Florida Ag Expo Planning Underway

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Planning is underway for this year’s Florida Ag Expo.

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.