DeSantis Signs Bold Bill Saving Florida Farms From Outsiders!

Florida’s agricultural heart beats strong, and Governor Ron DeSantis knows it. On May 15, 2025, he signed CS/CS/CS/SB 700, a transformative bill that fortifies the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This legislation delivers real support to farmers, shields consumers from fraud, and dismantles regulations that suffocate progress. It tackles land ownership, fuel access, and market growth, proving Florida honors its rural roots while forging a practical path forward.

The bill’s land provision is a masterstroke. By requiring electric utilities to offer agricultural parcels to the state before private sales, it keeps Florida’s $130 billion farm industry safe from corporate overreach. Family farms, not faceless conglomerates, define our state’s legacy. Why let outsiders snatch up our fertile fields? SB 700 ensures those who till the soil keep control.

Fuel infrastructure gets a much-needed upgrade, too. Grants for modernizing retail fuel transfer switches mean rural gas stations won’t falter during crises. After Hurricane Ian’s fuel shortages in 2022, this fix is long overdue. It’s the kind of clear-headed policy that puts hardworking Floridians first.

Some naysayers claim the bill meddles too much, arguing it strains utilities or local governments. They’re off base. Uniform standards for EV charging station permits cut through bureaucratic chaos, not add to it. The goal is simple: streamline operations so businesses and farmers can thrive without endless hurdles.

With farm incomes dropping 4 percent nationwide in 2025, per USDA reports, and supply chain woes hitting specialty crops, Florida’s bold action stands out. SB 700 signals that our state values its producers and rejects the ideological traps that bog down other regions.

SB 700 doesn’t just help farmers—it guards everyday Floridians. Its consumer protections strike a smart balance, targeting fraud without the overreach plaguing other states. Criminalizing the sale of psilocybin-producing spores shuts down dangerous drug markets exploiting legal gaps. This move keeps communities safe, plain and simple.

The Honest Service Registry is a standout. It highlights reliable businesses, giving consumers confidence without drowning them in red tape. Contrast that with California’s maze of privacy laws, which burden small businesses with compliance costs. Florida’s approach respects people’s ability to make their own choices.

Some advocates for sweeping data privacy laws—now in twenty states as of 2025—say SB 700 falls short. But those complex regulations often confuse consumers and strangle businesses with paperwork. Florida’s bill opts for clarity: enforce rules that matter, like stopping deceptive practices. Isn’t that what truly protects people?

The bill also stops financial institutions from punishing farmers with ESG-based restrictions. Banks shouldn’t play politics with loans, and SB 700 ensures they don’t. Texas saw ranchers save millions in 2023 with similar rules. Florida’s producers deserve that same level playing field.

SB 700 frees Florida’s agriculture from bureaucratic shackles. Exempting senior department roles from the Career Service System allows swift, decisive leadership on issues like PFAS contamination or livestock diseases. With the USDA’s $213 billion budget in 2025 often tangled in federal strings, Florida needs agility, not more paperwork.

Young farmers get a boost, too. By preventing local governments from blocking agricultural education facilities, the bill invests in the next generation. With the average farmer nearing 58, per 2022 USDA data, training new talent is critical. Why let zoning squabbles derail that? SB 700 clears the path.

The Cattle Enhancement Board’s beef marketing program is another win. Promoting Florida’s $900 million beef sector taps into demand for local meat, keeping ranchers competitive. Unlike states chasing carbon credits or drought-resistant seeds, Florida stays focused: grow markets, support producers, and keep food affordable.

SB 700 is a beacon of practical governance. It bolsters Florida’s agricultural strength, protects consumers without smothering businesses, and slashes regulations that hinder progress. While other states wrestle with bloated privacy laws or chase fleeting climate fads, Florida prioritizes property rights, hard work, and tangible outcomes.

This bill’s influence will echo far beyond our state. As Texas and California navigate their own farm challenges, Florida’s example proves leaders can put farmers and families first. Governor DeSantis, backed by a strong legislature, has crafted a playbook others should study.

No legislation is flawless, but SB 700 is a powerful step toward a Florida where fields flourish, consumers are secure, and government serves the people. That’s a future worth defending.