Florida Cattlemen’s Association Hosts Annual Boots on the Hill
The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) recently held its annual Boots on the Hill event during the legislative quarterly, bringing together around 200 cattle producers to advocate for the state’s cattle industry. The event provides an opportunity for ranchers to meet directly with legislators and key decision-makers in Tallahassee.
We spoke with Dusty Holley, executive vice president of the FCA, to learn more about the process and goals of the event. Holley explained, “We just wrapped up our business meetings. On Tuesday, we get all of our business done. So our executive committee meets, our board directors meet, and we get the business out of the way so that Wednesday we can really focus on carrying a message of cattlemen here in the to our elected officials.”
Holley emphasized the preparation involved before meeting legislators. “And so in the morning we get up, we get ready, we hear a briefing from our director of government affairs, from some of our friends at UF IFAS, and the United Dairy Farmers, amongst others, and we carry the message of these ranchers to those decision makers right here in Tallahassee.”
During Boots on the Hill, producers personally visit lawmakers to advocate for policies that support Florida’s cattle industry. Holley highlighted the personal nature of these meetings, saying, “Every state senator, every state representative, and most of the cabinet will get a personal visit from somebody in a cowboy hat and boots and a dues-paying member of this organization and try to make an impact on them to keep Florida a great place to raise cattle.”
The event underscores the FCA’s commitment to ensuring that the perspectives and needs of Florida ranchers are represented at the state level. By meeting legislators face-to-face, producers can directly influence policy decisions and advocate for a strong, sustainable cattle industry in the state.
Boots on the Hill also allows members to build relationships with lawmakers, educate them on the challenges facing ranchers, and share the successes of Florida’s cattle operations. For the FCA, this event is a key tool in shaping policy, promoting the industry, and protecting Florida’s status as a top location for cattle production.
Through Boots on the Hill, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association continues to demonstrate the power of grassroots advocacy and the importance of ranchers’ voices in shaping state agriculture policy.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.