Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) hosted a roundtable concerning Florida’s agriculture industry and the issues that it faces today. With the Farm Bill on the horizon, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Senator John Boozman (R-AR), and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (R-FL) joined Sen. Scott to discuss the problems and issues surrounding Florida’s agriculture industry.
Sen. Scott has been attempting to pass his bipartisan Block Grant Assistance Act in hopes of providing agriculture producers with block grants following natural disasters such as hurricanes.
“Today, I was proud to welcome Senator Boozman to the Sunshine State so he could hear directly from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and our state’s hardworking growers about what they need to succeed,” stated Scott. “As the Senate considers the upcoming Farm Bill, I am focused on helping our growers and ranchers by cutting red tape, encouraging buy-America requirements, and strengthening disaster relief aid so folks can recover from natural disasters that have impacted Florida’s farmland.”
The Florida senator would go on to mention that growers and ranches “drive our economy forward.”
“Today’s roundtable made clear that while Florida’s agriculture industry is known around the world, things are tough for hardworking families in our state right now.” Scott continued, “Our growers and ranchers keep food on our tables and drive our economy forward – we must make sure that they have the resources needed to recover from the many challenges they’ve recently faced and thrive in the years ahead. That’s why I’ll be fighting hard to deliver for our growers in the Farm Bill and to make sure Congress finally passes my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act.”
Sen. Boozman emphasized the idea that farmers in different states and different regions require different needs.
“I appreciate Senator Scott’s invitation to visit with Florida’s agriculture community to learn firsthand how their experiences can help shape this critical legislation. We had an excellent roundtable that reinforces the message that the Farm Bill cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution,” stated Sen. Boozman. “Farmers in every state and every region, including Florida, have different needs and the Farm Bill must reflect that reality. We received valuable input to consider as we seek to better support those who work tirelessly to ensure we have the safest, most affordable, and most abundant supply of food in the world.”
Finally, Commissioner Simpson mentioned that food security is national security.
“Agriculture is critical to our security as a nation, and we must do everything we can to ensure our food supply is protected and our farmers are supported. The 2023 U.S. Farm Bill provides needed support for Florida farmers and consumers alike in terms of the production of agricultural goods and access to them. I thank Senator Rick Scott and Senator John Boozman for holding this important discussion today and for their commitment to the future economic viability of Florida agriculture,” stated Commissioner Simpson.
Sen. Scott is running for reelection in 2024.
