The Florida Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association state headquarters held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 10. The new headquarters is part of the Florida Farm Bureau in Gainesville. There were an estimated 230 guests in attendance, of which 100 or so FFA members – all middle or high school age. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam addressed the crowd.
Putnam commended the Farm Bureau for its efforts supporting the education and leadership training of the next generation. He predicted some of the members would go on to do extraordinary things like develop the cure for some future citrus disease, some future peanut blight, some future grain ailment, or some livestock challenge. He said one will find a new way to market a product that’s going to keep Florida on the cutting edge. One will find a way to resolve our water challenges that beset our state. One will find a way to go into a classroom as a future agriculture teacher and inspire the next generation who will wear that blue jacket.
Our office has supported the FFA and the Farm Bureau for longer than I can remember. It’s such an important part of Florida’s history and future. The Florida Farm Bureau has served our state for 72 years with a mission to increase the net income of farmers and ranchers and to improve the quality of rural life. Agriculture makes the second biggest economic impact on Florida’s economy, following tourism.
I invite you to join us as a member. You don’t have to be a farmer to enjoy the benefits of membership and your membership helps to make things like the new FFA headquarters a reality. You can learn more about this important Florida asset at http://www.floridafarmbureau.org/.
