Commissioner Wilton Simpson Celebrates Signing of Historic 2026 Florida Farm Bill

SEBRING, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson joined Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida legislative leaders, and agriculture industry champions in Highlands County as the 2026 Florida Farm Bill was officially signed into law. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Danny Alvarez, Senate Bill 290 delivers major victories for Florida's farmers, ranchers, fishers, families, and rural communities.

"The Free State of Florida just delivered another major win for the people who feed our state and our nation," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "With the legislative leaders' hard work this session and Governor DeSantis' signature, the 2026 Florida Farm Bill is now law - protecting our farmers from government overreach, strengthening public safety, and preserving our natural resources and rural lands. I'm proud to stand alongside strong conservative leaders who understand that when you fight for freedom, family, and farmers, you're fighting for Florida's future."

Senate President Ben Albritton said, "Florida's farm families are at the heart of our rural communities, and this bill honors their contributions. Programs like Farmers Feeding Florida are a real expression of our values: helping neighbors in need and lifting up families with fresh, wholesome food. This legislation is another step toward the rural renaissance our state deserves, where opportunity thrives and our heritage is protected."

House Speaker Daniel Perez said, "In the Florida House, our priority has been clear: serve the people of Florida with responsible policy that safeguards families and strengthens our economy. The Florida Farm Bill reflects that mission by supporting agriculture, expanding opportunity, and making commonsense reforms that benefit everyday Floridians."

Senator Keith Truenow said, "This bill keeps government out of the way and lets Florida farmers do what they do best: produce for our state and country. I'm proud to work alongside Commissioner Simpson and my fellow bill sponsor in the Florida House, Representative Alvarez, to deliver laws that strengthen our communities and back the people who feed Florida."

Representative Danny Alvarez said, "When you focus on Florida, freedom, and our farmers, you get results. This Farm Bill cuts regulations that slow us down, protects families, and ensures our agricultural workforce has what it needs to keep Florida strong. I'm proud to partner with Commissioner Simpson once again on this important work."

The 2026 Florida Farm Bill includes a broad range of initiatives, including:

• Defending Floridians' Freedom to Use Gasoline-Powered Farm and Lawn Care Equipment
  Defending the freedom of Florida's farmers, ranchers, and residents to use the farm and lawn care equipment of their choosing by prohibiting counties and municipalities from banning the use of gasoline or diesel-powered farm and landscape equipment.
• Protecting Natural Lands From High-density Development
  Protecting our small, rural communities by prohibiting, unless unanimously approved by the local government, high-density development on lands designated as rural, conservation, or greenspace in a local comprehensive plan.
• Making the Farmers Feeding Florida Program Permanent
  Making permanent the program that directs fresh, Florida agricultural products into food banks to provide additional healthy food options for those in need.
• Promoting More Agricultural Land to Grow Florida's Domestic Food Supply
  Allowing the state to determine if there are lands purchased since 2024 that can be surplused and put back into agricultural production to protect our domestic food supply.
• Protecting Florida's Natural Resources
  Prohibiting the application of biosolids other than Class AA, which have been treated for the highest level of pathogen removal.
• Ensuring Safety on Florida's Roads
  Safeguarding Floridians from unqualified truck drivers who can't read or understand vital road and safety information by making it a crime to cheat, or help someone cheat, on the Commercial Driver License proficiency exam.
• Restoring Privacy with the No-Knock Homestead Act
  Prohibiting door-to-door commercial solicitation at homes displaying "No Solicitation" signs and establishing criminal penalties for violators.
• Holding Bad Contractors Accountable
  Protecting small businesses, ensuring fairness in state contracting, and safeguarding taxpayer dollars by creating a suspended vendor list and administrative penalties for contractors who fail to pay their subcontractors or suppliers.
• Supporting Florida's Veterinarians
  Strengthening our state's agricultural workforce and food security by establishing a loan repayment program to reimburse up to $25,000 per year for veterinarians who treat food animals and equine and who commit to working in Florida.
• Protecting First Responders and the Public from Dangerous Signal Jammers
  Making it a crime in Florida to possess, sell, distribute, or use signal jamming devices, a technology often smuggled from foreign adversaries, that can block 911 calls, disrupt law enforcement communications, and endanger public safety.

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

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