The Joe Mullins Show - Florida's Freeze Fight & Farmland Future: Saving Crops, Preserving the Wildlife Corridor, and Why Ag is National Security

Join host Joe Mullins on the Live, Work, Shop, Play Show for another beautiful weekend in the greatest state – Florida, the true model for the nation!

This episode features Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson (former Senate President) breaking down the Department's massive role: 4,000 employees across 20 divisions protecting consumers (removing millions of illegal hemp products), inspecting everything from fuel pumps to concealed carry permits, fighting pests like screw worm, and championing agriculture as a national security issue.

Fresh off the devastating 2026 freeze (early estimates: $1B+ in crop losses, wiping out up to 100% of some fields and threatening Florida's winter veggie dominance on the Eastern Seaboard), Commissioner Simpson shares how farmers battled with water/irrigation methods but Mother Nature prevailed on night three. He's actively seeking federal/state relief, pushing emergency orders to cut red tape, and urging everyone to buy "Fresh from Florida" to support resilient local growers.

He reflects on his Senate presidency highlights – championing the Florida Wildlife Corridor into law, funding the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program ($300M+ in his final year), and now saving over 200,000 acres (aiming for 300K soon) from development to recharge aquifers, connect habitats, and keep working farms thriving. Plus, tips on Florida's hidden treasures: stunning springs, trails, forests for camping/hiking/biking, world-class fishing/hunting, and getting kids into FFA/4-H for nature time away from screens.

Tune in for insights on why farmers never got a "day off" during COVID (true frontline heroes), Florida's free-state approach, and how strong leadership keeps us the best place to live, work, shop, play – and eat!

Support Florida agriculture: Look for Fresh from Florida labels, visit fdacs.gov for resources/volunteer opportunities, and get outdoors in our preserved wild spaces.

#FloridaFirst #FreshFromFlorida #FloridaAgriculture #WildlifeCorridor #FreezeRecovery #ModelState #SupportLocalFarmers #AgricultureMatters #LiveWorkShopPlay #FloridaForever #NationalSecurity #DeSantisFlorida #MAGA

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.