This commentary by John Hoblick, President of Florida Farm Bureau Federation
What is the future of Florida’s agriculture industry?
I am often asked questions very similar to this and I have given it a great deal of thought.
As president of the state’s only general agriculture organization representing 143,000 member families, I can say I see a bright future for Florida.
A year ago I was tapped to serve as chair of a group of CEOs and directors of agricultural associations and corporations seeking a shared industry-wide vision. The Future of Agriculture task force developed the vision that agriculture will remain a pillar of Florida’s economy. The leaders who serve on the task force see agriculture remaining an important economic force into the 21st Century and, we want to share that vision with Gov. Charlie Crist, legislators, and Bernie Machen, president of the University of Florida.
Agriculture’s bright future doesn’t come without challenges. Many of these challenges will require collaboration.
Which brings me to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the threat of substantial budget cuts during this year’s legislative session.
We all understand that the state is facing a record revenue shortfall that will require budget cuts, across the board. Specific figures are not yet available, but most certainly UF/IFAS will face cuts; so will every other program funded by the Florida Legislature.
My concern is that programs related to agriculture not be cut disproportionately relative to other programs, and Farm Bureau continues to work to make it clear to legislators and administrators that disproportionate cuts could diminish the viability of the agriculture industry, which remains Florida’s second-largest economic contributor.
The research and Cooperative Extension Service components are major resources that benefit not only Florida agricultural producers but every Floridian. With a unique climate and over 280 agricultural commodities produced in Florida, UF/IFAS provides needed research and development for this industry. For the vast majority of these commodities no other university or college is doing the needed research. Florida’s unique climate creates distinct and separate research and technology transfer needs.
As the crops have changed, the university’s services to the industry have adjusted accordingly. Within the last five years, a great deal of university research has dealt with the protection of natural resources. Because farmers and ranchers contribute significantly to the stewardship of the state’s land, wildlife and natural resources, the university is assisting them with this mission. Agriculturalists are pioneers in proper land use and their enterprises interface with our natural resources. They should be congratulated for centuries of devotion to the cultivation of food and the protection of the land upon which we all depend.
I am concerned about the potential for draconian budget cuts. Extension benefits both the general public (urban and rural) and the agricultural community. The services IFAS provides simply aren’t being provided by any other entity.
Historically, UF/IFAS has had Extension Offices in each of Florida’s sixty-seven counties. Sixteen Research and Education Centers (RECs), Research and Demonstration
Sites (RDSs) and several other offices are located throughout the state.
With a renewed public interest in “green†or sustainable living, IFAS is in a unique position to provide reliable information in this area.
Soultionsforyourlife.com is perhaps the best way to sum up what IFAS/Extension does for everyone in Florida. This website is a gateway to all of that expertise and makes it easy for the public to get the information they need, at any time. Topics include lawn and garden care, family life and consumer choices, agriculture, community development, the environment and youth development. The site is focused on providing timely and relevant solutions for improving Floridian’s lives.
Floridians must realize how important IFAS is; not only to agriculture, but to the many niches it fills for all of us. I encourage everyone to contact their legislators, members of the board of trustees and President Machen to let them know how much we all value IFAS’s contributions to the public good.
(John Hoblick has been president of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation since 2006. Florida Farm Bureau is the largest general agriculture organization in the state representing 143,000 member families.)