Janelle Irwin Taylor
A bill that would order an agronomic study on emerging crops has cleared its final Senate committee and heads next to the Senate floor.
The bill (SB 178) from Sen. Darryl Rouson, would direct the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) to study various emerging crops to determine whether any are viable to provide economic benefit to growers using current agriculture infrastructure on land taken out of production due to disease or weather.
“Florida has ranked first in the nation for sales in sweetcorn, Valencia oranges, fresh market tomatoes and watermelons. We also do quite well in sales of bell peppers, grapefruit, strawberries and other oranges, as well as cabbage, cantaloupe and peanuts. Unfortunately, the 2024 hurricane season saw three hurricanes make landfall in Florida, all of which had a significant impact on agricultural lands,” Rouson said.
“FAMU has a strong history with research and innovation in agriculture, which will help our state continue to build and diversify our agricultural industry, including developing strategies for building resiliency on storm-damaged farm lands.”
In addition to studying potential crops for damaged agricultural lands, the bill would also require FAMU to submit its report to the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker by Dec. 1 of this year, a quick turnaround.
The report would include information about crops considered, such as their environmental impact and an assessment of sustainability in Florida’s climate. The report would also include the expected economic benefit to Florida growers and the state agricultural community, and recommendations for best practices to sustain and improve the industry.
“Ongoing research is critical to the future of Florida’s vital agriculture industry. Right now, we produce 200-300 commodities and there is some form of agriculture in all 67 counties,” Senate President Ben Albritton said in support of the bill. “The research FAMU will conduct will help determine if there are new options for Florida’s farmers or new techniques that will help the industry put more fresh food on the shelves of Florida’s grocery stores.”
Florida is home to 44,400 farms and ranches that utilize 9.7 million acres and produce a wide variety of safe and dependable food products. Agricultural land and forest land make up nearly two-thirds of the state’s land area.
Prior to the favorable vote in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee Wednesday, the bill also cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and the Agriculture Committee. There wasn’t a single “no” vote in any of the committee stops, signaling potential passage by the full Senate.
There is, however, no House companion. But the House could take up the Senate bill if it passes.
