This week, as we set our sights and feet on the Sunshine State, where mockingbirds sing and the state flower is the orange blossom, I thought I’d focus on the current state of Florida agriculture.
The state’s agriculture commissioner, Charles Bronson (would not want to mess with that guy…oh wait, probably not the Death Wish Bronson), made it easy for me.
The state of agriculture in Florida is strong.
That’s according to an interview with Bronson in the Fort Myers News-Press.
Still, the news isn’t all good. While the market value of sales hit a record of $7.8 billion in 2007, net earnings have fallen 40 percent between 2005 and 2007.
What does that mean? Farmers are working harder for less return.
So what happens when it’s not worth it to farm anymore?
Florida orange grove photo from glen202’s Photostream.
Virtual Farmgirl 