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AG EXPO BRINGS IT ALL TOGETHER FLORIDA AG EXPO AIMS TO HELP GROWERS STAY PROFITABLE AND PRODUCTIVE Curious about new developments in crop protection or new varieties of seeds? Feel like test driving the latest equipment?
Anxious to hear updated information about labor, food safety, WPS audits and other issues that affect your livelihood as a producer? Plan to attend the Florida Ag Expo, December 8-9, at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. Presented by Florida Grower magazine and the University of Florida, Institute for Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), the event promises to be a one-stop resource for all that concerns Florida fruit and vegetable producers. The idea for the 1 ½ day show came from FFVA Chairman Tony DiMare and Vice-Chairman Jay Taylor, after they returned from a trip to Culiacan, Mexico about two years ago. Culiacan hosts an annual event that brings in growers from all around the country, representing an assortment of crops.
"Jay and I talked about it, and then, at the grand opening of the Balm center a little over a year ago, we floated the idea with Jack Rechcigl, director of the center and Dr. Jimmy Cheek, UF's senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources," said DiMare. "The idea caught Jack's attention, so we filled him in on what Mexico was doing to display its agriculture and educate its producers." Rechcigl recalls the conversation. "Jay and Tony are on our advisory committee. They told me they thought it would be a nice event to have at our center, since it'd be different from a traditional university field day, incorporating a variety of educational programs in the auditorium as well as field demonstrations and vendor booths. "The educational programs will cover farming in today's regulatory environment, food safety in the vegetable industry, methyl bromide Critical Use Exemptions updates, costs of labor and the impact that will have on the vegetable industry, and how to survive a WPS audit. Plus we'll have more specific programs addressing vegetable Best Management Practices, irrigation, pest management, fertilizer management, and disease updates for both vegetables and strawberries, said Rechcigl.
Out in the field, the expo will demonstrate precision agriculture, the effectiveness of labeled herbicides, and more. "It's something the growers always asked us to do. They don't want to see small plot research, they want to see large-scale demonstrations, which would be more typical of their situation. We're going to provide that for them," said Rechcigl.
The Ag Expo will also feature tractors and spray equipment, presented in a way that's different from shows where equipment demonstrations are conducted in a parking lot. It'll have several lanes where equipment can be demonstrated, so growers will be able to see it as it's actually working in the field. They'll learn how to lay plastic mulch and how to calibrate equipment. "It'll be more of a hands-on field day, where growers can learn the latest on methyl bromide alternatives, and different types of plastic mulches that can be used as alternatives to the traditional ones that were used in the past. These can hold the fumigants in for a longer period of time and less is lost to the atmosphere," said Rechcigl. Organizers also hope to offer about 40 booths where vendors can demonstrate their newest products and equipment. "I would hope the attendees will find our inaugural event both informative and educational," said DiMare. "If the event is successful for all those who have a vested interest, we hope to expand the expo in the future." Admission to the event is free, and Florida Grower is offering online registration and detailed information on its website at: http://www.floridagrower.net/agexpo/index.html. You may also call (407) 539-6552 and speak with Deborah to register.
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©2008 Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
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