January 2023 - 11

* Expanding access and availability to fresh
fruits and vegetables through federal nutrition
programs;
* Establishing a fair playing field for American
fruit and vegetable producers in the international
marketplace;
* Ensuring that federal investment into fresh
produce research is of a meaningful scale to
catalyze opportunities for the industry; and
Trucks bringing cargo from Mexico, including
fresh produce, enter the U.S. daily at the Otay
Mesa Port of Entry near San Diego. Photo: U.S.
Customs and Border Protection
and inputs, funding for automation, funding for specialty
crop marketing programs or improved crop insurance
access, " Morton said.
Trade concerns and Mexico
Seasonal competition issues are a significant
concern for Florida growers, Morton said.
" The importance of supporting our domestic
producers cannot be overstated, and we do see a path
forward in the Farm Bill to stem the onslaught of
unfair seasonal and perishable produce from Mexico, "
she said. " In fact, establishing a competitive playing
field for American specialty crop producers is a focus
area for the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. "
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
is working through its list of priorities for the 2023
Farm Bill, but there are several key requirements
that it will focus on, said Siobhan May, director of
communications and public relations for IFPA.
These include:
* Helping enhance the ability of producers to
participate fully in all U.S. Department of
Agriculture conservation programs as well as any
initiatives to address global climate change.
May said IFPA recognizes that since the enactment of
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the industry
has confronted new and increasing economic challenges.
These include droughts, hurricanes, fires and other
natural disasters; disruptions to the supply chain by a
global pandemic; increased competition from seasonal
and perishable imports; tariff disputes between the U.S.
and significant export markets; and labor shortages.
" During this period, Congress and USDA have
implemented several ad hoc programs in an attempt to
assist producers with these unprecedented challenges, "
May said. " It is clear these programs demonstrated
that existing tools are inadequate to provide meaningful
protection for our industry who grow hundreds of diverse
crops in all regions of the country, each with their own
unique business models, markets, and pricing. "
Disaster relief sought
Dante L Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas
International Produce Association (TIPA), said " members
are looking for a number of things to come out of the
next Farm Bill. "
Grow with Confidence, Grow with Gowan!
Blake Myers
585-303-3252
bmyers@gowanseed.com
CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
Daniel Eggert
585-613-5297
deggert@gowanseed.com
CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT
Josh Heller
717-940-5440
jheller@gowanseed.com
DE, MD, NJ, PA
Come visit us at the Empire State Producers Expo (Booth #300)
and the Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention (Booth #157).
Request a catalog or place an order:
800-318-5942
sales@gowanseed.com
www.gowanseed.com
VEGETABLEGROWERSNEWS.COM | 11
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January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2023
