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Commissioner Adam Putnam

Commissioner Putnam Asks Legislative Leadership to Stand with First Responders, Fund Much-Needed Pay Raises

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement today urging legislative leadership to fund much-needed pay raises for first responders:

“Leading up to legislative session, I asked legislative leadership to fund modest pay raises for our department’s law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters, who are demonstrably underpaid compared to other state and local agencies. These raises will help us recruit and retain the best of the best to keep Floridians and visitors safe when lives and property are on the line. I continue to ask legislative leadership to stand with Florida’s first responders and fund these much-needed and well-deserved raises.”

Starting pay for the department’s law enforcement officers is $31,880 and the starting pay for Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters is $26,580, substantially less than their counterparts in other state and local agencies resulting in high turnover in these critically important positions.

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

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Statement on Senate Bill 7026

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 7026, which would direct a portion of concealed weapon license fees away from their primary purpose.

“I oppose taxing law-abiding concealed weapon licensees for atrocities carried out by criminals. If anyone should be taxed for those heinous acts, it should be criminals.

“The monster who murdered 17 people in Parkland wasn’t even eligible to have a concealed weapon license.”

Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on Roundtable Discussion and Workshop

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today participated in both Governor Rick Scott’s roundtable discussion and the workshop with Florida’s law enforcement community. Commissioner Putnam issued the following statement:

“I’m grateful to the Governor for his leadership in bringing people together today to focus on how we can keep our children safe. As a father of four children in public school, this tragedy hits mighty close to home.

“When someone sees something and says something, there ought to be an expectation that someone is going to do something about it. Any artificial barriers that exist between schools, law enforcement, mental health professionals and the FBI ought to be identified and swept away. There are too many instances where those barriers are standing in the way of safety, and that’s just not acceptable.

“Our kids and our teachers deserve to be in a safe learning environment. And we ought to give them that.”

Statement by Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam

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In response to requests, please see the statement attributable to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam:

“I mourn, along with the rest of the country, for those who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and their loved ones, and out of respect for their families and those suffering as a result of this tragedy, I’m working with bill sponsors to postpone consideration of the legislative proposal related to the licensing process.

“While the shooter would not have even been eligible for a concealed weapon license and clearly had a troubled past that indicated serious mental health issues, the focus now should be on mental health and how we protect our children.

“All of us have an obligation to notify authorities when we see the behavior that this killer exhibited online and in school.”

Commissioner Adam Putnam Recognizes Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts as the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today recognized Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts as the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Commissioner Putnam presented the award to Dr. Roberts at the annual Woman of the Year in Agriculture Luncheon held at the Florida State Fair.  Since 1985, the “Woman of the Year in Agriculture” award has recognized women in all areas of the industry who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture.

“Florida’s robust agriculture industry would not be as bright as it is today without the dedication and service of individuals such as Dr. Roberts,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “I’m honored to present Dr. Roberts with the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture award.”

Dr. Roberts dedicated 35 years of service to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, beginning in 1968, where she championed policy changes for the advancement of Florida’s agriculture industry, trade and production practices. She was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture in 1984, and was the first woman in the United States to hold this position. Beginning in 2003, Dr. Roberts served 13 years as Director of Industry Relations and then as Special Assistant for Government Affairs for the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Throughout her career, Dr. Roberts served in leadership capacities for numerous organizations that aimed to shape and enhance the agriculture industry. Her contributions to Florida agriculture have been awarded by the FDA, USDA and industry associations, and in 2003, Dr. Roberts was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.

The Woman of the Year in Agriculture award is sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida State Fair Authority. More information about the “Woman of the Year in Agriculture” award and past award winners can be found here.

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

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Attend 2018 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will attend the 2018 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Florida State Fair on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Men and women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture are inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame annually.

Event: 2018 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Attendees: Commissioner Adam H. Putnam

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 13

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Special Events Center
Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 U.S. 301
Tampa, FL 33610

Please enter the Florida State Fairgrounds at the Orient Road Security Gate, located at the intersection of Interstate 4 at Orient Road. Parking is behind the Special Events Center. For directions, click here.

For more information about the Florida State Fair, visit FloridaStateFair.com.

Commissioner Adam H. Putnam to Kick-off Florida State Fair on Thursday

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will kick-off the annual Florida State Fair on Thursday, Feb. 8. The Fair runs from Feb. 8 through Feb. 19.

Media is welcome to attend the following opening day events; however, please note that these events are not open to the general public:

6:15 a.m.
“Flip the Switch” Media Event
Midway Sky Eye, Across from the Florida Welcome Center
Commissioner Putnam, along with Governor Scott, Attorney General Bondi and CFO Patronis, will open the 2018 Florida State Fair with first responders by “flipping the switch” to turn on the lights of the midway. *Please arrive by 6:15 a.m., the actual flipping of the switch will be at 6:35 a.m.

7 a.m.
“Fresh From Florida” Breakfast
Agriculture Hall of Fame Building
Commissioner Putnam, along with Governor Scott, Attorney General Bondi, and CFO Patronis will join local farmers, ranchers and representatives from Florida’s agriculture community for a casual breakfast, featuring “Fresh From Florida” products.

12 p.m.
Governor’s Day Luncheon  
Charles M. Davis Special Events Center
The Governor will provide the keynote address at this annual Florida State Fair luncheon.

Please enter the Florida State Fairgrounds at the Orient Road Security Gate, located at the intersection of Interstate 4 at Orient Road. Parking is behind the Special Events Center. Media must RSVP by Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. to [email protected] to attend the events. Directions are available at floridastatefair.com/directions.aspx.

To view a map of the Florida State Fairgrounds, click here.

For more information about the Florida State Fair, visit FloridaStateFair.com.

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Kick-Off Taste of Florida Agriculture Reception

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will kick-off the Taste of Florida Agriculture reception in the Florida Capitol courtyard tomorrow, Jan. 30. The Taste of Florida Agriculture reception is a co-hosted event between the Florida Farm Bureau and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and it highlights the importance of Florida agriculture. The reception is free and open to the public.
Vendors will serve dishes that feature fresh Florida oysters, honey, fruits, vegetables and much more. The wining team from tomorrow’s final “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off will also participate.
Event: Taste of Florida Agriculture Reception
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Florida Capitol Courtyard
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Fla. 32399

Commissioner Putnam Highlights Increased Wildfire Risk During Prescribed Fire Awareness Week

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service urge caution due to increased wildfire danger this spring and encourage support for prescribed fire during Florida’s Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, which is from Jan. 28 through Feb. 4. Prescribed fire is a vital tool used to reduce wildfire risk in Florida.
“Following one of the most active wildfire seasons in recent history and a devastating hurricane season, forecasts predict an extremely dry spring,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “It is more important than ever to support our wildland firefighters as they conduct prescribed burns to protect Floridians and reduce wildfire risk.”
Prescribed fire uses slow-moving, low-grade fire to reduce the brush and overgrowth that would otherwise serve as fuel for a dangerous wildfire. By using prescribed fire in an area that poses a high wildfire risk, a future wildfire in the same area will be less intense, less dangerous and easier to extinguish. Additionally, prescribed fires return nutrients to the soil, provide better forage for wildlife and livestock, and help control certain plant and tree diseases.
“As we oversee the most robust prescribed burn program in the country, our top priority is the safety of our residents, visitors and wildland firefighters,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “Smoke from a nearby prescribed fire may be inconvenient, but it is important to remember that this brief inconvenience helps keep potentially life-threatening wildfires at bay.”
The Florida Forest Service administers the most active prescribed burning program in the nation. In an average year, the Florida Forest Service issues 85,000 prescribed burning authorizations. In addition, there are currently more than 1,600 certified prescribed burn managers in Florida that manage more than 2.3 million acres of agricultural and natural lands annually with prescribed fire.
Floridians can download the Florida Forest Service’s “FLBurnTools” app to access an interactive fire map that shows prescribed burns, smoke dispersion models, drought information and wildfire conditions in real-time. Prescribed burn practitioners can also use the app to plan and submit authorization requests. The app is now available in Apple’s  App Store and on Google Play.
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.

Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast, Need for Federal Assistance

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:
“Florida’s iconic citrus industry and its growers continue to struggle with the unprecedented damage caused by Hurricane Irma. This damage, combined with the cumulative impacts of citrus greening, leaves Florida’s growers in desperate need of support. I will continue to work with Governor Scott and leaders in Washington to get Florida’s growers the relief they need to rebuild and replant.”
The USDA’s forecast today of 46 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season, unchanged from the December estimate, is down 8 million boxes from the 54 million boxes predicted at the start of the season.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. In the 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.