Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Students from all corners of the tri-county area converged on the Bob Holmes Arena in Live Oak for the 2026 Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale. This five-day…
Category: Farm & Outdoors
Farm Bureau establishes disaster relief fund for agriculture
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Florida Farm Bureau has created a disaster relief fund that will assist Florida farmers and ranchers who have suffered significant agricultural losses or expenses because of weather-related events and…
SRWMD declares Phase II Water Shortage
Suwannee River Water Management District Contributor Due to continued drought conditions and a forecast that calls for lower than average rainfall in the months ahead, the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)…
Plants, art and community: Wild Roots Collective opening March 21
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org A new plant nursery and creative gathering space is preparing to put down roots in Suwannee County. Wild Roots Collective, a plant nursery, apothecary and creative studio, is set…
Annual livestock show and sale coming soon
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org It’s that time of year again – the annual Suwannee Valley Youth Livestock Show and Sale (SVYLSS) is gearing up to take place from Monday, March 23, through Friday,…
Kaleb Kelly awarded Distinguished Service Award
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org In the Suwannee Valley area, the University of Florida plays an important role in the community, especially through the UF/IFAS Extension Offices that dot the landscape of North Florida and through the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC). Because…
National FFA Week is around the corner
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org The Future Farmers of America (FFA) is an active and popular organization in the Suwannee Valley area. Many students across local high schools are members and participate in a wide range of activities. On top of all…
Keep your pivot in shape to conserve water and protect yields
Raymond Balaguer Contributor Center pivot irrigation systems are a major investment, and when they aren’t working properly, the costs can add up fast. Worn nozzles, pressure problems, clogged sprinklers or misaligned towers…
Suwannee County celebrates Florida Arbor Day
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org Arbor Day is celebrated around the nation, but some states observe the holiday at different times of the year. In Florida, Arbor Day is celebrated in January. This year, it was celebrated on Friday, Jan. 17….
Lafayette Extension Office to offer advice to timber landowners
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org Lafayette County is well known as an agricultural community. Many people think of common areas of agriculture, dairy, corn, wheat, barely or wool. However, an often – overlooked product is timber. Luckily for local timber farmers, the Lafayette County UF/IFAS Extension Office has…
Suwannee 4-H Livestock Judging Team earns high honors during Georgia contest
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Suwannee County 4-H Livestock Judging Team participated in the Southeastern 3 Livestock Judging Contest at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Ga., from Thursday, Dec. 11, to Friday,…
Florida Arbor Day
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org In places like Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties, trees are more than a part of the scenery, they help us in our daily life. From the towering pines that…
Century Pioneer Family Farms Program honors Florida’s multi-generational farms
Florida Department of Agriculture Contributor The Century Pioneer Family Farm Program, initiated in 1985 by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, honors families who have maintained continuous family farm ownership…
Cottage Food Law for Beginners course to be held
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is hosting a Cottage Food Law for Beginners course on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to…
Lafayette FFA competes at the 98th National FFA Convention
Chad Lyons Contributor The Lafayette Future Farmers of America (FFA) Forestry Evaluation and Meats Evaluation Career Development Event teams represented Florida at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Ind.,…
Florida black bear hunt is set to begin in three days
Hailey Heseltine editor@riverbendnews.org The first sanctioned hunting season for Florida black bears in a decade starts on Saturday, Dec. 6. During the season, which is planned to last until Saturday, Dec. 28,…
Suwannee Farm Bureau celebrates Farm-City Week at Branford Farm Stand
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Recognized annually, Farm-City Week honors Florida’s farmers and ranchers who help feed individuals all over the world by producing a wide range of nutritious foods. During the celebration, attendees…