May 13, 2019
More than 75 county Farm Bureau leaders from across the Sunshine State will travel to the nation’s capital to discuss various federal policies that affect agriculture and rural communities. Priority topics include hurricane disaster relief and environmental/water issues.
In the Panhandle, Florida producers are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that decimated farms and rural communities in October 2018. Congressional leaders have deliberated on a comprehensive disaster relief package in recent weeks, but legislation has failed to reach the President’s desk.
“Florida agriculture needs Congress to act boldly and decisively,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick. “We hope our meetings with lawmakers will convey the urgent need for Congressional leadership on disaster relief and the other needs of our farm families.”
Florida Farm Bureau members will hold discussions in various formats with the state’s entire Congressional delegation.
Along with Capitol Hill meetings and a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Florida members will attend a Congressional training session at the American Farm Bureau Federation and a Florida Agriculture Global Partners Reception at the Embassy of Canada. The Reception is a partnership between Florida Farm Bureau, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Embassy of Canada.