P.O. Box 948153 Phone: (321) 214-5200
Maitland, FL 32794-8153 Fax: (321) 214-0210

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Barbara Wunder (321) 214-5207

FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE
RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION
NAMES MICHAEL CARLTON AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MAITLAND, Fla. (December 12, 2006) - Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation has appointed agriculture industry veteran Michael Carlton as its executive director effective Jan. 2, 2007.

"The foundation is leading the way to provide resources for production research and support for the people who work and live in our farming communities," said foundation chairman Tony DiMare. "Mike is just the person to lead the organization."

"Mike brings a depth and breadth of industry experience that will help take the foundation into the future," added Mike Stuart, president of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. "We're very pleased to have him on board."

For the past 26 years, Carlton held numerous management positions at Florida Citrus Mutual in Lakeland, most recently as director of production and labor affairs. Among his numerous accomplishments was designing a $400 million hurricane relief program for the state's citrus growers in 2004 and successfully pushing the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to adopt the program.

"Our industry has no shortage of challenges," Carlton said. "I'm looking forward to working with the growers in the state to expand the role of the Foundation in new directions to help meet those challenges."

Carlton holds a bachelor's degree from Mercer University.

In fiscal 2004-2005, the foundation contributed nearly $219,000 to a variety of community and agricultural production organizations and projects.

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

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