All Florida Ag Show Returns For Encore Performance
April 29, 2013 
During the opening keynote address at the All Florida Ag Show, Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick wrapped up his speech with a poignant statement: “Farming is one bad legislation from being out of business.” That point was the perfect segue for the 2nd annual conference/trade show held last week at the Highlands Today Center in Sebring. Attendees who turned out for the 1.5 day gathering presented by Florida Grower and the Highlands County Farm Bureau were treated to a specially crafted program that covered the major challenges and opportunities facing all of Florida’s producers.
Frank Giles, Florida Grower editor and coordinator of the All Florida Ag Show program, says the agenda was designed to take on the big issues that impact everybody—no matter what they grow. “That’s what makes these sessions unique,” he says. “A citrus grower, cattle rancher, and vegetable producer can be sitting in the same room and each attain valuable information from the same presentation.”
Given the location of the event is in the heart of citrus country, the educational session area was well populated for the opening act, which featured a distinguished lineup of the state’s citrus industry players including Ray Royce, Highlands County Citrus Growers Association; Ron Hamel, Gulf Citrus Growers Association; Barbara Carlton, Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association; and Vic Story of the Story Companies. Giles moderated the panel and guided them through hot topics such as this year’s fruit drop, psyllid control, vital research, and future prospects.
“We can’t afford to put our heads in the sand,” said Story, the 2012 Florida Grower Citrus Achievement Award winner, regarding a proactive approach to HLB. “I know some who have, to the point where I don’t think their groves can recover.”
Royce concurred, noting today’s citrus growers need to adjust the way they handle their crop. “We have to take more of a row crop mentality,” he said. In addition to production procedures, he stressed other aspects to not lose focus on. “Your recordkeeping is going to be just as important as your horticultural knowledge going forward.”
All agreed on the importance of growers to speak up and reach out to their legislators. Hamel said politicians are listening. “Having recognition from two senators (Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson) shows that agriculture has arrived.”
Similarly, Royce also praised local Congressman Tom Rooney for taking an active role.
[watch Congressman Rooney’s video presentation as seen at the All Florida Ag Show]
The future of Florida citrus depends on what those in the industry are doing right now to keep it sustainable. This includes supporting and funding the continuing efforts of the research community and telling the story of agriculture to whoever will listen. “When people think of Florida, they think of white, sandy beaches and orange trees,” said Story. “And I want to keep it that way.”
Other notable program standouts included the presentation on the Affordable Care Act’s impact on agriculture. Understandably, there was a lively and lengthy Q&A portion with audience members at the conclusion of the presentation given by Charlie Egerton and Chris D’Amico of Dean Mead.
Another talk that elicited audience feedback was the future of protected agriculture in Florida. Veteran grower and protected agriculture “evangelist” William “Skeeter” Bethea of DiMare answered questions lobbed at him about progressive greenhouse vegetable production following the conclusion of his presentation that covered temperature monitoring , pollination practices, harvest goals, and more.
More big picture presentations such as farm labor/immigration reform review as well as the hashing out of Florida’s water challenges offered good intel and several take-home messages. The panel of experts wading through water issues was in agreement that water quality and supply are the main challenges for Florida growers. “If you haven’t heard of TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Loads) yet, you will,” said Darrell Smith, FDACS.
Fellow panel member Benita Whalen, formerly of Southwest Florida Water Management District, expressed the importance of best management practices to agriculture’s sustainability. “BMPs are the cornerstone of achieving restoration efforts,” she said.
During the home stretch of the Show program, UF/IFAS scientist Dave Clark gave an interesting presentation on the breeding efforts going on to make new plants look, smell, and taste better. He noted his collaboration with numerous researchers in the industry, especially Dr. Harry Klee, eminent scholar and professor in the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, in this area. While there is work being done on a broad scale of plants and crops, recent breakthroughs in tomatoes has gained recognition. It appears that work will pay off. A good sign of what’s to come from continued research, Clark quipped, “You think Tasti-Lee (tomato) tastes good, just wait ’til the next generation.”
To hear other points Clark had to say, as well as other presenters from the All Florida Ag Show, stay tuned for more post-event coverage coming soon.
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