Commissioner Adam H. Putnam

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Agricultural Dealer's Licenses

Florida Laws | FAQ | Forms | Related Links | Contact

In the interest of the public welfare, it is necessary to regulate agricultural products' dealers in the State of Florida. The Bureau of Agricultural Dealer's Licenses is charged with the administration and enforcement of the Florida Agricultural License and Bond Law and the rules adopted under it. Under the law, all non-exempt dealers of agricultural products must obtain a license from the Department and post appropriate bonds or certificates of deposit to ensure that producers receive proper accounting and payment for their products. Any person, unless specifically exempt, who is engaged within the State in the business of buying, receiving, soliciting, handling or negotiating agricultural products from or for Florida producers, or their agents, must provide a bond and/or a certificate of deposit assigned to the Commissioner of Agriculture and be licensed by the Department.

Florida Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. My suppliers of agricultural products say I need something from your office before they will sell me agricultural products for resale. What do I need?
    If your "supplier" is a Florida producer or acts as an agent for a Florida producer and you purchase agricultural products for resale and pay for such purchases with other than US cash currency or a cash equivalent (money order, cashier's check, wire transfer, electronic funds transfer, or debit card), you must be licensed and bonded as a dealer in agricultural products.

  2. What products are covered by the law?
    Every agricultural product grown in Florida, except citrus-other than limes, tobacco, tropical foliage and sugar cane.

  3. What is the purpose of the law?
    To facilitate the marketing of Florida agricultural products by encouraging a better understanding between buyers and sellers and by providing a marketplace that is relatively free of unfair trading practices and defaults.

  4. What do I need to obtain a License and how much does the license cost?
    A license application (Form DACS-06302) must be completed. The applicant must pay a license fee and provide a surety bond or certificate of deposit. The minimum bond or certificate of deposit requirement is $5,000 and maximum requirement is $100,000 depending on the volume of purchases covered under the law. Specifics for determining bond requirements and license fees required are found on the reverse side of Form DACS-06302.

  5. Are there any exemptions to this law?
    Yes, there are four specific exemptions to the law:
    1. Farmers or groups of farmers in the sale of agricultural products grown by themselves.
    2. A dealer in agricultural products who pays at the time of purchase with United States cash currency or a cash equivalent, such as a money order, cashier's check, wire transfer, electronic funds transfer, or debit card.
    3. A dealer in agricultural products who operates as a bonded licensee under the federal Packers and Stockyards Act.
    4. Dealers who purchase less than $1,000 worth of agricultural products from Florida producers or their agents or representatives during the peak month of such purchases within the calendar year.

  6. I think I am exempt from the law based on my volume of purchases but would like to verify my exemption. What should I do?
    You may request that we assist you in the audit of your records to verify/confirm your exemption. See contact below.

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Forms

Please follow the instructions provided below when printing and completing the forms listed.

  1. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print forms. Skip this step if Adobe Reader is already installed on your pc.
  2. Print forms on white 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
  3. Type or print the entire form in blue or black ink.
  4. If fees are required, make check(s) payable to: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES.
  5. Mail payment(s) to: FDACS-Marketing, Post Office Box 6710, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6710.

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Related Links

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Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:
Christopher E. Green
E-mail Christopher.Green@freshfromflorida.com
407 South Calhoun Street
Mayo Building Room 208
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850)488-4101
Fax: (850)921-8312

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