[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6325373,"mediaKeyId","2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2","parentId",2333626,"title","Conservation Florida urges funding for agricultural easements to protect Florida Wildlife Corridor","audioSeconds",609,"startMs",68940,"endMs",677985,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2&start=68&end=677","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2/thumbnail_68940.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325373/Florida/Conservation-Florida-urges-funding-for-agricultural-easements-to-protect-Florida-Wildlife-Corridor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325373-9f7310104215e50a2345d179a3c2f952/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997997&Signature=bM8rCofhoiJn~HNCD4g~9lKKbLjU3to4XbgJcxJhwp7gCNCnNOJ5e3CLU5ny6dwvsFgQqXyZYMZSW4BK2WlsqWGrUcQjdxUEek1cRVLG387mHJVxCqSMm6W07-JOQwTHN4osrmjcMME2zTHaBdDQxmttyVU8L9zuLiA79srNPtF6ihqDV52NMK56BWVUGWegTg1si3OPeVqVRvP0L06LWBrThBnv134Y6KcrS7gTX4pKELxQx7fLz3YaHHj0NHaEMmv8rgg54O-72ojcUTIy1aHwRoyQSXlDMHnzaHPRiQ3yv-Axu2obIktywgYpVa6voJEzjJpt963uRErvKwUl1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Tracy Dean, president and CEO of Conservation Florida, told the Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture that conserving working farms and ranches is essential to maintaining a functional Florida Wildlife Corridor and protecting water, wildlife and local economies.

Dean said the state’s wildlife corridor encompasses about 18,000,000 acres, of which roughly 7,000,000 acres are working lands (ranch and timberlands). She said about 13% of that agricultural acreage is conserved today and urged continued, significant funding for programs that protect farm and ranch properties.

“Conservation is important to me because I really do believe that it is the only way we’re gonna sustain Florida’s heritage, our food industry, and protect our natural resources, our wildlife, our waterways,” Dean said. She described Conservation Florida’s role as a nonprofit land trust that works with landowners and state and federal agencies — including DEP, the Department of Agriculture and the USDA — to close conservation transactions.

Dean said Conservation Florida has protected more than 40,000 acres since its founding in 1999 and highlighted partnerships with private ranchers and groups such as the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. She cited specific corridor figures: 3,200,000 acres of ranch land (about 18% of the corridor) and 3,800,000 acres of timberlands (about 22%), and said that of the corridor’s identified opportunity areas, 33% are ranch land and 43% are timberland.

Dean advocated for continued support of two state programs she said are “instrumental”: Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. On the Rural and Family Lands program she said the last application cycle included more than 400 family landowners interested in participating and described the total funding need discussed by stakeholders as being “around $2,000,000,000” (as stated in the presentation).

Senators asked how conservation easement payments affect long‑term farm viability. Dean said easement payments are typically a one‑time infusion of capital but that landowners often use those proceeds to keep operations viable, buy additional land or maintain multigenerational farming. “An infusion of funding for a conservation easement on one property can propel them to buy another and grow their business,” she said, adding that landowners retain management authority and can sell properties with easements in place if they choose to exit farming.

Dean emphasized that conserving agricultural land also conserves wildlife habitat and water recharge areas, and that private landowners shoulder much of land management when an easement is in place. She thanked “Commissioner Simpson” for leadership on agricultural land protection and said Conservation Florida seeks to expand private partnerships with ranchers and timberland owners.

The presentation included testimony from ranchers and industry partners via video: Matt Pierce, owner of Pierce Cattle Company in Okeechobee, and Pat Durden, president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, who both described ranchlands as essential green landscapes that supply wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration benefits.

Dean closed by urging the committee to sustain and increase funding for the state programs that support agricultural conservation and to continue partnership work with landowners and local agricultural organizations.

The presentation was followed by brief questions from Senator Burton and Leader Moore.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Agriculture 2/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tracy Dean, president and CEO of Conservation Florida, told the Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture that conserving working farms and ranches through easements and funding programs is critical to protecting the 18 million‑acre Florida Wildlife Corridor.","taxTitle","Agriculture , Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",25570,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325364,"Senate Agriculture Committee reports SB 210 and SJR 318 favorably; bills explained and roll calls recorded",50,3770925,3821615,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2&start=3770&end=3821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2/thumbnail_3770925.jpg","/articles/6325364/Florida/Senate-Agriculture-Committee-reports-SB-210-and-SJR-318-favorably-bills-explained-and-roll-calls-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325364-fc59007eef3867968e6b7b9d61db9893/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997997&Signature=QB-NUpOjLDU7F95QfJ8vlVEKNz1UmlPD004pa0eN-Cb9qqcHXZhXH~Yzu7t9mnLl11~zAa-TgvB6z94Z8~0niyT9KQeXfIeh~H0K6dJqPRev3x5Mp15NLmuyHPax-2YO8QcgeYAW2PFZsP3VFysEPMWUTRj3Q3385Ytf5DF42B4HHFW774V1sOOsffUeQgatu~pjVuIDlb~f2~UTAIbq9Hyir3V8UgpvGpejBdulr9Ih8PInsboh8-mIBWRDMbvu-Yog9kAix7x9bHbYRTDM4s22CfhJnbpP-IL8D-CpWdTUiuFPD9UPvdI~YW2Yz4RMImsW8g-kMk~JF0fKvvgkWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture reported two measures favorably after brief presentations and no recorded public opposition.

SB 210 — Animal cremation (Sen. Harrell). Sen. Harrell explained SB 210 as a consumer protection measure for pet cremations that would require crematory operators to disclose whether a cremation is individual or a group service, to provide written descriptions of services, and to prohibit false or misleading information in customer materials. The bill directs rulemaking and enforcement to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and establishes civil penalties for violations. Sen. Harrell described a Martin County case in which owners who paid for an individual cremation received cremains that included human remains and other contaminants; he said the bill would create disclosure requirements and penalties to provide recourse for consumers.

Under the bill as explained in committee, first‑offense civil penalties range from $1,000 to $1,500 and subsequent penalties range from $2,000 to $2,500, with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services charged with rulemaking and enforcement. The presentation mentioned that operators currently may obtain a DEP animal crematory air general permit and that registration and oversight vary across facilities.

Evan (committee clerk) called the roll on SB 210. Recorded votes in the transcript: Senator Bernard — Yes; Senator Boyd — Yes; Senator Burton — Yes; Senator Roussan — Yes; Chair Trudeau — Yes. The clerk announced: “By your vote, SB 210 is reported favorably.”

SJR 318 — Ad valorem exemption, \"Save Our Florida Farms\" (Sen. Trudeau). The resolution would appear on the ballot if enacted and, as described to the committee, would provide an ad valorem exemption on tangible personal property if three conditions are met: the property is on land classified as agricultural, the property is used in production of agricultural products or agritourism, and it is owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land. Sen. Trudeau (explaining the measure) said it seeks to reduce burdens on working farms and keep agriculture viable.

Several organizations waived in support on the meeting sheet: Tripp Hunter (Florida Farm Bureau), Chad Cundy (Florida Chamber of Commerce), Nancy Stewart (Florida Poultry Federation), Jim Spratt (Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association), and Alex Haley (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) — all recorded as waving in support in committee materials.

The clerk called the roll on SJR 318. Recorded votes in the transcript: Senator Bernard — Yes; Senator Burton — Yes; Senator Hassan — Yes; Senator Tournelle — Yes; Chair Boyd — Yes. The clerk announced: “By your vote, SJR 3 18 will be reported favorably.”

No amendments, extended debate, or public testimony opposing either measure were recorded in the committee transcript; both were reported favorably to the next committee or the floor as applicable.","The Senate Committee on Agriculture reported SB 210 (animal cremation disclosures and penalties) and SJR 318 (ad valorem exemption for agricultural tangible personal property—\"Save Our Florida Farms\") favorably after brief explanations and no opposition; roll calls were taken and are recorded in the committee minutes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6325370,"UF entomologist warns of rising honeybee losses, cites Varroa, storms and invasive hornet threat",1628,1429780,3058449,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2&start=1429&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333626-828fcf4be66a1a18905a98b30ee9c4a2/thumbnail_1429780.jpg","/articles/6325370/Florida/UF-entomologist-warns-of-rising-honeybee-losses-cites-Varroa-storms-and-invasive-hornet-threat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325370-8876adfdff3b5b7cc2969de761bf7c0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997997&Signature=Km2NNikK7lQENghqTBLLX~j0PfUwlcBZOjdiLqiK3pyYy8LAHczGXNnjv7~t5~WmPx6TFJbjnERbfbBl-uQYibzKT7OdvIC~a9ZcGZhqyWvwmE2SwCdvUzLq06zM2jBEff1tUZO1yK-YKw9a-N-miCS3UQCodOGNyd60jEYUPQOJWjzQAsmVtWfEjgqODQrXMDz4BGTnhVcG-~X3MsYEsQ4rlpuYk-OeaKRzobqmPPLFGKRdLpsqxfknmS0VBJ~RJCQtRutOY7blgwyvT~BzdS5kUlW5H-PxeQxjy-uHFflGssdM5-xUQYsSfSbmr5EtJ5wgSpSDPKCF-7Lpwl5JGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Jamie Ellis, Gahan endowed professor of entomology at the University of Florida, told the Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture that managed honeybee colony losses are substantial and rising, and that the state’s beekeeping infrastructure and UF research programs are central to responding.

Ellis said about 2.5 million managed honeybee colonies existed in the U.S. in 2023 and that annual beekeeper losses typically hover around 43% nationally and roughly 44% in Florida. He told senators Florida requires beekeepers to register colonies, reporting 5,304 registered beekeepers in the state and an estimated up to 800,000 colonies present in Florida at times each year as colonies move through the state.

“Honey bees are important for honey production but what they really do for us is they provide very important pollination services,” Ellis said, noting that commercial beekeepers move colonies around the country to pollinate crops such as almonds, blueberries and watermelons. He explained that the average colony is used on multiple crops through a year and that pollination services contribute to a significant share of food production.

Ellis identified Varroa destructor as the principal threat to honeybee health, calling it “one of the largest parasites known on planet Earth” relative to the host and explaining that controlling a mite on an arthropod is especially challenging because treatments can also harm bees. He said that resistance to the principal miticide amitraz is being reported, and he linked Varroa and associated pathogens to many colony losses.

On invasive species, Ellis said the yellow‑legged hornet (detected in Georgia in February 2023) is a serious concern for the region and could spread into Florida. He described the hornet’s hunting behavior and European reports of significant losses where the hornet is established and said Georgia found additional nests in 2024.

Ellis described University of Florida resources and state‑supported labs: a bee laboratory funded in 2018, an apiary inspection program run with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and a new diagnostics lab for honeybee pests and pathogens. He also described UF extension products, including a Beekeeping Academy video series, an internationally downloaded podcast “Two Bees in a Pod,” and an upcoming bee college.

In questions, senators asked how colony losses are recovered and whether federal assistance exists. Ellis said beekeepers recover losses by splitting surviving colonies or purchasing replacement stock from package or “nuc” producers and noted the federal Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm‑Raised Fish Program (ELAP) can provide limited payments for losses due to conditions such as Colony Collapse Disorder when documented.

Ellis warned that recent informal reports from commercial operations indicate winter losses substantially above historical averages, with some beekeepers reporting 70–90% losses; he said a national survey and formal numbers were expected in the following weeks. He recommended monitoring for the yellow‑legged hornet and continuing UF research and extension support for beekeepers.","Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida told the Senate Committee on Agriculture that managed honeybee colony losses are large and that Varroa mites, weather events and an invasive yellow‑legged hornet found in Georgia pose significant risks to pollination services. He described UF research, diagnostics capacity and outreach programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation Florida urges funding for agricultural easements to protect Florida Wildlife Corridor

Senate Agriculture Committee reports SB 210 and SJR 318 favorably; bills explained and roll calls recorded

UF entomologist warns of rising honeybee losses, cites Varroa, storms and invasive hornet threat