The University of Florida is asking for growers to participate in a study on the pandemic’s effects on the state’s agriculture industry.
The study, from the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, looks at the effects of the pandemic on specialty crops, the fishing/seafood industries, food processing and even allied industries including transportation.
The survey period ends May 15.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging Florida growers to participate.
“This unprecedented pandemic is taking a toll on Florida’s agriculture community, and we need detailed, accurate information to effectively inform recovery efforts,” Fried said in a news release. “The University of Florida’s IFAS study will highlight COVID-19’s impact and will help our local, state, and federal government take action to support our state’s agriculture and aquaculture businesses.”
The anonymous survey will take 10-20 minutes, according to the university.
Faculty from the institute’s Food and Resource Economics department are conducting the surveys through extension agents and industry professionals, according to the release.
The Agriculture/Aquaculture Production, Processing and Transportation survey is online.
For more information on how different states are responding to the pandemic, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage.
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