Congressman Joe Garcia Hosts Discussion with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and South Dade Farmers
For Immediate Release: October 2, 2014 Contact: Nicole Cueto (202) 480-7274
HOMESTEAD, FL – Earlier today, Congressman Joe Garcia hosted a discussion with members of the South Dade agricultural community and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. “Miami-Dade County’s Agricultural industry is one of the most diverse in the country,”Congressman Garcia argued when expressing his reasoning behind bringing these parties together. He cited the singular impact South Dade agriculture has on the national industry, as well as a need to address the various issues and threats affecting our critical community.
“South Dade is a special place, flourishing with a diversity of crops” said Garcia. “Employing 20,000 people and contributing more than $2.7 billion in economic impact annually, agriculture in South Dade is not only an important food supplier nationally – it is an essential economic driver locally. That is why I asked Secretary Vilsack to come down – to make sure that our issues are being addressed and we can continue to grow and provide for our community locally, and the nation at large.”
Congressman Garcia invited Secretary Vilsack to his district to gain a better understanding of the vulnerabilities and risks facing the growers of South Dade. Secretary Vilsack gave an overview of National programs and listened to the concerns of the community. One of the only areas in the country capable of producing crops year round, South Dade is an area of critical strategic significance to our nation’s winter food supply.
The event was held at the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Office and was attended by nearly 100 leaders and activists from the South Dade agricultural community. Secretary Vilsack gave a brief update on the work being done by USDA and its partners to support and protect small, specialty crop farmers like those operating out of South Dade.
As chair of the first-ever White House Rural Council, Secretary Vilsack and USDA are taking steps to strengthen services for rural businesses and entrepreneurs by finding new ways to partner with other Federal agencies and the private sector to spur investment in rural America. Secretary Vilsack has worked closely with the White House Administration to put Americans back to work and create an economy built to last.
Earlier in the day, Congressman Garcia and Secretary Vilsack held a press conference announcing new funding provided to South Florida through the 2014 Farm Bill’s marquee specialty crop programs. This new program was initiated to help grow Florida’s, and the nation’s, specialty crop industries – including those related to fruits and vegetables, nuts, and nursery products.
The 2014 Farm Bill provided historic support to strengthen rural communities by bolstering local and regional markets and improving access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious high quality products for millions of Americans. It is one of relatively few bipartisan pieces of legislation passed during this session of Congress.
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