APRIL 3, 2006

ISSUE 1109

FFVA SPRING “REG TOUR” A SUCCESS

“It’s an invaluable experience for these people, because a lot of them just don’t get the opportunity to see this kind of thing - ever,” said FFVA Assistant Director, Environmental & Pest Management Division Mike Aerts about the just-completed 2006 Spring Regulatory Tour. The tour, held in Southwest Florida last week, allows regulators to get to know the concerns of those affected by state and federal policies.

Because the group was somewhat smaller than in years past, interaction was expanded and participants were able to ask in-depth questions that may not have been answered in the past.

“A picture really does tell a thousand words in instances like this,” Aerts said. “You can talk about how to grow a tomato plant or plant a citrus tree, but when you get to see it and touch it and experience it first hand, that makes a long-lasting impression!”