Memorial Day is a time to honor those who selflessly serve the United States through the nation’s military and service professions. It is also a time to reflect on our nation’s history and the efforts of others to ensure national security for all Americans. For some, Memorial Day is even a time to fellowship with friends and family and ring in the coming summer months.
Not every citizen can or will serve in the military or other public service profession, but every American can contribute to national security by staying aware of his or her impact on the environment. Invasive plant and apiary pests and diseases threaten our food supply and green spaces every day, and agencies like USDA and FDACS work together to protect our nation from those pests and diseases.
Here are a few tips from DPI to keep in mind during this weekend:
- Help stop the spread of the redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt by purchasing local firewood and burning it all on site. Unprocessed wood like firewood can harbor harmful pests and diseases that affect our state’s forests, landscape plants and agricultural trees. It attacks avocado trees and no one wants to do without guacamole – remember to Save the Guac!
- If you are in the Pompano Beach Medfly quarantine area, do not move fruit in or out of the area. By minimizing the movement of fruit or host plants (especially the fresh crop of mangos), you can help stop the spread of the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Stop by DPI’s website to learn more about protecting Florida’s environment and agriculture industry from harmful plant pests and diseases. We hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend. Thank you to all of the military and service men and women who serve to keep our country safe!
Miami International Airport Tour Photos
May 25, 2011
Commissioner Adam Putnam looking over seized agricultural products during a tour of the Miami International Airport Customs and Border Protection agricultural inspection operation.
Commissioner Adam Putnam and Divsion of Plant Industry Director Richard Gaskalla tour the cargo area of the Miami International Airport.
This week has been full of environmental holidays, from Plant Conservation Day on Wednesday, to tomorrow’s celebration of Endangered Species Day, and the upcoming International Day for Biological Diversity on Sunday. These celebrations are a reminder of the importance of our environment and the relationship we have with the world around us. For most people, animals might come to mind when thinking about endangered species, but there is quite a variety of endangered species that just so happen to be plants.
Florida’s subtropical climate allows it to serve as a home to a diverse array of plants, but many species are listed as threatened or endangered. Florida’s Division of Forestry maintains a federal list of threatened and endangered plants on their website, and other lists of threatened and endangered plants in Florida can be obtained from organization websites such as from the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden website. In addition to official lists of plant species, some native Florida habitats have reached a level of concern, such as Florida scrub and mangrove forests. These ecosystems support many species of plants and animals that are dependent upon those unique habitats for survival.
At DPI, we value Florida’s green space and understand the importance of biological diversity and plant protection. From maintaining the state’s citrus germplasm and budwood facilities to ensure clean, safe rootstock to surveying for invasive weeds to protect natural areas, DPI works to create a healthy balance between the plant and apiary industries and the environment. Learn more about DPI and Endangered Species Day, and you can get involved to make sure our plants stay off of threatened and endangered species lists.
Power to the plant people!
May 12, 2011
The purpose the Division of Plant Industry is to detect, intercept and control plant and honey bee pests that threaten Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and agricultural resources. DPI is able to carry out its purpose because of the dedicated individuals who work each day to support the division’s mission. DPI doesn’t exist as a government agency that simply regulates and industry. DPI functions as a dynamic community of scientists, communicators, administrators, inspectors and supporters who work together to protect Florida’s environment and agriculture industry.
Last week, DPI hosted its annual Spring Awards Luncheon at the Gainesville headquarter office, with subsequent luncheons at branch office locations. This awards function is an opportunity to recognize individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve Floridians. It’s a good thing DPI hosted its Gainesville awards luncheon along with a Cinco de Mayo feast because it wasn’t a short ceremony. There were several hundred award winners. Going above and beyond normal job duties to serve Florida’s environment, agriculture industry and citizens is part of DPI’s work culture. Working at DPI isn’t just about the job; it’s about making a difference.
From our helpline operators who spend their days answering complex questions from consumers about anything from fruit shipment regulations to hibiscus pests, to our scientists who research impactful diseases, pathogens and organisms to keep the agriculture industry and environment healthy, to our personnel staff and training officers who keep our organization operating at its full potential, DPI employees contribute to Florida’s greater good on a daily basis. DPI is a place where people work to serve people. We’re here to serve you.
Whether you need a plant identified or house plants certified for movement across state lines, or whether you’re a citrus grower concerned with the health of your crop or a beekeeper looking for further training, you can contact DPI and talk to a person who cares about your questions, concerns and needs.
DPI Contact Info:
Website: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/
Physical Address: 1911 SW 34th St., Gainesville, FL 32608
Toll-free Helpline: 888-397-1517
You can also click on the icons in the right side bar to connect with us through our social media platforms.
Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate for a Cause
May 5, 2011
The fifth of May is a day where people break out their taco shells, queso and guacamole to not only commemorate the Mexican victory over France in 1862, but also to celebrate Mexican pride, heritage and, let’s not forget, food. DPI employees will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo today at our annual Spring Luncheon, and we encourage you to join us in celebrating this holiday, but doing so for a cause.
Laurel wilt is a serious disease that impacts trees of the Laurel family, including redbay, sassafras and avocado. The avocado industry in Florida has a local economic impact of $13 million. This disease is spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle, an invasive insect to Florida’s environment. The redbay ambrosia beetle can be transported, often unknowingly, around the state in unprocessed wood products like firewood.
In order to educate the general public about laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle, DPI launched its Save the Guac campaign. Avocados and guacamole are staple dishes during Cinco de Mayo festivities, and we encourage you to keep this campaign in mind while you celebrate. However, your participation with Save the Guac doesn’t have to end with Cinco de Mayo. You can share the message of the Save the Guac campaign by telling your friends and family about the dangers of transporting unprocessed wood products that can harbor invasive insects like the redbay ambrosia beetle. You can watch for signs of laurel wilt on your trees. You can purchase avocado and other host trees from registered nurseries only. Finally, you can purchase firewood locally and burn it all on site.
To learn more about Save the Guac, laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle, please visit http://www.SavetheGuac.com. You’ll even have the opportunity check out great guac recipes and sign up to receive a free Save the Guac bumper sticker!
Happy Cinco de Mayo from all of us at DPI! We hope that you join us in celebrating for a cause.
Arbor Day is this Friday, April 29, and citizens across the country will be celebrating by planting trees. We all know that trees benefit the environment, but where you purchase your tree can impact the environment, as well. Florida is a sentinel state for pests and diseases, and many of these invasive species are unknowingly transported into and around the state in food products, firewood and plant material. DPI inspects the state’s registered nurseries for harmful plant and apiary pests and diseases. By making sure to purchase your Arbor Day tree from a certified nursery, you can help stop the spread of pests and diseases in Florida. DPI maintains a list of certified nurseries organized by county in its nursery directory. For more information, visit http://freshfromflorida.com/pi/or call 888-397-1517. To learn more about Arbor Day, visit http://www.arborday.com/.
Gearing up for Earth Day: Pledge an Act of Green
April 18, 2011
For 40 years, Earth Day has been not only a celebration, but a mobilization of millions of people to act on behalf of the environment. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, and launched a modern environmental movement. New environmental legislation and awareness soon followed, and now the Earth Day Network collaborates with more than 22,000 partners in 192 countries. Earth Day Network chose “A Billion Acts of Green” as the theme for Earth Day 2011 and the largest environmental service campaign in the world.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry is known for its protection of the state’s agriculture, specifically the plant and apiary industries. However, DPI also protects Florida’s environment. From developing new methods for biological control of invasive pests to regulating the honey bee industry, and from surveying for noxious weeds and plant diseases to inspecting the state’s nurseries, DPI is on the forefront of protecting Florida’s environment.
The Earth Day Network is challenging global citizens to pledge an act of green for Earth Day. This can be something as simple as recycling, or even getting involved with what DPI is doing to keep Florida green. Check out this blog throughout the week to learn ways you can pledge an act of green in partnership with DPI programs.
Learn more about Earth Day at http://www.earthday.org
Numbers don’t lie.
March 28, 2011
Have you ever looked inside the Florida Agricultural Statistical Directory? If you’ve ever wondered how important agriculture is to Florida, or why government agencies are in place to protect the agriculture industry, you’ll find your answer there. Agriculture contributes almost $100 billion to the state’s economy, and there are a variety of environmental factors that can reduce the industry’s productivity. Divisions like the DPI help protect segments of agriculture, and therefore protect the state’s food supply and economic stability. Just how much does DPI protect? Check out the numbers below.
Total cash receipts for Florida nursery and greenhouse products were almost $2 billion in 2008. Sales for fresh market vegetables reached more than $1.3 billion, with production on 183,100 acres in 2009. During the 2008-2009 season, Florida citrus growers produced 162.4 million boxes of oranges and 21.7 million boxes of grapefruit. Greenhouse and nursery products generate the most cash receipts of all Florida commodities, with the more well-known citrus coming in second. Floriculture and horticulture products make up a large majority of Florida exports.
From Mediterranean fruit fly eradiation to nursery inspections, DPI protects Florida’s plant and apiary industries from pests and diseases, and therefore protects the state’s economy. For more information, visit http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi.
Florida has a diverse agriculture industry with over 280 different commodities produced in the state each year. A variety of commodity organizations and professional organizations are established in the state, with many of them related to Florida’s plant and apiary industries. A few calendar resources are available online to aid in staying up-to-date on industry events.
For example, the University of Florida IFAS Extension calendar hosts industry events that are related to IFAS Extension. There are categories for citrus; insects, plant diseases and weeds; lawns, landscapes and ornamental plants; natural resources and environment; integrated pest management; and Master Gardener Education and Certification. The events posted in each of these categories and more could be beneficial to those interested or involved in Florida’s plant and apiary industries.
Other calendars that might be helpful would be those from:
With a Medfly eradication program currently underway in Pompano Beach, and a positive find of laurel wilt in Miami-Dade County, it is quite evident that FDACS and USDA trapping programs are effective and crucial to the state’s agriculture industry, environment and economy.
FDACS has positively identified the presence of laurel wilt disease, a destructive disease of redbay, avocado and other trees in the laurel family, on three swamp bay trees in south Miami-Dade County. State and federal agriculture officials are working with the industry and UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to determine procedures for enhanced trapping and disease management. Planning is also underway to conduct aerial surveys of the area, which is an effective tool for identifying additional symptomatic trees.
Laurel wilt is a fungus that is introduced to host trees by the redbay ambrosia beetle. The beetle was found in Miami-Dade County in March. It had not previously been found south of Martin County.
“The discovery of the redbay ambrosia beetle last year was a likely harbinger that laurel wilt disease was not far behind,” said Dr. Wayne Dixon, Acting Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry. “Our staff, along with our federal partners, has been conducting intensive trapping efforts throughout the state with increased trapping efforts around Florida’s economically important avocado industry.”
According to Florida Agriculture Statistics, the avocado industry represents nearly $13 million to the local economy, with more than 6,773 acres in production in Miami-Dade and Collier counties. For more information about laurel wilt, the redbay ambrosia beetle and protecting Florida’s avocados, visit http://www.savetheguac.com.
You can help prevent the spread of laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle by
-Becoming familiar with the signs of laurel with disease and redbay ambrosia beetle and looking out for symptoms of the pest/disease on your trees;
-Using local firewood only (destructive pests and diseases, such as redbay ambrosia beetle and laurel wilt can hitchhike into and around Florida on infested firewood);
-Not transporting host trees (redbay, swamp bay, avocado, sassafrass, pondspice, pondberry and other in the Lauraceae family) unless purchased from a registered nursery; and
-Using UF/IFAS recommended methods to dispose of trees in the Lauraceae family, if necessary.
If you suspect your tree might be infected with laurel wilt or find a redbay ambrosia beetle, please call the DPI helpline at 888-397-1517.
Management recommendations for homeowners
Instructions for submitting a plant or insect sample
More info on laurel wilt
Save the Guac Campaign
