Agricultural Practices Advisory Board

The 13-member Agricultural Practices Advisory Board (APAB) generally meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the John D. Campbell Agricultural Auditorium, located at 18710 SW 288 Street in Homestead. Please consult the County calendar for up-to-date information, as the meeting time and location may change. 

Established by the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 17, 1995 (Ordinance No. 95-03), the APAB's purpose is to review regulations or legislation pertaining to agricultural practices in Miami-Dade County, and to provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners with regard to such regulations and legislation.

The advisory board's duties include:

• Evaluate on an ongoing basis, all pertinent existing or proposed federal, state, regional and local regulations, statutes, ordinances, and policies concerning or impacting the agricultural industry in Miami-Dade County
• Provide recommendations for eliminating or reducing duplication of effort when two or more governmental entities administer similar regulatory programs
• Provide recommendations for eliminating or modifying language in the Code of Miami-Dade County and/or regulatory activities that have mutually exclusive or contradictory criteria or goals
• Provide recommendations for eliminating or modifying language in the Code of Miami-Dade County and/or regulatory activities that create undue burden or hardship on the agricultural industry
• Provide recommendations for modifying or implementing provisions from any future or previously conducted study or plan that has the ability to impact the agricultural industry
• Prepare draft language to the Board of County Commissioners amending relevant sections of the Code of Miami-Dade County

The Board's 13 members, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, is comprised of the following industries: two representatives from the Tropical Fruit Crops Industry of Miami-Dade County, two representatives from the nursery industry, two representatives from the vegetable industry, one representative of the aquaculture industry, one representative of a citizens' association supportive of agriculture, one representative of allied agribusiness, one representative of agri-banking, agri-financial consulting, or agri-lending, one representative of Farm Labor, South Dade Soil & Water Conservation District, and one At-Large representative.

For more information, call the Planning Division at 305-375-2835.