FL S0880

Creates the Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Matching Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to support startup functions of new farming and ranching operations.

Establishes eligibility requirements including: agricultural producer experience or Future Farmers of America membership for at least 1 year, age 18-34, farm/ranch operation of no more than 10 years, and dollar-for-dollar matching investment for the grant amount requested.

Grant awards must range between $5,000 and $20,000, with recipients limited to one award per grant period.

Requires the department to adopt rules governing the program, including the application process and selection criteria, and gives preference to veteran applicants in the application review process.

Grant funding is contingent upon specific annual appropriation by the Legislature and takes effect July 1, 2019.