DACS: In Case You Missed It - August 19, 2011

Ag in the News Editorial: Prevent Florida Civil War Over Water Among the most terrifying scenarios painted by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is if north and south Florida turn on each other over scarce water resources. That would mean "essentially launching civil war in the State of Florida," said Putnam, who served as the keynote speaker for the Gulf Citrus Industry Banquet on Wednesday in Fort Myers. Putnam's right, and it's up to all citizens - whether in agriculture, environmental activism, tourism or as consumers - to make sure we use our water wisely. (Ft. Myers News-Press, 08/19)   Citrus Industry Confronts Disease, Water And Labor Challenges At an industry banquet at Harborside Event Center, which about 350 attended Wednesday night, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam focused on another grower issue: water supply. “When you have no water, you have no options,” Putnam said. The aging Herbert Hoover Dike that encircles Lake Okeechobee is in critical need of repairs. Until those are done, stored water levels there are being kept lower, sometimes to agriculture’s detriment. (Ft. Myers News-Press, 08/18) Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Will Be In Stock At Florida Food Banks In an effort to bring nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables to more Floridians in need, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation (BCBSF Foundation) today announced a $250,000 grant to the Florida Association of Food Banks (FAFB). The funds will be used to distribute wholesome but unmarketable fresh produce donated by Florida’s growers and packers to food banks throughout the state. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam acknowledged the grant during the official event at the University Area Community Development Center in Tampa. After his announcement, he attended a food distribution event with Tampa Bay Feeding America. (WCTV, 08/17) Florida Inmates Learning To Beehive On Tuesday morning, a prison warden asked a small group gathered at the Departments of Corrections' Reception and Medical Center to consider what kind of inmates they want to see released. Warden Brian Reidl asked while gesturing toward the 19 men standing behind him. The men made up Florida's — and possibly the nation's — first-ever prison beekeeping academy behind bars. The 19 inmates got a six-week crash course in beekeeping from state experts and a giant in the private beekeeping industry as party of re-entry program developed through a partnership between the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Department of Corrections. (Ocala Star Banner, 08/17) Citrus Growers Worried Over Labor Restrictions Labor could become the "new greening" as the top concern in the Florida citrus industry if state or federal lawmakers succeed in enacting tough, new immigration restrictions. "With e-Verify and no workable system to provide labor, we'll have a problem," said Frank Hunt III, president of Hunt Bros. Cooperative in Lake Wales, a grower and packinghouse operator. "Without immigrant labor, we won't be getting the fruit picked." (Lakeland Ledger, 08/18) Stearns To EPA: Put It In Writing A week after U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, held a congressional hearing in Orlando to discuss new federal water pollutant standards for Florida, the lawmaker says he wants federal regulators to create written guidelines explaining when exceptions to the new rules should be granted. He said people who say the US Environmental Protection Agency standards are too onerous would be more accepting if there were formal, written explanations that allowed exceptions for some water bodies and utilities that shouldn't have to meet the standards. (Ocala Star Banner, 08/16) Aquaculture Growing, But Learn The Basics According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, aquaculture (the culture of aquatic organisms) is the most diverse agribusiness in the state. More than 900 aquaculturists in the state produce almost $71 million in aquaculture products, according to 2007 figures. (Daytona Beach News Journal, 08/13) Commissioner Spotlight Tuesday, Commissioner Putnam participated in the twice monthly meeting of the Governor and the Cabinet. Wednesday, he joined with Feeding America Tampa Bay in Tampa to hand out fresh fruits and vegetables from the Mobile Food Pantry. This event was a great example of the Commissioner’s commitment to expanding access to nutritious and wholesome foods in Florida’s urban core areas. That evening, Commissioner Putnam delivered remarks at the Gulf Citrus Growers Industry banquet in Ft. Myers, where he stressed the need for Florida to focus on the state’s water supply, the most important long-term issue facing the state. Thursday, Commissioner Putnam joined Associated Industries of Florida at their Annual Conference in Palm Beach, FL. At the Department Community farmers markets are a distinct part of our American culture and a unique feature of many Florida towns and cities. Each farmers market reflects the area's charm with locally produced specialties for sale directly to the public. They are also an essential component of the Department’s efforts to increase access to wholesome and nutritious foods throughout Florida. In order to help these markets promote themselves to Floridians in their area, the Department’s Marketing Division has created a website and a kit that provides information about how to organize, operate and market a community farmers market in Florida. The kit includes market rules, vendor applications and a sample farmer survey questionnaire. Furthermore, the Division provides point-of-purchase materials and newsprint and radio advertisement examples. It also offers consult and marketing advice to communities wanting to establish a new market or strengthen an existing one. Through the Department, community farmers markets are also eligible to participate in Florida’s Women, Infants and Children Farmers Market Nutrition Program. This USDA special nutrition program provides nutritional education to recipients of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program on the importance of including fresh fruit and vegetables in their diets. The program also provides each WIC recipient with a booklet of coupons that may be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers who sell at these markets. Twenty-five of the state’s community farmers markets have become eligible for the program, generating more than $270,000 in additional sales for Florida farmers. A Look Ahead ·         Tuesday, August 23: Commissioner Putnam will tour Kennedy Space Center agricultural land planning, Melbourne, FL. ·         Wednesday, August 24: Commissioner Putnam will have lunch with students in a Hillsborough County School, Tampa, FL. ·         Wednesday, August 24: Commissioner Putnam will tour food safety operations in Tampa, FL. ·         Friday, August 25: Commissioner Putnam will join students, parents and teachers at Valleyview Elementary School in Lakeland, FL as part of the Polk County Farm to School Day.

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