RCMA CARD SALES GROSS $28,650

Gross sales generated by the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) annual Christmas card fundraiser totaled $28,650 for 2006, up from $16,994 in 2005. Net funds will be matched by government grants at a rate of $16 for every $1 raised. For the first time, all inventories – a total of 13,800 cards – were sold.

The figures were announced at a meeting of the RCMA Christmas Card Committee, Dec. 13, where Lawton Printers presented new possibilities for next year’s campaign, including an interactive Web site to create and proofread orders of exclusive card designs.

An important element in the success of the campaign was the contributions of “Print Angels,” organizations that donated funds toward production of the cards. The 2006 Print Angels are: Artesian Farms, DUDA, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Farm Bureau, Pacific Tomato Growers, Six L's Packing Company, Inc., Taylor & Fulton, Inc., Tomatoes of Ruskin and Wishnatzki Farms.

Children participating in RCMA programs create designs for the cards, which are marketed to agriculture and other organizations and individuals via direct mail, magazine advertisements, news releases and volunteer efforts.

For more information see http://www.rcma.org/.

USDA ANNOUNCES EIGHT NEW DISASTER PROGRAMS FOR HURRICANE RECOVERY

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida announced Dec. 7 that it would make available eight new disaster programs to help farmers and ranchers who suffered losses due to Hurricanes in 2005. Sign-up began Dec. 11. In Florida, 37 counties are eligible for assistance as a result of the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

The Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006 authorizes the programs. USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) will provide payments to eligible producers.

Program fact sheets can be found online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov. You may also contact your county Farm Service office for details.

FOUNDATION NAMES MICHAEL CARLTON AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation has appointed agriculture industry veteran Michael Carlton as its executive director effective Jan. 2, 2007. 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.

The Foundation was established in 1991 to address specialty crop growers' scientific and knowledge needs in the production, marketing, transportation and consumption of fruits and vegetables. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, the Foundation operates to the benefit the entire Florida specialty crops industry and the society as a whole. Specialty crop producers provide oversight to the Foundation.

Foundation programs that have been funded through the years include: relief for farmworkers hit by 2004 hurricanes, methyl bromide alternatives research, disease management programs, grower education, youth education, specialty crop promotion, and consumer education programs.

MARKET NICHES ARE FOCUS OF SE REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Educational sessions in niche markets will be the focus of the 2006 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Jan. 4-7, in Savannah, Ga. It is the largest educational conference and trade show in the Southeastern United States open to all growers, vendors and suppliers in the fruit and vegetable industries. For more information, go to www.gfvga.org or call (877) 994-3842.

TOURISM WORKSHOP OFFERED

The UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center-Suwannee Valley (NFREC-SV) and The Original Florida Tourism Task Force will be offering the second of three workshops on Tourism Opportunities for Farmers in Live Oak on Jan. 9, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to Walton County Extension Agent Bruce Ward, who presented at the first workshop on December 6, “Our economy is evolving into an experience economy and farm-based experiences such as overnight farm stays, trail rides, corn mazes and bird watching are desired by a growing number of visitors to Florida”. This series of workshops will help area farm and land owners start or improve such businesses.

Ward also encouraged land owners to “take advantage of opportunities presented by existing natural resources” to “help visitors realize their dreams”; these workshops are designed to help farmers and land owners do just that. This second workshop promises to be even more exciting and informative than the first one.

NFREC-SV serves the diverse agricultural interests in the region including vegetables, fruit crops, protected culture, forestry, tobacco and other forage crops. The Original Florida Tourism Task Force is a tourism marketing group that seeks to promote yet preserve the natural and cultural attractions of the area to increase the number of visitors and extend their stay.

The registration fee is $10 which includes lunch, refreshments and program materials. The registration deadline is January 3, 2007 at 5 p.m.

Visit http://nfrec-sv.ifas.ufl.edu, e-mail Karen Hancock at khancock@ufl.edu or call (386) 362-1725 for more information.