Agriculture is the Cornerstone of Florida's 500-Year History

Florida Agriculture: 500 Years in the Making

This year, Florida commemorates the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León's discovery of Florida. What makes this anniversary so unique is that Ponce de León's convoy of explorers was the first group of Europeans to document such a landing and appropriately name their discovery “La Florida.” Juan Ponce de Leon named this land “La Florida” because it was the season known in Spain as “Pascua Florida,” the Festival of Flowers, and because much of the land’s vegetation was in bloom.

Florida’s agricultural history began when the first Paleo-Indian cultures migrated into Florida following herds and gathering food sources. Naturally, fish, shellfish and wildlife comprised most of the diet of early inhabitants. Agricultural crops were first cultivated around 500 AD with corn, squash, cucumbers and beans becoming an important food source.

After the Europeans discovered Florida and established settlements throughout the land, they introduced many of the crops that make up Florida’s landscape today. Ponce de Leon planted citrus trees near St. Augustine and brought cattle to the new land. Then came pineapples, tomatoes, oysters, orchids, equine and much, much more. Today, we produce nearly 300 agricultural commodities in Florida.

Though the agricultural production of early settlers was just enough to feed themselves, it marked the beginning of a booming industry that would grow to the more than $100 billion in economic impact today.

I encourage all Floridians to join in celebrating our 500th anniversary and honoring the growth, expansion and diversification of Florida agriculture.

-- Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner of Agriculture

Panel Discussion Series

Commissioner Putnam has partnered with universities and colleges throughout Florida to host a year-long series of panel discussions recognizing the important role agriculture has played in Florida’s 500-year history.

University of Florida, January 24, 2013
Flagler College, March 21, 2013
Florida Southern College, April 11, 2013
Florida A&M University, Fall 2013
Gulf Coast University, Fall 2013
University of West Florida, Fall 2013

Traveling Exhibit

The “Florida Agriculture: Then and Now” Traveling Exhibit will make its way through Florida in 2013, educating residents and visitors about the exponential growth of the agriculture industry during Florida’s 500 year history.