1960s: Services Expanded

The 1960s: Expansion and Political Upheaval

Florida Farm Bureau entered the 1960s optimistic and ready to expand. The organization had been in its new building only four years, but rapid growth in membership fostered fears that the building would soon be overcrowded. No sooner had the last brick been laid on a new addition than the FFBF board began discussing future additions.

Disaster is spelled "Donna"

Farm Bureau dealt with a number of disasters during the '60s, but none hit with quite the force of Hurricane Donna. The hurricane left a trail of destruction that few of the new residents of Florida could believe. Donna provided the insurance company a chance to demonstrate how fast and effective it had become. Adjusters provided the fastest service possible to insured farmers; The Farm Bureau Insurance Companies paid out $500,000 in claims following Donna.

Services expand

The early sixties saw the formation of the Florida Farm Bureau Marketing Association, forerunner of the present Florida Agricultural Marketing Association. Florida Farm Bureau's Citrus Marketing Program, under the Florida Agricultural Marketing Association (FAMA) marked its 20th year anniversary in 1991. The program was founded to help Florida growers market their citrus.

The 'Tire, Battery and Accessory" Program (TBA) was initiated. At first, it involved only the sale of tires to Farm Bureau members. But within six months, all but two county Farm Bureaus had approved the tire program for their members and 71 dealers were in operation. FFBF continued to provide members with service in other areas, including estate planning, safety, research on taxation and environmental rules, legislative lobbying and testimony before various agriculture hearings on behalf of Farm Bureau.

But while services to members were growing, membership was not. By 1963, membership growth was virtually at a standstill, putting a strain on finances. The insurance companies were also suffering losses.

Political upheaval

In the early '60s the political trends so evident in Washington were beginning to be seen in Tallahassee as well. FFBF failed to defeat a tax increase. Its attempt to have enforcement provisions added to the right-to-work law also failed. During the 1963 session a drive to secure trespass legislation flopped, and it was unable to stop a drive to remove the sales tax exemption from agricultural machinery.

The Florida Agricultural Marketing Association (FAMA) was started to provide cooperative sales for Florida farmers. Today, FAMA sells Florida products across the country and offers products marketed by other Farm Bureaus to Florida members.

Florida regains its momentum

Art Karst took the reins as Florida Farm Bureau president in 1965 and helped lead the organization into increased membership and expanded progress.

The Board of Directors voted to hold a special convention in June 1966. The meeting was called to consider a plan for expansion. Among the recommendations were increased information and public relations activities, improvement in legislative research, establishment of a Tallahassee legislative headquarters, and establishment of an active statewide advisory committee system. Approval was given for most of the recommendations, including a $2.50 increase in member dues.

New legislative initiatives

FFBF also made strides in the legislative arena. This was partially due to the fact that two of its officers and one director were currently serving in the Florida Legislature. President Karst, Vice President Wayne Mixson and board member E. C. Rowell all served in the Florida House of Representatives.

Although the mid-60s was an era of some confusion in state government, Farm Bureau was able to lobby effectively for its agenda. Farm Bureau successfully pushed for county agricultural zoning boards.

At the end of 1968, FFBF's net worth was up by 75 percent, membership was growing by more than 1,000 members per year and the number of state board districts was increased from nine to 19.

John C. "Jack" Lynn took over as executive vice president of Florida Farm Bureau in April 1969. He pushed to have FFBF form a labor department and young farmer program and sought increased awareness of the strength of the FFBF Women's Program.

In the legislative area, Lynn set up an office in Tallahassee which FFBF would share with the principal agricultural groups in Florida in an effort to help forge a uniform voice for agriculture. By 1969 FFBF membership had passed 40,000 despite continuing declines in the farm population.

"All in all, the situation for Florida farmers and for Florida Farm Bureau members appears to be the rosiest and most promising in memory," Karst said.

At the 1969 convention Walter Kautz was elected president and he would set the pace for the '70s. Kautz was representative of a new generation of FFBF leaders. Although he had risen through the ranks, he was the first president who had not been active during the earliest years of the organization.