Transcript Problems facing Volusia Agriculture

Government regulations and their
impacts on agriculture
Unintended consequences



Most of the adverse rules were
implemented to address non-ag problems
Lack of understanding of agriculture by
government officials in the rule process
Historically difficult for ag and
development (little-lot people) to coexist
Past Examples of Problems





Permits for barns and electrical
Storm water ordinances
Farm pond permitting
Permitted uses in ag zoning
Conflicts between commercial agriculture
and residential- saw mill example
Future conflicts




Water
Labor
Environmental Regulations
Expensive to implement
Need to look at overall picture
Science
Organic versus modern food technology
Technology is not all “bad” just as “organic” is
not all good
Future conflicts

Land development regulations
Conflicts between current population and
growth
Can government balance density, ag
lands, green space
Difference between ag and green space
Four types of farms



Way of life farm. Mostly a hobby, but would like
to derive some income.
Niche farm. Could be organic or some type that
fills an unique need. May be small or large.
Farmer directly involved in marketing.
Transition farm. Once was a commercial profit
driven farm. Now more of a way of life. Farmer
is no longer reinvesting and may be looking to
cash out to fund retirement. Land is usually a
farmers 401k. Land could already be owned by
developers or speculators
Four types of Farms

Commercial profit driven farm. These
farms produce most of the food, fiber, and
profit driven products. Farms require
bigger acreage and/or are capital
intensive. Price Takers
Future Requirements
Markets






Hobby farms must develop markets
Opportunities to involve agri-tourism
Hobby farms can transition to niche farms
Commercial growers need expanded
markets. Value added products.
Reducing food miles
Creating Carbon Value- Biomass
Support Infrastructure





Competitively priced and available inputs
Support industries
Extension education –IFAS
Transferring density value
Work to keep “transition farms” in agriculture
New life for agriculture




Global demand for food and biomass
Record prices
Paradigm shift
What will Volusia County’s role be?