DOVER, Fla. – Today, Senator Rick Scott hosted a roundtable to discuss issues facing Florida's agriculture industry and his priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill. Senator John Boozman, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida farmers joined Senator Scott for the discussion at Parkesdale Farm in Dover, Florida.

For nearly a year, Senator Scott has been fighting to deliver resources to Florida’s growers and ranchers by getting his bipartisan Block Grant Assistance Act to President Biden’s desk. This urgently needed legislation provides authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue block grants to Florida’s growers and all U.S. agriculture producers devastated by recent natural disasters. Following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, Senator Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, which includes the Block Grant Assistance Act, to fully fund FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund and deliver support to America’s growers and ranchers.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Today, I was proud to welcome Senator Boozman to the Sunshine State so he could hear directly from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and our state’s hardworking growers about what they need to succeed. As the Senate considers the upcoming Farm Bill, I am focused on helping our growers and ranchers by cutting red tape, encouraging buy-America requirements, and strengthening disaster relief aid so folks can recover from natural disasters that have impacted Florida’s farmland. Today’s roundtable made clear that while Florida’s agriculture industry is known around the world, things are tough for hardworking families in our state right now. Our growers and ranchers keep food on our tables and drive our economy forward – we must make sure that they have the resources needed to recover from the many challenges they’ve recently faced and thrive in the years ahead. That’s why I’ll be fighting hard to deliver for our growers in the Farm Bill and to make sure Congress finally passes my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act.”  

Senator John Boozman said, “I appreciate Senator Scott’s invitation to visit with Florida’s agriculture community to learn firsthand how their experiences can help shape this critical legislation. We had an excellent roundtable that reinforces the message that the Farm Bill cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. Farmers in every state and every region, including Florida, have different needs and the Farm Bill must reflect that reality. We received valuable input to consider as we seek to better support those who work tirelessly to ensure we have the safest, most affordable, and most abundant supply of food in the world.”

Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, “Agriculture is critical to our security as a nation, and we must do everything we can to ensure our food supply is protected and our farmers are supported. The 2023 U.S. Farm Bill provides needed support for Florida farmers and consumers alike in terms of the production of agricultural goods and access to them. I thank Senator Rick Scott and Senator John Boozman for holding this important discussion today and for their commitment to the future economic viability of Florida agriculture.”

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