Jul. 18, 2013
Farm production and natural resource businesses in Florida generate an annual economic impact of $104 billion. This contribution includes the employment of nearly two million people in full and part-time positions, or 20 percent of all jobs in the state.
According to a study released by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the entire sector has remained a solid foundation of success throughout the recent national recession. In 2011 it contributed an indirect impact of $11.82 billion in local, state and federal taxes.
Researchers who conducted the study included businesses involved in crop, livestock, forestry and fisheries production, food distribution, food processing and nature-based recreation.
The study is available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FE/FE93500.pdf.