Florida

‘Farm product’: Florida law fixes issues with local zoning, processing biomass

Published

10 months ago

June 14, 2025

‘Farm product’: Florida law fixes issues with local zoning, processing biomass

Agriculture interests are harvesting two victories this weekend as the Legislative Session comes to an end.

HB 211, signed Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis, holds that “farm product” “means plants and plant products any plant, as defined in s. 581.011, regardless of whether such plants and plant products are edible or nonedible, or any animal useful to humans and includes, but is not limited to, any product derived therefrom.”

Various byproducts are possible under this language. The law refers to “a farm product, as defined in s. 163.3162, or any biomass material that could be used, directly or indirectly, for the production of fuel, renewable energy, bioenergy, or alternative fuel as defined by law.”

The law also protects on-site facilities for processing biomass and other “existing activities essential to the operation of such facility or facilities are located or conducted, but those must be “located within, or within 10 miles of, a rural area of opportunity.”

Additionally, the bill preempts local regulations that may harm farmers’ interest, barring them from trying to adopt or enforce any “ordinance, resolution, regulation, rule, or policy to prohibit, restrict, regulate, or otherwise limit an activity of a bona fide farm operation, including, but not limited to, the collection, storage, processing, and distribution of a farm product” in areas of the state proximate to an opportunity zone.

Post Views: 0

Source link

Related Topics:biomass FARM Featured HB 211 ron desantis

Click to comment

Florida

WATCH: Florida man attempts to flee during arrest, officer catches him by handcuff chain

Published

11 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Body camera footage from March 30 shows a Florida man attempting to flee while being placed in handcuffs before an officer found a bag of marijuana hidden in his pocket.

An officer pulled Jaiden Carwise, 18, over after he ran a red light. The officer discovered he had also violated his probation, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department.

The officer placed Carwise in handcuffs and asked him what was in his pocket, according to footage.

He attempted to flee, but the officer grabbed him by the handcuffs and arm, leading to a struggle before Carwise fell to the ground. The officer saw that Carwise held over 20 grams of marijuana behind his back.

“You can’t work with me, bro?” Carwise said.

“If I was going to work with you, it was before you did all of that,” the officer said. “Once you’re in handcuffs you can’t do that.”

Carwise was also charged with obstructing an officer without violence and possession of cannabis.

Source link

Florida

Alligator breaks into Florida home, takes a dip in pool before capture

Published

23 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Alligator breaks into Florida home, takes a dip in pool before capture

TAMPA, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida police thought they were responding to a home intruder, but instead they were met with a huge gator.

The Tampa Police Department said a little after 3 a.m. on March 29, officers responded to a residence only to find that an alligator had broken into the home and let itself in for a swim in the homes pool.

See also: Treasure Coast hospitals see more e-bike injuries amid increased accidents

Body camera video shows officers walking up to the home, when all of a sudden there is a loud bang followed by a hissing sound.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

With help from an alligator trapper, the alligator was safely removed.

Source link

Florida

Florida cities rank among best coastal small towns in United States

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Florida cities rank among best coastal small towns in United States

Stuart ranked No. 2 for best coastal small town in the United States.

Stuart ranked No. 2 in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for best coastal small town.

The Treasure Coast city has been recognized as one of the best coastal small towns in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for several years. Stuart was ranked No. 2 in 2023, No. 1 in 2024 and No. 2 in 2025.

Stuart was praised for its access to the St. Lucie River; its parks, such as Flagler and Shepard; its museums, such as Stuart Heritage Museum and Road to Victory Military Museum and its restaurant-lined downtown.

Florida secured two spots on the top 10 list, with Stuart at No. 2 and Cedar Key at No. 10.

These rankings are determined by a panel of industry experts, invited weekly by USA Today 10BEST, who nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across different areas. 10BEST editors then vet the nominations before selecting a final set of nominees to be presented to the voting public for four weeks.