Florida Ag Expo is just six months away on Nov. 18, which means the planning process has started for the educational seminars.
The event will kick off with a general session focusing on precision agriculture. There will be a panel discussion and general overview of the latest precision technologies in the industry. The general session will be followed by two concurrent educational programs – one covering production updates and the other centering on pest management. The afternoon will conclude with field tours.
Attendees can also expect several hands-on stations where they can also earn CEUs.
Who’s Responsible for the Event?
The Florida Ag Expo is a partnership between AgNet Media and the University of Florida (UF)/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). It also includes the Florida Tomato Committee, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association.
The AgNet Media team that manages Florida Ag Expo met with industry leaders and the UF/IFAS team in Balm, Florida on May 25 to initiate the seminar planning process. Meeting participants included:
- Jack Rechcigl, GCREC center director and professor of soil and water science
- Mary Hartney, president of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association
- Sonia Tighe, executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation
- Eric Johnson, retail market manager at FMC Corporation
- Nathan Boyd, associate GCREC director and associate professor of horticulture and weed science
- Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology
- Jerry Fankhauser, assistant director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station
- Craig Frey, multi-county commercial horticulture Extension agent for Southwest Florida and county Extension director for Hendry County.
- Gaylon Pfeiffer, value chain specialist at BASF
The group discussed issues that are at the forefront of growers’ minds like supply-chain interruptions, labor, pests and more. They also discussed how to make the show a more valuable experience for everyone.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the 2021 Florida Ag Expo on Nov. 18 at the UF/IFAS GCREC in Balm, Florida. Vegetable and specialty crop growers will have the opportunity to earn continuing education units (CEUs) and Certified Crop Adviser credits at the event.