I ran into a few cowboys heading over to a breakfast at the Florida State Fair yesterday. They said that the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation would unveil a new museum at the Florida State Fair.
“Florida Cattle Ranching: Five Centuries of Tradition” tells the story of one of Florida’s oldest and most important agriculture sectors. The multi-media exhibit traces cattle ranching from its early beginnings in the 1500s through present day.
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater were on hand for the event and also continued an Old Fair Tradition with Florida 4-H and FFA Members at the Florida State Fair. They participated in a giant slide race. Photo courtesy of the Florida Ag Dept. Other notes from the event that the Florida Department of Agriculture shared with me include:
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam was joined by Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater to flip the switch this morning, turning on the lights of the fair’s midway and signaling the opening of the 2013 Florida State Fair.
Governor Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet hosted the twice monthly Cabinet Meeting at the Florida State Fair. There, Commissioner Putnam recognized Reid Risner, the winner of Florida’s 500th Anniversary Youth Fine Arts Competition. More than 200 Florida students submitted entries of fine artwork representing the history of Florida agriculture. The competition’s finalists will be on display for the duration of the fair, along with the winners of Florida’s 500th Anniversary Youth Coloring Competition.
Also on Opening Day of the Florida State Fair, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services debuted it’s “Florida Agriculture: Then and Now” traveling exhibit. A part of the statewide Viva Florida 500 celebration, this exhibit is a fun and educational experience that demonstrates the exponential growth and impact of the agriculture industry during Florida’s 500 year history.