Farm Bureau Makes UES Donation, Talks Farming Challenges

Farm Bureau Makes UES Donation, Talks Farming Challenges

    Lake County Farm Bureau hosted its annual active member dinner on Monday evening, April 25.  Nearly 100 Lake County farmers gathered at Sunsational Farms in Umatilla for a night of raising the profile of Lake County’s farming community.
    “We have to band together in times like these,” said county board president Michael Hill, noting the many pressures facing farmers today, including environmental, regulatory, and economic challenges growers have to overcome to stay in the industry.  “Tonight, we recognize our active members.  You are on the front line.”
    The event was attended by Farm Bureau state president Jeb Smith, who echoed Hill’s comments, and added that the Farm Bureau remains committed to preserving, and growing, agriculture’s interests in the state.
    "Farming is consistently under attack," Smith said, adding that there is an ongoing need to educate the public and elected officials about the importance of a vibrant agriculture industry in the state and nation.    
    Smith forwarded data showing Lake County as the #10 largest agricultural county in the state, producing an estimated $216 million in agriculture products per year. 
    “It’s imperative we tell our story,” Smith said, comparing the nation’s food need to its more commonly discussed energy needs.
    “We need food security.  We should be a net exporter of food.”  Smith said agriculture’s place as ‘the second largest leg of the Florida economy,’ trailing only tourism, shows that the industry needs to ‘put the right people in the right place” who will stand by Florida agriculture. Smith said the Farm Bureau encourages members to support, and forward, candidates for elected offices who will support the idea of boosting agricultural output.
    As part of the evening, Lake County Farm Bureau presented a $2,500 check to Mark Wilson, who is overseeing the creation of a student farm at Umatilla Elementary School.  The farm, which welcomes each of the school’s estimated 600 students on a regular basis, has been created this year to increase awareness of agriculture among young people.