The Sunshine State, renowned for its diverse agricultural output, has its own set of specialized agriculture license plates to celebrate and support its farming community.
The vibrant farm-themed plates feature a sunrise over blue-green fields emblazoned with the words, “Agriculture Keeps Florida Green.” The design serves as a daily reminder of the crucial role farming plays in the state’s economy and lifestyle.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these license plates is dedicated to supporting various agricultural programs across Florida. This funding aids in the development of educational initiatives, research projects, and sustainability efforts, helping ensure that Florida’s agricultural sector remains innovative and competitive.
One of the primary beneficiaries of the agriculture specialty license plate, known as the “Ag Tag,” is Florida Agriculture in the Classroom. Purchases help FAITC hold an Agriculture Literacy Day Program, where industry volunteers read to tens of thousands of students annually. The funds also help create and distribute ag-themed educational resources, sponsor workshops, and send teachers to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference.
Since the program’s inception in 2010, over $750,000 has been awarded in school gardens, teacher, and volunteer grants.
Each specialty plate costs $94.50, including an annual use fee that is tax-deductible of $20 for the purchase of an ag tag. Florida residents can purchase an agriculture license plate through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Florida’s 44,703 farms and ranches, as of the 2022 Agriculture Statistics Census, utilized 9.7 million acres. From citrus groves and nurseries in central and southern Florida to vegetables in various regions and cattle and calves throughout the state, these farms and ranches form a large and stable economic base for Florida, with over $7.75 billion in receipts in 2021 reported.
In 2022, Florida ranked first in the U.S. for the value of production of bell peppers, the total value of floriculture sales, the value of foliage plants for indoor use, Valencia oranges, grapefruit, sugarcane, fresh market tomatoes, and watermelons. The state ranked second in production value for all oranges, strawberries, sweet corn, and non-Valencia oranges and third nationally for cabbage.
Cattle and calves are the top livestock commodities, followed by dairy products. As of Jan. 1, 2023, 1.62 million head of cattle and calves were on Florida’s farms and ranches.
Other agricultural license plates in Florida
With over 28,000 FFA members in Florida, it’s no surprise that this youth leadership organization is proudly represented by specialized license plates. The FFA/Agricultural Education license plate program, launched in 2007, has raised over $500,000 in its first 15 years to support agricultural education through FFA.
The funds raised are allocated as follows: 40 percent to the Florida FFA Association for student leadership development, 30 percent to the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators (FAAE) for teacher leadership development, 5 percent to the FAAE for teacher recruitment and retention, and 10 percent to the Florida FFA Foundation for special projects. The remaining 15 percent covers marketing, program expenses, handling, and auditing.
While there’s not yet a 4-H specialty plate yet, Florida 4-H is working to secure 3,000 pre-sale vouchers by October 2024 to make the plates a reality and to start production.
A $25 specialty plate fee will support youth leadership programs like 4-H University and Legislature, the Florida 4-H Camping Program, and competition teams in a variety of topics like forest ecology and livestock judging.
The $25 fee will be divided between state leadership development programs, state competitive teams, 4-H camps, and administrative and marketing costs for the plates.
The Discover Florida’s Horses specialty license plate is also available to Florida’s horse lovers and those who appreciate the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park.
The $25 earned from each plate supports the center in Marion County. Enacted in 2010, this authorization helps raise funds for developing this unique tract of land, which serves as the gateway to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Cross Florida Greenway.
The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park is a 500-acre multipurpose facility and one of Central Florida’s premier venues for equine, agricultural, educational, and sporting events. Known as “The People’s Park,” it hosts a variety of multi-disciplined equestrian events and other activities.
Marion County is referred to as “The Horse Capital of the World,” besting a city in another state that also has tried to claim that designation, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The park plays a vital role in the community and serves the state during hurricanes as an equine evacuation location and provides support for rescue and recovery efforts with vehicles and crews.
