The Beauty of Bonsai; Caring through Composting

May 5, 2021

Find them in DPI’s Florida Citrus Arboretum World Bonsai Day, May 9, and National Composting Awareness Week, May 2-8, may not be on your calendar, but at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI) office in Winter Haven, the Florida Citrus Arboretum features both of the celebrated activities.    The Florida Citrus Arboretum got its start in 1975 and hosts over 217 varieties of citrus. The collection represents everything from … More The Beauty of Bonsai; Caring through Composting

One Year of Hemp

April 27, 2021

As of today, Florida’s Hemp Cultivation Program has been accepting applications for licensing to grow hemp for one entire year. Hemp opportunities created an estimated $370 million impact and Florida ranks in the top five states for cannabis job growth.   The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services manages and regulates Florida’s state hemp program and cannabis products, including CBD. Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, … More One Year of Hemp

Winter Beekeeping Tips

January 13, 2021

The winter season is one of the most difficult times to keep up an apiary. The temperature and weather become highly unpredictable. Cold wind can whisk away unsecured hive components and stray bees. Snow can block air openings on your hives, preventing proper ventilation and stopping bees from coming out to search for food.  Simply … More Winter Beekeeping Tips

All About the Folklore of Christmas Insects

December 24, 2020

Written by Paula Dwyer, Division of Plant Industry Public Information Officer of South Florida When you think of Christmas, insects don’t often come to mind. (Unless, of course, they are falling off your tree, which is another subject entirely.) However, certain insects have played a prominent role in a few Christmas folktales, so settle in … More All About the Folklore of Christmas Insects

Day In The Life: DPI’s Christine Zamora is on the Job Helping Growers Get Their Plant Products Delivered

December 21, 2020

Written by Paula Dwyer, Division of Plant Industry Public Information Officer of South Florida Growing crops in Florida can be tough, considering the aggressive insect pests and diseases that have set up shop in Florida’s warm and humid climate. But the challenge for the grower doesn’t always end once the crop is harvested. Sometimes they … More Day In The Life: DPI’s Christine Zamora is on the Job Helping Growers Get Their Plant Products Delivered

Holiday Trees: State Line to Living Room

December 11, 2020

With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s safe to say most of us are ready to ring in 2021, but DPI still has work to do this year, including the inspections and regulations of the movement of holiday trees!   Holiday trees take four to seven years before they are ready to harvest. They are shipped to many states, including Florida, to be put up in celebration of the holiday season.  It’s easy to let big questions go unnoticed, … More Holiday Trees: State Line to Living Room

Flexibility, Teamwork and COVID-19: DPI Inspectors Make their Work Count during the Pandemic

December 3, 2020

While the world stayed in and avoided contact with other people during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the plants kept growing and the insect pests kept up their usual diet of destruction. It’s a fact. We humans may have slowed our pace a tad, but outside? Not a bit. To ensure the safety … More Flexibility, Teamwork and COVID-19: DPI Inspectors Make their Work Count during the Pandemic

To the People Behind the Numbers, Happy Thanksgiving

November 26, 2020

This Thanksgiving, the DPI blog is saying thank you to the people who work so diligently to detect, intercept and control plant and honey bee pests threatening Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and agricultural resources.   Even without challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been a big year for the Division of Plant Industry. The division has succeeded in persevering … More To the People Behind the Numbers, Happy Thanksgiving