The Tampa Bay area is on pace this year to exceed permit applications from previous years, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Some people are worried about the recession; others believe a new president will mean bans on weapons. ...more

March 30, 2009

A Clearwater convenience store clerk pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges he bought hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of food stamps from customers at a discount. ...more

March 26, 2009

Lex Salisbury, who ran Lowry Park Zoo before resigning under fire in December, is trying to sell two zebras through an animal trading magazine even though he doesn't hold the license the federal government requires for such transactions. ...more

March 21, 2009

Lex Salisbury, who ran Lowry Park Zoo before resigning under fire in December, is trying to sell two zebras through an animal trading magazine even though he doesn't hold the license the federal government requires for such transactions. ...more

March 20, 2009

Stand tall, celery. Sure, most people don't think of you as star material. You're a diet food. Gerbil fodder. ...more

March 15, 2009

An unlicensed breeder in southwest Missouri agreed last month to surrender about 200 purebred dogs after setting fire to his property, distraught over his wife's leaving, financial problems and the prospect of losing his animals, according to an affidavit. ...more

March 4, 2009

Goals can't be reached with vague plans. Saying "I'll try to get more exercise this year" won't work as well as saying "Monday and Wednesday morning at 6 a.m., I will pull myself out of bed and go for a half-hour walk with my friend Chris before I jump in the shower to get ready for work." ...more

February 28, 2009

Perched on a hill above one of Hernando County's most scenic valleys, researchers work to answer cattle questions. ...more

February 27, 2009

The weather was beautiful for the 62nd annual Pasco County Fair, but a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the fairgrounds. ...more

February 22, 2009

On the north steps of Polk County's historic courthouse in Bartow, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam officially announced today that he is running for Florida's commissioner of agriculture. ...more

February 18, 2009