When Joe Biden was president, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said he always pushed back against the federal government’s woke agenda to introduce parts of the Green New Deal to Florida’s agriculture industry.
“No more,” said the chief.
If Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill, the 2026 Florida Farm Bill will protect consumers, farmers and families and make Biden-era policies a thing of the past, Simpson said.
Some of the features of the Farm Bill.
Protecting Floridians’ Freedom to Use Gas-Powered Farm and Lawn Care Equipment
The bill would allow farmers, ranchers and residents to use the farm and lawn care equipment of their choice by prohibiting counties and local governments from banning the use of gas- or diesel-powered farm and landscaping equipment.
Protecting natural land from high-density development
This would allow small rural communities to prohibit high-density development on land designated as rural, conservation or green space in local comprehensive plans, unless unanimous approval is obtained from the local authority.
Make the Farmers Feed Florida program permanent
Make permanent a program that sends fresh Florida produce to food banks and provides additional healthy food options to people in need.
Promoting farmland expansion to expand Florida’s domestic food supply
To protect the nation’s food supply, states will be able to determine whether purchased land becomes surplus and can be returned to agricultural production after 2024.
Protecting Florida’s Natural Resources
Prohibits application of biosolids other than Class AA with the highest level of pathogen removal treatment.
Keeping Florida’s Roads Safe
By making it a crime to cheat or assist someone else to cheat on a commercial driver’s license exam, we protect Floridians from unqualified truck drivers who cannot read or understand important road and safety information.
Restore your privacy with the no-knock homestead law
It will prohibit door-to-door sales solicitation at residences that have posted “No Solicitation” signs, and will impose criminal penalties on violators.
Holding rogue contractors accountable
Protect small businesses, ensure fairness in state contracts, and protect taxpayers’ dollars by creating a suspended vendor list and administrative penalties for contractors who fail to pay their subcontractors and suppliers.
