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Adam Putnam

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Statement on House Passing Disaster Spending Bill with Funding for Florida Agriculture

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives passing an $81 billiondisaster spending bill, which includes $2.6 billion for agricultural assistance:

“Today’s vote is an important first step to get Florida’s farmers, ranchers and growers, who suffered more than $2.5 billion damages from Hurricane Irma, long-awaited and desperately needed relief. Without this emergency assistance, Florida agriculture cannot fully recover from the unprecedented damage it suffered.

“I want to thank Representative Rooney, Representative Buchanan, Governor Rick Scott and the members of Florida’s congressional delegation who supported this effort and fought for Florida agriculture over the last days, weeks and months. But even with today’s vote, much work remains, and I will continue to work with leaders in Washington to make sure this emergency assistance becomes a reality.”

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida agriculture sustained more than $2.5 billion in damages. In weeks following Hurricane Irma, and again this week, Commissioner Putnam traveled to D.C. to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Statement on Inclusion of Funding for Florida Agriculture in Disaster Spending Bill

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ proposed $81 billion disaster spending bill, which includes $2.6 billion for agricultural assistance:

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers and growers suffered unprecedented damage from Hurricane Irma, and today’s announcement of proposed emergency funding for Florida agriculture is the first bit of good news we’ve heard in months.

“I want to thank Representative Rooney, Governor Rick Scott and the entire Florida congressional delegation for working tirelessly to get Florida agriculture the relief it desperately needs. I will continue to work with leaders in Washington to make sure that this funding becomes a reality so Florida’s agriculture industry can continue to do what it does best: feed our state, our country and the world.”

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida agriculture sustained more than $2.5 billion in damages. In weeks following Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Eight Additional Florida Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Designation

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that eight more Florida schools have earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations. Since the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs in 2012, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 to 384.

The HealthierUS School Challenge, a joint effort with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary certification initiative that recognizes schools that meet specific criteria to improve food and beverage options, offer nutrition education and promote physical activity.

“I applaud these schools for going above and beyond to grow healthy habits that help students reach academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation:

Lake County School District

  • Triangle Elementary School (Gold)

Leon County School District

  • Woodville Elementary School (Silver)

School District of Manatee County

  • Ballard Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Kinnan Elementary School (Silver)

Sumter County School District

  • Bushnell Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Lake Panasoffke Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Webster Elementary School (Bronze)
  • Wildwood Elementary School (Bronze)

Schools can apply for four different levels of designation that last for four years: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. In addition to an award plaque and display banner, designated schools receive the following monetary awards: $500 for Bronze designation; $1,000 for Silver designation; $1,500 for Gold designation; and $2,000 for Gold Awards of Distinction. 

For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Serves Breakfast at Beauclerc Elementary School

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today served breakfast at Beauclerc Elementary School in Jacksonville, Fla., to raise awareness about free school meals in 48 counties affected by Hurricane Irma.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture accepted a request to allow all students in 48 counties subject to a FEMA Major Disaster Declaration access to free school meals through the National School Lunch Program. These changes, in effect through Oct. 20, will potentially impact over 3,000 schools and 2.5 million children. The department is requesting additional flexibilities as counties are being declared major disaster areas and as requests are submitted by counties. 

All students in the following counties can access free school meals through the National School Lunch Program from Sept.18–Oct. 20, 2017: Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas, Broward, Palm Beach, Glades, Hendry, Sarasota, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Brevard, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Suwannee and Union.

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam to Serve Breakfast at Jacksonville Elementary School

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Tomorrow, Sept. 21, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will visit Beauclerc Elementary School in Jacksonville to serve breakfast to students. This week, Commissioner Putnam announced that all students in 48 Florida counties affected by Hurricane Irma, including Duval County, could access free school meals until October 20.
Event:
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Serves Breakfast at Beauclerc Elementary School
Date:
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017
Time:
8 – 9 a.m.
Location:
Beauclerc Elementary School, 4555 Craven Rd W., Jacksonville, Fla. 32257 (media must check in at front office)

Commissioner Putnam Announces Reopening of State Forests Closed for Hurricane Irma

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that the Florida Forest Service will reopen 20 of the 30 state forests closed for Hurricane Irma today and Friday, Sept. 22. Certain tracts, roads, recreation areas or campgrounds in these state forests may remain closed until damage from Hurricane Irma is cleared or repaired.

The following state forests open today, Sept. 20:

  • Belmore State Forest
  • Big Shoals State Forest
  • Carl Duval Moore State Forest
  • Cary State Forest
  • Etoniah Creek State Forest
  • Four Creeks State Forest
  • Goethe State Forest
  • Indian Lake State Forest
  • Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
  • Myakka State Forest
  • Newnan’s Lake State Forest
  • Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest
  • Ralph E. Simmons State Forest
  • Ross Prairie State Forest
  • Seminole State Forest
  • Welaka State Forest
  • Withlacoochee State Forest

The following state forests open Friday, Sept. 22:

  • Lake George State Forest
  • Matanzas State Forest 
  • Tiger Bay State Forest

State forest visitors should contact their local Florida Forest Service office to ensure the area they plan to visit is open. Citizens are also encouraged to take precautions when visiting areas of state forests that may have storm water or debris from Hurricane Irma.

For Florida Forest Service team contact information regarding state forest campground, trail or road closures, visitFreshFromFlorida.com/State-Forests.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam to Host Media Availability on Florida Wildfires

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Nearly 80,000 acres within state fire jurisdiction have burned due to wildfires in 2017, a more than fourfold increase from the same timeframe in 2016. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and State Forester Jim Karels will hold a media availability today to discuss these wildfires and forecasted wildfire conditions.

Event:     Media availability on wildfires

Date:       Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Time:       2 p.m.
Location:
Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture
The Capitol, PL-10
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.