February 2024
More than 300 Farm Bureau members, staff, 4-H and FFA students gathered in Tallahassee on January 16 for the organization’s annual Farm Bureau Day.
Grassroots members spent the day meeting with their elected officials to discuss key issues affecting agriculture. Those issues included affordable healthcare for farm families and labor reform.
During the briefing breakfast, State Sen. Danny Alvarez and Rep. Corey Simon spoke to members about the important work they are doing on their farms and the importance of advocating for the industry. Additionally, FFBF President Jeb S. Smith participated in a press conference that announced Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson’s launch of Hurricane Idalia recovery programs for Florida farmers and ranchers. 
“Florida Farm Bureau commends Florida Department of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and his team for implementing the Agriculture Disaster Recovery Program,” said President Smith. “With Mother Nature being one of agriculture’s toughest business partners, Florida’s farmers and ranchers are used to facing challenges beyond their control. This program provides support to our farm families, allowing them to advance sustainably and ensure an adequate food supply to Floridians. We applaud the Florida Legislature, especially Senators Ben Albritton, Corey Simon, Jay Collins, and Representative Jason Shoaf, for championing this legislation through last year’s special session.”
The day-long event concluded with the Taste of Florida Agriculture reception in the Capitol Courtyard, where hundreds of people were able to learn about agriculture in the state and try a variety of fresh-grown samples like oysters, peanut butter coffee, homemade guacamole, watermelon slices and more. Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith kicked the evening off with welcome message and introduced live entertainment, multi-award-winning recording artists and Pasco County natives, the Bellamy Brothers.
To view event photos, click here.