MORE THAN 200 members of Florida Farm Bureau’s 19 advisory committees convened in Ocala in late January and spent the day focusing on the theme of profitability.

Committee members heard from an array of speakers, including Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) staff and the chief economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

FFB President Carl B. Loop Jr. Welcomed the group and reminded them that his first significant interaction with the state Farm Bureau organization was as a member of an advisory committee.

“As a member of an advisory committee, you play a very important role in Farm Bureau’s continued success,” Loop stated. “ These committees are designed to bring together knowledgeable leaders who can develop and review the policies that guide our organization.” Following Loop’s welcoming address, Florida Farm Bureau Executive Director Pat Cockrell moderated a panel whose members discussed Farm Bureau’s role in agricultural profitability.

Bob Young, AFBF’s chief economist, noted that 90 percent of income for all farms comes from off-farm sources. He said the U.S. government has to cut way back on spending if it wants to meet the goal of reconciling the budget deficit during the next 10 years.

Young reported on the findings of the AFBF’s Making American Agriculture Productive and Profitable (MAAPP) task group. He noted that about half of American agriculture’s output is produced by 34,000 of the largest farms.

The other half is produced by more than 2 million smaller farms.

The MAAPP task group is charged with coming up with a vision for agriculture in the year 2019, which just happens to be the centennial anniversary of the founding of AFBF.

Hugh English, a member of FFB’s Citrus Advisory Committee, said that Florida agriculture is learning to adapt to changing situations and that such adaptability is essential. “Producers need to look at adding value to their crops to enhance their suitability for export,” English added.

Another panel discussion, which was moderated by FFB’s Associate Director of Ag Policy Frankie Hall, examined ways Florida agriculture was meeting the challenges of a changing market.

Wayne Smith, president of Sun- Fresh Marketing Cooperative, Inc., shared the story of the development of the Sun- Lite low-carb potato with his fellow advisory committee members. He received a round of applause when he emphasized and repeated that, “We set the price” that retailers would have to pay his growers.

Dr. Joel Brendemuhl, assistant director of the University of Florida’s Animal Science Department, reviewed Farm Bureau’s (and others’) efforts to invigorate Florida’s pork producing industry by signing on new or existing growers with the Niman Ranch Pork Company.

As highlighted in the November 2004 issue of FloridAgriculture, Niman processes and markets a natural, high-quality pork that is raised without the use of growth hormones, steroids or antibiotics.

The company says that it serves a consumer-driven market and the pork it sells is what customers are demanding.

Brendemuhl was part of a field day Held in December at the UF/IFAS Swine Research Unit in Gainesville where prospective Niman producers from Florida and Georgia learned about the program requirements.

Brendemuhl also addressed the role of IFAS, which he summarized in one word – “service.” He encouraged the industry to utilize IFAS’s capabilities by invoking a simple plea – “Ask us.” Doug McGinnis, vice-president of Tropical Blossom Honey, was the final participant on the panel. He discussed the challenges associated with the worldwide marketing of honey.

“The biggest challenge facing our industry today,” said McGinnis, “is the honeybee and the various pests and diseases that are hurting its numbers.” (Editor’s note: See related story, Page 18) Following lunch, the advisory committee members heard an address by UF/IFAS Dean of Extension Larry Arrington.

He discussed several initiatives but was deliberate in pointing out how much his organization values its close relationship with Florida Farm Bureau.

The afternoon program included reports by Farm Bureau staff who are responsible for ensuring agriculture’s voice is heard in Tallahassee and in the halls of Congress.

FFB Director of Legislative Affairs Ben Parks said that a couple of tax issues would be among the priorities during the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature. “We want to see the sales tax on farm equipment eliminated as well as the tax on tangible personal property as it is applied to old or unused farm equipment,” said Parks.

Reform of the method whereby constitutional initiatives make it to the ballot and are voted on is another area that Parks said will be visited. He said that another stab at the establishment of agricultural enclaves that would allow farmers to apply for zoning changes to enhance land values would also find its way into a bill.

FFB Director of Government and Community Affairs Mary Ann Gosa said that legislators would be looking for ways to find a dedicated funding source to support the establishment of alternative water supplies, such as desalination and reuse.

Gosa also reminded those who buy or sell property in the Southwest Florida Water Management District to ensure any water use permits are transferred within the requisite 45-day period. Failing to do so will likely result in the loss of permitted water allocations.

Florida Farm Bureau’s outgoing National Affairs Coordinator Ray Hodge said the 109th Congress may hold agriculture’s best chance to get several goals accomplished.

He listed three priority areas, including immigration reform, tax reform and trade issues.

“Florida’s agricultural interests must be unified to meet the challenge,” Hodge added.

The final panel discussion was moderated by FFB Assistant Director of Ag Policy Carolee Howe and focused on Farm Bureau’s role in promoting profitability.

Panelists included Howe’s colleagues, Matt Harrison and Adam Basford.

Harrison provided an update on the County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program.

He also told advisory council committee members about the continuing development of best management practices (BMPs) in areas such as citrus, cow-calf operations, nurseries, dairies and row crops.

Basford talked about a variety of transportation issues including a littleknown requirement about the need for a permit when transporting agricultural equipment wider than 10 feet, eight inches, over public roadways.

The meeting concluded with an interactive session that had FFB Director of Ag Policy Kevin Morgan accepting questions and comments from meeting participants.

Florida Farm Bureau’s 19 advisory committees will meet individually later in the year to recommend policies to state delegates attending the organization’s annual meeting in October. Policies adopted at the annual meeting chart the course for Farm Bureau’s activities throughout the year.