Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the Florida Farm Bill, which makes sweeping changes on areas such as land use, workforce development and local government preemption.
“I think this package is really, really significant. It shows that we have a strong commitment to not just agriculture, but our rural communities writ-large,” DeSantis said as he signed SB 290 during a news conference in Sebring.
The new law goes into effect July 1.
Some of the provisions in the Sen. Keith Truenow-sponsored measure include banning local governments from enacting policies to restrict the use of gasoline-powered farm or landscape equipment. DeSantis said that move supports farmers’ freedom.
“Some of these local governments want to not let you use certain equipment if it’s gas operated. That’s not their decision — that’s your decision,” DeSantis said during the press conference
The Farm Bill also sets density requirements for developers looking to build in small cities. Developers cannot exceed a maximum density of one residential unit per 20 acres on an “ecologically significant parcel in a low-density municipality.”
“We protected small cities in this bill,” said Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “if you are a small city, we’ve protected the ability for large developers to come in and take over your city essentially. And there’s about 110 cities in this state that will get that protection.”
The bill would also make changes to the state’s conservation land policies by requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine if parcels of state-owned land are suitable for agriculture. If found suitable, DEP would be able to “surplus” the land after attaching a conservation easement.
“If it should be an agriculture production, we can remove the development rights from that land and surplus that land back into farming families,” Simpson said Monday.
The Fam Bill also creates the Florida Food Animal and Equine Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program to help fight the shortage of livestock veterinarians. Three new vets each year will get help with their student loans. “For each eligible candidate, the department may make loan principal repayments of up to $25,000 each year for up to 5 years,” according to the Senate staff analysis.
Senate President Ben Albritton joined DeSantis and Simpson for the bill signing.
“What a great opportunity to have our Governor sign this bill right here in Florida’s Heartland,” he said in a statement afterward. “Florida’s agriculture industry is the key to thriving families, businesses, and communities across our state. Agriculture matters, and that’s a fact.”
The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association celebrated the new law.
“With the Governor’s signature, this legislation is now law and provides certainty for Florida’s landscape professionals,” said the organization’s CEO, Tal Coley.
“It ensures that equipment decisions remain in the hands of business owners and their customers. We appreciate Governor DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and the Legislature for recognizing the importance of consistency and affordability for our industry and the communities we serve.”