FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                                                      CONTACT: 
                                                                               Lisa Lochridge or Barbara Wunder
                                                                                                                   321-214-5200

LEGISLATORS BENNETT, TROUTMAN AND BRANDENBURG RECEIVE HONORS

MAITLAND, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2007) – Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association announced Sept. 18 that  it had awarded its Legislator of the Year Awards to Florida State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, and Rep. Baxter Troutman, R-Winter Haven. Rep. Mary Brandenburg, D-Lake Worth, also was honored as the Ag Partner of the Year.

"These lawmakers have shown support for Florida agriculture and have led the fight for a business environment where farmers are better able to be competitive,” said Butch Calhoun, FFVA’s Director of Governmental Affairs. 

Sen. Bennett chairs the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee and sponsored several agriculture amendments to key bills. “We appreciate Sen. Bennett’s efforts because he is a very ‘pro-business, less government’ type of legislator,” said Calhoun.

Rep. Troutman serves as vice chairman of the Environmental and Natural Resources Council and served as chair during the chairman’s absence. He is also vice chairman of the Environmental Protection Committee. “Rep. Troutman sponsored two important agriculture bill, and sacrificed one of those in order to make sure the bill that
exempted sales tax on electricity used in agricultural production passed,” said Calhoun.

The Ag Partner Award is presented to legislators who demonstrate exceptional support for the state’s agriculture industry. As the ranking Democrat on the Environmental and Natural Resources Council and a member of the Policy and Budget Council, Rep. Brandenburg consistently supported legislation that would benefit growers.

“Even though her constituency is mainly urban, she often speaks up for agriculture,” said Calhoun. “When a bill that’s important to us is in trouble, she’ll stand up and defend us. She grew up on a farm and understands the importance of agriculture.

The awards were announced at FFVA’s 64th Annual Convention held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Fla.

Past recipients of the Legislator of the Year Award include Senators Jeff Atwater, Nancy Argenziano and Bill Posey, and Reps. Dean Cannon, Dudley J. Goodlette and Marty Bowen.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida’s producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

-30-

Editors note: Digital photos available by emailing barbara.wunder@ffva.com.