I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the success of agriculture is due in large part to grassroots efforts. It is in the name, after all.
Florida agriculture has some extremely dedicated people advocating for it, and this past month has been a prime example of that.
In April, growers flocked to Newberry for a bipartisan Farm Bill listening session hosted by Congresswoman Kat Cammack. The effort to reach out to the industry was widely welcomed as growers packed the UF/IFAS Extension Office. Those growers seized the opportunity to express their concerns about fair trade, input costs, conservation, risk management tools, crop insurance, and research funding, among other issues.
Ask anyone in the industry, and they will tell you there’s more than enough work out in the field to keep them busy. Anything extra is precisely that … extra. Yet an estimated 400 people took time to travel to Newberry and air their concerns in an effort to ensure the future of the industry for their sons, daughters, and grandchildren.
That’s heart, but if you don’t believe me, the Field to the Hill event in April was further proof that the footwork makes the dream work. More than 80 Florida Farm Bureau members trekked to Washington, D.C., to make sure there was no mistaking the importance of Florida agriculture. Again, these are hardworking people who are running businesses and working full-time. Still, despite exhaustion, blood, sweat, and tears, here they are pouring their hearts into the industry to ensure it thrives.
All for one and one for all.