AG EXPO  - CERTAIN TO BE EVEN BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND

FFVA Chairman Jay Taylor speaks at the 2006 Ag Expo.

The first Ag Expo in 2006 attracted producers from all over Florida who had a chance to learn from the experts and see what’s new in their industry. This year’s event promises to be even better. It’s set for Dec. 6-7 at the University of Florida’s Institute for Food and Agriculture Science Gulf Coast Research & Education Center in Balm.

Florida vegetable growers will have a chance to learn about production trends and new techniques, sample new varieties and see field trials – all in one place. Growers of tomatoes, strawberries, peppers and cucurbits will benefit from valuable information that’s not offered at any other industry event.

A newly designed layout this year will better integrate extensive indoor and outdoor exhibits, making it easy for participants to get a preview of the latest products, equipment and services available.

The agenda includes in-depth educational sessions covering a wide range of timely topics such as food safety, alternative crops, and new technologies and strategies for handling everything from pest control to irrigation to product tracking.

Growers and their employees are strongly encouraged to attend the Dec. 7 session “Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for Florida Fruit and Vegetable Growers.” CCA credits and CEUs will also be given and the session counts as the mandatory annual education for tomato growers. The session will be presented by IFAS and Cornell University’s National GAPs Program. Registration will be handled by the Florida Tomato Committee and a $20 fee will be charged. The session is especially timely in that FDA will soon be kicking off its Tomato Safety Initiative in Florida.

Attendees at the Ag Expo will be able to view variety field trials and the latest in agricultural equipment.

“The inaugural event last year was a resounding success,” said FFVA’s Marketing Director Danny Raulerson, who is helping to organize the event.  “Given the topics to be discussed in the seminars, and the opportunities for attendees to view variety field trials, equipment, and all of the other demonstrations occurring on site, this year’s event is going to be even better. Anyone in production agriculture shouldn’t miss this event.”

The Ag Expo was born after FFVA Chairman Jay Taylor and past Chairman Tony DiMare attended a similar show in Mexico several years ago. The two discussed the possibility of a similar event in Florida with Jack Rechcigl, director of the Balm center. The group agreed that an expo would be a worthwhile event to hold at the center because it would be different from a traditional university field day. The inaugural Ag Expo was held last December.

Admission to the Ag Expo is free to qualified growers. To find out more, click here.

The Ag Expo, a huge success in 2006, promises to be even better 2007.

You may also call Marc Stockwell at (407) 539-6552 if you have questions about registration, the Ag Expo program or sponsorship opportunities. Click here to go to a fax-ready sponsorship prospectus and application form.

FFVA is proud to be a part of the event’s organization team, which also counts as members IFAS, the Florida Tomato Committee, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, and Meister Media worldwide, publishers of Florida Grower and other trade magazines.