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Adam Putnam

Commissioner of Agriculture

Adam Putnam was elected to serve as Florida�s Commissioner of Agriculture on November 2, 2010, and was sworn into office on January 4, 2011. In this capacity, he oversees the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and serves as a member of Florida�s Cabinet.Commissioner Putnam�s priorities include fostering the growth and diversification of Florida agriculture; expanding access to Florida�s abundance of fresh produce, seafood and other products; securing a stable, reliable and diverse supply of energy; protecting the quantity and quality of the state�s water supply; and safeguarding consumers from deceptive business practices.Commissioner Putnam is also focused on creating opportunities for our nation�s wounded veterans to hunt, fish and participate in other outdoor activities on Florida�s public lands. More than 300 veterans have enjoyed recreational opportunities on Florida State Forests through Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program of the Florida Forest Service he established in 2011.Previously, Commissioner Putnam served five terms as Congressman for Florida�s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was recognized as a leader on a variety of issues, including water, energy and government transparency and efficiency. Commissioner Putnam was acknowledged for his efforts to bring comprehensive restoration to the Everglades, reform food safety laws, modernize programs to ensure Florida agriculture remains a leader throughout the nation and increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables to counter childhood obesity.While in Congress, Commissioner Putnam was elected by his peers to serve as the Republican Policy Chairman during the 109th Congress and Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 110th Congress, the highest elected leadership position any Floridian of either party has held in Washington. Commissioner Putnam also served as a member of the House Committees on Government Reform, Agriculture, Rules and Financial Services.Before he was elected to Congress, Commissioner Putnam served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Food Resource and Economics.Commissioner Putnam is a fifth generation Floridian who grew up in the citrus and cattle industry. He and his wife, Melissa, have four children.