Governor DeSantis Signs Right-to-Farm Legislation Following SGLF Advocacy Campaign
Washington, DC — On the heels of a multi-pronged, paid advocacy campaign by the State Government Leadership Foundation (SGLF) that emphasized the importance of protecting the nation’s food supply by aiding farmers as they navigate an environment of spiking food prices and bankruptcies, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis today signed Senate Bill 88, which strengthens right-to-farm protections in the state.
The importance of legal liability protections for businesses may have increased during recent months, but frivolous lawsuits have been a serious problem for farmers across the country long before the COVID-19 pandemic. With the number of farms declining in the US, farmers and producers are increasingly vulnerable to nuisance lawsuits. Florida’s updated right-to-farm law will require plaintiffs who lose such lawsuits to reimburse farmers for their legal fees. It will also limit the types of lawsuits that can be filed against farmers, as well as reduce the parties that can file such lawsuits. The legislation was a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson and was also championed by Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls.
“This commonsense right-to-farm reform will make it easier for farmers to navigate the tough times they are currently facing and benefit the country’s overall food supply,” said SGLF Deputy Executive Director Casey Dietrich. “The Republican-led legislature did a tremendous job crafting this legislation and we applaud Governor DeSantis for signing it into law today. The SGLF was proud to be a part of the fruitful effort to highlight the importance of strengthening protections for our farmers. We look forward to building on this success by launching more issue advocacy campaigns to advance conservative policies across the country.”
Timeline on SGLF’s Right-to-Farm Advocacy
March 11 - April 29, 2021: The SGLF ran a five-figure education ad campaign on the benefits of right-to-farm in Florida. One of the first ads of the campaign was a 15-second spot that emphasized the importance of protecting farmers as they navigate an environment of spiking food prices and bankruptcies.
March 30, 2021: The SGLF released a study on the benefits of right-to-farm. The study examines the agriculture and legal landscapes in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Florida. Key findings show that some states have instituted their right-to-farm statute to properly protect farmers, while other states have faced legal challenges that have diminished the strength of the protections their statutes provide.
March 31, 2021: North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and Louisiana Agriculture & Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain wrote an op-ed on the importance of reducing the threats of nuisance lawsuits against farmers.
April 29, 2021: Governor Ron DeSantis signed right to farm legislation into law.
About SGLF
The State Government Leadership Foundation (SGLF) develops conservative policies and supports principled state leadership to tackle America’s immense challenges. No matter what happens in Washington, D.C., SGLF believes that both the right leaders and forward-thinking solutions are found in state capitals across the country. SGLF promotes good governance and conservative principles, including: limited government, low taxes, less regulation, individual liberty and opportunity for all. SGLF is a 501 (c)(4) social welfare organization and a strategic partner of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), the nation’s largest organization focused entirely on electing state Republicans.
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