Fast Facts - Vol. 15, No. 10

Vol. 15, No. 10 - Friday, August 31, 2007

Ed Albanesi

Political Education/Campaign seminars scheduled

FFB Director of Legislative Affairs Ben Parks reports that Florida Farm Bureau is co-sponsoring a political education and campaign seminar with the Florida Chamber’s Political Institute. The seminar will be held at the Royal Caribe in Orlando on Oct. 1-2. The Farm Bureau state board of directors voted to pay for one free registration for each county Farm Bureau. Parks is urging every county to send a member or a Young Farmer and Rancher. The Royal Caribe has reserved a block of rooms under Florida Chamber Political Institute. The phone number there is (407) 238-8000. Those wanting to register for the event should call Chris Scovotto at the state legislative office, (850) 222-2557. Please note that the deadline for hotel reservations is Sept. 5.

Farm Bureau conferences with White House staff on labor issues

Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick and several staff participated in an AFBF conference call with White House officials to discuss the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) regulatory and administrative initiatives related to the enforcement and implementation of immigration laws. Much of the discussion centered on the new DHS Social Security mismatch rule and how Farm Bureau members should respond. Barry Jackson, White House deputy assistant to the president, and Stewart Baker, assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security, listened as Farm Bureau representatives explained why the “no-match” letters have the potential to seriously disrupt both seasonal harvesting efforts and full-time employment needs nationwide. Jackson and Baker acknowledged they are aware of these concerns, but said the administration has decided to move forward with the immigration enforcement tools at its disposal in light of Congress’ failure to approve comprehensive reform legislation. They thanked Farm Bureau for its strong leadership and lobbying efforts to bring about immigration reform. The White House also agreed to continue working with Farm Bureau as the rule is implemented. Florida Farm Bureau’s Ag Policy Division has issued a policy bulletin containing a short description of the mismatch issue and the five steps the DHS is recommending employers to follow if they receive mismatch letters. This may be accessed at http://www.FloridaFarmBureau.org. Information and guidance published by DHS can be found at http://www.ice.gov. Click on Safe Harbor for Employees. For additional information, contact Kevin Morgan at (352) 374-1537 or e-mail Kevin.Morgan@ffbf.org. Look for a more detailed story on this issue in the October FloridAgriculture.

Advisory committees recommend policy changes

Labor – New resolution: Recognizing that immigration is a federal issue, we oppose immigration legislation, ordinances or rules at the state or local level. € € € Peanut/Cotton – Addition to existing policy (Loose Shelled Kernels): We support no reduction in price for loose shelled kernels. Addition to existing policy (Storage and Handling Fees): At a minimum, priority should be given to forfeited peanuts. € € € Tax – Change to existing policy (Homestead Exemption): We recommend that all homestead properties be taxed on fifty percent of the value up to $100,000 of value. New resolution: We oppose the constitutional amendment on property tax reform based on its overall negative effect on agriculture.

Farm-City Week cost sharing

FFB Manager of Public Relations Programs Kathy Richardson reports that Florida Farm Bureau is again offering a cost-share program to highlight Farm-City Week as well as county Farm Bureaus and Florida agriculture. Farm Bureau is offering to share funding to be used in a 50-50 cost-share with county Farm Bureaus to purchase print ads in newspapers. Radio advertising is also a possibility in areas where market conditions warrant. This program is funded by our “Safe, Affordable and Abundant” Ag Promotion campaign. Last year about 10 counties took advantage of this program. The ads would be approximately 1Ž4 page in size. Federation staff will design the ads, but the local photo and content will come from the county Farm Bureau. The ads should run as close to the week of Farm-City Week as possible. Farm-City Week is Nov. 18-24. For more information, please contact Kathy Richardson at (352) 374-1533 or kathy.richardson@ffbf.org.

Campaign to sign up FBACT members

FFB Assistant Director of Ag Policy Adam Basford reports on a campaign to sign up new FBACT members. The Florida Farm Bureau FBACT grassroots program was established to protect and further agricultural interests through the active participation of Farm Bureau members in government relations activities at the federal, state and local levels. Members of FBACT will receive legislative updates and “FBACT Alerts” via e-mail. They will also periodically receive Agricultural Policy Bulletins on other important issues that will affect agriculture. Each “FBACT Alert” will include a link to the FFB Web site. There, members will complete several easy steps and messages will be sent directly to their elected officials. Talking points and/or sample letters included in the alerts will help make this process quick, simple and effective. In an effort to increase awareness and participation in the FBACT program, incentive prizes are being offered. Sign-up sheets and brochures will be available at county Farm Bureau annual meetings. Any member, active or associate, who fills out the form and returns it will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate from Grainger (two $50 certificates will be given as well). For more information contact the Ag Policy Division at (352) 374-1544.

Congressman Mahoney to speak at tri-county meeting

FFB Assistant Director of Field Services Tom Hill reports that Martin County Farm Bureau is sponsoring a tri-county Congressional meeting with St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties. Rep. Tim Mahoney will discuss pending national issues with the three county Farm Bureau boards, families and friends on Sept. 13, 2007 at the Indian River Research and Education Center. A barbecue dinner is being served for $15 per person with legislative issues discussed following the meal.

Marion County Farm Bureau funds scholarships

The Marion County Farm Bureau (MCFB) board of directors recently voted to support two scholarship endowments for a total of $130,000. The board will give Central Florida Community College in Ocala $30,000 and the University of Florida in Gainesville $100,000. Each scholarship endowment will receive matching funds. The Central Florida Community College gift will be matched 100 percent and the University of Florida gift will be matched 50 percent. In addition, Marion County Farm Bureau will continue with its long-standing scholarship program in which it has given over $70,500 to date. Scholarship applications can be found on its Web site at http://www.marioncountyfarmbureau.org. Last year MCFB awarded five $1,000 scholarships. Criteria for the endowments, similar to the ongoing scholarship program, are that applicants be students from Marion County who are pursuing agriculturally-related careers. Marion County Farm Bureau membership is required. A formal presentation will be made to each school at the Marion County Farm Bureau annual dinner at the agricultural center on Sept. 18.

Florida FFA names first inductees

Florida FFA has named the first four inductees into its new Hall of Fame. They are: Marion Roche, a longtime Marion County agriculture educator; Travis Loften, a former state agriculture education supervisor; John Folks, a former UF faculty member and agriculture specialist for Florida Power Corp. and former state Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Conner. Hilary Webb, a recent high school graduate from Punta Gorda who’s embarking on her year-long tour of duty as Florida FFA president, called it an exciting move for her organization. “We’ve got an Agriculture Hall of Fame in Florida and it’s really neat to be able to bring the FFA Hall of Fame into Florida,” Webb said. “We’re happy to have that opportunity.” Gary Bartley, FFA Florida Foundation executive director, said the list of worthy contenders for the new honor is a lengthy one. “With 79 years of history, we’ve got a lot of people who need to be recognized,” he said. The four will be recognized Oct. 13 at Florida FFA’s annual banquet at the group’s leadership training center in Haines City.

Harden hired as new fieldman

Greg Harden has been named FFB assistant director of field services for District IV, an area that includes Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam/St. Johns, Flagler, Seminole and Volusia counties. Harden began his duties on Aug. 16. Harden, who has served as president of the Columbia County FFA Alumni Association, has been involved in agriculture all of his life. He has worked in the timber industry and was recently a sales and marketing representative for a Fortune 500 company. Florida Farm Bureau employs eight district field representatives who serve as staff liaisons between the state organization and county Farm Bureaus within each district. Harden will work in District IV to strengthen those county Farm Bureaus, as well as promote the organization’s policies at the local, state and national levels.

Water Districts have new board members

FFB Assistant Director of Government and Community Affairs Cara Martin reports that Ronald E. Oakley has been appointed to the Southwest Florida Water Management District governing board. Oakley is currently executive vice president of Oakley Groves, Inc. in Lake Wales. He will also serve as chair ex officio of the Withlacoochee River Basin Board. € € € FFB Director of Government and Community Affairs Mary Ann Gosa reports that the St. Johns River Water Management District has three new board members. They are Arlen Jumper of Ft. McCoy, manager of Jones Turf Grass Farm in Marion County; Hersey “Herky” Huffman of Enterprise, an original member of the Friends of the St. Johns River group; and Michael Ertel of Oviedo, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections.