The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Agriculture
BILL: SB 922
INTRODUCER: Senator Perry
SUBJECT: Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Matching Grant Program
DATE: January 12, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Becker Becker AG Favorable
2. AEG
3. AP
I. Summary:
SB 922 establishes the Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Matching Grant Program within the
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (department) to support startup functions for
new farming and ranching operations. To receive a grant, an individual must:
Be an agricultural producer, be an employee of a farm or ranch, or be an agricultural
producer who is a veteran as defined in s. 1.01(14), F.S.;
Be between the ages of 18 and 35;
Have operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years;
Demonstrate, at minimum, a dollar-for dollar matching investment for the grant amount
requested; and
Submit a grant application.
If funded by the Legislature, each grant award would be between $5,000 and $20,000, and a
recipient may receive only one award grant period.
For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the sum of $500,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from
the General Revenue Fund to the department for the purpose of implementing the program.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Opportunities exist within farming and ranching, but beginning farmers and ranchers have
unique educational, training, technical assistance, and outreach needs. Capital access, land
REVISED: BILL: SB 922 Page 2
access, and access to knowledge and information to assist in ensuring profitability and
sustainability are vital to those just entering agriculture and in their first ten years of operation.
1
Currently, there are no grant programs within the department specifically to assist young farmers
and ranchers. The department does provide resources through its Grant Opportunity
2
public
webpage.
To address the lack of resources and assistance, the 2018 Legislature created a 12 member
Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Advisory Council
3
to provide an opportunity for young
people to offer advice and to give recommendations to the Commissioner of Agriculture about
the challenges facing aspiring farmers and ranchers in the early stages of their careers. The
council is authorized to examine issues such as access to land, availability of credit and capital,
and access to business skills training. The Legislature also directed the department to create the
Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Resource Clearinghouse on its website
4
in order to provide
career information and resources to young farmers who will be entering a wide range of jobs
involving food production, natural resources, plant systems, animal management, and much
more.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 creates s. 288.06572, F.S., to establish the Florida Young Farmer and Rancher
Matching Grant Program. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services (department) to administer grants to foster the creation and expansion of agricultural
businesses by young farmers and ranchers in Florida. The department is directed to adopt rules
regarding the program. To be eligible, grant recipients must at a minimum:
Be an agricultural producer, employee of a farm or ranch, or an agricultural producer who is
a veteran as defined in s. 1.01(14);
Be at least 18 years of age, but not older than 35 years of age;
Have operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years;
Demonstrate, at a minimum, a dollar-for-dollar matching investment for grant money
requested; and
Submit a grant application during the time period designated by the department.
Each grant award must be between $5,000 and $20,000, and a recipient may receive only one
award per grant period. Annual grant funding is contingent upon appropriation from the
legislature. For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the sum of $500,000 in nonrecurring funds is
appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the department for the purpose of implementing
the program.
Section 2 provides that this act shall take effect July 1, 2022.
1
See https://nifa.usda.gov/program/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp (Last visited January 12,
2022).
2
See https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Grant-Opportunities (Last visited January 12, 2022).
3
Section 570.843, F.S.
4
See https://www.fdacs.gov/Education/Preparing-for-Careers-in-Agriculture (Last visited January 12, 2022).
BILL: SB 922 Page 3
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the sum of $500,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated
from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
to implement the program.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None. BILL: SB 922 Page 4
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 288.06572 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.