Press Releases

Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) led a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the agency to include Florida’s specialty crop producers in any new federal economic assistance program being developed for the agriculture sector. The letter was co-led by Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) and signed by Reps. Daniel Webster (FL-11), John Rutherford (FL-05), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Darren Soto (FL-09), Cory Mills (FL-07), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23).

“Florida’s specialty crop producers keep America fed and our local economies strong, yet they’re frequently last in line for federal relief,” said Congressman Franklin. “With labor shortages, higher input costs, and repeated hurricane losses, our growers need programs that fit specialty agriculture. USDA should deliver equitable, timely assistance so Florida farmers can recover and rebuild.”

“Specialty crops account for a significant portion of crop value in Florida, contribute substantially to the state's economy, and are cultivated in rural communities across the region. In the face of ongoing challenges, these family farms produce foods essential to the nation’s health and wellbeing. We appreciate Congressman Franklin’s leadership and collaboration with the Florida Congressional Delegation to champion the inclusion of specialty crops in any agricultural economic aid package,” said Michael A. Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.

“Florida Farm Bureau greatly appreciates Representatives Franklin and Cammack for recognizing the importance of Florida’s specialty crop industry and ensuring our producers are included in USDA’s upcoming economic aid discussions. Specialty crops are vital to our state’s economy and to the diversity of American agriculture, and it’s critical that they receive equitable treatment in any relief efforts,” said Jeb S. Smith, President of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

The lawmakers noted specialty crop producers across Florida face persistent financial pressures from high costs for labor, fuel, fertilizer and equipment. Many of these operations depend on seasonal workers and are heavily impacted by increases in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). Producers also continue to combat invasive plant diseases, recover from successive hurricanes and compete against foreign imports that undermine domestic prices.

Members of the delegation emphasized many federal programs are designed around large row crops, leaving specialty crop producers with fewer options when markets fluctuate or costs rise. They stressed that non-Title I commodities face the same economic pressures and should be part of any USDA effort aimed at stabilizing the agricultural economy. Expanding eligibility in this assistance program, they said, would help strengthen farm operations across Florida.

Florida ranks among the nation’s top producers of citrus, tomatoes, bell peppers, blueberries and ornamental plants, contributing billions of dollars each year to the state’s economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

The letter is available here.