By Charlie Crist
Editor’s Note: With the November elections fast approaching, we asked the major candidates in Florida’s governor’s race to weigh-in on why Florida farmers should support their campaigns. Here’s what Charlie Crist had to say. Also note, this article was written prior to Hurricane Ian making landfall. See Gov. Ron DeSantis article here.
As Florida has transformed itself over generations into the nation’s third-largest state with enormous cultural, political and economic influence, there has been one constant contributor to the state’s success.
IMPORTANCE OF AG
Agriculture remains a top driver of the state’s economy and a key ingredient of the Sunshine State’s international brand. From oranges to tomatoes, from strawberries to cattle, Florida helps feed the world. If I am fortunate to become the state’s next governor, we will work together to build a Florida for all that ensures agriculture continues to flourish and evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy.
We should work even harder to promote the successes and emphasize the importance of the state’s second-largest economic driver. Florida’s 47,500 farms and ranches cover 9.7 million acres and have an economic impact of $140 billion. They support 1.6 million jobs — 20% of all the employment in the state. We need to celebrate these contributions and ensure that we position ourselves to continue to grow the Florida brand.
As governor and congressman, I was proud to support the agriculture industry, including securing over $300 million in federal funding to combat citrus greening and steadfastly supporting the bipartisan farm bill.
ECONOMIC ISSUES
The big challenges facing our state naturally impact agriculture, and we need to work together to meet them. Pressing economic issues such as housing affordability, enormous electric rate increases and the property insurance crisis are hurting all Florida businesses and residents, including agriculture and its working families.
My Affordable Florida for All plan calls for investing in housing affordability programs and restoring billions of dollars that have been siphoned away. That investment will create more reasonably priced housing and rents for those who need affordable options in the communities where they work. I will appoint consumer-oriented members to the Florida Public Service Commission who will not rubber-stamp huge rate increases for electric utilities. I held the line on electric rate increases and lowered property insurance premiums when I was your governor before, and I will do it again.
EDUCATION AND HEALTH
I will invest in education so that every Florida family can send their children to quality schools. I will invest in universities and ensure that they continue to prepare students for quality jobs in agriculture and provide the research the industry needs to thrive.
A healthy Florida also is essential to a healthy agricultural industry. I will invest in community health centers and programs to encourage doctors to work in Florida so that every community, including those in rural areas, have access to quality health care.
CLIMATE CHANGE
It’s also clear that a changing climate and extreme weather puts our agricultural and forestry sectors at risk. We must build resilience on our farms and in our food supply. We will help farmers, ranchers and foresters improve their climate resilience starting with an agricultural climate vulnerability assessment. There are still the longstanding pressures to develop farm and forest lands, but those lands have enormous potential to sequester carbon and reduce emissions pollution if we manage them effectively. My administration also will work with agriculture to better manage water runoff and reduce soil erosion. We also will aggressively pursue the expansion of solar energy and ensure agricultural landowners’ benefit.
As it has been for generations, agriculture is woven into the fabric of Florida. Its future is directly tied to the state’s future, and as governor we will work together to ensure that future is bright.
Charlie Crist is the Democratic nominee for governor of Florida. He previously served as a U.S. House member from St. Petersburg, governor, attorney general, education commissioner and state senator.