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Agriculture

  • By Elizabeth King
  • November 4, 2026
Manatee farm develops patent-pending new strain of grass

Bayside Sod is diversifying, developing a new type of grass and offering turf care service.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Anastasia Dawson
  • October 28, 2026
Florida land and agribusiness CEO plans retirement

Current Lykes Bros CEO and president Johnnie James Jr. will remain at the helm of the Tampa company, which manages more than 610,000 acres in Florida and Texas, until a successor is appointed.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Louis Llovio
  • October 27, 2026
584 acres sold in Polk County auction

The agricultural property in Frostproof attracted 290 bids during the three-day auction last week.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Elizabeth King
  • October 9, 2026
Florida citrus forecast projects a nearly 25% orange production drop

The 2026–2027 Florida citrus forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows declining production with one exception.

  • Florida
  • By Louis Llovio
  • September 17, 2026
Former Oakes Farm exec facing decades in prison asks for sentencing delay — again

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who pleaded guilty to COVID relief fraud, is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 26 after previous delays.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Mark Gordon
  • September 4, 2026
St. Pete tech entrepreneur uses AI to help save family farms

AgWise is bringing a bushel of AI technology to an industry — farming — sorely in need of it.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Louis Llovio
  • June 8, 2026
Former Oakes Farms exec’s sentencing delayed again

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who is facing decades in federal prison, is also involved in a lawsuit where he claims to have committed crimes on behalf of Naples’ businessman and right-wing gadfly Alfie Oakes.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • By Louis Llovio
  • March 11, 2026
Central Florida man charged with stealing $600K worth of onions, potatoes

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest and indictment of the 39-year old man who is accused of diverting produce shipments without payment.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Lesley Dwyer
  • March 7, 2026
East Manatee bee, berry farms hustle to survive historic cold snap

Two Myakka City farms experienced little to no losses. But it wasn't easy.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Anastasia Dawson
  • February 20, 2026
Florida State Fair's urgency grows as ag industry battles obstacles

Susanne Clemons has served as chairwoman of the Florida State Fair Authority for five years, using her role to champion the state’s agricultural industry.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Louis Llovio
  • January 27, 2026
Former Oakes' Farms exec working with feds gets court win ahead of sentencing

A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit claiming the former employee charged with COVID relief fraud stole $12.5 million from the Naples operation will not go back to Collier County courts.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Elizabeth King
  • January 6, 2026
Family-owned garden center opens third store in region

MRT Lawn and Garden Center is now open in North Venice.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Louis Llovio
  • December 25, 2025
Alico continues to reinvent itself year after it exits citrus industry

The Fort Myers company, which had been planning its transformation to a diversified land company for two years, reports progress after walking away from citrus production.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Elizabeth King
  • November 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch nursery sold to Georgia company

CC Landscaping Warehouse Plus was acquired by SiteOne Landscape Supply Inc.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Louis Llovio
  • November 11, 2025
Naples farm operation sues former exec, alleges he stole $12.5M

Oakes Farms contends Steven A. Veneziano Jr. went to bought a Lamborghini, among other purchases, off ill-gotten gains. Veneziano also faces prison for his role in a $5 million Covid fraud case.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
1 2 3 4 »
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Want a seat on Tampa's City Council? Applications due Monday
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$63M in upgrades coming to country club in Naples

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