The giant land deal intended to help preserve The Everglades is taking longer than expected. As James Call reports, negotiations for the state to buy U.S. Sugar Corporation’s property south of Lake Okeechobee will continue past the November 30th deadline first set by Governor Charlie Crist.

What will happen to "America’s Sweetest Town" once U.S. Sugar sells 187-thousand acres of land in Clewiston, along with two refineries and other assets, to the state? The sugarcane fields had been the barrier to the Everglades Restoration Project. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez asked business owners and residents and the answers run sweet and sour.

Fay is going to pass over the heart of Florida’s citrus-producing region.

As Judith Smelser reports, the industry is concerned about everything from disease to flooding.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers now has a new batch of companies in its sites to target for higher wages. The group that has fought to increase wages for tomato workers is gearing up for another set of campaigns including one in Denver this week. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has this report.

For citrus growers reeling from the effects of citrus canker and greening, the Jatropha plant could become an acceptable alternative. This Latin American tree-shrubs’ oily seeds are showing promise as a bio-diesel fuel. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Congress got an earful from Florida growers who say the salmonella scare should never have targeted their tomatoes. Tanya Snyder has the story.

Florida agriculture officials are trying to distance the state’s ethanol production initiative from the debate over ethanol’s impact on food prices.
The state’s fledgling ethanol industry is the main topic of discussion today at the third annual Farm-to-Fuel summit in Orlando. Judith Smelser reports.

Tomato growers and packers could soon receive compensation for the recent salmonella scare. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

Earlier this month the Florida Department of Agriculture approved the use of methyl iodide as a crop pesticide. The chemical is hailed as a substitute for the ozone-depleting soil fumigant, methyl bromide. While growers welcome the new pesticide, some scientists and farm worker advocates say the chemical isn't safe. WGCU's John Davis has more.

Florida’s tomato industry is working to clear up confusion about a new report that implicates the state's tomato crop as the possible source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. Just last week, the federal government said Florida tomatoes harvested after May 1st are safe. David pitman reports.