If you operate a roadside farm stand or are involved in Florida agribusiness, House Bill 901 (HB 901) from the 2022 Florida Legislative Session may directly impact your business. At Groves Law, we’re closely tracking developments that affect farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs. Here’s what you need to know about HB 901: Fresh from Florida Roadside Farm Stand Signage—and how it could boost visibility and recognition for your agricultural operation.
What Is HB 901?
HB 901 creates new statute, Fla. Stat. 570.851, which would allow roadside stands to take part in the Fresh from Florida certified signage program. Moreover, the Department of Agriculture Commissioner could designate any certified roadside stand a “state tourist attraction.” The primary sponsor of the bill is Homestead Democrat Representative Kevin D. Chambliss, along with Senator Tina Polsky, Boca Raton Democrat, pushing a sister bill in the Senate. The pair seem to want to boost the agricultural economy in South Florida.
What Is the Fresh From Florida Program?
If you’re part of the ag industry, or taken a close look around your local supermarket, you likely already have some idea of what Fresh from Florida is. It’s a Department of Agriculture sponsored-program that the legislature established over thirty years ago. It’s essentially a marketing and networking membership that provides trade leads and guidance, and reimburses 50% of print ad costs (max $1,500) and vehicle wraps up to $500. For this statute, an Advisory Council of twelve people will develop uniform signage which must include a Fresh from Florida logo and emblem.
How to Qualify
To be considered a roadside stand, you have to qualify under Fla. Stat. 823.14(3). Which means you must market farm products and be on a farm. A farm in this case includes the ” land, buildings, support facilities, machinery, and other appurtenances used in the production of farm or aquaculture products,” and a farm product is any “animal or insect useful to humans and includes, but is not limited to, any product derived therefrom.”
The new statute also provides additional requirements: the farm products have to be “produced on premises,” the stand must be open a minimum of 4 days per week, 10 months of the year, the farm must have a “growing area” of 87,120 sq. ft., offer tours of the “growing area” and “display permanent signage on the premises specifying the times for the tours and hours of operation of the agricultural facility.”
Interestingly, the bill contains a restriction. Agricultural facilities like wineries or distilleries that do not grow their own products on-site do not qualify.
The Process
Any interested operator would apply to the Department of Agriculture to register as a certified roadside farm stand and pay some corresponding fees. If you’re approved, you can pay the Department of Transportation to place your signage on certain highways and roads.
We’ll keep you updated as the bill passes through the House.
Stay Informed with Groves Law
At Groves Law, we help agribusinesses across Florida stay compliant with evolving agricultural and land use regulations. We’re continuing to monitor HB 901’s progress through the Florida legislature and will provide updates as the bill develops.
Questions about HB 901? Let’s chat. Contact us at contact@groveslaw.ag to schedule a consultation.
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