GRASSROOTS EFFORTS

Florida Young Farmers and Ranchers Compiling Online Directory of Farms Selling Directly to Consumers

- PAUL CATALA

AT 34, RYAN ARMSTRONG already has seven years literally in the field growing citrus. He knows firsthand the effort, dedication and devotion it takes to get Floridagrown produce and from soil to table.

Armstrong is the current class president of the 17-member Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group. He has been with the Florida Farm Bureau for about 2½ years and has helped spearhead a project compiling a list of Florida farms that sell directly to consumers. Through the list, Armstrong hopes to help foster a groundswell of support for buying local.

The Young Farmers and Ranchers is for men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to network, exchange ideas, take part in community-related projects, and develop leadership skills.

Based in Gainesville, the Florida Farm Bureau is the state’s largest agricultural organization with more than 142,000 members. With members having a close connection with growers, the organization works to promote buying local – particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Armstrong, who has worked in citrus and spent six years working in juice processing with Tropicana, said the compilation is being called the “Florida Farm List.”