commissioner of agriculture

Today, Representative Matt Caldwell filed his paperwork to run for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Representative Caldwell said, “As a 7^th generation Florida native and the descendant of Florida farmers and small business owners, this great state has given my family so much. I am seeking this opportunity to give back and to serve the people of the great State of Florida. I have filed to run for Commissioner of Agriculture in order to continue our work together, fighting for and building upon the important issues we’ve tackled in the Florida House.”
The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system.
Caldwell was first elected to the Florida House in 2010. He has chaired committees related to agriculture and natural resources and has served on committees focusing on issues including transportation, tax policy, redistricting, insurance, banking, and local government & federal government affairs. He currently chairs the Government Accountability Committee, which oversees state policy on natural resources and public lands, transportation and infrastructure, local, federal, and military issues, & oversight of government operations, such as pensions & elections.
Caldwell has consistently been a champion of issues that impact our environment and the agricultural community. He sponsored an expansion of the Everglades Forever Act, which will complete Everglades restoration in the area south of Lake Okeechobee, and was the prime co-sponsor of the Legacy Florida Act, which will permanently fund restoration of the greater Everglades.
In 2016, Caldwell followed the heed of current Commissioner Adam Putnam and then-Speaker Steve Crisafulli who both identified water as the central issue facing 21st century Floridians, by sponsoring the “statewide water bill”, bringing transformational changes to water supply planning for agricultural, urban and environmental needs.
In the 2017, Caldwell championed a positive overhaul of the vaunted Florida Forever program. If passed, the legislation refocuses the program with a priority for conservation easements and permanent funding totaling roughly $3 billion dollars over 17 years.
Matt and his wife, Yvonne, live in North Fort Myers, where they raise their daughter, Ava. A hometown announcement will be held in the weeks following the close of Florida’s Legislative Session.