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florida department of agriculture and consumer services

Commissioner Adam Putnam Thanks Governor Scott for Supporting Budget Priorities

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement today thanking Governor Rick Scott for supporting the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ priorities in the state budget:

“I thank Governor Scott for continuing to cut taxes for Florida’s families and businesses and for supporting our budget priorities, including increasing pay for our first responders. The department’s first responders are the best of the best and keep Floridians and visitors safe when lives and property are on the line. They’ve earned this.

“With the Governor’s support, this budget also helps our department protect Florida from wildfire, promote Florida’s agricultural products, support our citrus industry, preserve our natural resources, and much more.”

Sebring Man Arrested for Igniting 300-Acre Wildfire

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that investigators with his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement arrested Douglas Glenn Smith, 58, of Sebring for igniting a fire that escaped and burned more than 300 acres, damaged a residence’s vinyl siding and caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damages to fence posts.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, responded to the wildfire in Highlands County. Smith admitted to intentionally igniting a tree stump with a blow torch, which caused the wildfire. Smith had previously submitted a request for a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service, which had been denied.

Smith is in the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Jail on one count of Intentional or Reckless Burning of Lands, a third-degree felony.

The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement protects Florida’s agriculture and consumers through law enforcement in support of all the regulatory aspects of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Thanks the Legislature for Funding Much-Needed Pay Raises for First Responders

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement today thanking the legislature for funding much-needed pay raises for first responders:

“I thank the legislature for standing with our first responders and funding 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.”

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. The budget item, pending approval from the Governor, would provide a several thousand dollar increase for each of these positions to bring their pay in line with other competing employers and improve retention.

Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast

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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 citrus growers are still recovering from Hurricane Irma’s unprecedented damage, which today’s forecast shows is still unfolding in many groves six months later. Thankfully, Congress recently provided more than $2.3 billion for agricultural assistance, a critical first step to finally getting Florida’s growers long-awaited and desperately needed relief. I will continue to work with the leadership of the USDA, Governor Scott, our congressional delegation and industry representatives to get our growers the relief they need to fully recover.”

The USDA’s forecast today of 45 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is down 9 million boxes from the 54 million boxes predicted at the start of the season. Today’s forecast represents a decline of more than 80 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 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. In February, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a spending bill that included more than $2.3 billion for agricultural assistance.

Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Senate’s Passage of Credit Report Freeze Fee Legislation

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill, House Bill 953.

“Protecting consumers’ hard-earned money from criminals is a top priority, and this legislation that removes the fee to freeze credit reports makes it easier for consumers to protect themselves from fraud,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I thank Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Shawn Harrison for spearheading this consumer protection effort.”

The Credit Report Freeze Fee Bill seeks to remove the fee that credit reporting agencies charge Floridians to freeze their credit. The bill also removes the paperwork requirements for victims of identity theft to freeze their credit without a fee.

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.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to Host Webinar on Consumer Protection

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In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, March 4-10, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host a webinar to help educate Florida consumers on how to protect themselves from scams. The free webinar on Wednesday, March 7, from 1 to 2 p.m. will highlight the department’s role in business registration, the consumer complaint and mediation process and more. Consumers can register for the webinar at FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

National Consumer Protection Week is a nationwide effort to educate consumers about their rights and how to make well-informed decisions to avoid scams and fraud.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency. Consumers can get tips or file a complaint at FloridaComsumerHelp.com.

Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovered Nearly $174,000 for Consumers in February

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered nearly $174,000 for Florida consumers during the month of February. Last year, the department recovered more than $2.6 million of consumers’ money from moving companies, vehicle repair shops, pawn shops, health studios, telemarketers, sellers of travel and more.

During February 2018, the department:

  • Recovered $173,940 on behalf of Florida consumers;
  • Received 3,635 complaints;
  • Initiated 275 investigations;
  • Arrested 15 individuals;
  • Provided assistance to 20,296 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
  • Added 14,090 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List.

As the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, the department educates the public, investigates complaints and provides mediation on behalf of consumers. The department’s call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.

Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For consumer protection information and resources, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com.

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.