Kitten season, when unaltered female cats begin giving birth to litters of kittens, is here. Programs like Operation Catnip, the largest university-based trap-neuter-return program in the world, is especially vital during the spring and summer months when a huge influx of kittens are born and brought into shelters.
Read More »Plans move forward for construction of meat processing facility in Newberry
For 35 years, the Heart of Florida Farms has been breeding champions. Tucked away down the back roads of Alachua, Florida, is where the 78-year-old breeder, Clint Robinson, of champion cub calves, resides. Robinson took over Heart of Florida Farms when he moved from Gainesville to Alachua in 1985. Robinson …
Read More »Plans for new solar farm generate heat among Newberry residents
After visiting Newberry all her life, Monica Lerew permanently moved to her 10-acre property three years ago excited to live in the peaceful countryside. But this peace is now being threatened as plans for a new solar farm are in place. For generations, Lerew’s family has owned 750 acres of …
Read More »The Point, March 1, 2023: East Gainesville residents discuss new urgent care center
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: East Gainesville residents clarify their needs for new urgent care center. “Chanae Jackson came to Lincoln Middle School ready to voice her dissatisfaction. ‘We don’t trust you, and we don’t …
Read More »Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary welcomes baby animals
Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary, the largest bovine farm sanctuary in the country, is a place where animal families find their forever homes. The Gainesville sanctuary was started by Erin and Chris Amerman and has 161 cows, 22 pigs, 10 donkeys, 10 horses, three water buffalo, two turkeys and one bison.
Read More »Retirement for one couple means running The Blackberry Pig Farm in Hawthorne
Alan and Linda Clayton moved to western Putnam County to retire more than 10 years ago. Then they got bored and bought a 5-acre farm in Hawthorne they named The Blackberry Pig Farm, where the couple raises chickens, turkeys, cows and pigs. Now they participate in three different farmers markets around North Florida where they sell beef and pork, among other things.
Read More »After Hurricane Ian, sowing hope
Editor’s note: Katie Delk is a 2022-2023 Florida Climate Institute Fellow reporting a series of articles about the impact of climate change on Florida’s farmers—and how they are adapting. Robert McMahon, in his faded denim jeans and straw hat, edged to the roof in a boom lift, three cows shuffling …
Read More »No monkey business in Levy County: Primate research lab plans get nixed
There apparently will not be any monkey business in Levy County. Plans for a primate research lab in this rural north central Florida county have been shelved. And many residents, still harboring anxieties about the idea, say good riddance. “It’s bad enough that it’s gonna be a monkey lab, and …
Read More »The Point, Dec. 1, 2022: Gators backup quarterback arrested on child porn charges
Subscribe to The Point, arriving in your inbox Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The stories near you • WUFT News: Florida Gators backup quarterback faces child pornography charges, suspended from team indefinitely. “Gainesville police said Kitna, 19, of Burleson, Texas, shared two illegal images with other internet users over the …
Read More »Peacefield Farm Sanctuary spreads the value of plant-based diet
Emma and John Hoel, owners of Peacefield Farm Sanctuary, moved from Minnesota to Florida with the dream of starting a rescue farm to prevent animals from being used and abused in the food industry. Their ultimate goal is to save animals, while simultaneously encouraging others to eliminate animal products from their diets.
Read More »