Putnam Talks Agriculture at Tiger Bay Club

By Bill Rufty
Ledger POLITICAL EDITOR

BARTOW | Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam addressed the Polk County Tiger Bay Club in his hometown of Bartow on Monday, explaining his improved nutrition program for schools and defending the newly passed tax incentives for those producing fuel from renewable energy.

But as a past member of the Florida Legislature and Congress, he also spoke on the political issues of the day. He said neither the Republican nor Democratic Party would capture both houses of Congress and the presidency.

"Regardless of the outcome (of the November elections), I don't see either party strong enough to run the tables," Putnam said, answering a question about how to reduce the extreme partisanship in politics. "This election will probably still leave the country with a divided government."

Before answering questions from the audience, Putnam spoke about the Department of Agriculture and its work in the 17 months since he took office.

"I truly got more accomplished in one year (as commissioner) than I did in the years in Congress," he said. "This job is much more solutions-oriented.

"In Florida we have more than 300 commodities from oysters to vegetables. I told the Iowa commissioner of agriculture, ‘When you wake up in the morning you only have three to check on: corn prices, wheat prices and hog futures and you're done.' "

Putnam said agriculture research is allowing Florida to increase the commercial crops it produces, such as peaches, and new varieties of tomatoes and other commodities not produced commercially here before.

"Agriculture is a $100 billion industry in Florida sustained by research and development," he said.