Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson will host two farm bill listening sessions Oct. 9 and Oct. 13. A U.S. Congress member from Florida will be at each session. The sessions will allow Florida’s growers and ranchers to voice recommendations for the 2023 U.S. farm bill and related agricultural issues.
The farm bill sets the legal framework for U.S. agricultural and food policy approximately every five years. The current farm bill was signed in December 2018 and will remain in force through 2023, although some provisions extend beyond 2023.
The first farm bill listening session with U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin will be heldMonday, Oct. 9, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Lake Placid Government Center, at 1069 U.S. 27 North in Lake Placid. The doors will open at 2:00 p.m. See the informational flyer on the listening session with Rep. Scott Franklin.
The second session with U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack will be heldFriday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Granville Plantation at 760 SW 202nd St. in Newberry. The doors will open at 10:00 a.m. See an informational flyer on the listening session with Rep. Kat Cammack.
Those interested in participating should register for the events here. Participants may also request to give public testimony and submit farm bill comments. Each speaker will be limited to two minutes. There is no guarantee that everyone who signs up to provide public testimony will have the opportunity to do so. Questions or concerns may be emailed to Communications@FDACS.gov.
Some citrus growers discussed their challenges and voiced their needs during an April 24 farm bill listening session in Newberry. Among other things, they requested streamlined paperwork within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and assistance with HLB research. Learn more about that listening session here.
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services