The Florida Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Florida Program will use $19 appropriated by the state Legislature to champion Florida’s agriculture industry by promoting Florida-grown products through consumer marketing campaigns and partnerships with more than 100 national and international retailers.
This year, Florida farmers, ranchers and producers, especially those affected by natural disasters, received $600 million in funding from the federal government.
Some of the bills state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson sponsored this year include:
Defends the freedom of Florida farmers, ranchers, and residents to use the farm and lawn care equipment of their choice by prohibiting counties and municipalities from prohibiting the use of gasoline- or diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment.
Protects the natural character of Florida’s small rural communities by prohibiting high-density development on land designated as rural, conservation, or green space in local comprehensive plans unless unanimously approved by local governments.
We made permanent the Farmers Feeding Florida program, which sends fresh Florida produce to food banks and provides additional healthy food options to people in need.
Created a process to determine whether land purchased by Florida after 2024 is surplus and can be returned to agricultural production, facilitating the expansion of agricultural land to expand Florida’s domestic food supply.
Protected Florida’s natural resources by prohibiting the application of biosolids other than Class AA, which have undergone the highest level of pathogen removal treatment.
Supported Florida’s veterinarians, strengthened the state’s agricultural workforce, and strengthened food security by establishing a loan repayment program that provides up to $25,000 in annual repayments to veterinarians who work in food animal and equine care and are dedicated to working in Florida.
