Florida farm families routinely produce an abundant supply of nutritious food. Their heroic commitment to their calling helps make our basic food security as a society possible.
From fruits, vegetables and row crops to beef cattle and dairy products, consumers here and across the nation confidently depend upon the Sunshine State’s agriculture throughout most of the year.
Other consumers are increasingly relying on them as well. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the need for substantial food-growing areas throughout the world is critical and will intensify over the next three decades. Current agricultural production must boost its capacity by 50% or more to support the earth’s people by 2050. Florida stands to become a key international provider.
Along with their impressive food production, many Florida farm families have also managed to enhance the sustainability of their operations. They have improved their management of land and water, added different commodities to their harvests, developed value-added products, and integrated marketing and distribution into their operations. They have done so despite myriad challenges they cannot eliminate, such as destructive weather conditions.
The sustainability of a farm involves many dimensions, including effective and responsible leadership, resource conservation, productivity and profitability. Above all, agriculture is a business, and it must be profitable to sustain any of its dimensions.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the net Florida farm income for 2022 is forecast to be within 5% of the average for the period from 2001 to 2020. Such a figure is a testament to our state’s farmers and ranchers, given the current international turmoil and war, sharp spikes in fuel prices, and the two-year public health crisis.
Their remarkable staying power, as well as their innovative improvements, have inspired Florida Farm Bureau to embrace the theme of Growing Forward in all of our activities in the coming year. The overriding goal of our members, staff and leadership is to help increase the net income of farm families.
We seek to address a number of basic issues they face. For example, according to the Florida Legislature’s Demographic Estimating Conference, 849 newcomers arrive in Florida daily. This population growth places enormous pressure upon farm property. An American Farmland Trust study indicates that nearly 300,000 acres of Florida’s agricultural land were lost in the state between 2001 and 2016.
We must seek public policies that help farmers and ranchers preserve their operations and land. We must adopt new strategies formulated to make certain that surging urban and suburban populations continue to recognize the spectacular value of Florida agriculture.
Farm Bureau will build upon our partnerships with non-rural constituencies. We will carry the message that preserving domestic food production is vital for the health of our families as well as our country.
As always, our grassroots activism focuses on assisting farmers and ranchers in their quest of Growing Forward with sustainability. The degree of success they achieve will likely determine the quality of life in our state for future generations.
See more: President’s Letter: Florida Farm Bureau’s Positive Impact Continues Thanks to Its Members
