P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION HONORS LONGTIME EXTENSION AGENT

ORLANDO, Fla. (September 27, 2004) - Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) named John L. Jackson Jr. as its Researcher of the Year at the association's 62nd Annual Convention, September 25 - 27 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate near Orlando.

Jackson was honored at the convention's Annual Awards Luncheon.

Jackson has served as a University of Florida (UF) faculty member since 1968. Based in Tavares, Florida, he is well known and respected for his work helping citrus growers determine irrigation and cold protection practices. Jackson also helped develop the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN), a comprehensive weather tool for growers statewide.

FFVA Board of Directors Member and citrus grower W. Rex Clonts nominated Jackson for the award. "His consistent pursuit to aid and educate growers has gained him recognition statewide as a respected expert in all things citrus," said Clonts. "His keen appreciation of the role of cold protection, in a state where winter produce profitability often hinges on two or three degrees, has been instrumental in the development of FAWN, with benefits that reach far beyond the fruit and vegetable industry," he added.

A third generation Floridian, Jackson received a B.S. from UF majoring in agricultural mechanics, and an M.A. in fruit crops specializing in irrigation and water use by citrus growers.

He is also the recipient of many other awards, including two USDA Superior Service Awards.

The primary role of an extension agent is to take research work to growers and present it in an easily understood format. Jackson has accomplished this over the years through meetings, newsletters, field days, workshops, magazine articles and one-on-one visits.

In addition to the awards presentation, which also included honors going to an outstanding merchandiser and state legislators, ABCs ports analyst and former winning college football coach Terry Bowden served as luncheon speaker, motivating participants to use audacity as a tool to surviving in a competitive and difficult industry.

The convention also featured the first Farm Bill Listening Session in Florida, where producers were able to take their concerns about the 2007 Farm Bill to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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