It was quite a rainy welcome at the 2016 Florida Citrus Show. Conditions didn't improve much over the course of the two-day event. It was a perfect time to be indoors.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Impressive Lineup
The less-than-ideal weather did not hold back a Show record crowd of participants.
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Drink Up!
What better way to start the day at the Florida Citrus Show than with some OJ? Thank you, Indian River Select.
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Coming In For A Landing
In between rain showers, 2016 Florida Citrus Show attendees had a chance to get a close-up look at the unique, mobile spray rig from AgroFlite. The helicopter made an impressive landing on top of the rig during an intense rainstorm the morning of Day 1.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Captain Citrus To The Rescue
Yes, Captain Citrus was present at the 2016 Florida Citrus Show. He stood guard at the Florida Department of Citrus booth.
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Meet You By The John Deere
UF/IFAS' Parker Platts (right) parks next to the Everglades Farm Equipment display to speak to a colleague.
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Warm Welcome
Doug Bournique, executive director of the Indian River Citrus League, delivered opening remarks at the 2016 Florida Citrus Show. The weather was top of mind in his speech.
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Standing Room Only
A packed educational session room was the norm throughout both days. At one point, an extra section of room and chairs were added to handle the overflow.
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Here's Lookin' At Cuba
UF/IFAS economist Bill Messina led a presentation on the realities and future prospects of Cuba's citrus industry. According to Messina, prospects for Cuba's citrus industry is bleak given HLB; there is a possible export opportunity for Florida grapefruits; and the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election also might influence the U.S.-Cuba policy.
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Florida's Top Chef
During the morning and afternoon breaks of Day 1, Fresh From Florida Chef Justin Timineri delighted the crowd with cooking demonstrations. Attendees not only had a chance to watch the chef in action, but also were able to taste the goods.
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Smooth Presentation
The first cooking demo featured a smoothie that combined Florida OJ, Greek yogurt, bananas, honey, avocado, and more. It made for one delicious concoction. Hordes of people who tasted the sample would agree.
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Free Samples!
UF/IFAS' variety display featured numerous orange, tangerine, grapefruit, and pummelo selections for attendees to sample and provide feedback.
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Orange Is The New Black
The latest USDA citrus varieties were well represented at its display and tasting tables.
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There's More Parking In The Back
The full parking lot at the 2016 Florida Citrus Show was a good indicator how important this gathering is to the industry. The mess of pickups and SUVs seemed to stretch for at least a mile.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Lunch Is Served
BBQ chicken, pulled pork, and all the fixins satisfied hungry Show-goers.
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Full Extension
The UF/IFAS booth is always one of the most trafficked. The expansive exhibit has useful information everywhere you look.
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Organically Speaking
William “Benny” McLean, production manager of Uncle Matt’s Organic and the Organic Trade Association's 2015 Organic Farmer of the Year, was on hand to answer questions and pass on knowledge.
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Citrus Shrimp Ceviche, Anyone?
For the afternoon break, Fresh From Florida Chef Justin Timineri whipped up a citrus shrimp and avocado ceviche.
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Fresh From Florida In A Cup
This small bowl was bursting with Fresh From Florida flavors. This citrus shrimp ceviche recipe can be found at FreshFromFlorida.com.
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Exhibitor Exchange
Gerald O'Connor of KeyPlex pays a visit to Katherine Koenig at the Christopher & Weisberg booth. Nearly 100 different vendors and sponsors filled the expansive exhibit area.
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On The Radar
The Tradewinds Power Corp. booth was showing off some of its technology. The live weather radar feed showed a constant flow of green, yellow and red across the peninsula.
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History Class
There was plenty of history on display at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame booth. Brenda Eubanks Burnette was busy answering questions about the vintage photos and box labels.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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We All Scream For Ice Cream
The ice cream social sponsored by Bayer CropScience was a big hit. Not much goes better with citrus than cool ice cream with a mound of toppings.
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Tractor Pull
There was plenty of heavy equipment on display on the tradeshow floor. Florida Coast Equipment brought out some fine pieces from Kubota.
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Party Time!
The conclusion of Day 1 was celebrated with a cocktail reception in the center of the tradeshow floor. It was the perfect time for attendees to meet, greet, and talk about what they learned.
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Pretty As A Picture
During the opening day reception, an original Florida Highwaymen painting was given away to an attendee. Artist Kelvin Hair presents his awesome work of art to the winner.
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Raise Your Hand If You're Sure
Dr. Tim Gottwald of the USDA Horticulture Lab in Ft. Pierce led and interactive survey of growers at the 2016 Florida Citrus Show. The 40-question survey was presented to get insight directly from growers on major issues affecting the industry.
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Point And Click
All growers and grove managers in the education room participated in the industry survey conducted by USDA-ARS in partnership with UC-Davis. Each participant was given hand-held clickers to log their respective answers. Real-time results displayed on the big-screens.
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Poll Of Presidential Proportions
To lead off the citrus growers survey, a political-themed question was used to help stir the pot. Looks like Donald Trump has another feather for his cap.
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Survey Says
Neil McRoberts of UC-Davis reads out survey questions and advances the slides. Not too surprisingly, bactericides and antibiotics came out on top from the question: "Which technology seems most helpful to stop the spread of HLB?"
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Bactericides Banter
The survey results were the perfect segue for the final session vetting bactericides. Taw Richardson of AgroSource fields a question during a lively discussion following the conclusion of an entire educational session about antibacterial breakthroughs.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
Emory McTeer's name was drawn as the lucky winner of an original Florida Highwaymen painting by artist R.L. Lewis. The artist and winner pose next to the lovely framed landscape that's unmistakably Florida.
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Cool Prize
Everywhere you looked around the tradeshow floor, there were winners. This lucky Show attendee receives congratulations and a YETI cooler from Ed Fitzharris, compliments of Wellmark International.
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Dinner For Two
Among the many prize giveaways at the 2016 Florida Citrus Show was a dinner for two at the famed Quail Creek Plantation. The Crockett Insurance Group gave away several of the sought-after packages.
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Leaving On A High Note
What a way to finish off the Florida Citrus Show. On behalf of Florida Grower magazine, editor Frank Giles (right) presented a Phantom 3 Quadcopter to the grand prize winner Mike Irey of Southern Gardens Citrus.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
“El Niño sucks.” These were the opening remarks given by Doug Bournique, executive director of the Indian River Citrus League, during the official welcome to last week’s 2016 Florida Citrus Show at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Ft. Pierce. He was referring to the torrent of rainfall and wind that greeted everyone attempting to make it into the building without getting soaked. Looking around the room, not many were successful in dodging the opening day deluge.
The inclement weather was quite symbolic of the current, ongoing challenges the Florida citrus industry is facing. Similar to the resolve being shown in the fight against HLB, more than 800 people (a new Show record) packed the facility despite the forecast calling for continued driving rain with a chance of occasional tornadoes.
Scroll through the comprehensive photo gallery above for highlights, and to see the moments in time featuring the people who helped make the 2016 Florida Citrus Show a huge success.
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Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor for Meister Media Worldwide's Specialty Crops Division, which consists of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.
February 1, 2016 
