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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
Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute, Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center Welcome Dr. Anna Walker
DAVIE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and his family received a life-changing gift on June 11 when they were presented with a fully refurbished vehicle through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides® program.
The donation was made possible through a partnership between vehicle donor Allstate, repair partner Crash Champions, and several industry sponsors. The presentation took place at Crash Champions’ Davie, Florida, collision repair center.
Veteran Receives Reliable Transportation
The recipient, Sergio Hernandez, was nominated by the Wounded Warrior Project, one of the nation’s leading veterans service organizations dedicated to supporting post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
Hernandez and his wife received a refurbished 2018 Toyota RAV4 donated by Allstate and restored by Crash Champions technicians.
“This vehicle is beautiful, super clean, just near mint,” Hernandez said. “Reliability is a huge thing. This will take a burden off our shoulders not having to worry about maintenance or any of the issues we were having with prior vehicles. I’m truly grateful for it.”
From Military Service to Civilian Life
Hernandez served in the United States Marine Corps beginning in 2015, with assignments in South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. During his service, he suffered a back injury that required extensive therapy and rehabilitation.
After leaving the military, Hernandez used GI Bill benefits to earn a bachelor’s degree in business management. However, transportation challenges remained a significant obstacle for his growing family.
With a non-operational vehicle and mounting repair costs, reliable transportation had become a pressing need. The donated vehicle will help Hernandez commute to work, attend family appointments and provide safe transportation for his wife and two young children.
Industry Partners Make a Difference
Allstate has donated more than 300 vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides® program, making it one of the program’s largest vehicle donors.
Crash Champions has also played a major role, gifting more than 250 vehicles to individuals and organizations in need through the initiative.
Additional partners supporting the donation included Enterprise, Tire Kingdom, AutoZone, J&A Auto Restore, ATE, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Cars for Charity.
Business
Orlando Regional REALTOR Association Event Highlights Orange County Growth, Housing Trends and Economic Outlook
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA) hosted its second annual State of Real Estate event for Orange County on April 17, bringing together industry professionals, policymakers and community leaders to examine the region’s housing market and economic outlook.
Held at ORRA’s headquarters in Orlando, the event focused on the evolving dynamics of residential and commercial real estate across Central Florida. Discussions centered on housing affordability, economic growth and long-term regional development.
Speakers and Panelists
- Lawrence Yun — Chief Economist, National Association of REALTORS
- Maria Henson — Senior Director of Market Research & Insights, Visit Orlando
- Racquel Asa — Head of External Affairs, Central Florida Expressway Authority
- Amy Mercado — Property Appraiser, Orange County
- Chris Atwell — Moderator, 2026 ORRA President
Industry experts said Central Florida’s economy continues to grow, though at a more measured pace. While housing and stock market wealth remain near record highs, job growth is softening, consumer sentiment has declined and loan defaults are rising — creating a market shaped by mixed signals.
Panelists noted the housing market has shifted into a more stable phase compared to the rapid growth seen during 2020 and 2021, with more balance and sustainable conditions.
Despite short-term fluctuations, long-term fundamentals remain strong. Orange County’s tax base has grown significantly since 2023, while the broader Central Florida region has experienced a 23% population increase over the past decade, with more than 1,200 people moving to the area each week.
Infrastructure and tourism were also highlighted as key drivers of future growth. Officials pointed to major roadway investments by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and the region’s continued strength as a tourism hub, drawing more than 75 million visitors in 2024.
“We’re operating in a global economy where interest rates, supply chains and migration policies all influence what happens at the local level,” said ORRA CEO Cliff Long.
Economic Trends Show Mixed Signals
Experts emphasized that strong asset values are being offset by softer job growth and declining consumer confidence.
Housing Market Enters Stable Phase
The market has transitioned from pandemic-driven volatility to a more balanced and sustainable pace.
Growth, Infrastructure and Tourism Drive Future
Population growth, infrastructure investment and tourism continue to support long-term expansion in Central Florida.
ORRA’s Impact and Benefits on the Real Estate Industry
The Orlando Regional REALTOR Association provides critical market insights, advocacy and professional resources for REALTORS® across Central Florida. Its events foster collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers and the community, helping guide responsible growth, inform housing policy and strengthen the regional real estate market.
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