Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam joined Farm Credit of Central Florida directors, Florida Strawberry Festival directors and the Strawberry Queen at the annual Strawberry Salute Breakfast March 2.
This is the 19th year in a row the Bartow native has attended. This year, he spoke on his goals for the upcoming legislative session.
“As we step into that vortex tomorrow, there are a couple of things I want to address,” Putnam said to the packed roomed at Plant City’s First Baptist Church.
Putnam would like to integrate local produce into school nutrition to create healthier meals, stimulate the Florida economy and reduce diet-related illnesses.
“How would it be if Strawberry Crest High School was eating Mexican strawberries or Orange County schools were drinking Brazilian orange juice?” he asked.
He also touched on his project Operation Outdoor Freedom. This fall, he will roll out Peace River State Forest, a 5,000-acre hunting camp designed for veterans who have been wounded in war. There will be a lodge and range, all handicap accessible.
“It’s a small thank you that they can do what they grew up doing, take their families, their kids,” Putnam said.
But perhaps the biggest topic is to implement a proactive water policy. Because of Florida’s diversity, its regions haven’t been cohesive in the past to create a united and formalized water policy. Putnam highlighted those many regions, including the St. Johns River in Jacksonville down to Orlando, Apalachicola and its oyster harvest, and the Florida Everglades.
Putnam warned against becoming like California in its recent droughts, which have caused industries difficulties.
“We need an overreaching, statewide water policy with emphasis on springs, the Everglades … water quality and water supply,” Putnam said. “When you have a good rain year and good legislative leaders, you need to address it … We need to deal with this not in a reactionary way.”