FARM TO FUEL SUMMIT ATTENDANCE EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

More than 300 people from 10 states and Brazil attended the Farm to Fuel Summit in Orlando August 30-September 1.

The event opened a dialogue on how to achieve the goal of reducing the United States' dependence on foreign oil and expand the market for Florida's crops.

“The meeting was sort of a ‘101’ meeting on alternative fuels,” said Danny Raulerson, FFVA’s director, Marketing & International Trade Division, who was in attendance. “It was interesting in that it brought together a lot of industries and others not used to sitting in the same room with each other.”

Industry, academic and government leaders; including federal, state and local representatives, addressed opportunities for Florida to become a leading alternative fuel producer. Currently, most ethanol production in the United States is made from corn. However, emerging technologies will enable production of ethanol and other alternative fuels from many of the crops grown in Florida. These technologies, some of which are being developed by Florida universities, will also facilitate the use of hurricane debris as a fuel source.

ORANGE JUICE BEATS OTHER JUICES AT PREVENTING KIDNEY STONES

A daily glass of orange juice can help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones better than other citrus fruit juices such as lemonade, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered.

The findings indicate that although many people assume that all citrus fruit juices help prevent the formation of kidney stones, not all have the same effect. The study is available online and is scheduled to be published in the Oct. 26 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Medically managing recurrent kidney stones requires dietary and lifestyle changes as well as treatment such as the addition of potassium citrate, which has been shown to lower the rate of new stone formation in patients with kidney stones.

ALDI EXPANDS INTO FLORIDA

Grocery discount chain Aldi has announced plans to open more than 100 stores in Florida. Initially, it will purchase real estate for at least 20 stores and a distribution center in the Orlando market.

The German-owned food retailer, with more than 800 U.S. locations in the Midwest and East Coast, expects to be open for business in Florida by 2008.

KROGER TO CARRY DISNEY BRANDED FOODS

Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. said in late July that it was planning to unveil a line of Disney branded foods this year. The first of the “Disney Magic Selections” products to launch include fruits, breakfast foods, cheese and yogurts. Later offerings in the works include cut vegetables with dip, fruits cups and applesauce, along with a selection of meals and other snacks.

Disney Magic Selections items will be available at more than 2,400 Kroger stores and other supermarkets owned by Kroger including Ralph’s, Fry's, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, and Dillons. For more information on the new brand, visit the company's website.

BIRDS EYE TO REFOCUS ON BRANDED BUSINESS

Birds Eye Foods says it will sell five non-branded frozen vegetable production facilities within the next year and a half. The move will allow the company to focus its resources on its branded business, including the newly released Birds Eye Steamfresh product. The company’s Montezuma, Georgia facility is one of those on the closure list.

Details are available by clicking here.

UF TO OFFER ORGANIC AG MAJOR

The University of Florida will launch a science-based organic agriculture undergraduate degree program this fall, making it one of the first three U.S. institutions to offer this major.

Colorado State University and Washington State University debut similar programs this fall.

UF has offered a minor in organic agriculture for the past year. Both the major and minor programs are administered by the horticultural sciences department, part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The undergraduate degree program will focus on training students to manage an organic farming unit.

FLORIDA SOUTHERN PROMOTES HORTICULTURE PROGRAM

Florida Southern College’s Horticultural Science Department is developing a marketing plan and making further changes in an effort to recruit new students and increase the program’s financial foundation. A planning committee is creating brochures and advertising, as well as developing a mentoring program to match students up with members of the horticulture industry. For more information, email ghurner@flsouthern.edu.

AG TAG POSTERS AVAILABLE

Florida Ag Tag posters are available to anyone interested in educating a new generation about the importance of Florida agriculture.

The posters, which encourage motorists to purchase the Florida Agriculture license plate, would be ideal to display at schools, shops, and offices. Email barbara.wunder@ffva.com or contact Florida Ag in the Classroom at (352) 846-1391.