Florida’s Commission of Agriculture Adam Putnam visited FernTrust in Seville, Florida, as part of a fact “fact-finding mission to determine damage to the various agricultural commodities across the state,” said Jana Register, second from left, with Victoria register (far left)
Jimmy Register, David register and Putnam
Growers in Florida had a visit from an influential state government official last week. Adam Putnam, Florida’s commissioner of agriculture, visited FernTrust in Seville, Florida, on September 20 to tour facilities and see damage firsthand from Hurricane Irma.
“He met with us here at FernTrust as part of a fact-finding mission to determine damage to the various agricultural commodities across the state,” explained Jana Register, director of sales and marketing at FernTrust a co-op made up of 13 family farms. “He took time to listen to about 15 industry representatives to get firsthand details of damage and other concerns such as labor shortages that make clean up and recovery more difficult.”
After the visit, Putnam also took to his Facebook page, to share his thoughts on the damage to Florida’s agriculture industry — and growers’ resilience.
“Every one of the growers I’ve met with since this storm hit is committed to replanting, rebuilding, putting one foot in front of the other and getting back after it,” he said, after giving viewers a glimpse of both healthy and storm-damaged ferns.
Industry members in Florida and Texas are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Meanwhile millions in Puerto Rico are in need of for clean water, food, medicine, fuel and electricity.
The AIFD Foundation, working with the Texas State Florists’ Association and the Florida State Florists’ Association, has set up two relief funds, one for florists hit by Hurricane Harvey and one for those affected by Hurricane Irma. Get more information, apply for help or donate at aifdfoundation.org.
FNGLA also has established a resource page, fngla.org/Irma, for people who want to provide support. Last week, the group said it is looking for help of all kinds, “such as suppliers who would offer a discount or possibly send items at no cost to existing customers or whatever the case may be. Poly and other structural items are in hot demand.”
