Business
District Supervisor Daisy Morales held her 2015 Earth Day Awareness Tour in Apopka with USDA-NRCS
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – This morning at Apopka City Hall, your elected Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales held her 2015 Earth Day Awareness Tour in Apopka as part of her office month long celebration of Earth Day.
Federal, State, City and community stakeholders at the 2015 Earth Day Awareness Tour at Apopka City Hall Council Chamber
District Supervisor Daisy Morales was joined by Chuck O’Rourke with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer, Apopka City Commissioner Diane Velazquez, Nattacha Wyllie, Special Assistant to Eatonville Mayor, Julie Rojas-Stayrook with the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Farmwork Job and Education Program, Osceola Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Mildred Ramirez, Osceola County Clerk of Courts Armando Ramirez, UCF’s SGA Health & Sustainability Coordinator Emily Dovydaitis, SEIU Organizer Terri Falbo, Farmworker Association of Florida Representatives and other stakeholders from organizations supportive of environmental and sustainability efforts.
Apopka is also known as the “Indoor Foliage Capital of the World” because of its multi-million dollar foliage industry, stated District Supervisor Morales. This was one of her reasons for selecting Apopka to hold her first annual Earth Day Awareness Tour.
April 22 is the annual day for National Earth Day and my office cannot celebrate Earth Day across Orange County in one day, stated District Supervisor Morales. The theme for Earth Day across the country this year is “it’s our turn to lead,” so I’m inspiring elected officials, farmers, ranchers and residents to make a big difference in environmental conservation.
As your elected Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor for Orange County, my office and also the State of Florida Orange Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors work in partnership with federal, state, regional, county, and local governments on natural resources issues, said District Supervisor Morales. Morales office provides educational awareness and information on grant funding opportunities offered by the government and private sectors to her constituents.
USDA-NRCS Chuck O’Rourke and Honorable Daisy Morales, State of Florida Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, Seat 2 at Apopka City Hall for the 2015 Earth Day Awareness Tour. Photo by Willie David Florida National News
In her first term elected to public office, District Supervisor Daisy Morales invited federal officials with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) to participate in her first annual Earth Day Awareness Tour. USDA-NRCS give a presentation on the Department’s programs and grant funding opportunities offered to farmers, ranchers and other landowners.
Apopka has a wide variety of nurseries that provide over half the indoor foliage sold by retailers around the Country, and the USDA-NRCS is a key federal agency in providing technical and financial support to landowners and operators.
USDA-NRCS Chuck O’Rourke , Soil & Water District Supervisor Daisy Morales and Apopka City Commissioner Diane Velazquez issue final remarks at the 2015 Earth Day Awareness Tour, Thursday, April 30, 2015. Photo by Willie David Florida National News
After USDA-NRCS presentation; Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales, Apopka City Commissioner Diane Velazquez, USDA-NRCS Officials and others toured the Agri-Starts nursery on Kelly Park Road in Apopka Thursday.
Apopka-based Agri-Starts – a leading supplier of plant tissue cultures and starter plants – earned a 2014 Ag-Environmental Leadership Award from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The company captures rainwater for irrigation, recycles materials and makes many other efforts to reduce its impact on the environment. Find out more below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0m2oOW4jwg | Award
ABOUT DISTRICT SUPERVISOR DAISY MORALES
Elected November 2014 for term January 2015 to January 2019, Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales serve on the State of Florida Orange Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, Seat 2, representing Orange County, one of the most dynamic and diverse counties in Florida, which includes the following cities and towns: Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, and Winter Park. Before being elected to office, Morales served as Associate Supervisor for the District from April 2014 to January 2015. Morales elected office is authorized by Florida Chapter 582.
ORANGE COUNTY CONSTITUENTS CONTACT DAISY MORALES
Email: moraleselected@yahoo.com | Website: www.moraleselected.wix.com/news
Florida National News photos 2015 Earth Day Awareness Tour | FNN News Facebook
Business
Walmart’s Road to Open Call Returns to Orlando, Offering Small Businesses Access to National Retail Opportunities
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Walmart, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21 in Orlando, offering small businesses the opportunity to present their products directly to Walmart buyers.
The Orlando event is the only Florida stop in 2026 and is part of a nationwide initiative designed to support small business growth, expand supplier diversity and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Road to Open Call serves as a pathway for entrepreneurs to connect with Walmart’s sourcing team, refine their pitches and prepare for the company’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Applications are open through May 1 at 10 p.m. EST. A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Orlando event, where each business will receive a 30-minute, one-on-one pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer, along with feedback and mentorship.
Top participants may earn a fast pass to Walmart’s annual Open Call, where they can pitch for potential placement in Walmart stores or online.
FOCUS ON U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS
Walmart’s Open Call is the company’s largest sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States. The program is open to businesses across industries, including food and beverage, beauty, safety and consumer goods.
“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to grow and scale,” said Mark Espinoza, senior director of public affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our sourcing teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”
LOCAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Local leaders say the initiative strengthens both entrepreneurship and the regional economy.
“We are proud to join forces with Walmart for the second consecutive year to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative supports entrepreneurs and helps small businesses access national retail opportunities.”
Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped thousands of small and midsize businesses become suppliers, while more than 85% of Walmart shoppers report valuing U.S.-made products.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs across Central Florida.
The grant program partners with community-based organizations to expand initiatives that improve quality of life and promote long-term sustainability. Eligible nonprofits serving residents in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open from March 30 through April 16, with funding expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
The grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies key challenges impacting residents’ well-being.
“Our annual Community Impact Grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment to ensure we are investing meaningfully where our neighbors need us most,” said Tricia Edris, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships for AdventHealth Central Florida. “We are honored to align our resources and stand as partners to create measurable, lasting impact across the region.”
PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The 2026 grant cycle will focus on three key areas:
- Housing instability
- Transportation
- Food insecurity
These priorities reflect social determinants of health that can significantly influence a person’s ability to live a healthy and stable life. Community organizations often serve as the first line of support for residents facing these challenges.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Past grant recipients say the program has helped expand opportunities for residents. Crystal Davidson highlighted the impact of the initiative on workforce development.
“Schools and colleges often don’t have the funding to provide introductory workforce programs that expose students to new career opportunities,” Davidson said. “Through partnership grants like the one AdventHealth is providing, we’re able to give young people hands-on experiences that help them discover their potential and build a path toward a meaningful career.”
AdventHealth will also host an informational webinar to guide organizations through eligibility requirements, funding priorities and the application process. Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the AdventHealth website.
Business
Florida National News YouTube Channel Surpasses 1 Million Views, Matches Facebook’s 1M Milestone in 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News (FNN) has reached a major digital milestone, surpassing 1 million views on a 20-minute YouTube video, marking a significant moment in the network’s continued audience growth and online impact.
The video has shown renewed momentum over time, trending twice—first in August 2017 and again in April 2026, when it gained an additional 470,000 views.
Florida National News (FNN) continues to experience a strong and steady rise in digital viewership across its social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Audiences are increasingly engaging with FNN’s trusted news coverage, community storytelling, and original video content.
On February 12, 2025, FNN also surpassed 1 million views on Facebook, with a 30-second video reaching over 1.2 million views, further highlighting the network’s expanding digital footprint.
Today, both FNN’s YouTube and Facebook platforms have achieved million-viewer status, solidifying FNN’s position as a growing digital news leader.
This milestone reflects FNN’s expanding reach and impact, connecting with millions of viewers and delivering content that informs, engages, and empowers communities.
VIEWERSHIP MILESTONE SIGNALS EXPANDING DIGITAL REACH
FNN officials say the 1 million-view benchmark represents more than just a number — it signals growing trust and interest from audiences across Florida and the nation.
While individual FNN videos have consistently generated tens of thousands — and in some cases hundreds of thousands — of views, surpassing the 1 million mark underscores a broader trend of rising visibility and relevance in a competitive digital media landscape.
The network’s Instagram platform has also seen strong performance, recently exceeding 350,000 views, further reinforcing FNN’s multi-platform growth strategy.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FNN?
Building on this momentum, FNN plans to:
- Expand original video programming and live coverage
- Increase audience engagement across all social platforms
- Strengthen partnerships and community-based storytelling
- Accelerate growth toward the next milestone beyond 1 million views
Network leaders say the goal is not just higher numbers, but deeper impact — connecting with audiences in meaningful ways while continuing to grow as a trusted digital news source.
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