Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam’s department today suspended intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals from the areas expected to be impacted by Hurricane Irma. Additionally, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets and livestock.
“By suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals, we can ensure that Floridians and visitors can quickly and safely move their pets and livestock out of harm’s way,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
During an emergency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides necessary food and water to affected areas and helps protect animals and pets. The department’s Florida Forest Service is responsible for incident management and assists emergency responders in clearing debris and distributing supplies. Additionally, the department’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement provides law enforcement services to police departments and county sheriff’s offices as necessary.
For more information and tips on hurricane preparedness, visit FloridaDisaster.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Commissioner Adam Putnam
Commissioner Adam Putnam Encourages Floridians to Prepare for Hurricane Irma
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam urges Floridians to prepare for Hurricane Irma now.
“Hurricane Irma is a Category 5 hurricane, and the time to prepare is now,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Make sure you and your loved ones have a disaster preparedness plan and all necessary supplies in case Florida is impacted. For regular updates, visit FloridaDisaster.org.”
Floridians can take the following steps to prepare for Hurricane Irma:
- Have a Plan: Know what you and your family will do in an emergency. Research the locations of hurricane shelters and find out if you can take your pet. Make sure everyone in your house knows the plan and where your emergency supplies are stored.
- Identify Pet-Friendly Shelters: Do your research ahead of time to find pet-friendly shelters. Do not stay behind when you should evacuate to remain with your pets, take them with you.
- Prepare a Kit: Keep a kit stocked with emergency supplies. This should include a three-day supply of food and water for each family member. Plan for one gallon of water per person per day. Supplies should also include: cash, blankets and sleeping bags, first-aid kits, battery-powered radios, flashlights and extra batteries, clothing, necessary medications, pet care, a list of important phone numbers and important documents stored in waterproof containers.
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest weather information. Watch local news and weather, listen for radio updates or stay informed with your computer or smartphone.
In addition to these tips, it is imperative to have an adequate supply of food and water during a disaster.
- Keep an appliance thermometer in your fridge and freezer to provide an accurate temperature reading even if the power is out. A freezer should be at or below 0°F and the fridge at 40°F.
- Store food on shelves high enough that it will not be contaminated in case of flood.
- Have coolers on hand to keep food cold if the power is out more than four hours. Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- Discard perishables, such as meat, fish, cheese, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items, if the power is out more than four hours.
- Use bottled water if you are concerned about your water supply. If you don’t have bottled water, boil water and let it cool before storing to drink.
During an emergency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides necessary food and water to affected areas and helps protect animals and pets. The department’s Florida Forest Service is responsible for incident management and assists emergency responders in clearing debris and distributing supplies. Additionally, the department’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement provides law enforcement services to police departments and county sheriff’s offices as necessary.
For more information and tips on hurricane preparedness, visit FloridaDisaster.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Supports 2017 National Trade Policy Agenda
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam sent a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means, voicing his support of the 2017 National Trade Policy Agenda. This agenda will help create a more even playing field for America’s farmers, ranchers and businesses.
The following is an excerpt from the letter:
“I applaud the Trump Administration’s National Trade Policy Agenda for 2017 and its clear intention to strictly enforce U.S. trade laws and insure a fair and level playing field exists for America’s farmers, ranchers, and businesses. As the U.S. moves into the second round of NAFTA negotiations on September 1, it is imperative that the Administration’s goal to seek a provision to address the plight of the producers of perishable and seasonal commodities be included in any agreement.”
The letter can be accessed by clicking here.
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Give Keynote Address at Florida State University Convocation on Sunday
MEDIA ADVISORY
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will provide the keynote address and join President John Thrasher to welcome nearly 6,500 freshmen to Florida State University.
Event: Florida State University New Student Convocation and President’s Welcome
Date: Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Donald J. Tucker Civic Center
505 W. Pensacola Street
Tallahassee, Fla. 32301
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Join U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at Citrus Expo
MEDIA ADVISORY
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam will join U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at the Citrus Expo, the premier trade exposition for the citrus industry.
Event: 2017 Citrus Expo Dinner
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Alico Arena
12181 FGCU Lake Pkwy E,
Fort Myers, Fla. 33913
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Deliver Remarks at Chamber Foundation’s Military, Defense and Veterans Opportunities Summit
MEDIA ADVISORY
On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam will attend the Chamber Foundation’s 2017 Military, Defense and Veterans Opportunities Summit.
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
6677 Sea Harbor Dr.
Orlando, Fla. 32821
The event will be livestreamed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and can be viewed by visiting FloridaChamber.com/MilitarySummitLive. Media is invited to attend and should RSVP to [email protected].
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Host Special Event for Purple Heart Recipients, Families
MEDIA ADVISORY
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will host Purple Heart recipients and their families for a special Operation Outdoor Freedom event on Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7, at Camp Prairie in Lake Wales, Fla. Participants will enjoy barbecue, airboat and a swamp buggy rides and more.
Since the program was launched in 2011, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 3,000 wounded veterans on more than 400 outdoor events, such as guided alligator hunts, deer and hog hunts, quail and turkey hunts, freshwater fishing, canoeing and more.
Event: Special Purple Heart Day Event
Date: Monday, Aug 7, 2017
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Camp Prairie
21279 Kissimmee Shores Rd.
Lake Wales, Fla.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Invites Purple Heart Recipients to Participate in Special Purple Heart Day Event
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam invites Purple Heart recipients and their families to participate in a special Operation Outdoor Freedom event on Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7, at Camp Prairie in Lake Wales, Fla.
Interested Purple Heart recipients can find additional information and RSVP by Thursday, Aug. 3, by emailing [email protected]. Participants will enjoy barbecue and rides on an airboat and a swamp buggy.
“Operation Outdoor Freedom is one small way we can give back to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I’m proud to host a Purple Heart Day event for the first time during this program to honor our nation’s Purple Heart recipients.”
Since the program was launched in 2011, Operation Outdoor Freedom has hosted more than 3,000 wounded veterans on more than 400 outdoor events, such as guided alligator hunts, deer and hog hunts, quail and turkey hunts, freshwater fishing, canoeing and more.
Wounded veterans participate in these events on state forests, private lands and along the state’s coast, and the excursions are funded through private donations. Camp Prairie, a first-of-its-kind camp, consists of a fully equipped campground with sleeping facilities, a screened kitchen, pavilion, dining area and restroom facility.
For more information, visit OperationOutdoorFreedom.com.
Commissioner Putnam Supports the Florida National Guard’s Efforts to Base F-35 Lightning II with 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville
In a continuation of Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s efforts to make Florida the most military and veteran-friendly state in the country, Commissioner Putnam today wrote Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson a letter, supporting the Florida National Guard’s efforts to base the F-35 Lightning II with the 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville.
“For 70 years, the 125th Fighter Wing has served Florida and our country well. With Jacksonville’s unparalleled airspace and infrastructure, no other place in the nation is better suited for a new squadron of F-35 fighters,” stated Commissioner Adam H. Putnam.
To view the letter, please click here.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Commissioner Putnam Applauds Governor Scott’s Support of Florida’s Law Enforcement Officers
Following Governor Rick Scott’s legislative budget proposal for $30 million more for state law enforcement pay raises, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement:
“Our state law enforcement officers deserve all the support we can give them, as they’ve achieved a 46-year crime low and face unprecedented challenges, such as the current opioid crisis.
“Our 240 law enforcement officers with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and their peers at other state law enforcement agencies deserve a raise. In order to recruit and retain the best law enforcement officers to keep Floridians and visitors safe, this is a much-needed step in the right direction. I thank Governor Scott for this proposal.”
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
