It is projected that some municipalities will need more water than they are permitted to withdraw from the Upper Floridan Aquifer by 2021. It is estimated that by 2035, Central Florida will be pumping the maximum amount of water from the Upper Floridan Aquifer permitted, leaving officials to find a new source of water.

Mr. Richard Jones, P.E., a Senior Project Manager with Royal Consulting Services, Inc., was presented the Outstanding Professional Engineer Award of 2013 by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (Florida Section) at the recent ASABE Annual Conference.

The United State Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting proposals for funding opportunities for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). The FRPP is centered on preserving Florida's natural environment and historic or archaeological resources by sustaining low-impact agricultural activities and preventing further development.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, kicked off the 2013 Florida Energy Summit in Orlando, Florida yesterday, October 14, 2013. Commissioner Putnam remarks "As the nation's third largest consumer of energy, it is imperative that Florida's energy policy creates an environment that fosters the development of affordable, clean energy sources to meet our state's long term needs."

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) released the "2013 South Florida Environmental Report" on March 1st. This is the 15th year the two agencies have collaborated to report the detailed environmental condition of South Florida.

In December 2003, Japan banned the import of US beef and beef products following the positive outcome of a Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) test on US cattle. In July of 2006, Japan began to accept imports of US beef and beef products from cattle less than 20 months in age.