- The “Voice of Florida Agriculture” endorsed Governor Ron DeSantis today
- The organization boasts 60 county Farm Bureaus and represents 136,000 members
- DeSantis faces Democrat Charlie Crist in November
Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) is backing Governor Ron DeSantis‘ re-election campaign.
The organization, known as the “Voice of Florida Agriculture,” announced that FFBF’s FarmPAC was backing DeSantis during an event at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association in Dover, Florida on Wednesday. FFBF, the state’s largest agriculture grassroots organization, has 60 county Farm Bureaus and represents more than 136,000 members.
“Our industry cannot afford to lose Governor DeSantis’s support in Tallahassee, and Charlie Crist will not be the friend that Governor DeSantis has been. Governor DeSantis understands the value of hard work and dedication, which translates to efforts that allow our industry to thrive, said Jeb Smith, President of Florida Farm Bureau. I am honored today to announce the endorsement of the Florida Farm Bureau FarmPAC for Governor Ron DeSantis’s reelection.”
DeSantis has been a strong ally to Florida’s ag community. In March, he announced the USDA’s disaster designation for 17 counties and 10 contiguous counties that were impacted by the freezing temperatures in January. Following the 2022 Legislative Session, DeSantis signed a bill (SB 1000) that authorizes citrus producers to use written recommendations from certified professionals to tailor their nutrient application rates under certain circumstances while complying with state water quality standards.
Desantis also created the broadband opportunity program to expand broadband internet in rural and underserved areas. This year, $30 million has been allocated to the Rural Infrastructure Fund, which provides support for rural communities by improving infrastructure and expanding the local workforce
“Florida has a rich agricultural history and is home to more than 45,000 farms across nearly 10 million acres of our state. The men and women of Florida’s agriculture industry put food on the table for millions of people in our state and across the nation. As Governor, I am proud to have stood up for rural communities and look forward to providing continued support for our farmers and ranchers across Florida,” DeSantis added.