Booming agritourism business helps small Florida farms
More farmers and ranchers are embracing agritourism opportunities on their properties. It’s a way to incorporate recreation and educational experiences. The agritourism industry has helped generate billions in Florida alone, according to the latest census of agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture describes agritourism as a commercial enterprise that links agricultural production with tourism. More from Spectrum News.
In Florida, Manatee deaths edge up slightly in 2025
Slightly more manatees died this year in Florida than in previous years, although the number was not as high as that in 2021 and 2022, when a record die-off prompted widespread alarm. A total of 587 manatee mortalities have been recorded in the state through Nov. 7, according to the most recent numbers available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. By comparison 565 deaths were documented in 2024 and 555 in 2023. More from WUSF.
Investment firm opposes Fortegra sale to South Korean company
An investment firm is opposing the sale of The Fortegra Group Inc., saying the deal is unfair to shareholders of Tiptree Inc., the majority owner of Jacksonville-based Fortegra. Veradace Partners L.P. said in a Nov. 10 letter to Tiptree shareholders that it owns 5% of Tiptree’s stock, and that it bought shares beginning in 2019 because of the company’s ownership of specialty insurance company Fortegra. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Tampa leads nation in foreclosures as rising costs push more homeowners to the brink
Tampa now finds itself at the center of the nation’s foreclosure surge, leading all major metro areas in October with one in every 1,373 homes receiving a filing, according to new data from ATTOM, a national property analytics firm. Florida posted the highest foreclosure rate in the country, and experts say the factors driving that trend are hitting the Tampa Bay region especially hard. More from WTSP.
Fort Lauderdale plans to invest heavily in aviation, marine, auto talent pipeline
Fort Lauderdale has agreed to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new workforce development program — all to establish a talent pipeline for the aviation, marine and auto industries. On Nov. 18, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted to adopt a resolution to pay out $216,000 to Experience Aviation, a nonprofit with the stated goal of pathing students into STEM fields. The not-for-profit service agreement says that the organization will provide free training to students at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
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Retail Trends
A trip around the world: Find South Florida’s hidden gems in international food markets
It’s easy to find all the food you need in mega-supermarkets. But if you’re getting bored with the same old products, give yourself an extra hour and lose yourself in one of South Florida’s many international grocery stores. The effort will open up a new world of exotic produce, unique cuts of meat, drinks, breads, sweets, cosmetics and products unfamiliar to most Americans.
» More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Medicine meets machines
South Florida State College — with campuses in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties — offers several options for nursing education, from an 11-month certificate in practical nursing to a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Bolstering training for its 230-some nursing students is the school’s robust collection of simulators.
» Read more from the Florida Trend.