The Orange County Farm Bureau recently held its annual Membership Dinner at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, an event that recognizes the contributions of local farmers and ranchers in the region.<\/p>\n
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs was honored as a special guest and spoke about importance of the agriculture industry at the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Florida\u2019s largest general agricultural organization, the Orange County Farm Bureau assists in upholding the state\u2019s reputation as a national leader in the agriculture and farming sector,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cOur farming heritage remains a key part of our culture, and continues to be a tremendous generator of jobs and commerce. I am proud to recognize and celebrate the industry\u2019s success and hard work in keeping agriculture strong in Orange County.\u201d<\/p>\n
Executive Director of the Orange County Farm Bureau Bobby Beagles said Mayor Jacobs has been a friend of Central Florida\u2019s agriculture industry since she was a commissioner. Before her election as Mayor in 2011, Mayor Jacobs served two terms as an Orange County Commissioner, from 2000 to 2008.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t represent one type of agriculture, we represent all agriculture,\u201d Beagles said \u201cOur main goal is to work with state officials and to make sure agriculture gets a fair shake.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Orange County Farm Bureau is part of Florida\u2019s largest general agricultural organization, the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF). FFBF was founded to promote and protect the agricultural interests of farmers and ranchers engaged in the production agriculture. Florida\u2019s farmers and ranchers responsibly provide an abundant food supply using Florida\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n
Over 155,000 jobs in Orange County are related to agriculture, according to a recent study by the University of Florida. The study shows that nearly 18 percent of Orange County residents work in an agriculture-related field, including those producing and processing food.<\/p>\n