“U.S. agriculture’s future is brighter thanks to the hard work and support of President Trump, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Chairmen Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Ranking Members Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Collin Peterson (D-MN),” said Ryan Weston of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers. “On behalf of America’s sugar industry, thank you.”

The Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers members produce raw sugar in Florida and Texas and have refineries in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York and California.

“America’s sugarcane farmers and employees that operate our mills and refineries are thankful that the Senate approved its version of the farm bill with a strong 86 to 11 vote,” stated Ryan Weston, the CEO of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Washington Representative for the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers. “Senator Nelson and Senator Rubio worked hard to fend off amendments that would have attacked current U.S. sugar policy.”

A special thanks goes to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for their leadership to help farmers across the country. Senators from all sections of the U.S. voiced support for America’s current no cost sugar policy.

We hope conference with the House proceeds quickly and smoothly. Both the House and Senate versions of the farm bill continue U.S. sugar policy.

The Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers members produce raw sugar in Florida and Texas and have refineries in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York and California.

Washington, D.C. – The Florida Sugar Cane League announced today that the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, based in Belle Glade, FL, is once again represented by the industry trade association. This move ensures that the three major sugarcane companies in Florida – along with their independent growers – are fully united under the banner of the Florida Sugar Cane League as debate over no-cost American sugar policy takes place in Congress.

“With the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, we are united under the Florida Sugar Cane League as Congress considers the future of farm policy and food security in America,” said Ryan Weston, CEO of the Florida Sugar Cane League. “Florida’s sugarcane farmers play such an important role in helping to secure America’s domestic food supply in one of the most important food producing regions of the entire country.”

Statement by Tony Contreras, President & CEO of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative

“On behalf of our 44 member growers, their families and our employees, we are thrilled to once again be joined in a united front through the Florida Sugar Cane League with U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals in Washington, D.C. efforts. Even when the Cooperative was not formally part of the League, we still worked together on common issues, particularly important legislative policies. We’re happy to provide a united voice on behalf of the more than 12,500 people in Florida employed by sugarcane farming and processing.”

Statement by Robert H. Buker, President & CEO of U.S. Sugar

“There’s always strength in numbers. With the Cooperative and its growers back on board, Florida’s representation in Washington is unified in its efforts to retain commonsense, zero-cost sugar policy in our nation’s capital. Both sugar as a matter of national farm policy and as a food product remain a bargain, and we intend to keep it that way. The last thing we need is for predatory foreign governments who heavily subsidize their own sugar farmers to be putting American farmers out of business. We’ve always been a formidable team when the Florida industry joins together for a common goal.”

Statement by Pepe Fanjul, Jr., Executive Vice President of Florida Crystals

“Florida Crystals partners with Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative on many business fronts and we’re delighted to work with them through the Florida Sugar Cane League. This announcement sends a message that our industry is more united than ever. We look forward to working with our friends at the Cooperative throughout the Farm Bill debate to ensure American sugarcane and sugar beet farmers, processors and refiners can continue to sustainably produce safe, affordable food here at home.”

Our Texas sugarcane farmers and mill employees appreciate the calls and emails of support they received before and after Hurricane Harvey made landfall. Our cane fields and mill didn’t face the brunt of this storm but many family members and friends were not so fortunate. The Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers and Florida Sugar Cane League members, Florida Crystals and U.S. Sugar, have already procured several truckloads of water for delivery in Houston and Beaumont, Texas and Louisiana. And we will continue to closely follow the relief efforts in order to best provide assistance to those in need. Our thoughts and prayers to all who have been affected. We are now actively preparing in south Florida for the approaching Hurricane Irma

“The sugarcane farmers in America’s fields, and the employees in our mills and refineries are thrilled that the Senate approved Robert Lighthizer yesterday as the United States Trade Representative,” stated Ryan Weston, the CEO of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Washington Representative for the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers. “Lighthizer brings decades of experience to the position and is a strong proponent of enforcing trade laws.”

The Florida Sugar Cane League and Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers members produce raw sugar in Florida and Texas and have refineries in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New York and California.

“American agriculture lost a true champion with the passing of Congressman Kika de la Garza. The former Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture was a leader not only for South Texas but for U.S. agriculture producers. His impact on agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley was evident through his strong support for sugar, cotton, and fruit and vegetable producers. Because of his leadership, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created the Kika de la Garza fellowship and designated its Subtropical Agricultural Research Center the Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center. The commitment to agriculture and his constituents will not be forgotten.

Florida Sugar Cane League Hosts Agriculture Leaders on Sugarcane Tour

On Monday, January 30th, the Florida Sugar Cane League was excited to host the leaders of important U.S. farm and agricultural organizations for a tour of sugarcane farming, milling and refining operations. The tour originated in Miami where the American Sugarbeet Growers Association was holding its annual meeting. The group participated in a panel that noted how important coalition building and unity would for the successful development of the next farm bill.

The tour provided an overview of the nearly 400,000 acres of sugarcane that are grown in Florida producing two million tons of sugar per year.

Ryan Weston, CEO, of the Florida Sugar Cane League and Washington Representative of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers of Texas welcomed the group to Clewiston, Florida. U.S. Sugar Corporation’s CEO, Bob Buker, spoke briefly about the company and thanked the leaders for taking the time to educate themselves and their organizations about crop production throughout the U.S.

Attendees included – Richard Wilkins, Chairman of the American Soybean Association and his wife Donna; Wesley Spurlock, President of the National Corn Growers Association, and his wife Susi; Gordon Stoner, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers; Ronnie Lee, Chairman of the National Cotton Council; Chuck Conner, President of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives; Christy Seyfert, Director of Crop Insurance for Rural Community Insurance Services; Brian Baenig, President of United States Beet Sugar Association and Cassie Bladow, Vice President of United States Beet Sugar Association.

“This group has a vast amount of knowledge of on the ground agriculture and are proven leaders in policy and political circles. Their efforts to defend and develop agriculture policy will be critical in the months ahead and we can’t thank them enough for advocating for farmers of all crops in all parts of the country,” said Weston.