 acres of working Florida agricultural land across three Florida farms through the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
Rural lands protection easements prevent future development and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to Florida's prosperity.
Read more: tinyurl.com/2fsrhn39
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Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Jeffrey Dewey Gargiulo, Lynetta and Ken Griner, and Ron St. John as 2027 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees.
Read more: tinyurl.com/nvzp4u4f
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Beginning today, non-industrial, private forest landowners can apply for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. The program works to minimize southern pine beetle damage in Florida by helping forest landowners conduct management practices that make their pine stands less susceptible to this destructive pest.
Learn more here: tinyurl.com/2hbwzf7y
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More Florida farmland, permanently protected. 😎
Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of more than 1,500 acres across four working Florida farms through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
Read more: tinyurl.com/38yjbzh2
ALT Bishop Family Farms, Jefferson County, Florida
ALT Meetinghouse Groves, Putnam County, Florida
ALT Stevens Land and Cattle, Hardee County, Florida
ALT Warren Timberlands property, Calhoun County, Florida
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Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced an extension for Florida’s agricultural producers to apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons.
Producers now have until January 1, 2027, to apply.
READ MORE: tinyurl.com/3hwjrnp8
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
OALE Officer William Register quickly helped save a choking 1-year-old child by clearing the child’s airway before EMS arrived. Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton praised his calm, compassionate response, calling it exceptional. Outstanding work! 💙🚔
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Today, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of >2,600 acres of working Florida agricultural land across four separate farms and ranches through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
Since its inception, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved more than 244,000 acres of working agricultural land, including more than 179,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson’s administration.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/52jas3dt
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
🚨 Two wanted GA men arrested after bypassing a Hamilton Co. Agricultural Inspection station. K-9 officers uncovered drugs and multiple warrants. Both now face felony charges. Vigilance that keeps our community safe. 🐾
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
Head to FreshFromFlorida.com to see what's in season for August!
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Commissioner Wilton Simpson today announced the arrest of Roger Rodriguez Vega, who allegedly re-entered Florida with livestock after being denied entry at a Florida agricultural inspection station for failing to provide the veterinary inspection documentation required under Florida’s New World Screwworm emergency protections. The animals, 24 sheep and goats, originated from Texas – a high-risk area subject to Florida's enhanced New World Screwworm import restrictions.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/97xex4ep
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
Scam Alert: “Puppy Flipping” Investigation Leads to Felony Arrest 🐾
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
🚨From July 13 to July 18, 2026, the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and law enforcement partners across the Southeast are cracking down on speeding and aggressive driving as part of the week-long Operation Southern Slowdown.
🚔Remember, stay safe and slow down!
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
Fireworks will illuminate the Florida sky this Fourth of July as residents celebrate America's 250th birthday, but officials are preaching caution amid statewide drought conditions. fox13news.com/news/fourth-ju…
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Commissioner Wilton Simpson: Floridians Can Let Freedom Ring During Fourth of July and America 250 Celebrations
Summer rains have eased drought conditions across the state, but Commissioner Wilton Simpson encourages responsible, safe fireworks celebrations in Florida.
See the tips below and learn more here: tinyurl.com/ydd4m8jb
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Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services retweeted
WATCH: @FDACS has removed over 23,000 packages of illegal 7-OH kratom concentrates and 1.7 million packages of illicit hemp products targeting children.
Commissioner @WiltonSimpson says new rules will mandate strict, transparent product labeling to protect consumers.
"If adults are using kratom products for medicinal purposes, they need to know what they are receiving."
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NWS UPDATE from Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson:
“Over a year ago, when we heard the New World Screwworm could be a threat to the U.S., FDACS started modernizing traps that our trained scientists can use to help with fly detection. I am pleased to report our traps work and are being used today in Texas and New Mexico. Our staff will be placing these traps strategically throughout Florida as well.
“Detection is a major key in response efforts, and Florida will continue to be a strong partner with the USDA and our other states in combatting and eradicating the NWS.
“We have no reports of NWS in Florida at this time. Let’s all stay vigilant to keep it out of Florida.”
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We are doing everything we can to keep your pets safe.
The new Emergency Rule issued today by Commissioner Wilton Simpson prohibits the importation of rescue and shelter dogs and cats from states with confirmed New World Screwworm detections.
Many monthly flea and tick medications can be effective in protecting against New World Screwworm.
Approved treatment for NWS (this page will be updated as information is received): tinyurl.com/4zcd8zcx
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1/ NWS UPDATE: Following additional detections of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Texas and New Mexico, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced today that the department will be further strengthening Florida's already aggressive efforts to prevent the reintroduction of the destructive pest into the state by implementing Emergency Rule, 5CER26-7.
Read more: tinyurl.com/84whcx43
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5/ Prompt reporting is critical to protect both animal health and the state’s agricultural economy.
FDACS has created resources to help animal owners and the veterinarian community identify signs of screwworm infestation, which typically appear as slow-healing wounds containing larvae.
More info: FDACS.gov/NWS
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6/ Since the threat of NWS began moving closer to the U.S., Commissioner Wilton Simpson and FDACS have taken a series of escalating actions to protect Florida's livestock, pets, wildlife, and agricultural economy:
May 12, 2025: FDACS launched statewide awareness and preparedness campaign, urging vigilance and expanding outreach to veterinarians, livestock producers, shelters, and animal health professionals.
April 24, 2026: Commissioner Simpson issued an emergency rule imposing enhanced import requirements on animals from high-risk areas.
June 5, 2026: Commissioner Simpson issued Emergency Rule 5CER26-6 following USDA confirmation of New World Screwworm in Texas.
June 10, 2026: Commissioner Simpson issued Emergency Rule 5CER26-7, that strengthens and expands emergency protections, including restrictions on rescue and shelter animals from affected states and expanded geographic import controls.
June 10, 2026: Commissioner Simpson requested and received approval for an amendment to the current Executive Order issued by Governor DeSantis on the impacts of winter weather, droughts, and wildfire risks.
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