Tallahassee Democrat: Commerce, UF making Florida an AgTech hub to save farmers

When you pour Florida milk on your cereal and sip Florida OJ as part of your morning ritual, you’re making economic and national security decisions.

Buying local isn’t just a quaint notion of supporting a mom-and-pop dairy or produce stand. It’s a strategic commitment to strengthening the rural economy and reducing reliance on imports in a world where distant disruptions can empty grocery store shelves.

It’s our job to defend your food supply. To do it, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) develops technologies to keep Florida farmers and ranchers globally competitive and Florida feeding itself.

FloridaCommerce promotes Florida food abroad and supports businesses at home that contribute to getting your meals from field to fork.

Together we are working to make Florida the hub for AgTech in the United States. Supporting creation of food-focused tech businesses and attracting existing businesses from abroad and from other states will bolster our economy and help our farmers grow more food.