IFAS budget signed into law, Florida Farm Bureau lauds Governor, Legislature

(Gainesville, Fla.) – The Florida Farm Bureau today praised Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Legislature after the Governor approved the budget. The budget for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) contains proviso language inserted by legislators stating that funds "...are provided for the research and extension services of IFAS and shall not be transferred or used for any other purpose.”

“In approving the budget, Gov. Crist has ensured that UF-IFAS will continue to fulfill the three-fold mission of teaching, research and Extension that is so important to the future sustainability of Florida’s agriculture industry,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick.

The state’s agriculturists became alarmed early in the session when it was rumored that UF-IFAS had been slated for budget cuts that were disproportional to budget cuts in other University of Florida programs. UF-IFAS is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences.

“The industry and its supporters rallied to impress lawmakers and administrators of the importance of the UF-IFAS mission to agriculture and the importance of agriculture to the state,” Hoblick said. “We appreciate the Governor, leaders in the Legislature and University of Florida President Bernie Machen for listening to us and supporting cuts to the UF-IFAS budget that are proportionate to cuts to other programs at the University of Florida. This action will help sustain agriculture, Florida’s second-largest industry, as a pillar of the economy.” Hoblick also praised Gov. Crist for approving the budget as passed by the legislature.

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general-interest agricultural association with about 140,000 member-families statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Federation is an independent, nonprofit agricultural organization. More information about Florida Farm Bureau is available on the organization’s website, http://FloridaFarmBureau.org.