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The third week of the 2013 state legislative session was highlighted by Florida Farm Bureau ’ s annual Legislative Days event , as hundreds of Farm Bureau members gathered in Tallahassee to meet with legislators in support of the organization ’ s legislative priorities .
Florida Farm Bureau ’ s Legislative Days program has become a regular tradition in Tallahassee , marked by a large legislative reception to close the two-day event . More than 400 Farm Bureau members , sponsors , exhibitors and legislators attended this year ’ s event , held on March 18 and 19 .
The “ Taste of Florida Agriculture ” reception gave farmers and ranchers an opportunity to visit with more than 30 legislators and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam .
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A Monday night briefing dinner kicked off the event at Tallahassee ’ s Antique Car Museum , where participants were briefed on FFBF ’ s top legislative priorities and heard from three key senators on the importance of agriculture for Florida ’ s economy and their outlook on the legislative session .
Sen . Alan Hays ( R-Umatilla ) is the Senate sponsor for SB 1106 – a Farm Bureau priority bill supporting agritourism . Sen . Bill Montford ( D-Tallahassee ) is the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and vital to the movement of several of FFBF ’ s priority bills .
Sen . Wilton Simpson ( R-Trilby ) is a Farm Bureau member and poultry farmer sponsoring SB 1200 – an important bill looking to strengthen Florida ’ s greenbelt law .
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On Tuesday , farmers spent the day at the Capitol meeting with their legislators , key committee chairs , Commissioner Adam Putnam and members of the legislative Ag Caucus . Organized by Farm Bureau member and strawberry farmer Rep . Jake Raburn ( R-Valrico ), Farm Bureau members had the opportunity to meet with and hear from several lawmakers in the House Chamber .
The impressive cast of legislators who spoke on topics ranging from the outlook of agriculturerelated priorities in the Florida House to state leadership included : Speaker of the House Will Weatherford ( R-Wesley Chapel ), Speaker Designate Steve Crisafulli ( R-Merritt Island ), Rep . Dana Young ( R-Tampa ), Rep . Ben
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Albritton ( R-Bartow ), Chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee , Rep . Katie Edwards ( D-Sunrise ) and Rep . Greg Steube ( R-Sarasota ).
“ Our coalition of farmers and legislators that understand the interests of agriculture continues to strengthen ,” said Raburn . “ With Speaker Weatherford and Speaker Designate Crisafulli as leaders of the Florida House for the next several years , the future of Florida agriculture is bright .”
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