Five Questions With Gov. Charlie Crist
April 1, 2007 1.) Florida Grower (FLG): As the new governor, what do you plan to do to help Florida’s agriculture industry remain strong?
Gov. Charlie Crist: The agriculture industry is an important part of Florida’s economy, contributing more than $87 billion to our economy each year. By keeping taxes low and making our quality of life even better, we strengthen our state’s business friendly environment — for every industry, including the more than 750,000 people who work in jobs created by Florida agriculture.
The continued growth of Florida agriculture will require the development of new markets for Florida products. To this end, I have recommended more than $24 million in funding for marketing and promotion initiatives to encourage national and international consumers to buy the products produced by Florida farmers.
In addition, I believe that the Sunshine State can be the national leader in the production of alternative fuels and other alternative sources of energy, including ethanol and biodiesel fuels for our cars and solar power for our homes. To secure our energy future and provide an important new market for the products grown in our state, I am recommending more than $68 million to encourage the research development needed to make Florida an international leader in ethanol production by using financial incentives to convert our citrus, corn, and sugar crops into energy.
2.) FLG: What experience do you have in agriculture?
Crist: While I may not spend every day in the fields, I understand and appreciate the importance of agriculture. Like every Floridian, agriculture is an important part of my life. It provides the safe, abundant supply of healthy foods that sustain us, it protects our environment, preserves the open spaces that remind us of the beauty of “Old Florida,” and provides an important foundation for the continued growth and development of our economy.
3.) FLG: How do you plan to balance population growth with maintaining farmland?
Crist: Growth and development is an important part of Florida’s economy, and we will work together to manage its impact while preserving the agricultural lands that are equally important to Florida’s economy.
The decision to sell land that has been in the family for generations is a difficult one, and most farm families would prefer to remain in agriculture and keep their land. Our challenge is to find ways to improve the economic viability of agriculture and eliminate the incentives that encourage the conversion of agricultural lands into strip malls and subdivisions. My energy proposal is an important part of the effort to find new markets for Florida agriculture and increase the value of productive agricultural lands.
As a member of the Florida Cabinet, I will continue to work with our land acquisition programs to implement innovative strategies like the purchase of development rights and payments to farmers to store stormwater runoff on agricultural lands to protect the quality of our surface waters.
As governor, I will work with the Secretaries of the Departments of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection, and Transportation to eliminate land use, environmental, and transportation policies that encourage the development of agricultural lands. I will also work with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to identify innovative ways to compensate Florida farmers who manage their lands to protect and enhance the habitat needed by threatened and endangered species.
4.) FLG: What can Florida do to better protect its borders against invasive pests?
Crist: We must continue to be aggressive in fighting invasive pests, the ones that come to Florida in cargo from other states and countries, and the ones that arrive with the wind and other natural forces. The battle against these pests must be won through the agricultural inspections stations, Citrus Health Response Program, and the animal disease assistance programs operated by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. To support the successful operation of these programs, I am recommending more than $77 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ pest management programs.
5.) FLG: How will you work to ensure Florida’s growers can obtain and keep qualified guest workers?
Crist: Guest workers and immigrants who enter the country legally contribute to the growth and development of Florida agriculture and the state’s economy. The number of immigrants and guest workers who are legally allowed into the United States is determined by the federal government. During my campaign, I expressed my support for the development of a comprehensive immigration policy that includes border security and preserves legal immigration. As Congress considers the issue, we will work with the members of Florida’s Congressional delegation to encourage the development of a comprehensive immigration policy.
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