March 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Florida women representing 16 county Farm Bureaus will receive the Women’s Activity Award Thursday, March 24, at the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Conference Awards Banquet from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Melbourne.

Recipients of the award will be recognized for their contributions to local communities and improving awareness of agriculture through educational programming, leadership service and public outreach.

In addition to recognizing women for their public outreach, the three-day conference, themed “Rooted in Resilience,” will support building knowledge and connections to become a more resilient leader. The conference will host more than 100 women and include opportunities to network and engage in conversations with other farm women leaders from across the state.

“We are excited to celebrate fellow farm women who are dedicated to telling the story of agriculture,” said Women’s Leadership Chair Danielle Daum. “Resilience is rooted in relationships. Through this conference, we will provide likeminded women an opportunity to network, gain knowledge and make friends, helping them to become more resilient leaders.”

Keynote speakers include national speaker, Betty Wolanyk, who will address how to communicate effectively on controversial agricultural issues. Past Florida Women of the Year Veronique Sallin will share her passion and vision for agriculture and NASA scientist Gioia Massa will share unique challenges of space-grown crops.

The deadline to register is March 11, 2022. To view registration and schedule, visit https://floridafarmbureau.org/2022-florida-farm-bureau-womens-leadership-conference/.

For additional information on Farm Bureau Women’s Programs, contact your local county Farm Bureau or visit Farm Bureau Women | Florida Farm Bureau. 

March 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers received top honors for donating 30.5 million pounds of fresh produce and other foods to assist hungry Floridians as part of American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) “Harvest for All” program in 2021. 

Now in its 20th year, Harvest for All is spearheaded by members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program to put food on the table for those in need.

“Farmers contribute to their communities in many ways,” said Kevin Lussier, president of Florida Farm Bureau’s YF&R Leadership Group. “I am pleased that our members have won an award for their food donation and volunteerism. I am even more proud of them for their commitment to helping other Floridians facing food insecurity to put food on their tables.” 

In addition to donating the most pounds of food, Florida YF&R members tallied the most volunteer hours, 4,510. Service hours included members participating in food drives, meal-packing projects and donations to food banks and a Produce Box Program, which donates produce left in the fields after harvest to community members in need.  

A “Farming for Hope” event, in partnership with Meals for Hope, also earned the Florida members a $250 grant from Nationwide for “most innovative” program for its collaboration with county Farm Bureaus, YF&R programs and community volunteers.  

Harvest for All is one of the most important community service efforts undertaken by Farm Bureau members. Although the U.S. economy is stronger overall compared to several years ago, many Americans still need help securing adequate food for their families.  

The awards were presented during AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 25-28, 2022.  

Since Harvest for All was launched, Farm Bureau families have gathered more than 412 million pounds of food, logged more than 224,000 volunteer hours and raised $10 million in donations.  

 Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 135,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities. 

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March 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Young farmers and ranchers from District 3 gathered at Promised Land Ministries Farm in Lake Butler on Feb. 12 to network and fellowship. Attendees heard from state Farm Bureau leaders about the importance and value of the Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Program (YF&R).  They also spent time discussing how to strengthen existing YF&R programs in the surrounding area.   

The YF&R program is a shining example of what it means to belong to a community of young leaders in agriculture. The YF&R State Leadership Committee Class President Kevin Lussier and the District 3 YF&R State Leadership Committee Representative Caytlyn Smith shared personal stories on the program. As the area representative, Smith led attendees through multiple conversational exercises to help familiarize new and existing members with the resources available to them.  

Past YF&R members also attended the event and took time to share their involvement in Farm Bureau and their family farms or ranches. Katrina Moseley, a cattle and hay producer from Columbia County recalled, “My leadership group started out as strangers but ended as family.  We grew close and we are now a community that leans on one another in times of need.” 

Also in attendance was the 2022 North Florida Ms. United States Agriculture Queen, Kaitlin Van Huesen.  The queen shared  how her involvement in programs like YF&R helped lead to advanced service opportunities like the Ms. United State Agriculture pageant.      

 View more photos from this event.

March 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

National Ag Day is being celebrated on March 22, 2022 during National Ag Week. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundant food supply provided by our nation’s farmers and ranchers. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.

The National Ag Day program encourages Americans to understand how their food and fiber is produced, appreciate the essential role agriculture plays in the economy and value the role of farmers and ranchers providing a safe and abundant food supply.

Agriculture provides everything we eat, but too few people understand how important it is. One American farmer feeds more than 165 people – a substantial increase from 25 people in the 1960s. As the global population rises, there is a greater need for the food and fiber produced by American farmers and ranchers.

There are many ways to participate in National Ag Day. Hosting an event to educate your community about agriculture, writing a letter to your local newspaper about the importance of agriculture or sharing information about agriculture to kids in your community are just a few ways to get involved.

The Agriculture Council of America has provided an Ag Day Planning Guide to assist communities and organizations planning to host their own Ag Day event.

Florida Farm Bureau will be recognizing Florida farmers and ranchers throughout the month of March across its social media platforms in recognition of Ag Day.

For more information on National Ag Day as well as tools and resources to promote Ag Day, visit: https://www.agday.org/promote

March 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Florida Farm Bureau has implemented a new nomination process for the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program. For more than two decades, Farm Bureau’s CARES program has recognized farmers and ranchers who demonstrate exemplary environmental stewardship  to protect Florida’s natural resources.   

This new process will be more inclusive of agricultural producers, such as timber growers and aquaculture farmers, as well as producers who operate outside of Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs).  The process expands to include additional conservation programs with guidelines under agencies, such as Natural Resource Conservation Services, Florida’s Water Management Districts, and more.    

County Farm Bureaus are encouraged to submit a nomination for an outstanding agricultural steward. A farmer or rancher may also self-nominate or complete a nomination for a fellow caretaker. Nominations will be accepted using the online submission form until May 15, 2022.   

Recipients will be notified no later than July 1, 2022. Completed nominations are reviewed for effectiveness of natural resource protection as well as compliance with implemented environmental stewardship. Natural resource conservation practices to be considered include: 

1. Water Quality and Water Conservation: Preserve or improve water quality, recharge and/or reduce overall use within or adjacent to an agricultural operation.
2. Land Conservation and Soil Health: Reduce and/or prevent soil erosion while protecting natural areas and local habitats.
3. Pesticide/Nutrient Management: Use pesticides/nutrients responsibly, maximizing benefits and minimizing potential adverse environmental effects.
4. Waste Management/Recycling: Reduce waste by recycling agricultural by-products and waste products on site.

To complete the nomination process, please provide the required contact information for both nominator and nominee as well as the online submission and its required attachments. The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2022. Recipients will be notified  no later than July 1, 2022.  

Send questions regarding the nomination process to [email protected] or via phone, (352) 374-1542. 

  NOMINATE A FARMER/RANCHER TODAY!

March 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Brandt and Samantha Hendricks represent counties in District 1 on the Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers State Leadership Committee. Counties  include Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Bay, Calhoun and Gulf.

Brandt is a third generation farmer from Jay. His father and grandfather both served in leadership positions within Santa Rosa County Farm Bureau where Brandt has been a life-long member.

The University of Alabama graduate returned home after college to work on his family’s cotton and peanut farm, like his father and grandfather before him. The Hendricks also raise cattle for their cow/calf operation and grow hay.

Samantha was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama and discovered her passion for agriculture while studying at Auburn University. She began her career with the Alabama Farmers’ Cooperative after graduating and met Brandt while on the job filming a project.

“We met in the middle of a cotton field thanks to Brandt’s dad,” she said. “Brandt was planting cotton seed and I was filming for work, the rest is history.” The newlyweds were married last April and are expecting their first child this summer.

Samantha won the Alabama Farmers Federation’s (ALFA) Excellence in Ag award in 2018 prior to becoming a Florida Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers member. She says that their favorite thing about being involved in Farm Bureau is “The relationships we have made and continue to build. Farm Bureau provides the platform we need to tell our story and advocate for agriculture.”

The Hendricks are excited to build their local EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers Group. “Our goal is to share our passion for agriculture with our peers,” she said. “Our hopes are to leave the program better than we found it and encourage future leadership roles within the group.”

Brandt and Samantha are leaving a legacy for the next generation of young farmer and rancher leaders. “Being involved in production agriculture has a lot of unknowns,” they said. “We plant the seed and pray every day for it to put roots down and grow.”

February 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

To help provide resources for farmers impacted by the freezing temperatures that occurred Jan. 28-30, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-27 declaring a state of emergency in the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.

The Florida Department of Transportation has issued an order suspending and waiving Florida Statutes to the extent necessary to allow for the establishment of alternate size and weight restrictions for transporting agricultural food commodities and supplies.

All businesses impacted should complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey to determine the damage severity and resources needed.

Results of the survey will be shared with local, state and federal agencies to determine appropriate relief. For more information, visit FloridaDisaster.biz, call 850-815-4925 or email [email protected].

February 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Florida citrus growers continue to feel the effects of citrus greening as the production of processed oranges will decline again this year.  Forecasts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) predict that Florida will have lost 80% of its production potential due primarily to this single disease. Despite the fact that COVID-19 has encouraged increased orange juice consumption for health benefits, creating an increased demand for fresh orange juice daily, the lack of fruit supply is undeniable.   

Even with increased prices on citrus, growers will still not break even on their crop.  Growing citrus and providing fresh fruit and juice for Americans is more than just a business to Florida citrus growers.  But, as the industry continues to endure the massive losses of readily available fruit, growers are forced to examine their future plans.  “Do I shut down due to increased inputs with little supply?  Do I diversify and grow something in addition to citrus to innovate and hopefully keep my operation?”  These are real questions growers ask themselves daily. 

What’s more is the fact that citrus greening does not just cause fruit to drop early it also impacts the quality of the fruit grown and, therefore, the taste of the juice made.  The lower the brix, which is directly tied to flavor, sweetness and quality, the lower the payout.  Citrus growers simply cannot afford low payouts.  As growers attempt to adapt to this current climate, the Food and Drug Administration has been requested to lower its standard for not-from-concentrate orange juice of 10.5 brix to 10 brix.  The FDA is considering this request along with requiring a label that would tell consumers this Florida staple is made with lower quality fruit.  A steep impact to the hundreds of Florida farm families who pride themselves on producing the best citrus in America for all families to enjoy.  As imports of Brazilian orange juice increases and is mixed with Florida orange juice, growers face a reality that without it their bottom line would be even more severely impacted.  

Arial Singerman, an associate professor and Extension economist at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred posed this question during this most recent citrus update published, “What volume of Florida fruit if needed to keep processing plants open? If fruit quality keeps declining and imports rising, process plants might be forced to close down.  Once a plant is closed, it is unlikely to reopen, making outlets for Florida processed fruit scarcer and prices (likely) lower for growers.” 

Florida’s farmers and ranchers are the most resilient group of people on this Earth.  They can endure more challenges than the average business faces.  We are grateful to each and every citrus grower who wakes up each day with the hope to carry on and provide fresh, Florida-grown orange juice.   

February 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

The 2022 Legislative Session is underway, and as Farm Bureau’s legislative priorities inch closer to the finish line, the Farm Bureau Tallahassee office has been lucky to have a great group of visitors this session to help push our cause at the capitol.

The Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Class 9, completed a three-day training in Tallahassee, which included media training from American Farm Bureau’s Johnna Miller. Additionally, the group had the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and the Florida Legislature to advocate on behalf of the Florida agriculture industry. The class shared important policy issues and explained how they impact them on a day-to-day basis.  

Florida Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year Jerry Dakin also visited the Tallahassee office and was recognized before the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee for this distinguished honor. We anticipate the following weeks to be full of robust agendas, and we look forward to sharing the successes of Farm Bureau in the coming weeks. 

Stay up-to-date on Farm Bureau legislative efforts through the weekly Ag Watch: Legislative Action Center | Florida Farm Bureau

February 2022 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Jacob Wangle represents counties in District 1 on the Florida Farm Bureau’ Young Farmers and Ranchers State Leadership Committee. Counties in his district include Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Bay, Calhoun and Gulf. He and his wife, Emma, live in Jackson County but have farm operations in both Jackson and Holmes counties. Wangle also serves as a member of the Holmes County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He grows peanuts and cotton and raises beef cattle along with his grandfather.

Originally from south of Atlanta, Georgia, Wangle did not grow up involved in production agriculture. It was after he moved to Florida when he was 10 years-old that he had his first experience in Ag. One summer growing up, Wangle and his best friend came upon several ponds that they desperately wanted to fish. The ponds belonged to a hay farmer that was in need of help hauling his square bales. After an exchange of words, the man told Wangle that he could fish all he wanted if he could help him load his hay.

“We loaded that trailer as fast as we could so we get to fishing,” he explained. “Ever since that day, my interest peaked in how the world of agriculture in a small community really was. I believe I will get to leave this earth still wishing I could get to visit just one more farm or talk with one more farmer and listen to his/her stories about life on the farm.”

Wangle’s relationship grew with the farmer and he continued to work for him all through his high school years. “Our friendship grew over time and now we are like family,” he said. “I call him grandpa.”

Wangle pursued a degree in agricultural mechanics . He began his career as a field technician for Atlantic and Southern, an AGCO dealer in Dothan, AL. It was during this time that he began his row crop operation.  He later took an opportunity to work for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in the Office of Ag Water Policy where he helped implement the Best Management Practices (BMPs) program.

“I really enjoyed my time with FDACS and helping local farmers and ranchers implement the best conservation practices,” he said. Wangle is currently back at Atlantic Southern working as a field technician.

“My favorite thing about being involved in Farm Bureau is the amount of like-minded people I have been able to meet and work with on any given day,” he mentioned. “The opportunity to have my opinions valued means a great deal to me.”

“For me, rooted in resilience means that no matter what situations or circumstances arise, agriculture in the state of Florida will always be standing strong at the end of the day,” Wangle stated. “Farmers and ranchers in this state share a passion in our blood to strive for excellence in agriculture, be stewards of the land and make Florida a better place for future generations.”