August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Jared Freeman’s passion for agriculture and love for animals sparked at an early age. He spent countless hours in the pasture with his grandfather growing up, and that time together was pivotal in Freeman’s path in life. He was an active member of 4-H and FFA and participated in as many contests and Career Development Events as he could.  

As Freeman grew older, his love for agriculture only grew stronger and he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the industry. He attended Sante Fe College for his associates degree and transferred to the University of Florida where he received his bachelor of science in animal biology. After graduating college in 2013, Freeman began his career as a veterinarian technician and is currently the practice manager at a clinic in Gainesville. 

Although the clinic keeps him busy, Freeman visits his family farm in Union County a few times each week to help his mother and grandfather with the beef cattle, goats and honeybees. Although the farm has always been recreational for his grandfather, Freeman is working to build income for the farm by growing their beef cattle and goat operations.  

Representing Alachua County on the State Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Group, Freeman has been given many unique opportunities to network with others from across the state.  

“Getting to meet people who share a similar interest but aren’t in the same commodity has been really neat,” said Freeman. “I’ve met so many people on my journey that I’ve been able to exchange ideas with and learn from.” 

Freeman has thoroughly enjoyed diversifying his agricultural knowledge through farm tours and learning from other Farm Bureau members. His first farm tour was at the 2023 YF&R Leadership Conference, and he has enjoyed learning about agriculture in other parts of Florida.  

One of the most impactful networking opportunities Freeman has had was his time spent in Tallahassee for Farm Bureau Day in January. He enjoyed learning about the legislative process and how that applies to agriculture.  

“Getting to interact with legislators gave me a new level of excitement,” said Freeman. “I never really knew that was a direction that agriculture could go. Spending time with legislators sparked a new interest in me and I’m looking forward to similar opportunities in Washington, D.C.” 

Freeman is continuously helping others realize their tie to agriculture. Being on the state leadership team has shown him how to strengthen his personal ties and he enjoys helping others do the same.  

“When I got to the University of Florida, I realized not everyone grew up the way that I did,” said Freeman. “I’m staying tied to agriculture by helping others realize what their tie is, no matter what part of life they’re in.” 

August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

On July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced their recommended decision to amend the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders across the U.S.  Included in the proposed changes are some top priorities for Florida Farm Bureau, such as reverting to the ‘Higher-of’ formula for fluid milk pricing (utilizing the higher monthly price of either cheese or milk powder, vs. the current formula utilizing the average of these products plus a $.74 adjustment), and increasing location differentials (a portion of the milk price formula that varies based on where the milk is being bottled).

The change to the ‘Average-of’ pricing formula was enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill and has cost the U.S. dairy industry over $1 Billion since that time.  Florida Farm Bureau members and staff attended the American Farm Bureau Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum in August 2022 to represent the interests of Florida dairies, and since that time have advocated for these changes in Congress and during a 49-day national USDA hearing on these issues in Carmel, IN.

While the Recommended Decision does not contain every update that FFBF has sought, the proposed changes should be beneficial to Florida dairies.  The Recommended Decision is followed by a 60-day comment period for stakeholders, after which USDA will have 60 additional days to issue a final rule.  FFBF continues to engage with our state’s dairy farmers to ensure we are able to provide comments that encompass the breadth of input from the industry.

August 2024 FloridAgriculture  eNewsletter

As the agriculture industry becomes more advanced and complex, new challenges arise.  For the livestock sector, animal disease traceability has received greater attention over the last several decades as domestic and international movement of live cattle and fresh beef has increased.  For this reason, in 2013 USDA enacted rules related to official identification of certain classes of cattle and bison.  Earlier this year, USDA finalized an amendment to this rule, requiring that official identification be readable both visually and electronically.

The classes of cattle covered by this rule has not materially changed since the original 2013 rule, and include sexually intact cattle and bison over 18 months old, all dairy cattle, and cattle and bison used for rodeos and exhibitions.  Florida Farm Bureau member-ratified policy supports animal disease traceability efforts that ensure producer confidentiality, improve consumer confidence, and function at the speed of commerce.  FFBF staff have engaged with USDA on the components of this amended rule, and continue to advocate for sufficient appropriations to enable our producers to comply with the rule without substantial financial burden.

The final rule will be effective November 5, 2024, and does not change the treatment of brands and tattoos as governed by state laws.  Any covered cattle identified with currently accepted methods prior to the November 5, 2024 effective date are exempted from the amended rule.  Florida Farm Bureau will continue to disseminate information and resources regarding this action.

August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

On July 2, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule which they believe will help protect workers from extreme heat. If the rule is finalized, the agency estimates it could help protect more than 36 million workers in outdoor and indoor settings and help reduce heat related injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace. 

This policy runs the severe risk of having a negative impact on the Florida agricultural community and its production.  

For instance, the proposed rule states that when an 80-degree heat index threshold is reached, employees must take mandatory breaks and when the heat index reaches 90 degrees, breaks of 15 minutes every two hours would be mandatory. With the high temperatures across Florida, this will impact constrained harvest windows for year-round specialty crops like nurseries, fruits and vegetables.  

“There are initial concerns over the breadth and depth of the rule,” said Lance Watson, Florida Farm Bureau Director of National Legislative Affairs. “We are reviewing and gathering feedback from our members before commenting.”  

Members can read about the proposed ruling here. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Lance Watson.  

Hurricane Debby has impacted areas of the Sunshine State with wind and heavy rain. This page contains resources from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

Overview of USDA Program Flexibilities for Hurricane Recovery
OAWP Issues Emergency Rule for Hurricane Debby Replacement Fertilizer Applications
Critical Access Memo
Memorandum to County EOCs
Template for dairy employers

The FDOT Weight Waiver ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN 2024-002, and the Emergency Road Use Permit letter cover the following commodities: animal feed and feed ingredients, animal supplements, aquaculture products, avocados, cattle, citrus, eggs and egg products, fuel, fertilizer and agrichemicals, milk and milk products, peanuts, silviculture and forestry products and tomatoes.

2024 Agriculture Disaster Impact Assessment (English)
2024 Agriculture Disaster Impact Assessment (Spanish)
UF/IFAS EIAP Hurricane Debby Survey Flyer (English)
UF/IFAS EIAP Hurricane Debby Survey Flyer (Spanish)
Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program to Open for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Debby
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Florida

Kevin Lussier, AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Chair, joins President Jeb S. Smith on the newest episode of Rural Recharge.  

Lussier owns and operates Hawthorne Dairy in Alachua County. In 2021, Lussier and his wife, Shelby, were the Florida Farm Bureau Achievement in Agriculture state winners. Kevin has served on the Florida Farm Bureau state YF&R Leadership Group, the Florida Farm Bureau state board and now serves on the national level as the AFBF YF&R Committee Chair.  

In this episode, Lussier shares his journey to becoming a dairy farmer, his involvement with the Florida Farm Bureau YF&R leadership group, his national involvement with American Farm Bureau and current issues he sees young farmers facing.  

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter 

Tyler and Emily Shadrick are first generation blueberry growers in Madison County. Growing up in a small, rural town, their families were friends long before the two became a couple. Although they did not grow up on farms, the couple enjoys being part of the agriculture community and starting a farm of their own. 

Tyler learned a lot about farming during his employment on various farms. After taking a step back, he decided to start farming for himself. In 2019, Shadrick Farms was founded. 

In addition to running Shadrick Farms, Tyler is the facility manager for Madison Youth Ranch North Campus of Residing Hope Children’s Home and Emily is a third-grade teacher.  

Although Farm Bureau has always been a part of the Shadricks’ life from an insurance perspective, it wasn’t until a few years ago that Tyler and Emily became involved with the Madison County YF&R Program. Buck Carpenter, an active Farm Bureau member in the county, encouraged the couple to attend the group’s meetings and later helped them earn scholarships to attend the YF&R Leadership Conference.  

“I have really enjoyed getting to meet new people through Farm Bureau and learning that there’s a lot more agriculture in Florida than what my county brings to the table,” said Tyler Shadrick. “We had no idea about all the leadership opportunities that the leadership group would offer us when we joined.”  

As members of the YF&R state leadership group, Tyler and Emily have had the opportunity to learn about agriculture on a state and national level. Tyler serves as the Class X President, which gives him a seat on the Florida Farm Bureau state board. This has been an eye-opening experience as they continue to strengthen their tie to agriculture. 

“I stay tied to ag by connecting national issues with my county,” said Tyler. “I have gotten to go to Washington, D.C. and learn about big issues that aren’t being talked about on a county level. I try to bring what I’ve learned to my county and help create a solution.”  

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

The Suwannee to Gulf (S2G) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Project proposal addresses the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) natural resource concerns of the Longleaf Pine Critical Conservation Area through a strategy of easement programs coupled with conservation land management.  Their goals are:

• Permanent land protection: 10,500 acres over five years, including NRCS and Partner program acquisitions. 

• Restoration of terrestrial habitat for imperiled species: conservation land management of 10,000 acres 

• Connection of existing conservation lands to improve the landscape resiliency of the Suwannee River basin. 

• Promote conservation activities that improve wildlife habitat, water quality, water conservation, drought resilience, forest land restoration and protection, and promote carbon sequestration. 

• Protect cropland, grasslands and working forestland by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.  

• Assist farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners with the integration of conservation best management practices into working lands. 

• S2G RCPP project outreach will target participation of 100 HU producers per year in the UF Small Farms Academy (SFA).  

• The S2G RCPP partners aim to invest at least 10% of project financial assistance to HU producers. 

Working with Florida NRCS, RCPP partners will bring a combination of land protection and land management programs to S2G project area landowners.  The RCPP investment of about $20 million will be matched by partner contributions valued at an additional $20 million, making for a total project investment of $40 million over five years.   

The support letter can be found here. Any questions regarding the project can be directed to Curt Williams. 

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

Florida Farm Bureau Federation has submitted a letter to Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the markup to the bipartisan 2024 Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA).  

This letter was requested by Congressman Daniel Webster (R-FL, District 11).  The letter’s goal is to showcase a broad coalition of stakeholders who support WRDA before the June 26 markup. 

“In Florida, Everglades Restoration is a great example of collaboration and bipartisan cooperation,” said Lance Watson, FFBF Director of National Legislative Affairs. “Since its inclusion in the WRDA 2000, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and Everglades Restoration projects have had staunch support from utilities, municipalities, environmental organizations, agriculture and other key stakeholders. The strength of Everglades Restoration has come through extensive local, science-based, inclusive planning efforts that yield project designs that are broadly supported. We greatly appreciate the agricultural community being considered and heard in the WRDA 2024.” 

The Water Resources Development Act is important to members for many reasons. It authorizes projects to improve inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. Additionally, it delivers regional and national benefits for strengthening our global competitiveness and supply chain, growing the economy, moving goods and allows our inland waterways to move products and commodities more efficiently to markets 

Florida Farm Bureau submitted a letter on June 17, 2024. Members are encouraged to contact Director of National Affairs Lance Watson, with any questions or concerns.  

July 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

To enhance the accuracy of their data, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is upgrading the reference system used to measure water elevations in our monitoring network. SFWMD is currently in the process of shifting from reporting water elevations in the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29) to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88). This includes data within the SFWMD’s environmental database for hydrologic, meteorologic, hydrogeologic and water quality data. 

The upgrade will provide the public and stakeholders with more accurate information about levels for waterbodies in the region. 

Depending on the location within the SFWMD, water levels in the newer NAVD 88 measurement system will be about 0.6 feet to 1.6 feet lower than in the older NGVD 29 measurement system. 

For example, the difference between the two measuring standards in Lake Okeechobee is 1.25 feet, so a water level of 11.25 feet NAVD 88 is 12.5 feet NGVD 29. 

Water elevations are reported as the height of the water surface compared to sea level. Water depth, on the other hand, is the height of the water surface as measured from the bottom of the water body. When NAVD 88 is fully implemented in 2024, water measurements will be published exclusively in NAVD 88. 

As of now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not stated that they will be transitioning as well, so for the time being, water levels will have to be reviewed through two different reference systems.