Laws and Regulations

John Hallas, Ann C. Wilkie, andCheryl Mackowiak

Biosolids are the liquid, semisolid, and solid fractions of the treated waste stream from a domestic wastewater treatment facility. This article provides an overview of biosolids, biosolids classes, pathogen reduction, vector attraction reduction, and metal contaminants, and also discusses the purpose, applicability, and history of Chapter 62-640, Florida Administrative Code.

Jonathan C. Stephens, John Lai, and Bachir Kassas

Labor is a critical component of a successful agricultural venture. In 2020, the USDA reported that 10.3% of total US employment was in jobs in the agricultural and food sectors. We rely on food, fiber, and natural resources, and effective agricultural labor is a critical social need, but the challenges inherent in the effort to secure agricultural labor are many and difficult to solve. Particularly in Florida, maintaining a labor sufficient to meet the needs of the industry presents a complex problem. Controversies abound over issues like human rights and migrant vs. domestic labor. Today the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers Program is providing some compromise and progress within the agricultural labor crisis. The purpose of this publication is to review agricultural labor in Florida and  analyze how the H-2A program addresses agricultural labor challenges. The publication will be of interest to consumers, labor activists, producers, corporations, and governments.

De-Fen Mou, Germán V. Sandoya, Anna Mészáros, Ozgur Batuman, andTrevor Smith

This publication aims to raise awareness of the updated Florida seed certification requirement for lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). Florida mandates that all lettuce seeds sold and used in the state must be tested and certified as LMV-free (i.e., zero infected seed per 30,000 tested for LMV). The information presented in this publication is directed to state and county Extension faculty, crop consultants, current and potential lettuce producers, seed companies, and home gardeners who grow lettuce in Florida.

Muthusami Kumaran

This is part of a series of 2-5 page fact sheets by Elizabeth B. Bolton and Anna Guest-Jelley that provide guidance for building a non-profit organization, from establishing its mission to effectively lobbying. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, June 2009. Reviewed June 2012.

Rose Omidvar andRazieh Farzad

In this EDIS publication, we provide information on the current regulatory framework for cell-based seafood production in the United States, food safety considerations, and the path forward for cell-based seafood products to get approved for selling in the marketplace. Additionally, drawing on the available science-based risk analysis methods for seafood production such as Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), we provided a simple hazard analysis to identify the potential seafood hazards that can potentially compromise the safety of cell-based seafood products.

John Hallas, Cheryl Mackowiak, andAnn C. Wilkie

Biosolids are the liquid, semisolid, and solid fractions of the treated waste stream from a domestic wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). On August 29, 2010, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) formally adopted its rule for the management of wastewater biosolids, Chapter 62-640, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C. 2010). This article from the Florida Biosolids series covers applicability of the rule, the intent of Chapter 62-640, F.A.C., land application requirements, biosolids storage, cumulative application limits, setback distances, pH, soil depth, runoff prevention, additional application site restrictions for Class B biosolids, NMPs, and special geographic areas.

Muthusami Kumaran, Katlyn Diamond, andRachel Gatto

This article is part of the Home and Community-Based Services for Florida’s Seniors series, a collection of educational resources designed to inform the public about home and community-based support services available to seniors in Florida. This publication discusses the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA), titles and services within the OAA, and Title III services. Written by Muthusami Kumaran, Katlyn Diamond, and Rachel Gatto, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, May 2026.

Todd H. Bates, Alexander Nunez, Sergio Gonzalez, andHartwig H. Hochmair

Technological advances, better affordability, and improved efficiency have led to more and wider use of drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in many industries. UAVs have uses in forestry, natural resource management, and agriculture, including mapping terrain and soil erosion, forest planning and management, hurricane recovery, wildfire and flooding damage assessment, crop spraying and pollinating, farm and ranch security, livestock monitoring, and infrastructure inspection, to name a few. To reduce risk and preserve privacy, UAV technology is subject to various laws and regulations worldwide. This publication provides an overview of federal and state UAV regulations in the United States that define pilot qualifications, operational guidelines, equipment requirements, airspace restrictions, and safety protocols, fostering a standardized approach to UAV operations. The publication also discusses specific guidelines for UAV operations at the University of Florida.

Mary Beth Henry and Kathryn A. Stofer

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Ecotourism and Agritourism

Liyike Ji, Xu Wang, andWael Elwakil

Florida governmental agencies must utilize drones only from approved manufacturers meeting the appropriate risk assessment requirements. This report provides a brief review of Florida’s UAS regulations and presents compliant drone equipment, focusing on imaging and mapping applications. It aims to assist agricultural professionals in selecting a UAV that best meets their operational needs. Written by Liyike Ji, Xu Wang, and Wael Elwakil, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2025.