Advocacy at the Capitol

Advocacy at the Capitol

Hundreds of Florida Farm Bureau members from across Florida convened at the state Capitol to meet with legislators during Florida Farm Bureau’s annual Legislative Days in Tallahassee, March 7-8.

Priority topics discussed with lawmakers included a land buying proposal that calls for the removal of 60,000 acres of productive farmland from the Everglades Agricultural Area to build a reservoir for water storage south of Lake Okeechobee. Other issues included pollution notification requirements, tax policy, an agricultural legislative package and UF/IFAS budget requests.

The two-day event kicked off with a reception at the Florida Farm Bureau office in Tallahassee, followed by a briefing breakfast on March 8 where legislators discussed important issues facing the state this year during the legislative session.

A networking “Taste of Florida Agriculture” public reception at the Capitol Courtyard concluded the event where more than 2,000 guests attended. Visitors were able to sample locally-grown Florida commodities, meet family farmers and learn about the importance of an economic sector that provides nearly two million jobs and contributes $127 billion in revenue to the state.