Hello, members and friends.
Our thoughts and prayers are with agriculture producers across the state impacted by the recent freezing temperature events. Florida Farm Bureau is working with its members, stakeholders and elected officials to assess damages and be a voice for disaster relief. Growers are encouraged to take the UF/IFAS freeze impact survey to report agricultural losses. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that beginning February 25, 2026, Florida’s agricultural producers can apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. He is also asking the federal government for approval to use Florida’s disaster block grant program to immediately fund relief for agricultural producers impacted by the 2026 ice storm. Through the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program, eligible agricultural producers can apply for grant funding to assist with infrastructure damage, market loss, citrus loss, and timber damage from recent hurricanes. Producers are encouraged to begin preparing now by reviewing eligibility information and gathering required documentation to help prevent delays once the application period opens. To help producers prepare, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has established a centralized online information hub at www.fdacs.gov/blockgrant.
Members attended the January 27 Farm Bureau Day events in Tallahassee to represent our farmers and ranchers in meetings with legislators and officials on Florida Farm Bureau legislative priorities. The priorities included Florida Department of Agriculture funding as well as a bill to streamline the certification process for agricultural enclaves in Florida, “enhancing landowner rights while balancing government regulations by allowing owners of qualified parcels to be certified through an expedited public hearing process.” To stay up to date on Farm Bureau efforts in the state capital visit www.floridafarmbureau.org/legislative-action-center.
Congratulations to all who participated in this year’s Polk County Youth Fair! Each year the fair highlights students’ project accomplishments and demonstrates their determination and strong work ethic. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped make the 2026 Polk County Youth Fair a successful and rewarding event.
Our farmer and rancher members in Polk and surrounding counties are invited to attend the Central Florida Ag Deputy Luncheon on April 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Polk Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Center. Seating is limited, registration is required to attend, and Farm Bureau members will be given first attendance consideration. For further information or to rsvp, contact Sarah Waldman at 863-533-0561, ext. 112 or saraht@pcfb.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are now available to assist Polk County Farm Bureau in continuing our vital agriculture education and advocacy activities. For more information, please contact Carole McKenzie at 863-533-0561 or carolem@pcfb.org or use your smart phone to scan this QR code to visit our online sponsorship link.
We hope our members and community friends are following us on social media. You can follow us on Facebook through Polk County Farm Bureau, Polk County Young Farmer & Rancher, and Polk County Agri-Fest Facebook pages to stay in the know on agriculture community news. You can also follow Florida Farm Bureau on Instagram @floridafarmbureau for podcasts, important issue updates, recipes, and more.
Sincerely,
Christian Spinosa
President