Taking A Hard Look At Farm Labor

A state or federal E-Verify has citrus growers concerned. I see that your group has been in consultation with Gov. Rick Scott on this. How do you believe the state will address this issue in the coming year?
A: We are hopeful that the Legislature and Governor will not get too involved in this issue in the coming legislative session. I believe that most of our state’s key leaders understand this issue only can be resolved through comprehensive reform on the national level. State-by-state immigration legislation is a recipe for economic and regulatory disaster. There are federal employment verification systems already in place and the state does not need to get into that type of regulatory business as well. Obviously, there also are still flaws within the E-Verify system that need to be worked through prior to requiring private businesses to mandatorily switch from one verification system to another.

However, the real question should not be about verification systems, but rather about how our great nation is going to handle immigration while allowing a wide range of businesses access to a sustainable workforce in the coming years. What has transpired recently in some of our neighboring states clearly demonstrates what the negative impacts on both our state’s and our nation’s economy can be if the issue is not approached in a thoughtful and prudent manner. If extremely rigid restrictions are going to be placed on foreign worker entry, and if guestworker programs are not going to be designed and managed in a feasible manner, then governments on both the federal and state level definitely need to take a long hard look at our “safety net and entitlement” programs if they want to see “native” workers fill jobs in the wide range of employment sectors that have historically been filled by immigrants. I believe Gov. Scott clearly understands the complexities associated with this issue, and will be a leader in helping solve this national problem through reasoned governance instead of emotional demagoguery.

There is a fair amount of bioenergy activities going on in Highlands County. Do you believe this area might provide some potential for your growers, and what advice would you give growers interested in alternative energy?
A: Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam remarked during a trip to Highlands County about a year ago that he felt we would soon be the biofuel capital of the state, and I believe we are about to see that come to fruition. It is very likely that two large-scale biofuel processing facilities will start construction here within the next year. This will certainly provide some opportunities to agriculturists in our area. It is always good to have options and that is what the bioenergy industry provides our growers. Obviously, my advice to growers would be to very carefully explore both the opportunities and pitfalls associated with growing the crops that will be utilized in this industry. It may make sense for some and absolutely none for others. In general, I tend to view the biofuel opportunities as a complement to our local citrus industry, not an alternative to it.

You association participates in a business accelerator. How does it work?
A: A business accelerator is very similar to a business incubator. It differs in that it usually has a greater focus on companies that are trying to enter into or further expand within national or global markets as opposed to local markets, office space, and services. Business accelerators tend to do more than provide reduced rate office space and services. The assistance that an accelerator provides in the areas of business planning, mentoring, and networking also is usually on a much higher level or intricately involved. Accelerators also can often provide avenues to help secure financing by venture capitalists looking for an opportunity to finance growth potential through defined action plans.