DISEASE CONTROL, LABOR, WORKER SAFETY IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT CITRUS EXPO

Growers, researchers, and others attending the 2006 Citrus Expo Wednesday and Thursday (August 23-24), learned about canker control tactics from Argentine producers, and how the federal and state governments could affect their livelihoods through increased regulation and enforcement.

Canker-fighting tactics the Argentine growers shared Wednesday include various types of windbreaks, copper spray and disinfecting of vehicles. One presenter said that the windbreaks alone can reduce the spread of the disease by 40 percent.

Walter Kates, Director of FFVA’s Labor Relations Division, spoke about ag labor relations in transition at a Thursday morning seminar. “The (Mexican) border may not be shut, but the flow will slow from a stream to a trickle," Kates told the group. "I hope everybody realizes it's not going to be business as usual."

FFVA’s Mike Aerts, assistant director, Environmental & Pest Management Division, also spoke at the gathering, focusing on increasingly strict state and federal regulations involving worker safety. “The citrus industry is in transition and growers are going to have to keep up and keep their eyes open,” said Aerts.

The Expo, held at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, attracted record crowds, drawn by the informative presentations as well as new product and other demonstrations at a 130-booth trade show.

DIABETES ASSOCIATION PUBLISHES NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES

Whether you're trying to prevent diabetes, better manage your disease or slow complications from developing, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has developed specific guidelines to help you choose the right meal plan to get you to your goals.

Published in the September issue of Diabetes Care, the ADA's revised medical nutrition therapy recommendations update earlier statements using the most recent scientific data available. The guidelines categorize medical nutrition advice according to a person's medical condition, breaking out recommendations for people at high risk for diabetes; managing existing diabetes; and trying to prevent or slow the rate of development of diabetes complications.

For people who are at risk for diabetes, the guidelines call for a diet high in fiber and nutrient-rich foods, with whole grains making up half of all grain intake. For people who already have diabetes, the nutrition guidelines are more specific. They include carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low-fat milk; eating fiber-rich foods; keeping saturated fats to less than 7 percent of total caloric intake; eating at least two servings of non-fried fish per week; limiting trans fats; and restricting cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg/day.

-Source: American Diabetes Association

FLORIDA AG PRODUCERS, CONGRESSMEN WORK ON SUBSIDY-FREE FARM BILL STRATEGY

Leaders of Florida’s agriculture industry organizations, including FFVA President Mike Stuart, gathered Wednesday (August 23) at a meeting hosted by Representatives Adam Putnam, Mark Foley, Mario Diaz-Balart and Allen Boyd to discuss strategies for the 2007 farm bill.

Participants in the Ft. Myers meeting shared their interests and priorities with the congressmen, with the goal of developing a clear strategy that would meet the needs of various sectors of the industry. Growers of specialty crops (fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products) do not receive direct support like producers of program crops (feed corn, wheat, soybeans, etc.). Industry leaders are developing a strategy that would not ask for direct payments, but instead would support federal farm policies that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers and, in turn, benefit American consumers.

For information on the efforts of specialty crop producers from Florida and across the country to help build a fair and competitive farm bill, log on to www.farmbill2007.org.

UF TO ENHANCE EXTENSION DEMONSTRATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS AT HASTINGS FACILITY

To help protect water quality and boost farming as the Flagler County area becomes more developed, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) will enhance extension demonstration and research programs at its Hastings Demonstration Unit, aided by a recent $500,000 appropriation from the Legislature. For more details, go to http://news.ifas.ufl.edu.

NEW FARMWORKER HOUSING DEDICATION PLANNED

The Diocese of Venice will provide a ground blessing for the Casa San Juan Bosco farm worker housing project October 28 at 11:00 a.m. The project will be located at 2316 S.E. Hillsborough Ave. in Arcadia. Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association, Gulf Citrus Growers Association, Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Venice, and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association are sponsoring the event.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation raised $50,000 for the project’s initial funding through auctions benefiting hurricane housing held at FFVA’s 61st Annual Convention in 2004, and added another $150,000 to the fund in the past year.

Casa San Juan Bosco will be the first in Arcadia that is not employer owned and one that encourages the goal of self-sufficiency for tenants. For more information about the event, please call Catholic Charities at (941) 488-5581.