American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall continued to express concern about farm labor with the threat of immigration enforcement on farms and ranches.
Duvall said current agriculture workforce programs are broken with no final farm bill in sight.
He said these programs do not meet the needs of farmers and are too expensive.
“Without farm workers vegetables will be left in the field, fruit will remain unpicked and cows will go unmilked. The end result is a reduced food supply and higher grocery prices for American families.”
Jeb Smith, President of the Florida Farm Bureau, said labor is one of the biggest challenges that face our farmers and ranchers.
“The better part of our workforce is legal. We are the largest user of H-2A workers in the nation. The cost of labor is continuing to rise and H-2A workers are getting more and more expensive. A decision we have to make is that cost something we can absorb.”
Smith went on to state that all the talk of raids on farms can bother workers.
“Even the rumor of ICE raids can impact us. The workers are legal, but maybe some of their family or their friends aren’t and that can create a problem for our legal workers.”
He said workers also want to make sure they have a job to come back to.
“Workers have their concern about the agriculture industry. They are looking for stability. They are worried can they come back to the farm next year. Is it viable? Will it still be in business?”
Okeechobee County Commissioners supported an effort to conserve 12,000 acres of ranch land in Okeechobee.
The U.S Fish and Wildlife wants to provide $4.5 million for a conservation easement on pasture land located off Lofton Road near Basinger. It is owned by Larson Dairy.
The Indiantown Village Council heard a report from the FDOT on the plans to widen 710 from the Okeechobee County line to Indiantown.
They are currently designing four different segments of projects on the highway with a goal of construction in 2029.
They have funded already a segment to realign the Martin Grade with SE 126th Blvd and put in a signalized intersection.
The village said they would like concrete medians to block trucks from parking in turn lanes along Warfield Blvd.
Ahern’s Convenience Store in Moore Haven did not get damage from fire and smoke seen there on Sunday.
Glades County Fire Chief Lawrence Factor said a vehicle fire was contained to the vehicle and did not damage the building.
He said the quick response of firemen to the US 27 business helped stop the damage.
The Glades County Sheriffs Office said the owner of the vehicle had recently replaced the battery and the alternator and there was no sign of foul play or arson.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office wants to make your trip on Lake Okeechobee safe for Labor Day.
Captain John Meskiel said you should have a checklist before you go on the water for fishing of pleasure boating. That includes emergency supplies, water, life jackets, a radio, cell phones, and sunblock.
Capt. Meskiel said always tell people where you will be on the lake and let them know when you plan to return.
He said it is also important to check the marine forecast for the day.
He added they hope to have zero boating under the influence arrests this weekend.
“Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol is not only illegal but extremely dangerous.
The primary cause of many boating accidents is human error and negligence. If someone has had too much to drink, consider appointing a designated skipper to take the helm.”