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On Wednesday, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the 2024-2025 state budget.
“I applaud Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for making critical investments in the 2024-2025 state budget to safeguard and advance Florida agriculture, preserve our working lands and natural resources, and enhance our consumer protection efforts,” said Commissioner Simpson. “This funding will ensure that our agricultural producers are supported, our working lands are protected, our citrus industry is revitalized, and our operational capabilities are bolstered, all while delivering significant cost savings to taxpayers.”
These are some of the investments Commissioner Simpson noted will be in the 2024-2025 Florida state budget:
- $100 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
- $100 million each fiscal year, appropriated in SB 1638, to support the preservation of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, including the acquisition of rural land protection easements under the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.
- $40 million to support Florida’s citrus industry through infrastructure, research, and expansion of propagation and replanting efforts.
- $32 million, appropriated in SB 1638, for land management within the Florida Forest Service.
- $15.6 million for equipment and operational increases for the Florida Forest Service.
- $346 million for the administration of home energy rebate programs.
- $80 million to construct a new facility at the Connor Complex in Tallahassee.
- $3 million to address recruitment and retention efforts throughout the department.
- $13.3 million for repairs and maintenance and roads and bridges maintenance on state forest lands, facility replacements, and reforestation efforts.
- $13.4 million for information technology critical needs.
To learn more about any of these investments click here.