By Clint Thompson
Florida Sen. Jay Collins’ presence at this year’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo emphasized the importance he’s placing on helping specialty crop producers to remain sustainable; now and into the future.
Collins joined Florida Rep. Danny Alvarez in discussing agriculture and its impact in legislative issues during Wednesday’s general session of the Expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. Collins expressed a continued desire to support the state’s specialty crop growers. In his words, “Agriculture matters.”
“I grew up on a farm. I understand the impact of agriculture and our industry, but more importantly, across this state and across this country, food security’s a national security,” Collins said. “We say it all the time. When we lose the ability to feed ourselves, we lose everything. Farmers, they don’t complain. We need people who are willing to stand in there shoulder to shoulder with them and fight for the things that matter.
“Agriculture matters.”
Capital Concern
The two legislators answered a few questions from attendees, with a couple of growers expressing concerns about the difficulties of obtaining capital needed to start or sustain a farming operation.
“That’s going to be something we’re going to have to sit and talk through with a lot of people. We’re going to have to bring economists, we’re going to have to bring banks in, and we’re going to have to talk about the impact; how this works,” Collins said. “More importantly, we’re going to have to have growers and farmers coming in and saying, ‘Look, this is the problem. If we don’t do this, this is the outcome. You’re going to lose this many farms over the next year, three years, five years.’
“You have to paint that picture.”
Farm Bill Update
Another highlight of the morning’s general session centered on the farm bill. Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), provided an update on the important piece of legislation that’s nearly a year overdue. She was excited to discuss a subject that affects everyone in attendance.
“This farm bill can be helpful to specialty crops, but we need to lean on our elected officials to make sure specialty crop priorities are included in any bill that is passed,” Rumenik said.
The annual Expo event will conclude on Thursday.