September 2026 President's Message
As we begin a new school year and our “free labor” returns to the classroom, we anticipate falls arrival. It has been a hot and busy summer for most of us with many pressing issues to be dealt with. I have greatly enjoyed working on your behalf these first few months as FCA president.
With the political season upon us, I can not emphasize enough the importance of having politicians in place with Ag backgrounds, or at least those who understand our importance here in Florida. Please take this into consideration in the coming months when deciding who to support whether it be at the local, state or national level. With those of us in agriculture being in the minority, it is increasingly important to have strong alliances in all levels of government. Sam Ard, our Director of Governmental Affairs, has done an amazing job working with limited resources to ensure our way of life is protected at the state level for many years.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Sumter County Cattlemen’s political forum where candidates were invited the speak in front of their association. This was a momentous event that certainly opened my eyes to the issues in their area and what issues come with increasing development pressure. I would like to thank Curtis Toman and the entire Sumter County Cattlemen’s for the invite and opportunity to speak on behalf of FCA.
I also had the privilege to speak at JFCA’s “Hottest Show on Earth” in Ocala along side my friend, FCW president Debora Whaley. So much of our association’s growth in recent years has come from JFCA and the show series has been the driving factor. Attending this event or any other put on by the JFCA will certainly invigorate your faith in the future of our industry. Thank you, Rick Hartman, for the invite and all the hard work you and the entire youth committee have put into making this a success.
It was an honor to attend the Florida Cattlemen’s Enhancement Board’s annual meeting in Kissimmee and see first hand the process by which our research and promotion projects for the coming year are selected. The board takes this process very serious and diligently reviews each project before making the difficult decision on which will receive funding. You can rest assured that they do an amazing job investing the money received from the state for our future.
Myself and several other cattlemen recently attended the two-day National Pasture Mealy Bug Summit hosted by USDA’s ARS division at their facility in Fort Pierce. Although there are many unanswered questions regarding the effect of pasture mealy on pasture, we have the full support of all the research universities and government agencies across the effected states. In early August, FDACS has issued an emergency exemption allowing us to use pesticides not previously permitted for pasturelands, showing their commitment to our industry. This illustrates the importance of keeping a Commissioner of Agriculture with an Ag background that gets it. I am confident with this collaboration and stakeholder support we are working toward a solution.
All the issues we face are influenced in some way by our elected officials. Whether it be pests that threaten our industry, trade issues or conserving ranch lands, the policies and support for our industry are directly affected by our friends in politics. While many of us would rather not leave the ranch and run for office, we must ensure that the right people are in place to protect our way of life and this great state. This means supporting our FCA PAC, along with NCBA’s PAC, so our voice is heard. The more effectively we talk about the PAC and its importance, the more effective we can be collectively in supporting those who understand and stand up for our industry.
Brady, my youngest son, gets to vote this year for the first time. We have had enjoyable conversations about the ag-friendly candidates as the primary approaches. I would encourage you to do the same so we can remain “Keepers of His Land.”
God bless,
John Williamson
