Senate President In Town For Annual Farm Bureau Event

    An estimated 350 supporters of Lake County agriculture gathered in Eustis on Monday night, when the Farm Bureau of Lake County hosted its annual fall meeting. Local and state-level members of Farm Bureau were joined by members of the public and area 4H and FFA members at the Lake County Fairgrounds to celebrate agriculture and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.
   Florida State Senate President Wilton Simpson, who is currently campaigning to become the state’s next commissioner of agriculture, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Simpson, a family egg farmer from Pasco County, discussed measures the State of Florida has taken to support and protect farmers in the state, and the importance of keeping the state and nation’s farming interests in a place where they can continue to operate.
   "We have worked hard to support the state's farmers," Simpson said, outlining laws that now protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits from out-of-state interests, as well as laws that reduce certain regulatory burdens on land and buildings used for agricultural purposes.
   Additionally, the event hosted a variety of youth competitions, with 11 county 4H clubs vying for cash awards for bringing high-quality booths to the event. The Sorrento Renegades won the competition and its $250 cash prize. Second place ($150) went to Green Clover Legacy, and third place ($100), was awarded to GRITS 4H.
   To learn more about Lake County Farm Bureau, which offers membership to all members of the public regardless of farming status, visit lakefarmbureau.com.