PAC FUNDRAISER THE BEST EVER

Not so many years ago, Florida's state legislators knew how important agriculture was to the state's well being. Many of them came from farming and ranching families.

Now, with more and more people coming to the state, moving into thousands of new homes on former farmland, priorities have changed. That's why those in agriculture need to make a special effort to bring critical issues to the attention of those in office.

So, why not fire a few shots to get the word out?

FFVA President Mike Stuart (right) presents PAC Chairman David Neill with a gift in appreciation for his hard work. The gift is a turkey call, carved by Rep. Dwight Stansel (D- Live Oak).

That's exactly what happened February 28 at the FFVA Political Action Committee's (PAC) second fundraising "Sporting Clay Shoot" at Quail Creek Plantation near Okeechobee.

"The shoot was a big success," said Alan Peirce, FFVA's regulatory affairs manager. "We ended up with about 28 sponsors and 58 shooters representing 16 teams, along with at least 10 others attending including Senator Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie)," he said.

The weather was perfect, the barbecue lunch excellent, and a raffle featuring more than 30 prizes added to the excitement. Those prizes included guns, handmade turkey calls, ammunition, a sporting clay shoot for four, coolers, ammunition cases, gun cleaning kits, turkey hunting vests and many other outdoor items. In addition to the prize raffle, a 50/50 cash raffle produced additional dollars for the PAC. "All in all it was a great event," said Peirce.

Bobby Shekels, Vonnie McDaniels and Jeff McDaniels of Big Red Tomato Packers won overall highest points.

Because the number of elected officials with a connection to Florida agriculture has dropped, it becomes an increasing challenge for the agriculture industry to explain to those lawmakers the importance of complex legislation that addresses issues like crop protection, labor, pest and disease eradication, and the environment.

One way the PAC accomplishes this is through candidate interviews conducted in cooperation with the Florida Agriculture Coalition, an alliance of industry governmental representatives. A panel of coalition leaders interviews each contender to evaluate that candidate's level of understanding and support of ag issues. Based on this one-on-one research, the coalition and the PAC decide whether they will back his or her campaign.

The success of the event couldn't have come at a better time, said PAC Chairman David Neill. "We have some key races coming up this year that will affect the future of agriculture," he said. "We have open seats for governor, attorney general, chief financial officer. Plus we have state senate and representative districts up for grabs and Ag Commissioner Bronson running for re-election," he added.

In addition to the elections, issues expected to be addressed in the Legislature include greenbelt law reform, ag enclaves, tax exemptions for low volume irrigation, farmworker protection, citrus canker and water policies.

FFVA's Alan Peirce (left) and Butch Calhoun announce raffle winners of rifles and other oudoor prizes.

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