Page 18 - CFANnov13

Commissioner’s
GETTING
DOWNRIGHT

FILTHY

AgriCorner

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT

getting downright filthy and dirty that
seems to bring out the inner child in us

all. Even better is when you can get grimy
for a good cause. The First Annual Florida

FFA Firetower Run-A-Muck 5k Run/Walk ‘Florida Ag: By the Numbers’ Report
and Mud Run, being held on November

23rd, is an event that directly benefits the
Florida FFA and its over 16, 000 middle by COMMISSIONER ADAM H. PUTNAM
66%
and high school members across the state.

Taking place at the Florida FFA
training center near Haines City, the mud MORE THAN 500 YEARS AGO, when European settlers landed in Florida,
livestock was raised and produce was grown for subsistence. The settlers produced
run course is a 3-mile stretch of terrain
that includes hay bales, mud, and water just enough to feed themselves and their families. Over time, advances in farm
machinery, technology and practices, as well as innovations in transportation,
that make even the filthiest pig pen seem
spotless. Tackling the obstacles as part of helped Florida agriculture become the economic pillar it is today.

Team Martin are Bonnie Holly-Brown, OF TOTAL U.S. VALUE
Paul Holly, Kate Martin, Melissa Rogers, Nearly 48,000 farms on more than 9 million acres in

and Karen Pollard. For those seeking to Florida grow 300 different products. Our agricultural
industries contribute more than $100 billion to our state’s
avoid the muck, the 5k walk/run includes
parts of Firetower Road and winds along economy, support 2 million jobs, and rival the economic
IN 2012, IN TERMS OF TOTAL
the shore of Lake Pierce through the LTC impact of tourism and construction in Florida.
property.
VALUE OF PRODUCTION, FLORIDA The annual “Florida Agriculture: By the Numbers”
ACCOUNTED FOR:
Once the race has been run and the report gives an in-depth analysis of Florida agriculture
mud washed clean off, my wife Joy and and reflects the impact and importance of agriculture in
• 66 percent of the total U.S. value for
I will host an after party, at The Port Florida.
(the restaurant there at Hatchenha) for oranges ($1.5 billion)
Some of the highlights from the 2012 report, released
• 65 percent of the total U.S. value for
those ready to leave the muck at the in October 2013, include: Florida ranked first in the
grapefruit ($187 million)
nation for the value of production of oranges, grapefruit,
finish line. For more information, go to • 52 percent of the total U.S. value for snap
floridaffafoundation.org or call the FFA fresh market snap beans, cucumbers, squash, sweet corn,
beans ($167 million)
center at (863) 439-7332.
fresh market tomatoes, watermelon and sugarcane for
• 49 percent of the total U.S. value for sug- sugar and seed.
arcane for sugar and seed ($673 million)
In addition, Florida’s livestock industry performed
• 33 percent of the total U.S. value for bell very well in 2012; sales of livestock and products
peppers ($207 million)
increased to $1.5 billion. Sales of cattle increased to
• 31 percent of the total U.S. value for fresh nearly $670 million, an almost $200 million increase
market tomatoes ($268 million)
31%
from 2011, and Florida now ranks 12th in beef cows.

Since cattle, citrus and other crops were introduced
by MIKE MARTIN
to Florida by the Europeans five centuries ago, our

state’s farmers and ranchers have paved the way for the
United States to become a world leader in agricultural
BIO: Michael Martin of Martin Law Office in Lakeland OF TOTAL U.S. VALUE
specializes in agriculture and environmental legal production. Florida’s agriculture industry continues to
representation. A native of Polk County, Mike attended
responsibly provide food and jobs for Floridians, while
college at Sewanee in Tennessee, before obtaining a maintaining our state’s rich cultural history.
doctorate in law from the University of Florida and has
tried numerous cases nationwide since that time. Mike Last year was a successful year for so many of Florida’s
farmers and ranchers —let us hope that 2013 proves to be
also serves as the director of the FFA Foundation and is
the author of the novel, The Crestfallen Rose.
even more prosperous. ag

18 | CFAN
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