October 2022 - 8

Florida growers discuss labor, input challenges
By Doug Ohlemeier
Assistant Editor
Florida's growers are working to
ensure state and federal policymakers
hear their concerns about the
numerous challenges and proposed
rules to grow fresh produce.
At the Florida Fruit & Vegetable
Association (FFVA) convention Sept.
12-14 at Amelia Island, Florida,
growers learned how their industry is
dealing with many obstacles, including
continued availability of a reliable
workforce and pesticide and water
restrictions as the Sunshine State's
produce industry transitions to
new leadership.
" FFVA is recognized around the
nation and the world, " said David
Hill, owner of Southern Hill Farms,
a Clermont, Florida, grower of
blueberries and FFVA's new chairman.
" The battles we fight are ongoing. ...
The challenges can be difficult, but the
fight never ends. "
Hill said he is optimistic, however,
and credits young leaders in the
industry for that optimism.
Outgoing chairman Aaron Troyer,
general manager of Fort Myers,
Florida, potato grower-shipper Troyer
Bros. Florida Inc., discussed how FFVA
supports Florida growers.
" So often, our industry is set to
advocate our story to folks who don't
understand us, who don't understand
what we're trying to do, " he said. " We
are accused of so many problems in the
world that aren't our fault. "
Troyer listed some of the issues
on which FFVA volunteers and staff
advocated for growers, including
climate change restrictions posed
by the Biden administration and
lawsuits that would have mandated
vaccinations for workers.
Improving H-2A
A session during the convention
featured the FFVA's work over the
past year.
FFVA advocated for policy changes
to address concerns about the H-2A
visa program for temporary ag
workers. A founding member of the
Agricultural Workforce Coalition,
FFVA led discussions of legislation
designed to place workers on a path
toward legal status and make H-2A
program improvements.
In the state's capitol, FFVA worked
to secure funding to boost University
of Florida's Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences plant nutrient
application rate research. FFVA testified
to the Senate Agriculture Committee on
issues growers were experiencing in the
supply chain and provided guidance on
potential state-led solutions.
New Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association chairman David Hill of Southern Hill Farms,
left, honors outgoing chairman Aaron Troyer of Troyer Bros. Florida. Spouses Anna
Troyer, center right, and Lisa Hill, watch on. Photos: Doug Ohlemeier
FFVA advocated for legislation
giving agricultural landowners
seeking land use changes the right
to do so without overly stringent
local government environmental
site assessment requirements. The
association also worked to ensure a
property's agricultural classification
remains protected if engaged in
agritourism.
In crop protection, FFVA and other
farm groups initiated legal action against
the Environmental Protection Agency's
rules prohibiting the use of chlorpyrifos
pesticides on all food crops. Though the
rule went into effect, FFVA continues to
educate regulatory agencies on how such
rules affect growers and helps growers
find solutions.
In coordination with agricultural
consultants, partners and the Food
and Drug Administration, FFVA
voiced concerns with the FDA's
proposed rule to change certain
preharvest agricultural water
requirements. FFVA supported
producers in submitting individual
feedback to help refine the rule.
8 | FruitGrowersNews.com
http://www.seregionalconference.org http://www.FruitGrowersNews.com
October 2022

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