More than two years after the 2018 farm bill expired, a new draft of the legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on Feb. 13. That same day, Congresswoman Kat Cammack hit the road in Florida to host farm bill listening sessions in Alachua, Lake Wales and Clewiston.
The House version of the bill is called the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. The Senate has not yet introduced companion legislation.
During Cammack’s Lake Wales stop at Warner University, she noted the new legislation has a lot of wins for Florida growers. Cammack is the only Florida representative on the House Agriculture Committee.
“We are expanding specialty crop innovation resources,” Cammack said. “We are expanding and strengthening the Tree Assistance Program, playing with the definition so more people could be eligible for that, but also adding some more resources.”
According to Cammack, these resources address water conservation by strengthening the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and irrigation efficiency programs, increasing watershed resiliency and doing more with the Emergency Conservation Program advance payments. She added that the legislation also provides for big increases in funding levels for key trade programs.
PRIORITIZING PEST AND DISEASE PROGRAMS
Steven Callaham, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) chairman and Dundee Citrus Growers Association chief executive officer, provided a statement at the listening session.
“With regard to pests and diseases, Florida’s vast system of ports means we are particularly vulnerable to threats to our fruit and vegetable industry,” Callaham said. “For the past two decades, our citrus industry has suffered incredible losses from citrus greening. While we do not have a cure for greening, we do have several tools now that we did not have before that have helped.
“There is still much to learn, and research is key to continually evaluating alternative new varieties as well as caretaking practices to help offset the impacts of greening. That is why the farm bill’s pest and disease programs are vital.”
Callaham added that there were 628 exotic pests established between 1980 and 2019 in the state of Florida. That is an average of 15.7 established exotic pests per year over a 40-year period. Some of the key programs FFVA is advocating to include in the new farm bill include:
- Advancing research through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative
- Increasing funding of the IR-4 Project to advance crop protection product registrations
- Increasing funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program
Additionally, specific to citrus and natural disasters, the farm bill should:
- Continue to allocate $25 million annually for the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund
- Fully fund the Tree Assistance Program.
DISASTER RELIEF CRITICAL
While not necessarily related to the farm bill, growers in attendance voiced the need for disaster assistance after the historic freeze that hit Florida in late January and early February.
Blueberry grower David Hill of Southern Hill Farms recounted the significant damage seen on his farm and what others are reporting.
“The Florida blueberry industry is going to need help,” he said. “And we can’t wait for two years to get that assistance, because many will not be able to stay in business that long without it.”