Issue Position: Agriculture

Issue Position

Dear Friend in the agriculture industry:

Did you know that many Floridians think there is a "magic' room in the back of the grocery store that produces their beef, milk, fruits and vegetables? You would think so sometimes when you hear them talk negatively about ranchers and farmers. I have a genuine desire to see agriculture remain a vital part of Florida's economy and that is why I am running for the Florida House of Representatives.

My ancestors came to Florida in the late 1800s and were some of the state's early pioneers and I am very proud of my heritage. I am a school teacher and have taught multiple subjects over several years, including high school American Government/Economics and my future goal is to teach college level Government; I am a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University where I am currently working on a Master's degree in Public Administration. My husband works as a field construction foreman/welder on agriculture pump stations throughout southwest Florida. He is also an Honorary FFA Chapter member due to his many hours of service to that organization and received a volunteer award from the Glades County Youth Livestock Association where he served as a Director for several years.

We have a small cow-calf operation and our son, Joey Drake, and son-in-law, Tuyl Oxer, are both beef cattle ranchers and we have four grandchildren who are being raised to appreciate the cattle industry; we are all members of the Florida Cattlemen's Association. Our daughter-in-law (Erin Dakin) is a 3rd generation dairy farmer with a degree from the University of Florida in Agricultural Food & Resource Economics. Our daughter, Chelsa Oxer, is also a graduate of UF with a major in Agricultural Communications and she is, in addition, a certified third grade teacher.

In regards to agriculture, water is a primary area of concern to me, it is the lifeblood of farming and ranching and without the ability to manipulate it, the continued success of agriculture in our beloved state is threatened. A few years ago, my government students and I worked on a project concerning the water levels of Lake Okeechobee. (Many of those former students are working on my campaign committee.) We were surprised to learn that many citizens on the east and west coasts of our state were unaware of the Lake's history of flooding and did not understand or appreciate the reason why the Hoover Dike was constructed and why lake levels had to be so closely monitored and manipulated. This project included presentations by my students to the Sanibel City Commission, the 5-County Lake Okeechobee Coalition and the South Florida Water Management District. We soon realized that those of us in the interior region of Florida had our work cut out for us in educating our coastal neighbors about where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in our state.

If I am elected to represent our region in the state legislature, agriculture and its future survival will be a primary concern that I will diligently work to protect. Please allow me to work for you in Tallahassee.

Respectfully,
Crystal Drake -- Your "Crystal' Clear Choice.
Candidate for the Florida House of Representatives
P.O. Box 736, Moore Haven, FL 33471

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