February 8, 2019
Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried visited with more than 150 farmers and ranchers Feb. 5 at Florida Farm Bureau’s Winter Advisory Committee Conference in Haines City. This biannual conference brings together agricultural leaders who help create and develop strategic policies for the organization on various issues related to agriculture.
Fried previewed her vision for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and provided updates on upcoming legislative issues for the department in 2019.
Top issues included additional funding for the “Fresh from Florida” marketing program and the Rural and Family Lands conservation program.
Fried expressed her support for agricultural Best Management Practices, cost-share programs for farmers, medical marijuana and industrial hemp as an alternative crop and a statewide public relations plan to address water quality issues.
“We all know that without a strong, vivacious and vibrant community in agriculture, we’re relying on other states and other countries for our own food sources and national security,” said Fried. “Ag is the livelihood of the state of Florida.”