Raise Your Voice

Public issues are:

• matters of broad interest and concern
• controversial
• require a public decision (often in the form of a government law, regulation, program)
• involve value judgments to arrive at solutions

Examples of Agricultural and Natural Resource public issues in South Florida include:

• Water resource management (both quality and quantity)
• Restoration of Florida’s Everglades
• Agricultural sustainability
• Farmland and natural land protection
• Residential and commercial growth management
• Protection of Endangered species
• Invasive species management

You have an opportunity to raise your voice and participate in public decisions that affect agriculture, natural resources, and your quality of life. Study the issues, attend public meetings hosted by government agencies, and communicate your views to decision-makers.

The role of UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension is to help Floridians:

• understand public issues and the decision-making process;
• explore alternatives and consequences of solutions;
• enhance public participation skills