Agriculture — Closed Captions

>> The committee on Agriculture will now come come come to order an please call the roll to turn now. >> Here Vice chair Grall here, Senator Bernard Senator Burton here. Senators on here, the quorum is present. Mister Chair. >> Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by I so. >> I pledge allegiance to my United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> As a reminder, please silence all electronic devices. If anyone wishes to speak before the committee, they should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member of the sergeants office. Should you select to waive your speaking time? Your position will be included in the committee meeting records. It's good to see a lot of folks here today. Welcome to the Capitol. Glad you could join us. It's important. You do things you do. So with that, we'll get started. I will turn it over to Chair Grant. >> Thank you. And at this time we will take up Tab. One SB 806, on consumers, right to repair certain equipment by Senator. True. Now Chair Truenow you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, chair. >> Members of the Senate Bill 806, creates a portable wireless device repair act aimed at expanding repair options for consumers and reducing manufacture controlled repair monopolies. It also established that agriculture equipment, fair repair act, insurers, farmers and independent mechanics that that independent mechanics can access necessary, not diagnostic software and repair data to maintain and fix equipment. Senate Senate Bill 806, 60 increased customer choice, lower, lower repair costs, support small repair businesses, and reduce electronic and equipment, downtime while preserving protections for trade secrets and prop proprietary information. And that is the bill. >> There are 2 amendments. Let's take up Amendment bar code number 4, 7, 4, 5, 9, 8, by Senator. Now, Senator, now you're recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you. Chair Amendment bar code 4, 7, 4, 5, 9, 8, This amendment clarifies that the term portable devices does not extend to motor vehicles, automobiles or any production of service manufacturers. So my motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer other questions on the amendment. >> No other appearance forms for the amendment. Parents from their debate seeing no debate on the amendment. Senator, now you're recognized to close on the amendment. Having waived close on favor of amendment say yea, yea opposed nay. The amendment is adopted. Let's take up amendment barcode. Number 9, 4, 8, 9, 3, 2, by Senator. Now, Senator, now you're recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you. Chair this amendment 9, 4, 8, 9, 3, 2, is technical in was provided by staff. Other questions on the amendment in another appearance forms, appearance forms. Any debate seeing no debate. Senator, you're recognized to close wave close, waiving close all in favor of the amendment say yea, yea opposed nay. It meant is adopted. We are back on the bill as amended. Are there questions on the bill as amended seeing none. We have appearance forms Ali reads. >> When when when it had been below. >> Members of the committee, my name is Ali Sector Eats. I'm from South Florida. I am representing Everglades equipment. We are a John Deere dealership. The covers central all the way down the north down in South Florida. Forgive me also the poor generation of the family that runs that operates Everglades. Sorry. >> So I'm just basically here to say that we genuinely care about Florida. As we started in in farming, we we still farm to the state were over 100 years of farming and we fully support their ability to repair their own equipment. My concern is that while well intended this bill would undermine the local dealer support system. The farmers heavily rely on so it could lead to fewer jobs, fewer parts available locally and longer down time when time matters most. And it also creates a real risk round and mission systems and compliance, which farmers can be held responsible for even when issues were intentional. So that's not good for farmers. And it's basically why I just want to step up today and say we respectfully oppose Senate. Bill 6, thank you for your time today. Next. We'll hear from yes. >> There's a question. Yes, Senator Rouson, you're recognized. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. >> Why would result in longer wait times for repair or shortage of repair equipment? >> Shortage parts from from the dealer side. So if this bill leads to on their part would have to be schooled at costs from Ian from original going manufactures, it would put dealers and other parts of a new parts. Businesses out of operation are out of business because it would not be we would not be able to fund in-stock millions of dollars of inventory of parts for the farmer to be able to step into the dealer, grab the part when they need it and leave. They would have to then order elsewhere. It could create delays and those parts getting to then which could create time for the Clement. That makes sense. >> We have not done a good John. I'm obviously not going to John a we would not be able to stock the parts inventory if we weren't able to make a margin off of the park that we stock as a business. Right. So if you if farmers could buy the parts at stock cost from deer for for us, for instance, from John, you're directly, we would no longer stocked those parts because we couldn't we would be able to afford to do that. >> Don't you think I'm sorry your your to go back and forth. Don't the don't you think this just creates another business model for someone to step in? >> Yes, you mean like someone else would step in then? And so those parts? Yeah, yes, sir. So that it would I guess I'm a little confused because I kind of contradicts the bill and its self. So someone else that Dana started to do that when I create it would just be doing. >> I guess they would. They would be able to give the farmer on the honor and opportunity to purchase part. >> Yes, from the the original equipment manufacturer. Right. But the the parts then would not be stocked locally to the farmer. Baby Stockton Corbett warehouse where far away from that farmer who's trying to access that part of a lot of times. Our customers are coming in asking for the part and walking out the door with it with within the hour. Any additional questions. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Except Christian Kamara Consumer Technology Association speaking. >> You're recognized. Good afternoon members. My name is Christian camera with the Consumer Technology Association and deceit. He is the Trade Association that represents U.S. consumer technology industry, including manufacturers of portable wireless devices that are subject to the provisions of this law of this bill. I first of all, I'd like to thank Senator True now for his willingness to sit with us recently and go over our concerns with the bill. Our discussions with him and his staff have been productive. However, we must respectfully rise in opposition of SB 806 in its current form. Cta is concerned with a patchwork of state repair laws coming into effect. The proliferation of rules varying by state with different requirements and definitions subject to different interpretations by state courts. And regulators poses a significant challenge for an industry that operates on a national scale. Our main concern with SB 806 is that it would make Florida an outlier among the states that have already enacted similar laws. For example, SB 806 enables consumers to file private lawsuits against manufacturers. No other state repair, long adopted to date explicitly grants such private right of action. Indeed, some states that initially flirted with the idea of doing so studied the potential drawbacks and all of them eventually decided that the enforcement mechanism for their individual repair laws should remain with the attorney general, which has worked effectively in those states and is a change that we were supporting this bill as well. Repair laws we believe should focus on increasing access to repair options for consumers, not increasing litigation. Costs for manufacturers are putting companies at risk of inconsistent interpretations of laws across jurisdictions that may stifle innovation or investment. There are also some inconsistency with other state laws and several other requirements and definitions that raised concerns that we have outlined in written testimony that I submitted to the committee beforehand and in the interest of time, I will get into that right now. But unfortunately, we can support the bill in its current for today, but it does look forward to continue to work with Senator turn now to arrive at language that better harmonizes this bill with laws that are working effectively in other states. >> Thank you so much. Thank you for being here. Next. We have Adam Basford Associated Industries of Florida waiving against Katie Kelly Tech net waiving against Trey Price. The repair association waiving in support speaking. Sorry, folks waiting. Okay. Thank you. Is there debate on the bill as amended senator? Now you're recognized to close on the bill as amended. Thank you, chair and thank you members for hearing this bill today. >> You know the the purpose for for this exercise and trying to figure out how we get to a place where farmers can get farmers and other people in the part of the bill talks about Fort Mose sailors rises. Well, I mean, we're trying to get to a place where consumers have more choices and and have the right to do their own repairs. And in that a lot of manufacturers are getting there and in it in. So we keep moving this all the same direction every year because we need everyone to be on the same page and things are getting better. There's no doubt about it. I commend those that have taking the efforts and create them use and done some things that support what we're trying to accomplish here. But I think, you know, we have to tell our colleagues and in the other manufacturing sectors that produce the same equipment that they need to get on board as well so that we can all, you know, find products that work for us. And that, you know, as a whole agriculture is struggling. I mean, we we have a hard time making ends meet every every week, every month, every year. And we need these options to keep that going in the right direction. So I appreciate your comments and concerns here today. And with that members, I ask for your favorable support. >> And then please call the Roll on CS for SB 806, Senator Bernard. Yes, senator Burton. Yes, senator rouson senator. Now. Yes to grow. Yes, by your Vote CS for SB 806, is reported favorably and I'll turn the chair back over to Chair Truenow. Alright, 10 2 today. We have a presentation by for each officers to me halls summer Wayne, I get it right. You are all recognized to present. >> Good afternoon, senators. My name is to me cause and I'm from Broward County. I serve as the Florida 4 a state Council president with me today is summer. Wayne, what my fellow Florida for a state officers as well as Taylor think can pass for each alumnus. Thank you, Chair Truenow for having us this afternoon. Staff director Bechard for coordinating the invitation and to each of you for opening this platform to share our for stories with you. 4 H is our nation's largest youth development organization and the outreach or of our Land Grant University system here in Florida. 4 H is administered by both the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida. AM University in partnership with local county government for nearly 125 years, 4 H has been providing youth ages 5 through 18 with hands on educational programming and experiences all with the purpose of developing young people as responsible Citizens. 4 H has impacted generations and continues to impact millions of lives. >> These hands-on educational experiences are delivered through community clubs, in-school and after-school programs and day camps. That happened throughout each of our counties and also at our 3 residential camps for age Kimpton Pucci on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa County for each country. Lake in Madison County and forage can cloverleaf on Lake Francis in Highlands County for each focuses on 4 main program, areas, citizenship and leadership, agriculture, stent and healthy living in each of these programs, caring adult mentors and youth work together to form a youth. Adult partnerships for each gives you the opportunity to find their spark and helps us gain the knowledge and life skills we need to thrive as productive and responsible community members for each is building a generation beyond. Ready for work. And for life, we're learning life skills that go beyond just the content were learning in the program. Now, for example, I put my communication skills to the test this past weekend as I love my peers through brainstorming in decision-making during our Florida for each executive board meetings to plan one of our 4 or few statewide premier events that happened here in the Capitol every summer. >> Reaching over 216,000 youth each year across all 67 counties in the Seminole Tribe are 9,000. Plus, educators and volunteers create tremendous impact around our state, but they're volunteers contributing service Bonita more than 7.8 million dollars. Research shows for each is extremely valuable. Not just to us but to our families. 85% of foragers report being more comfortable in front of a crowd. 90% develop an interest in learning 86% report developing an interest in community service. 86 1% develop decision-making skills. 89 1% develop self-confidence and 97% of youth learn new skills. Those new skills in the ability to be successful in school and school career and life. And a lot of this goes with my own for each story as some of you know, I was a Florida for a chair and now Florida for each alum. I was a Florida for a jury in Clay County for 10 years. I joined 4 H because I was looking for an opportunity. I grew up in a single parent household. I learned about it there. My local fair and Tropicana speech program now running through Florida power and light. And I thought for 8 with an opportunity for me, I got a little bit into the AG. I got a little bit into horticulture and leadership in civic engagement trying to find my spark and find different opportunities within 4 h for me for it was everything. I got involved a lot through our Camp Jerry Lake program that taught me to build friendships to buy new opportunities to do that. Outdoor learning things that I never had experience for. One of the biggest things that I was able to do in for age with start my own business. Ca playing King USA. It was an online house plant business that I started with $5 and a passion. I learn about entrepreneurship through a 4 h program of the Florida forage Gator Pit where we learned entrepreneurial skills, business model, canvas building and working with university professors at the University of Florida with our extension program there. When I lost a business with $5 and that knowledge, it represented over 10's 10's of thousands of orders and was able to employ young people from around our state. It really changed my life growing up in a single parent household. And I credit all that back to for age. Now I was able to serve on the national for each board of trustees as the youngest member ever to serve. Joining that 2 months ago, I'm helping reach our goal of building a beyond ready generation of 10 million youth. And I truly believe Florida for ages, one of the greatest programs. That's why I woke up at 03:00AM. this morning to fly here to tell you that. And to be here for a day of the capital, because these 2 stories of my own 34 age, you know, there's no organization like it. You know, there's some great organizations out there before age is creating to be on ready generation and has really changed my life. >> Listening to Taylor's experience brings me back to a moment of my own. When that really shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities taking opportunities can be intimidating in stressful. And too often we amplify the situation out of proportion and convince ourselves that they're significantly more high pressure than they really are. 2 years ago. My family and I decided to take a vacation in Texas. So my brother, Tommy and I could get familiar with flying before headed to National Forest Congress where we would fight for first time by ourselves while we were there, Tommy, I thought it would be a good idea to push ourselves a little bit. So we climbed a roughly 3 or 4 stories tall cliff that hung over river. I stood on the edge, look back and asked him if this was really a good idea. And he gave me the best answer that I could have hoped for. He said that if you do it, I'll do it. Knowing I had someone to take that leap with me with all that I needed. There are a lot of cliffs in our life. One of them was running for state office. I almost in it. I almost let the pressure of what if I fail or what if I win and let my peers down and don't live up to everyone's expectations. Stop me from pursuing my younger self dreamed of looking back. Now it hurts to imagine if I said I don't want to do this. That one sentence could have sent me down a completely different path than the one I am proud to stand on today. I want her to quote that says it's not about adding more days to your life but more life to your days. Our time here is limited and more often than not, we regret the things that we've been and significantly more than the things that we did and life. The biggest risk that we take is playing it safe. That is why the work you support through 4 H matters so much for its repairs. Young people myself in my 216,000 plus peers to work hard work together and to try new things even when they're daunting. It teaches us how to stand on the edge of those clips, whatever they may be and take a step forward with courage. Instead of fear jumping off a ledge comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it looks like public speaking. Sometimes it looks like running for office. Sometimes it's believing in yourself. We're not fully sure that you should. But every time as 4 h that gives us the confidence to leap, the future is uncertain. The results of our efforts are never guaranteed. But in a world without guarantees, one thing is for certain. Everything we pour into 4 h helps to shape stronger leaders, stronger communities and a better world. >> Well, 40 experiences like that to me how to take leaps. Mina told me that impact does not start with the title. It starts with a purpose being a seat officer last year and now coming into last year. I made so many new memories and add so many new experiences. But I think what I want to leave behind, I think about the impact I want to leave behind joy in this program belonging in connection for the youth current now and for those will be at later. So picture this. It's our final team retreat of last year. And we had just wrapped up our camp fire. I just finished giving out our last senior secretive and our adult adviser had just ended a passionate, but very saddened, heart-wrenching camps on. We all had a great crying session when a senior for each year for my committee of the Year came up to me. He told me that I had made an impact on his life in giving him the joy that he needed to continue enjoying 4 h and that it was so it for me, that was the moment where everything that I had done in 4 h every late night, every tear, every ounce of effort had hit me. I had finally done it. I've given someone the kind of joy and experience I always hoped to share. And the best part is that moment happened at Camp can has always been the place where I feel most like myself. It's shaped me in ways that are extremely hard to put into words. And as as the officer, I've had the honor of helping at so many different events. But often my focuses on leading in serving, not always fully participating. That's why camp has been so special. It's one of the few places where I get to lead connect and just be without the pressure of leadership. Weighing on me, though, I may or may not have a 9 year-old pen pal who's missing a letter from right now that I really need to get back on top of. But the 2 weeks that I get to be a junior counselor at camp are what keep me sane. But the time has been a state events facilitating a place where others can belong, gives me pride and keeps me grounded. All of that, though, gives me hope hope for my own future. And for every person I've been privileged enough to encourage, inspire and learn from. So my for each journey has had its twists and turns. It is made me who I am. It is giving me the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on others. And for that, I will always be grateful and proud to call for each home. And I hate to say that my story isn't unique. It's one of just countless examples of what this program makes possible for youth. So when you invest in for each, you invest in young entrepreneurs like Taylor, you invest in leap takers like Timmy, you invest in the future. Well, Taylor to me and I are part of work for ages. Now we want to ensure for each continues to fuel Florida's future. >> Our first goal is to expand our reach to 300,040 representing 10% of Florida's population ages 5 through 18. Our second goal is to continue empowering beyond ready generation for work and life. You have heard today from each of us how this is happening right now has 4 H is providing Florida's youth with life shaping opportunities and experiences. So we are ready for the future no matter what life throws at us. Our 3rd goal is to invest in our 3, 4, H camps as year-round, learning laboratories for agriculture and environmental education by getting youth outdoors and immersed in hands on applied experiences, we can strengthen their academic learning, built essential workforce skills and prepare them for success. As for it can't impeach. He celebrates its one 100th birthday. We are marking a century has one of the first Florida 4 H camps and one of the first 4 H camps and the nation, Florida for it continues its long tradition of serving generations of youth through our camping program. With 100 years of memories comes 100 years of wear and tear, leaving us with important and overdue facility updates. >> And over the next decade, we are aiming to raise 30 million dollars to ensure that the greatest for each program in the nation here in Florida has the facilities to match. This includes our current push for 4 h camps, Jerry Lake in Madison County. And this story I told you about myself in my experience of 4, 8, a lot of that came because I was a camper at Camp Cherry Lake and I remember every single year there was an opportunity we could do events with 4 H and R and $20 in scholarship money to attend camp. My family can afford camp at all. And so I would attend every single events like it's back up $20 here in $20 there. So I could go to camp and every year I made sure that I raise enough money to go back to camp because campus where I personally flourished and that was and I love it on the board. Icu flourish. It's why see our greatest opportunity to reach some of our goals of hitting 10% of Florida's youth to be involved in the 4 H program. But it's also a way that you the DOE partnerships flourish. It's a way that connection and belonging happen camp. Those are things not only I experience, but all of our for ages that come out of camp say to me almost every single day. And so that's why we really know that it takes a team like you to build this with us and forged camps. Jerry Lake is a prime location for an agriculture and workforce development, learning laboratory to make these opportunities available and accessible to more you. We are currently in a 13.4 million Dollar campaign to revitalize 4 h camps. Jerry Lake. We have already secured federal private and university funds totaling 2 million dollars toward the creation of new multi purpose education building. Additionally, we have 7.3 million dollars of private in state support secured during the past 2 legislative sessions. And we sincerely appreciate our state's investment in our youth and especially Representative Allison Tant ongoing efforts as a champion for for age and chant camps, Jerry Lake, their private support. We completed a master plan for Jerry Lake this year and with the state support we've been able to move forward with developing our cabin concept and hope to break ground on this later this year and the next phase of this revitalization this year. We are also excited to have a 5 million Dollar University Pico request for this project that is ranked highly on the University Board of Governors Lift this funding will be instrumental in our continued efforts to revitalize camps, Jerry Lake as part of our overall campaign, these funds will provide a robust and self-sustaining onsite program capacity for residential education programs. 4 H research based science and agriculture programs are critical to preparing for Florida. Florida's future workforce, supporting our state's second largest industry and ensuring a safe and bountiful domestic food supply. Together, we can prepare a generation of productive, healthy and engaged young people who are beyond ready to lead and work and beyond ready for life. And again, we really appreciate your time and this opportunity to speak with each of you and we love to take their as a time to answer any questions. Thank you. >> Well, that's a great presentation. Thank you very much. Any questions members, Senator Brodeur, you're recognized no questions. But just as the president, I just want to thank the chair. >> You know, the presentation by to me of some are Wayne and 2, as they can take been a great presentation. And so glad that you're able to wake up at 4 o'clock this morning to to be here because, you know, we learned a lot about 4 H and we look forward to continue to support for H and beyond. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Burton, you're recognized. >> Thank you, chair. And I'm always interested in your Y, you know, did you have any way you can answer this? Do you have family members here? You parents, sibling, grandparent is involved in 4 H because I know organizations like 4 H we're always looking trying in trying to figure out how to get the message out about the good work that they do and the opportunities that are provided for young people in our state across the country. But you talk just a little bit, just any any one of you really about how the first discovered for each are engaged. >> So for me, I started for each of the very young age, actually started attending for each event at the age of 4 before could officially be part of the club. My position then was birthday tracker. I was in charge of making sure everyone's birthdays were celebrated. But my older brother Hayden was involved with the program before I was. And we heard about it through a friend of a friend. And just that one-on-one peer communication can completely redirect the course of one's life. And about 4 H I probably wouldn't be the person I am today. So I'm very grateful for the program. >> I also want to highlight that there's lots of different ways we can get involved. So I started off late. I was I think, 10 or 11 when I joined for age. And so my main program project is horses. And so my horse trainer at the time she got to are born and she was like you are all joining 4 h she didn't really give us a choice. But it was the best force choice I ever had to make. And it's brought me to so many new places. And now kind of to me was saying with that pier to pier connection, I'm getting to that for a lot of other EU. So it's been really impactful so that telling people is one of the biggest ways to get people involved. Thanks. Thanks for the question. >> How many how many kids are involved now? You see want to get to 300,000 were yet today? Yes, sir. So as of right now, we have just roughly over 216,000 youth involved and he's climbing every year. Yes, that's correct. So what's that was to drive? That being brings the one thing that you could say that that gets people more involved the to join. >> So the one thing for me is before us, I've been involved in 4 h for 12 years now, but it wasn't until I was about 14, right? Really started taking advantage of the leadership opportunities. And for each it was actually I was attending with my 4 h club meetings and my older brother Hayden, who I mentioned previously was serving as the president of my 4 h club and he was graduating and no one wanted to run for the position of president. So he told me that I would have to the the next president. So I kind of jumped off the cliff there. And with that, like I I was more. So I like to just sit on the couch, play video games. That was kind of like what I wanted to do when I was older and ever since for each I realize like I can impact so many lives just by giving a presentation during a speech, every little action has a consequence and prepares me for a brighter future to help other people. So that's really like why it's important for me to provide you with his leadership opportunities to see what they're capable of and see how they have so much more in store for them. >> And I wanted to add on to that real quick because, you know, we know agriculture is involving right. We know that it takes them. It's taking engineers. We have a I coming into that. And for each offers a place for all of that. And so that's one of the biggest things and a common misconception as well that for you to offer something for every and their interest. And that's what we have things like camping. And we feel like camping is gonna be one of the biggest ways to increase our numbers because we're offering something for every youth. And that kind of goes back to our mission of really being an opportunity for all, you know, the place where you can come together could have true relationships with adults and not only speak for what they believe in and learn the research back material, but a place to activate tangible outcomes. And I think that's one of the best things. And when you the really seen that they're telling their friends, they're getting on social media, they're coming here to advocate tomorrow. And that's what's getting our numbers to continue to increase. And we're seeing this in Florida, especially but on a national level in Florida is a great leader in that. >> I can't thank you enough for being here today and sharing your story. And, you know, promoting what for each as value because, you know, like you myself, I was a member. And if in when I was in high school course, family farm the whole time. But organizations like this makes a difference in in. You never know you might be the next senator or you might be. Thank you, Representative few. You never know. And it takes takes the time to get involved in. Understand what's going on. So I appreciate you guys coming here today and and the hope you had a good day at the Capitol. Thank thank you very much. Like you next will do. It will take up tab 3 presentation by Florida. If if a state officers, if I get this wrong hope stored or is that right? And it is a Bill Jenkins. You're recognized. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. Good afternoon. My name is hope stored or and I have the distinct honor of serving as the Florida FSA state president. I'm from Plant City, Florida and I graduated from Strawberry Crest High School last May following my year of service is a state officer. I will attend the University of Florida to pursue a degree in agricultural communications and leadership development on a pre law track with a hope of attending law school and becoming a criminal prosecuting attorney in Hillsborough County. Growing up in Plant city, the winter strawberry capital of America. Agriculture has always been a part of my communities way of life. However, my personal involvement and passion started when I joined FFA and 6th grade opening up a whole world of possibilities from showing swine in sheep to initiating an urban farm to running an agricultural advocacy social media account. I had an incredible experience getting hands-on with agriculture. Additionally, I grew through public speaking and professional interview competitions on the state and national level acquiring skills that I will forever be grateful for on behalf of our state officer team. We're proud to advocate for the industry that puts food on the table and served the Blue Jackets of Florida. >> My name is is About Inc ends and I have the honor of serving as Florida FSA states secretary this fall. I will also attend the University of Florida's an honors program and major and biological engineering. I graduated from Pensacola, High Schools, International Baccalaureate Program from the urban side of Pensacola and Escambia County when it didn't offer agriculture. My love for this industry FFA is thanks to my mother and middle school ag educator, though I couldn't take her science in person. I love the subject. And so I continued and FFA through Florida virtual school agriculture electives, though my mother started E and F it. They organization. My passion for this organization of eventually became my own. What kept drawing me back to the FFA is that both my mother and I, neither of which were from traditional farming background, found a place here. This organization taught me that agriculture affects every aspect of my urban life and it provided the leadership skills to support my professional future career. I am that's in the FFA and agricultural U.S. youth because FFA invested in me. It is thanks to this organization and our public educators. The I am able to stand before you today with the public seeking spills, agricultural knowledge and college acceptances by do today. >> So humanity's greatest challenge is feeding a global population that will jump 2 9 billion in the next 35 years doing that in alleviating the hunger. The already stocks. Nearly a billion people today will require agricultural production to increase by 70% by the year 2050, with less land, less water and less resources. >> The solutions for these problems will require farmers to be more productive without depleting or diminishing land or water, natural resources that make farming possible. But this is about much more than just farming. This is also about the next generation of agriculture and and new age of discovery. >> In order to build the future work, the future workforce, our organization and educational programs address a very key issue. The growing need for young talented people in a variety of fields and disciplines to consider embarking on a career in the food fiber and agricultural industries. Today, I want to take the opportunity to share with you about our efforts to provide a glimpse and to agricultural education here in Florida. >> Ffa is most presumably the most recognized component of the agricultural education. But additional components are equally important in order to provide a complete experience for our students through ACA, cultural education, students provide heard provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success. Agriculture, education and stick instruction is still live. Earth are 3 major components of complex strategy. First is classroom or laboratory instruction which provide students with contextual learning. And then we have the supervised agricultural experience programs which allow for students to focus on work based in hands on learning. And finally, we have FFA organization, which is our leadership organization that is focused on providing engaging career in a leadership development events for students and also allows for students to an awards and to participate in service based learning and more. >> The FFA organization founded in 1928, boasts a record membership of 1 Million. 42,245 nationally with over 65,000 of those members being here in Florida, FFA was originally founded by 33 young farm boys and since has grown into an organization focus on farming as well as lots of other agriculturally related careers. The letters FSA stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are part of our history and our heritage and that will never change. But FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers, but they also welcomes members who aspire to have careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more for this reason. The name of the organization was updated and 1988 after a vote of national convention delegates to reflect the growing diversity in new opportunities in the industry of agriculture. So today we are still the future farmers of America. However, we are preparing future biologists future can U.S. future veterinarians, future engineers in future entrepreneurs of America to that's a phase mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education. >> The blue Corduroy jacket which represents the student organization is likely the most recognizable symbol of the FFA membership in FFA is in truck curricular as students must be enrolled in Agriculture education course to take part in its membership. And FFA members, motto is for parts learning to do, doing, to learn, earning to live and living to sir, learning to do refers to the education that the students are receiving, doing to learn for first to the experiences that the students are gaining and earning to live for, sir, refers to the careers that they are learning about and one day will pursue to make a living off of. And finally, one of the most important bat steps is living to serve a way for students to then give back to the car, pauses and serve in their own communities back at home. And as our vision States FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. >> Another component of the complete agriculture education experience is classroom instruction. Students can choose from a different career pathways, which prepare them for the workforce or for college. We like to consider agricultural education, real world academics, integrating academic concepts with technical agricultural skills. This is also where students can instruction and learn necessary skills to obtain industry certifications in their field of study in Florida, there are currently 10 industry certifications available to our students, including agricultural, associate agriculture systems, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Agriculture, Communications, Agriculture, Mechanics, Agra technology, Animal Science Forestry, Natural Resources and unmanned aircraft systems and ask. >> In addition to the FFA and what is learned in the classroom, students are also required to develop a supervised agricultural experience, a component that is nothing new to our program. This experience expands and progresses with the student throughout their educational career. More than just a project, these experiences can be entrepreneur. It could be research based or simply working for another company. And a placement experience, students earn membership degrees and awards based off of their skills in these programs, as well as the dollars earned in achieved throughout the years of their programs. >> As if the agriculture classroom in supervised agricultural experiences together, make up what we know as agriculture education. But it doesn't end there. Our students earned some of the most rigorous industry certifications available. >> I believe that it's this. >> Okay. Our students graduate college or our career ready. Most importantly, our students benefit from one of the most complete educational experiences available. At the end of the day, we hope that our students enter into an agriculturally related career of which there are more than 300. We know that many may not, however, our programs prepare them to be contributing more informed consumers and that in turn helps to make a more productive environment and society for us all. >> This gap between the number of professional-level jobs that our industry will offer in the next few years. And the projected supply of graduating students with agriculture related disciplines is enormous, but are growing pains are a positive sign that we are closing this gap for nearly 10 consecutive years. We've broken our previous annual membership records as an organization. We have more students than ever participating in competitive events. And the experience will projects mentioned before such as the supervise agricultural experiences. Now we also have career development events and leadership development events, competitive events that students can Hoeness both on Parnas. Both educational career and leadership skills are participation. Numbers have been nothing but positive. We have had over 5,828 attendees at the 97th Florida FFA convention. We have had over 70 leadership and career themes workshops. We have 12,617 members that participated in career and leadership development events. And we have had 3,208 that participated participated in the Florida FFA leadership continue series just this past school year. Are we worth? They were able to announce a membership high of more than 65,000 FFA members. While we are extremely proud of this growth. Historically, there had been a gap between the 70,000 students enrolled in agricultural education and those who chose to became become a dues paying FFA member thanks to the generous support of Commissioner Wilton Simpson and the Florida Senate and House of Representatives. We are helping bridge that gap and to bring into the full 3 component model to life for students throughout our state of Florida. Thanks to the state appropriation we have received the last 3 years. Every single student enrolled in agriculture education in the state of Florida is an FFA member and have access to the opportunities of our organization at no cost to either the student or the school. This funding has not only allowed us to extend membership to over 65,000 students across the state, but it is also allowing us to expand our C 10 bass programming and the areas of leadership, personal growth and career success. We want to thank Senator Erin Grall and Representative Danny Alvarez for championing our local funding request during the last legislative session during the 2025 Legislative session. Thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Simpson and the support of signature now and representative out the trash out for as language was included in the 2025 farm Bill paved the way for reoccurring state funding. We are excited that the commissioner has included the funding requests and his department's budget request is currently being considered this legislative session. >> Together, we face these issues in an effort to tackle a global challenge. The gap is enormous and the task is daunting, but we're up for the challenge. The next generation of agriculturalists are up for the challenge and together, we look forward to continuing to engage tomorrow's leaders through rigorous and right relevant educational programs and experiences. We so appreciate the invitation to join you today to share more about Florida FFA is doing as a career and technical student organization in Florida as well as the incredibly important educational experiences that are happening in our agricultural programs today. If you are connected to a local agricultural program in your district, we would be thrilled to make that introduction to you. Additionally, we would like to extend an invitation to each of you to see what our students are doing across the state as we showcase their efforts and recognize their successes of the 98th. Florida at the Face to Convention and Expo and invitation will be sent to each of your offices this spring. And we would be honored to host each of you and invite you to speak to our membership. We appreciate your service to the state and ask for your continued support of agriculture, agricultural education and FFA in Florida. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, members, any questions members. Senator Bernard, you're recognized. Thank you very much. Mister Chair Open it. And there's the bell just, you know, we wish you the best that the University of Florida. >> Pope, specifically, we do have 3 lawyers who are senators on this committee. So so this is the great for you to go to you fan and eventually hopefully go to UF also for law school or anywhere else. But and my question for you is in regards to you said you stated that by 2050 agriculture production when the to increase by 70%. From your perspective, as you know, the next generation, how do you see technology and artificial intelligence? How do you see that playing in that role to increase production? >> I can speak first on this with increasing our production to meet that population is going to take innovation and technology to be able to reach this. We have incredible farmers who are working incredibly hard to reach our population in to feed them, however, through personal research, things like urban agriculture, which is one of my personal projects. We have a way that we do this. We have so much land that is used by agriculture. When you look out earlier, we're looking out over the sky rise in Tallahassee. You see the roofs of so many buildings. What if we started rooftop gardens on each of those urban agriculture, suburban agriculture, putting farming where it isn't previously used, we would be able to increase the production numbers and this is something that takes non-agricultural us. It takes people who might not know as much about the industry, but that's where it takes us FFA members and agriculturalists informing people about the importance of farming and how they can get involved in hands-on farming. So in my opinion, it's going to take everyone working together, using urban agriculture in new technology so that we can increase our production by that year. >> Isabel, if you don't, if you can weigh in. Also, in addition, I also believe that if we are expected to feed a growing population by 2050, a growing and hungry population, we're going to need much more efficiency and that an emerging technology and innovation and various sectors is going to be that efficiency, that we will need to create more food and to use the limited amount of land to create that greater amount of food and with less interest in becoming an actual on-the-ground farmer and the younger generation, it will take that technology to real back gap between the farmers that we do have. And then once that we may lack in the future, thank you, Mr. Anyone else. >> But I would just say that, you know, thanks for being here again and all the guys that came from all parts of the state of Florida. I think that these 2 organizations that are representative there are necessary part of how we get there talking about trying to feed all these folks, meaning we have lots of lots of areas in the state of Florida. We could figure out how to accomplish those things. We don't we don't even grow a lot of the things that we find in the supermarket today mean there's got to be a way that we can figure out how we can bring some of that back to Florida and and utilize what we have to accomplish those things. I mean, we think about food security. And, you know, I like the and they have a growing population right here in the state of Florida. So we need all of you guys on him in the direction the upon to get us there. So thank you very much for being here. Thank you. Well, it was pretty simple today on on the list of things we had to get done. So I don't see and everybody that there would be we're here to vote. So is there any other business before the committee? >> Thank you. Thank you, chair. This may be a little bit of an orthodox, but you know me, we have a lot of students in the audience today. Could we really get a photo with everybody? Sure, one. So what I'm thinking, can I can get this concave once you get into? So what I what I'm thinking is either we can go out there and they can all stand up or we can buy them, become stand in front of us and turn around and somebody out there can take a picture. Your committee, sir, have has Cherian probably have them stand up. I sat down there with no. Does that sound like a good idea to anybody else in the room? Yeah. That care to share with somebody up your volunteer. Take the revised plan. We're going to come down