In 1916, the Florida Chamber of Commerce began as the Florida Cattle Tick Eradication Committee. Times were dire – the entire state was under federal quarantine due to the prevalence of the cattle tick, which threatened Florida’s entire economy. In our early years, agriculture leaders knew they could accomplish far more working together than they could by themselves. That’s how the story of the Florida Chamber of Commerce began…battling a threat to the safety and security of Florida’s economy.