By Clint Thompson
Count the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) as one organization that voiced its concerns during last Monday’s Farm Bill listening session in Newberry, Florida.
Kenneth Parker, executive director of the FSGA, focused his talk on continued research into artificial intelligence when he spoke to members of the House Committee on Agriculture.
“The Farm Bill can mitigate the concerns of availability and costs of labor on farms and ranches. Effective mechanization made possible through the robust and reoccurring investment in applied artificial intelligence (AI) is critical to the sustainability of labor-intensive crops,” Parker said. “Applied artificial intelligence is not only going to play a role in solving our labor concerns, it can and has already reduced the costs of inputs and the strain on natural resources. Historically, federal investment in agricultural research and development has yielded a 20:1 return. As a nation, we cannot continue to lose our competitive advantage.
“Investment that is robust and reoccurring should be a top priority in the 2023 Farm Bill. The FSGA is fully committed to support language in the Farm Bill that encourages and makes available reoccurring funding to expedite applied agriculture research and development and applied agriculture artificial intelligence.”
Parker’s top concerns focused on labor costs and unfair trade practices; two factors that most specialty crop farmers and organizations regard as their main threats to sustainability every year. He also expressed appreciation to Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) for her efforts in combating rising imports, which have significantly impacted Florida’s strawberry industry.
“Recognizing that this committee through the Farm Bill cannot control the Department of Labor or the USTR (U.S. Trade Representative), however, you can use the Farm Bill to mitigate these concerns. Congresswoman Cammack will be introducing language that will increase the consumption of domestically grown fruits and vegetables,” Parke said. “Her bill will be affectionally called FFA, Farmers Feeding America. Thank you congresswoman for that. The Florida Strawberry Growers Association wholeheartedly supports this language.”
Jake Raburn, president of the FSGA, also spoke to the committee, adding, “I would encourage members of the committee to incorporate that (Act) into the Farm Bill moving forward.
“It’s imperative that the 2023 Farm Bill creates a robust and recurring spending program. Without making this type of adjustment and investment, the United States will continue to feed the gap in competitive advantage between our country and other countries like China and Brazil.”