The 2020 Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop (VSC) Expo will be held Wednesday and Thursday, August 19-20. Due to COVID-19, this year’s event has transitioned to a virtual format, but growers can still get the same great Expo experience they are accustomed to.
Both the citrus and VSC seminar programs will debut online at CitrusExpo.net at 9:30 a.m. Eastern both mornings. Attendees will be able to view videos of the research presentations from their computers or cell phones. Those who attend the seminars as they debut online will be eligible to win one of four $200 gift cards from Bass Pro Shops.
One of the most anticipated features of the event will also be held virtually, as the trade show will take place. You can connect online with vendors to find every imaginable product or service your operation could ever need. Growers will be able to visit the online exhibitor corner to view videos from suppliers and obtain information about their latest products. There will be 15 premier exhibitors in the lineup with links to forms that growers can fill out. Growers who visit at least five premier booths and fill out the forms will be entered to win a $100 Bass Pro Shops gift card.
The exhibitor corner will also debut online at 9:30 a.m. EDT at CitrusExpo.net on Aug. 19–20 along with both the citrus and VSC seminar programs. But while the seminar programs will be available throughout the end of the year, the exhibitor corner will only be offered Wednesday and Thursday, so don’t miss out. AgNet Media would like to extend a special thanks to the exhibiting vendors and sponsoring companies who are investing in the event and the Expo attendees.
Russ Goodman Talks About Impact of Unfair Trade Ahead of Thursday’s Virtual Hearing
United States of America and Mexico waving flag
A prominent blueberry producer in Southeast Georgia believes the future of the American family farm could hinge on any action taken as a result of the virtual hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Russ Goodman is one of several farmers and industry leaders in Georgia who will testify in a virtual hearing on Thursday with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. The hearings will provide the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from growers in Georgia about the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade.
“We started growing blueberries in 2000. In 2010, we hear rumblings about (Mexico) and people saying, ‘Mexico’s going to put you guys out of business.’ I heard that kind of stuff. I normally don’t pay a lot of attention to things like that because you hear a lot of generic statements,” said Goodman, a farmer in Cogdell, Georgia. “In 2010, they sent 1.8 million pounds. Last year they shipped in 63 million pounds. I’m fearful that if something isn’t addressed what it means.
“It’s not only with Mexico, which is what these hearings are about, USMCA and Mexico and specifically how that affects us, but my friends in the north in Michigan have been farming blueberries for three and four generations. They’re being affected the same thing with Peru right now.”
Labor Disadvantage
The biggest concern with farmers in Georgia and Florida – where hearings were held last week – in competing with Mexican imports is the cost of labor. What American farmers have to pay per hour, Mexican farmers can charge per day. How can American growers compete?
“A third of your costs is going to be labor. They’re down there paying one-tenth of what we’re paying in labor. You take any business on God’s green earth where your competition has a 90% advantage over something that’s a third of your overhead, they’ll eventually put all their competition out of business. The scary thing is, that competition comes in the form of the American family farm,” Goodman said.
He estimates Mexican farmers only have to pay 81 cents per hour as a minimum wage.
“You don’t have to have a Ph.D. in economics to see what’s happening and what it’s going to mean long term. We’ve got a blueprint of what’s happened in the past, the tomato industry in Florida. That’s just going to keep going into other things,” Goodman said. “They’re planting 20,000 acres of pecans a year in Mexico from my understanding. I just think we’ve got to, especially in light of this pandemic, we’ve got to re-evaluate where we’re at as far as food security. What keeps us food secure is the American family farm,” Goodman said.
According to many farmers, fair trade is more of a fantasy than reality.
Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, understands changes to the unfair trade practices that are being experienced by seasonal growers in Georgia and Florida with regards to Mexican imports are not going to happen overnight.
But he is hopeful the virtual hearings on Thursday, Aug. 13 and the one next week on Thursday, Aug. 20, will make a difference.
Hearing Next Week
Hall is one of numerous farmers and industry leaders in Georgia who will testify in a virtual hearing on Thursday with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. The hearings provide the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from growers in both states about the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade.
“I think it is big that we have this opportunity to talk with some of the decision makers in Washington. I know that our Congressmen and Congressional delegations have been fighting for us. I think it could very well be of some remedy, but I say that cautiously because there’s an awful lot that has to happen for this to be any remedy for us,” Hall said. “I don’t think after these hearings, they’re going to say we believe you and we’re going to do what we need to. I think the hearings are one step in the process. Hopefully, we can continue to keep the administration on our side and continue to work towards some remedy to this.”
Trade Distorting Policies
Hall hopes the discussion over the two days of hearing will center on trade distorting policies and how to address the competitive disadvantage American farmers are facing.
“All of the testimony that was presented on Thursday (13th) or next week on the 20th is to show the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office what we consider to be trade distorting policies. Over the last 15 years, since NAFTA was created, particularly over the last five years you can look at the increase of Mexican imports into the U.S. and how much the Mexico imports have taken over the U.S. domestic market for produce. You can really see what those imports are doing,” Hall said.
Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivered testimony during a virtual hearing on seasonal and perishable produce organized by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
The virtual hearing is the first of two to discuss foreign trade practices that are harming American growers, especially Florida farmers, of seasonal and perishable produce. These hearings are being convened after Rubio led the Florida delegation in securing a promise from the administration to further examine this issue and formulate a plan that addresses the severe harm that Florida growers continue to experience at the hands of Mexico. You can read Rubio’s testimony as prepared here.
“[P]rimarily you are here because of a promise made to me and to the entire Florida congressional delegation, and to this industry in Florida – made both privately, and publicly in Ambassador Lighthizer’s letter of January 9, 2020, that these unreasonable trade practices would be thoroughly examined, and an appropriate remedy announced,” Rubio said in his testimony. “The USMCA was a victory for our economy in many ways… However, as I said at the time, Florida growers were not protected by this agreement, and in fact, they were left out. Your promise to us was that this omission would not be the final word, that the livelihood of Florida growers would not be the price tag of the USMCA. We need you to make good on that promise.”
Background:
Rubio has been leading the effort on behalf of Florida’s growers who are harmed by unfair trade practices from Mexico. When the Senate approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA), Rubio highlighted the shortcomings of the agreement as it relates to Florida’s seasonal growers.
“However, no trade deal is perfect, and while many American farmers and ranchers are celebrating, Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers were once again left to fend for themselves,” Rubio said. “Florida growers deserve an effective, enforceable, and durable solution to the problems NAFTA helped impose. While the USMCA will not improve their situation, I remain confident that this administration will continue to look for ways to address significant price distortions in the domestic seasonal and perishable produce market caused by a rising tide of unfair import competition.”
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried testified on Thursday about unfair trade in a virtual hearing with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office.
The hearing, which will continue throughout the day, provides the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from seasonal produce growers in Florida on the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade.
U.S. Representative Darren Soto of Florida’s 9th District testified on Thursday during a virtual hearing with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office.
Soto focused much of his talk on blueberries and how Mexican imports have impacted Florida farmers.
The hearing, which will continue throughout the day, provides the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from seasonal produce growers in Florida on the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade.
Blueberries are one commodity at stake with competition with Mexico.
Gene McAvoy, associate director for stakeholder relations at the University of Florida/IFAS, is speaking up about unfair trade practices.
He’s one of numerous farmers and industry leaders in Florida who will testify in a virtual hearing today with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. The hearings, scheduled for today and next Thursday, Aug. 20, will provide the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from seasonal produce growers in Georgia and Florida about the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade.
Today’s hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. To view the live recording of the hearing, visit USTR’s website here. The livestream will be made available on August 13.
Fair Trade More Fantasy Than Reality
McAvoy has substantial statistical data to support his belief that the idea of fair trade is more fantasy than reality.
“When I first came to Immokalee (Fla.) 25 years ago, we had 300 mostly medium-sized vegetable growers. I don’t think we have 80 (now). Some of them have gotten bigger, but the majority have had to get out because they just couldn’t compete,” McAvoy said.
McAvoy echoes what other farmers have been complaining about as they try to compete against Mexican imports.
“They’re paying their labor less per day than we’re paying per hour. We see produce coming in a $5 a box on tomatoes, and it’s impossible to fathom how that can be done when you think about the cost of production,” McAvoy said. “A tractor in Mexico’s going to cost just as much and more than it does here. Chemicals cost just as much and more than here. The cardboard box itself costs $1.50. When they’re putting stuff on the market at $4 or $5, I don’t care if labor is cheaper, there’s something else going on there.”
Multiple Commodities Impacted
Multiple commodity groups are vulnerable to unfair trade practices with Mexico.
“It started with tomato and then it progressed over the years. Tomatoes in 2000, we were about equal in Mexico, above Mexico in terms of total production of tomato on an annual basis. Now, they’re sending in three times what Florida produces into the United States on an annual basis. It moved to peppers. It moved to blueberries, strawberries; I’m hearing from growers now that have switched to organic production to carve out a niche and they’re starting to encroach on that market now,” McAvoy said.
Click here to view the hearing schedule and list of participants on August 13. Additional information regarding the August 20 hearing will be released closer to the date. The Federal Register notice regarding the hearings can be viewed here.
NOTE: Full transcripts of the hearings will be posted online after the hearings.
Gainesville, Fla. – Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick will provide public comment to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 9 a.m. EST to address concerns of unfair trade practices with Mexico.
In this virtual hearing, federal officials will hear firsthand from Florida growers, lawmakers, industry leaders and other agricultural-related entities to help provide feedback on how the Administration can better support producers and redress any unfair harm.
The hearings were originally scheduled to take place in Florida and Georgia in April, but in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held virtually. A second virtual hearing will be August 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. EST.
To view the live recording of the hearing, visit USTR’s website here. The livestream will be made available on August 13. Click here to view the hearing schedule and list of participants on August 13. Additional information regarding the August 20 hearing will be released closer to the date.
The Federal Register notice regarding the hearings can be viewed here.
NOTE: Full transcripts of the hearings will be posted online after the hearings.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) has an updated website to help the state’s residents know how to proceed if they receive unsolicited seeds in the mail. Those who do receive seeds, please click here.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services(FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry. They have been reported in multiple states.
Brushing Scam
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this matter, issued guidance. The USDA believes the seeds to be part of a “brushing” scam, where unsolicited items are sent in order to post false customer reviews and boost online sales. Upon receiving seed packages from recipients, the USDA will test the contents to determine if a risk is posed to agriculture or the environment.
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the USDA. Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling; may be invasive; may introduce pathogens, toxins or plant and animal diseases; may pose a risk of foodborne illness; and may pose a threat to plant, animal and human health. FDACS is continuing to work closely to receive additional guidance from the USDA and APHIS, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Report Immediately
“Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not plant them, but should report it to our department immediately, so that our inspectors can safely collect them for analysis,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
Here’s what to do if you receive an unsolicited seed package from another country:
• Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if possible.
• Place the seed packet and mailing materials into a sealable plastic bag. This is important to determine the origin of the seeds.
• Do not plant the seeds or discard them in trash that will be landfilled.
Again, if you receive these seeds, please click here to find out how to proceed.
This isn’t the first time in 2020 that Florida agriculture has been concerned about shipments of agricultural products from China. USDA’s APHIS on April 14 authorized the importation of five types of commercially produced citrus from China. Read about the official Florida opposition to that action.
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that additional commodities are covered by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in response to public comments and data. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to apply for the program to Sept. 11, and producers with approved applications will receive their final payment. After reviewing over 1,700 responses, even more farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity for assistance to help keep operations afloat during these tough times.
Perdue
“President Trump is standing with America’s farmers and ranchers to ensure they get through this pandemic and continue to produce enough food and fiber to feed America and the world. That is why he authorized this $16 billion of direct support in the CFAP program, and today we are pleased to add additional commodities eligible to receive much needed assistance,” said Secretary Perdue. “CFAP is just one of the many ways USDA is helping producers weather the impacts of the pandemic. From deferring payments on loans to adding flexibilities to crop insurance and reporting deadlines, USDA has been leveraging many tools to help producers.”
Background
Background: USDA collected comments and supporting data for consideration of additional commodities through June 22, 2020. The following additional commodities are now eligible for CFAP:
Specialty Crops – aloe leaves, bananas, batatas, bok choy, carambola (star fruit), cherimoya, chervil (french parsley), citron, curry leaves, daikon, dates, dill, donqua (winter melon), dragon fruit (red pitaya), endive, escarole, filberts, frisee, horseradish, kohlrabi, kumquats, leeks, mamey sapote, maple sap (for maple syrup), mesculin mix, microgreens, nectarines, parsley, persimmons, plantains, pomegranates, pummelos, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, tangelos, turnips/celeriac, turmeric, upland/winter cress, water cress, yautia/malanga, and yuca/cassava.
Non-Specialty Crops and Livestock – liquid eggs, frozen eggs and all sheep. Only lambs and yearlings (sheep less than two years old) were previously eligible.
Aquaculture – catfish, crawfish, largemouth bass and carp sold live as foodfish, hybrid striped bass, red drum, salmon, sturgeon, tilapia, trout, ornamental/tropical fish, and recreational sportfish.
Nursery Crops and Flowers – nursery crops and cut flowers. Other changes to CFAP include: Seven commodities – onions (green), pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts and watermelons – are now eligible for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act funding for sales losses. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for payments on marketing adjustments.
Correcting payment rates for onions (green), pistachios, peppermint, spearmint, walnuts, and watermelons.
Producers Who Have Applied: To ensure availability of funding, producers with approved applications initially received 80% of their payments. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will automatically issue the remaining 20 percent of the calculated payment to eligible producers. Going forward, producers who apply for CFAP will receive 100% of their total payment, not to exceed the payment limit, when their applications are approved.
Applying for CFAP: Producers, especially those who have not worked with FSA previously, are recommended to call 877-508-8364 to begin the application process. An FSA staff member can help producers start their application during the phone call.
On farmers.gov/cfap, producers can: Download the AD-3114 application form and manually complete the form to submit to their local USDA Service Center by mail, electronically or by hand delivery to their local office or office drop box. Complete the application form using the CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator. This Excel workbook allows customers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, then signed and submitted to their local USDA Service Center. If producers have login credentials known as eAuthentication, they can use the online CFAP Application Portal to certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center. All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap. For existing FSA customers, these documents are likely already on file.
All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in the office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.
