Agriculture, Farming, Ranching and Livestock
This industry group comprises businesses primarily engaged in (1) growing oilseed and/or grain crops,(2) producing oilseed and grain seeds, (3) rowing root and tuber crops (except sugar beets and peanuts) or edible plants and/or producing root and tuber or edible plant seeds, (4) growing fruit and/or tree nut crops, (5) growing crops of any kind under cover (e.g., in greenhouses, cold frames, etc.) and/or growing nursery stock and flowers, (6) growing other crops, such as tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, hay, sugar beets, peanuts, agave, herbs and spices, and hay and grass seeds, (7) growing a combination of crops, (8) raising cattle, milking dairy cattle, or feeding cattle for fattening, (9) raising hogs and pigs, (10) breeding, hatching, and raising poultry for meat or egg production, (11) raising sheep, lambs, and goats, or feeding lambs for fattening, (12) raising bees, horses and other equines, rabbits and other fur-bearing animals, and so forth, and producing products, such as honey and other bee products, and (13) alligator farming.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising cattle, milking dairy cattle, or feeding cattle for fattening.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing fruit and/or tree nut crops. The crops included in this industry group are generally not grown from seeds and have a perennial life cycle.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops of any kind under cover and/or growing nursery stock and flowers. “Under cover” is generally defined as greenhouses, cold frames, cloth houses, and lath houses. The crops grown are removed at various stages of maturity and have annual and perennial life cycles. The nursery stock includes short rotation woody crops that have growth cycles of 10 years or less.
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This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising hogs and pigs. These establishments may include farming activities, such as breeding, farrowing, and the raising of weanling pigs, feeder pigs, or market size hogs.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) growing oilseed and/or grain crops and/or (2) producing oilseed and grain seeds. These crops have an annual life cycle and are typically grown in open fields.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising animals and insects (except cattle, hogs and pigs, poultry, sheep and goats, aquaculture) for sale or product production. These establishments are primarily engaged in raising one of the following: bees, horses and other equines, rabbits and other fur-bearing animals, and so forth, and producing products, such as honey and other bee products. Establishments primarily engaged in raising a combination of animals with no one animal or family of animals accounting for one-half of the establishment’s agricultural production (i.e., value of animals for market) are included in this industry group.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) growing crops (except oilseed and/or grain; vegetable and/or melon; fruit and tree nut; and greenhouse, nursery, and/or floriculture products). These establishments grow crops, such as tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, hay, sugar beets, peanuts, agave, herbs and spices, and hay and grass seeds; or (2) growing a combination of crops (except a combination of oilseed(s) and grain(s) and a combination of fruit(s) and tree nut(s)).
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in breeding, hatching, and raising poultry for meat or egg production.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising sheep, lambs, and goats, or feeding lambs for fattening.
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This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing root and tuber crops (except sugar beets and peanuts) or edible plants and/or producing root and tuber or edible plant seeds. The crops included in this group have an annual growth cycle and are grown in open fields. Climate and cultural practices limit producing areas but often permit the growing of a combination of crops in a year.
Before starting a business, you probably will need to register with the Florida Department of State, the IRS and the Florida Department of Revenue. When you have completed those steps, you may need to apply for a business license from one or more of these Florida agencies:
- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – various licenses in this category
- Department of Citrus – licensed citrus dealer
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Alligator farms and processors, game farms
Businesses in this category should check with the Department of Environmental Protection for applicable air, water and waste permits.
Business owners in this category may also wish to explore assistance offered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Register your business with the Department of State
Department of State
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations serves as the state’s central depository for a number of commercial activities. These activities include a variety of business entity filings, trade and service mark registrations, federal lien recordings, judgment lien filings, uniform commercial code financing statements, fictitious name registrations, notary commissions, and cable and video service franchises.
To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website. To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://www.dos.myflorida.com/offices/general-counsel/public-records-requests/.
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Agency Introduction
The Department of State (DOS) is where you register your business. You can search and access filed information for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, trademarks, fictitious name registrations and liens. Also, electronic filing and certification can be processed via the Department’s website.
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Sunbiz offers several methods in which information can be submitted to the DOS for filing.
Apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the nation’s tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress.
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Agency Introduction
If you are required to report employment taxes or give tax statements to employees, you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to send with all items you report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Social Security Administration. If you do not intend to hire others, you may skip this step.
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You may apply for an EIN online if your principal business is located in the United States or U.S. Territories. The person applying online must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, EIN). You are limited to one EIN per responsible party per day.
Register your business with the Department of Revenue
Department of Revenue
The Florida Department of Revenue administers three programs: General Tax Administration, Property Tax Oversight and Child Support. The General Tax Administration program works with Florida businesses that are required to register for, collect, report and remit the taxes and fees administered by the Department.
The Department also manages the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting Center. Federal and state laws require employers to report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees, and in some cases contractors, within 20 days of an employee’s start date. This information is used to assist the Department’s Child Support Program with child support orders. The employment information reported through the state’s New Hire Reporting Center is also used to detect and prevent public assistance and reemployment assistance fraud.
For additional information, please visit floridarevenue.com.
To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website. To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://floridarevenue.com/opengovt/Pages/default.aspx.
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Agency Introduction
A business owner or contractor may need to register for, collect, report and/or remit one or more of the taxes, fees and licenses administered by the Florida Department of Revenue. This is dependent on the business’s structure, activities, and whether it hires employees. In addition, businesses must report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees, and in some cases contractors, through the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting program managed by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Reporting Employment Information
The Department manages the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting Center. Federal and state laws require employers to report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees, and in some cases contractors, within 20 days of an employee’s start date. The Department’s Child Support Program uses employment information and employer cooperation to assist with child support order compliance. The reported employment information through the state’s New Hire Reporting Center is also used to detect and prevent public assistance and reemployment fraud.
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Register your business to report newly hired, re-hired or temporary employees, and in some cases contractors, within 20 days of an employee’s start date.
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The Department of Revenue’s Child Support Program works with employers in a variety of ways to ensure compliance with child support orders when applicable. Employers must work with the Child Support Program to respond to income withholding requests and to enroll children in medical insurance plans. Once registered with the New Hire Reporting Center, businesses will be able to access the Child Support Employer Services website to report employee termination and bonus or lump sum payments, request replacement copies of income withholding notices currently in place for employees and contractors, and use the program’s online calculator to get pro-rated child support amounts for employees that have more than one child support case.
Business Taxes, Fees and Surcharge
Businesses in this category may be required to register for, collect, report and/or remit one or more of the following taxes and fees.
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A tax imposed on each sale of communications services in Florida, including cable and satellite television, video and music streaming, telephone service (e.g., landline, VoIP, charges made by a hotel or motel), and mobile communications.
Providers must register for communications services tax online or complete a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1). -
Most corporations and certain entities conducting business, or who are incorporated in Florida, including out-of-state corporations, must file a Florida corporate income tax return.
Register online or by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1), or by filing the Florida Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Return (Form F-1120).
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Reemployment Assistance gives partial, temporary income to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are able and available for work. If your business will employ workers in Florida, you may register online or submit a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).
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Before conducting business, anyone selling, renting, leasing or repairing goods, providing certain services, charging admissions, or renting or leasing short-term lodging, housekeeping accommodations, or commercial real property must register with the Department of Revenue.
Additionally, use tax is due on the use or consumption of taxable goods or services when sales tax was not paid at the time of purchase.
Register online or by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).
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This surtax, imposed by most Florida counties, applies to most transactions subject to sales or use tax. Businesses must also collect the applicable discretionary sales surtax from the purchaser at the time of sale, then report and remit it to the Department of Revenue.
No additional registration is required.
Apply for a license from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food. FDACS licenses and inspects various businesses and professions in Florida, such as bakeries, milk producers, weights and measurements, pesticide dealers, oyster harvesting, pre-packaged food sales, beekeepers and travel agents, among others. A variety of different businesses may need to coordinate with FDACS to obtain applicable licenses, registrations and/or permits.
To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website. To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://fdacs.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/.
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Each beekeeper having honey bee colonies within the state must register with the department.
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Quarantine facilities for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) must be approved by the FDACS.
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Citrus Fruit Dealers are required to be licensed and bonded by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Applications for the citrus fruit dealers bond can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Applications for the citrus fruit dealers license can be obtained from the Department of Citrus.
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Citrus Fruit Dealers are required to be licensed and bonded by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Applications for the citrus fruit dealers bond can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Applications for the citrus fruit dealers license can be obtained from the Department of Citrus.
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Florida law requires registration of citrus fruit dealer agents, organic growers, scale operators, packing houses, canning plants and concentrate plants.
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Feral swine dealers must register with the FDACS.
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Feral swine holding facilities must register with the FDACS.
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Food manufacturers that process, produce, store, distribute or sell foods at wholesale are required to be permitted by the FDACS. Cold and dry storage warehouses and distribution facilities also require a food establishment permit. Applications and requirements can be found and submitted from the Division of Food Safety website.
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All persons holding, sponsoring, or conducting a public sale at which thoroughbred horses are offered for sale shall obtain a license from the FDACS.
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Markets are primarily cattle; some also sell swine, sheep and goats, as noted. Goats, horses, etc., are sold on regular market days if consigned. These markets also hold special sales in addition to the regularly scheduled weekly auctions.
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Florida law requires that any livestock owner who uses a mark or brand to identify their livestock must register the mark or brand by applying to the FDACS.
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Businesses that produce or grow plant materials for sale or distribution must register as a nursery with the FDACS.
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“Stock dealer” means any person not a grower of nursery stock in this state who buys or otherwise acquires nursery stock for the purpose of reselling independently of any control of a nurseryman, agent, or plant broker, and who at any time maintains physical possession of such nursery stock.
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Anyone who applies any pesticide (restricted use or general use) by aerial delivery in Florida for any purpose other than public health pest control must have a pesticide applicator license including the aerial category issued by FDACS. The license type may be commercial (for hired or contract applications) or public (for work-related applications made by government employees). Aerial application is not authorized for private applicators. Aerial applications for public health pest control (mosquito control, dog fly control, etc.) require a Public Health Aerial Pest Control License issued by the FDACS.
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This license is for people who use restricted use pesticides on any agricultural or related area not associated with buildings for any purpose other than as given above for private and public applicator licenses (golf course turf, aquatic wd ontrol, park/cemetary maintenance, highway, etc.).
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This license is for people who use restricted use pesticides to produce an agricultural commodity on property they own or rent, or on property owned or rented by their employer. Qualifying sites include farms (including sod farms), ranches, groves, nurseries, gardens, aquaculture operations and livestock production operations.
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This license is for people who are employed by a government entity (federal, state, county, city, etc.) who use restricted use pesticides on the job for agricultural or related applications. This license is valid only for work performed for the government agency during the course of employment.
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Florida law requires anyone feeding garbage to swine to obtain a permit from the FDACS.
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Farming is defined as the growing and harvesting of fresh tomatoes for movement to a packing house or other packing/repacking facility where final preparation and packing will be completed before distribution.
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Packing and repacking fresh tomatoes includes not only that work done in physical packing houses but also field packing and any mobile packing activities.
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FDACS is responsible for monitoring the accuracy of Florida’s gas pumps, scales, price scanners, and other commercial weighing and measuring devices to promote a fair and equitable marketplace and protect consumers. In addition, this agency tests packaged goods to verify the accuracy of package labeling as it pertains to net quantity.
Apply for a citrus fruit dealer's license from the Department of Citrus
Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is responsible for regulating and overseeing all citrus-related business for the state. Citrus is defined, with the exception of grove management, as post-harvest oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and specialty fruit.
To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website. To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://www.floridacitrus.org/grower/about/open-government/.
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FDOC - Legal Department
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) provides licensing for citrus fruit dealers as defined in s. 601.03(8), Florida Statutes . This does not include nurseries.
The legal staff has authority to grant conditional dealer licenses; the Florida Citrus Commission, the department’s agency head, gives final approval of all dealer licenses.
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Citrus fruit dealer means any consignor, commission merchant, consignment shipper, cash buyer, broker, association, cooperative association, express or gift fruit shipper, or person who in any manner makes or attempts to make money or other thing of value on citrus fruit in any manner whatsoever, other than of growing or producing citrus fruit. The term does not include retail establishments whose sales are direct to consumers and not for resale or persons or firms trading solely in citrus futures contracts on a regulated commodity exchange.
Apply for a license or permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. With more than 575 species of wildlife, 200 native species of freshwater fish, and 500 native species of saltwater fish in their purview, the agency balances their focus with the needs of 19 million residents by providing law enforcement, research, management and outreach.
To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website. To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://myfwc.com/contact/public-records-requests/.
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This license authorizes the holder to operate a facility for captive propagation of alligators, to possess alligators for captive propagation, to take alligator hatchlings and alligator eggs occurring in the wild, to rear such alligators, alligator hatchlings, and alligator eggs in captivity, to process alligators taken or possessed under authority of such alligator farming license or otherwise legally acquired, and to possess, process, and sell their hides and meat.
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This license authorizes Alligator Farming, Alligator Trapping, and Alligator Processing license holders who possess a current food permit issued by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to process alligator meat for sale.
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This license authorizes a person to buy and process lawfully acquired alligators from alligator trapping, farming, or other alligator processing license holders and to sell the alligator meat, hides and other parts.
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This license authorizes the captive rearing of native or nonnative game birds and game mammals. Includes chucars, ducks, geese, pheasant, quail partridges, turkeys, deer, and other game species. This license does not authorize the taking of or keeping of any game removed from the wild.
Explore assistance from the Department of Economic Opportunity (optional)
Department of Commerce
In collaboration with our partners, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.
To file a complaint regarding a business or person licensed by this agency, please see their website. To obtain this agency’s public records, visit: https://floridajobs.org/about-us/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/requests-for-public-records.
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Agency Introduction
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) utilizes public and private sector expertise to attract, retain and grow businesses and create jobs in Florida. It also provides valuable resources for businesses and entrepreneurs; assistance with recruiting workers; and statistical information regarding Florida businesses and employment. Your business may qualify for various state or federal assistance.
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Your business may qualify for various state or federal assistance programs.
Additional Local Government Information
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Explore Federal Licensing Considerations
Federal Business Requirements
In addition to state and local licensing, many business activities are also regulated by federal agencies. Businesses within this category may also be required to obtain additional federal licenses, permits, registration, etc. depending on your specific business activities. It is recommended that you consult with a professional (e.g., attorney, CPA, SBA, etc.) to ensure you meet all requirements before starting your business. The U.S. Small Business Administration is an excellent resource for potential and current business owners seeking assistance navigating federal licensing requirements. For more information on the Federal Government, please visit www.usa.gov.
In most cases, you will need not need a license to import or export services or goods into or from the US. However, international transfer of certain goods may require a license, permit or certification. All items are subject to export control laws and regulations. For more information, please visit USA.gov’s importing and exporting page.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency that oversees the American farming industry. USDA duties range from helping farmers with price support subsidies, to inspecting food to ensure the safety of the American public. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issues permits for the import, transit and release of regulated animals, animal products, veterinary biologics, plants, plant products, pests, organisms, soil, and genetically engineered organisms including, but not limited to, Commercial Animal Dealers, Exhibitors, Research Facilities, and Transporters.
The USDA licenses various types of businesses and professionals including:
- Animals and Animal Products
- Biotechnology
- Plants, Organisms, and Soil
- Dog import Permit
- Commercial Animal Dealers
- Exhibitors
- Transporters
- Research Facilities
Special Consideration: Importing Dogs into the United States for resale, whether through commercial sale of adoption, requires a permit under the Animal Welfare Act.
Disclaimer: The State of Florida operates OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov as a public service to Florida residents and visitors worldwide. While efforts were made to verify that the content of this website is accurate and comprehensive, it is recommended that you consult with a professional (e.g., attorney, CPA, SBDC, etc.) to ensure you meet all requirements before starting your business. OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov is not responsible for the content of external websites.