Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued the following statement regarding Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 23-06:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued the following statement regarding Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 23-06:

“As Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, former Senate President, lifelong farmer, and businessman, I understand firsthand how inextricably linked our environment is to the health and safety of our people, food supply, and our economy.

“During my time as Senate President, I am proud of what we accomplished to protect our precious natural resources, from the Everglades Restoration Act, advancements in statewide water policy, securing more than $300 million for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, $75 million per year in springs restoration, C43 and C44 reservoirs, southern reservoir, northern storage, and the list goes on.

“I also secured funding for Best Management Practices research that, once complete, will serve as an evidence and science-based roadmap to ensure Florida agriculture continues to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

“I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis for his bold leadership on Florida’s environmental issues and for his continued focus on protecting our world-renowned natural resources.

“Florida farmers have been successfully using Best Management Practices for over 30 years, and they continue to efficiently drive down water usage and nutrient load. I look forward to continuing our work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to implement Best Management Practices.

“Farmers are Florida’s first environmentalists. When you pull your living out of the ground every day, you know just how sacred that is and how much the conservation of our natural resources matters.”

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.