At a lunch meeting today in Tallahassee, Florida, with representatives of many of the state’s agricultural organizations, Agriculture Commissioner-Elect Nikki Fried told the group she plans to be a “champion for this industry” in her new role.
Nikki Fried
Florida Agriculture Commissioner elect
Several major issues facing Florida agriculture were discussed during the lunch meeting, which was the first meeting of its kind with Fried since she was confirmed in recent days as commissioner-elect.
Water issues and growing concerns about misinformation about agriculture were the issues at the top of the list.
In an interview with AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper following the meeting, Fried reiterates her intention to govern the department in a bipartisan fashion, and do all she can to support the farmers and ranchers of Florida.
Listen to her brief comments here:
Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried
Cooper was also able to check in with some attendees from the lunch meeting. One of them was Sam Ard, director of governmental affairs with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. He talks about the lunch meeting and some expectations for Fried’s first year.
Listen to Ard’s comments:
Florida Cattlemen’s Association Sam Ard
Another attendee that gave some comments was Adam Basford, director of state legislative affairs with the Florida Farm Bureau (FFB), who opened the FFB doors in Tallahassee to host the luncheon. Basford gave Cooper his initial comments regarding Fried following the meeting.
Hear what Basford had to say: