Committees

Provide input, advice, and direction to the FFVA staff and Board of Directors on federal and state legislation and the potential impacts to FFVA members.

 

Issues and Scope:

• Federal legislation that includes the Farm Bill, labor, disaster response, trade, supply chain, environmental and food safety.

• Federal appropriations.

• State legislation relating to farm labor, tax, disaster response, transportation, environmental and other issues.

• State appropriations for IFAS, Fresh From Florida and other important tissues.

• Advocate with Federal and State elected officials for policies that benefit or harm FFVA members.

 

Provide direction and coordination of FFVA activities related to food safety and sustainability, including identification of educational and research needs of the membership, and emerging issues that could impact Florida producers.

 

Issues:

• Implementation of food safety regulations, such as traceability and agricultural water.

• Oversight of FFVA food safety member services.

• Regulatory and supply chain sustainability initiatives.

• Audit and inspection preparedness.

• Worker training programs and materials.

• Recall readiness and crisis management.

 

Scope:

• Identify and coordinate FFVA membership regulatory compliance needs for food safety.

• Identify and coordinate gaps in research in food safety program implementation and compliance.

• Support development of policy positions, comments and other regulatory intervention as federal and state food safety programs are mandated and implemented.

• Identify gaps in educational programs available to the membership for both food safety and sustainability programs and support development of FFVA outreach and education activities.

• Serve as a forum for development of collective response to food safety and sustainability demands on the membership from government and the supply chain.

Provide direction and coordination of FFVA activities related to all aspects of crop production, including identification of educational and research needs of the membership and emerging issues that could impact Florida producers.

 

Issues:

• Regulatory issues and enforcement related to pesticidal tools.

• Nutrient management.

• Invasive pests.

• Non‐target impacts of crop production practices.

 

Scope:

• Identify and coordinate FFVA membership regulatory compliance needs for crop production activities.

• Identify and prioritize research gaps for crop production practices, pest management and invasive pests.

• Support development of policy positions, comments and other regulatory interventions as federal and state programs affecting crop production and management practices are introduced, mandated and implemented.

• Identify gaps in educational programs available to the membership on crop production innovations or regulatory programs and support development of FFVA outreach and education activities.

• Serve as a forum for development of collective response on crop production issues for the membership.

Facilitate the collection, compilation and prioritization of research needs identified by the policy committees of FFVA and communicate, coordinate and collaborate with the University of Florida, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other research institutions to ensure the priority needs of FFVA’s members are met.

 

Issues:

• Assessment of industry needs.

• Coordination with state and federal research institutions.

• Collaboration with Florida Specialty Crop Foundation.

 

Scope:

• Compile and catalogue research needs as identified by the policy committees.

• Develop a framework for communicating the needs of the Florida industry to research institutions to assist in development of researchers’ Plans of Work.

• Provide a forum for development of a priority ranking system for research needs.

• Identify and facilitate participation in funding to provide the needed research opportunities (State Block Grants, Specialty Crop Research Initiative Grants, etc.).

• Provide for collective participation in the identification of critical research positions across the commodity diversity within the FFVA membership.

• Facilitate dialogue with key research institutions and facilities.

• Select the recipient of the FFVA Researcher of the Year Award annually, based on submitted nomination packages.

Provide direction and coordination of FFVA activities related to supply chain management, including identification of educational and research needs of the membership and emerging issues that could affect Florida producers.

 

Issues:

• Domestic and international supply chain regulatory matters.

• Fresh From Florida and other promotional activities.

• Transportation.

• Retail industry collaboration.

 

Scope:

• Identify and coordinate FFVA membership regulatory compliance needs for orderly and efficient marketing of produce.

• Identify and prioritize research gaps for all aspects of the supply chain.

• Coordinate with appropriate parties to promote and enhance the market for Florida products.

• Development of policy positions, comments and other regulatory interventions as international, federal and state programs are developed and implemented that impact trade in agricultural products.

• Identify gaps in educational programs available to the membership innovations or regulatory programs concerning supply chain management and support development of FFVA outreach and education activities.

• Serve as a forum for development of collective response to government and supply chain demands on the membership.

Guide and coordinate FFVA’s water and land use initiatives, including identifying and prioritizing emerging issues, research needs, and educational gaps that may impact members.

 

Issues:

• Water quality and quantity regulations.

• Water availability.

• Natural resources regulations.

• Property rights.

• Best Management Practices.

 

Scope:

• Identify and evaluate regulatory compliance requirements associated with water and land use for FFVA members.

• Identify and prioritize research needs affecting members regarding water availability, operational practices, and land use.

• Support development of policy positions, comments and other regulatory interventions as federal and state programs impacting water and land use are introduced, mandated and implemented.

• Identify educational and funding programs available to the membership relating to water and land use regulatory programs, and support the development of FFVA outreach and education initiatives.

• Serve as a forum to collaborate and develop unified positions on water and land use issues for members.

Provide direction and coordination of FFVA activities related to all aspects of agricultural labor availability and management, including identification of educational and research needs of the membership, and emerging issues that could impact Florida producers at the state and federal level.

 

Issues:

- Workforce regulations,

- Health care,

- H‐2A program oversight.

 

Scope:

• Identification and coordination of FFVA membership regulatory compliance needs for maintaining its agricultural workforce.

• Identification and prioritization of research gaps associated with Florida’s agricultural workforce, including economics, training needs, and impact of regulatory requirements.

• Support development of policy positions, comments and other regulatory interventions as federal and state programs impacting agricultural labor are introduced, mandated and implemented.

• Identify gaps in educational programs available to the membership on regulatory programs impacting agricultural labor, and support development of FFVA outreach and education activities.

• Serve as a forum for development of collective response on workforce management requirements from the government and supply chain.