If you asked Florida growers to sum up the state of the current industry in just a few words, one most certainly to get blurted out would be “labor.” This issue, among a few others, was top of mind for participants of a grower panel during last week’s 2015 Florida Ag Expo at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. The annual one-day event was celebrating its 10th year.
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Pickups As Far As The Eye Can See
The sprawling parking lot full of vehicles mirrors the record number of pre-registrants (800+) the Florida Ag Expo harvested this year. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Welcome To The 10th Annual Florida Ag Expo
The education session room was packed for the morning welcome given by Gulf Coast Research and Education Director Jack Rechcigl as well as Jack Payne, senior VP, UF/IFAS. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Here Ye, Here Ye!
Nov. 4, 2015 was proclaimed "Florida Ag Expo Day" by Hillsborough County commissioners as well as the Manatee County Commission. UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Director Jack Rechigl (left) accepts the proclamation from Hillsborough. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Esteemed Grower Panel Lineup
The State of the Florida Agriculture Industry panel included [from left] Tres McQuag, Astin Farms; Elvie Engle, Del Monte; Jay Sizemore, JayMar Produce; and Leonard Batti of Taylor Farms. Among those in the group, labor and food safety rose to the top of discussion and stayed there during this session. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Hefty Head Count
A large crowd remained in the education session room following the welcome festivities to check out the grower panel. Early estimates of attendance ranged from 800 to 1,000 people. Photo by Frank Giles
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Panelists Make Their Points
Grower panel participants Tres McQuag of Astin Farms (left) and Elvie Engle of Del Monte delve into the issue of H-2A and adequate farm labor. FFVA's Mike Stuart moderates in the background. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Information Exchange
Florida Blueberry Growers Association president Dudley Calfee (center) adding some new contacts at the 2015 Florida Ag Expo. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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The Straight Skinny From "Skeeter"
Enza Zaden's William "Skeeter" Bethea (center) answers questions during a break in the educational sessions. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Pleased To Meet You
The latest products and services were on display inside and outside the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Extra time was built in between sessions to allow for more opportunities to conduct business and network. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Business Talks
More than 80 different industry supply companies set up displays at the 2015 Florida Ag Expo. Photo by Frank Giles
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Show And Tell
The tradeshow areas inside and outside the GCREC were bustling. Photo by Frank Giles
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Making The Cut
During the 2015 Florida Ag Expo, dignitaries cut the ribbon on the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center's (GCREC) new 5,000-square-foot expansion. [From left] Mike Stuart, FFVA; Kenneth Parker, Florida Strawberry Growers Association; Reggie Brown, Florida Tomato Committee; Tony DiMare, DiMare Fresh; Jack Payne, senior VP, UF/IFAS; Jack Rechcigl, UF/IFAS GCREC director; and Jackie Burns, UF/IFAS dean of research make the occasion official. Photo by Frank Giles
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Cooking Demo Duo
UF/IFAS culinary ambassador Chef David Bearl put on a cooking demo using locally grown produce. His wife MaryEllen helped prep and dish out the goods. Photo by Frank Giles
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Something's Cooking
Wanting to simplify matters, Chef David Bearl used a wok to sautee a medley of greens, summer squash, garlic, and seasoning. Photo by Frank Giles
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Have Fresh Veggies, Will Travel
The essential ingredients of any good cook's trade come fresh. UF/IFAS culinary ambassador Chef David Bearl used local produce picked from Blue Sky Farms to fuel his cooking demo. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Cooking Demo Delight
UF/IFAS culinary educator and ambassador Chef David Bearl sauteed up a quick, tasty treat during the cooking demo. Though this plate looked small, it had big flavor. You cannot get any more fresh than this. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire
After completing his cooking demo, Chef David Bearl gave a presentation on culinary trends. In particular, he touched on how to market your farm to chefs and tap into the buy local movement. He said restaurants/chefs are seeking fresh produce that's handled properly. Bearl also sang the praises of food hubs as a way to supply restaurants that want to highlight a local food menu. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Lunch Is Served
After a morning of learning and networking, attendees were ready to dig into some BBQ. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Breaking Bread Over BBQ
Growers, researchers, industry suppliers, students and other stakeholders had a chance to share knowledge over lunch featuring BBQ chicken, pulled pork, green beans, salad, rolls and peach cobbler. Oh, and don't forget the sweet tea. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Just Browsing
There was plenty of equipment (motors, sprayers, UTVs, tractors, and more) to get an up-close look at while walking the grounds. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Ready For A Test Drive
More than a few attendees kicked the tires at the Grove Equipment Service display. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Vitamin See
It's not all about tomatoes and strawberries at the Florida Ag Expo. UF/IFAS citrus breeders once again brought out some of the latest and tastiest varieties for those passing by to sample. Photo by Frank Giles
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A Fitting Backdrop
It turned out to be a beautiful day for the 10th running of the Florida Ag Expo. The temperatures felt more like August than November. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Boning Up On Blueberries
UF/IFAS professor Jeff WIlliamson spoke about blueberries and several new varieties that would need less chill hours. He warned of potential negative impacts from an El Niño winter. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Alternative Crop Analysis
UF/IFAS' Zhanao Deng led a presentation on alternative crops. Pomegranates, blackberries, and even hops were up for discussion. Attendees seemed to perk up during the portion on hops. Craft beer production and sales in Florida are surging. With that, there is a demand for locally sourced hops. Perhaps there is an opportunity for growers. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Staying Cool Under Pressure
Despite November record temperatures near 90, and humidity in the same range, attendance figures also were in the record range. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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All Aboard!
The field tours, once again, were a highly anticipated and much participated part of the 2015 Florida Ag Expo program. The tours were broken out in two: Plant Health and Horticulture. There was a walking tour that included effective cooling of fruits and vegetables. And new to this year was a pest identification course. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Quenching A Thirst
The sultry weather conditions made field tour attendees all the more appreciative of the Thirst Quencher stop sponsored by Dow AgroSciences. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Seeing Red (and some green)
Wagon-fulls of attendees rode out to plots adjacent to the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center to view the latest in tomato varieties as well as learn plant health trends. The field trials portion of the program always is popular. Both sets of tours were packed. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Meeting Of The Minds
UF/IFAS plant breeder Sam Hutton (left) confers with colleagues during the Horticulture field tour. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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High On Tomato Hybrids
There were a number of tomato hybrids on trial at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. More than 70 varieties from multiple sources are being put to the test. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Learning In The Field
Attendees scour the field trials for hybrid tomatoes that not only grow well, but also exhibit disease resistance. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Smoking Hot Hybrid Tomato
The Solar Fire tomato from HM Clause was part of the hybrid trial. The variety is shown to have resistance to Fusarium race 3. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Sakata Shows Off
Sakata's XTM 2804 tomato variety was one of eight the company featured in the hybrid trial. Resistance traits includes tomato yellow leaf curl virus and nematodes. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Group Huddle
Several field tour attendees compare notes on the hybrid tomato trials. More than 70 varieties were part of this plot. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Good Sign For Syngenta
Syngenta had four varieties (Monticello, Soraya, Ridgerunner, and BrickYard) showcased in the tomato hybrid tour. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Priority On Pollinators
FDACS environmental specialist Jeanette Klopchin discusses the importance of pollinators during the horticulture field tour. Did you know that the squash bee sleeps inside the cucurbit's flower at night? Something to consider when choosing the best time to spray. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Talking Tomatoes
On the last stop of the Horticulture field tour, UF/IFAS' Shinsuke Agehara discussed improved early growth and tomato fruit set by eliminating transplant shock. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Into The Looking Glass
UF/IFAS scientist Shinsuke Agehara displayed a unique sample showing results of eliminating tomato transplant shock by inhibiting the stress hormone ethylene. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Plenty Of Eye Candy
There was no shortage of things to see and do at the Florida Ag Expo. Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Until We Meet Again ...
Sunset at the 2015 Florida Ag Expo. The 2016 Florida Ag Expo is scheduled for Nov. 2. See you then. Photo by Paul Rusnak
The panel featured Tres McQuag of Astin Farms, Elvie Engle of Del Monte, Jay Sizemore of Jaymar Produce, and Leonard Batti of Taylor Farms. Panel moderator, Mike Stuart, FFVA, kicked off the session by asking panelists: “What keeps you up at night?” Across the board, the availability of farm labor has been causing the most concern. “It’s a struggle to get labor and a struggle to get them to do what you want (and need),” Engle said.
Sizemore has been shying away from the H-2A guestworker program ever since a colleague got burned with regulation litigation. “My biggest fear going forward in farming is getting crossways with the federal government over guest workers,” he said. “You’re not going to win a lawsuit with the federal government. There’s no doubt we need some kind of guestworker program, but it needs to be more grower friendly.”
Probably one of the most noteworthy exchanges came from the audience when a well-meaning member asked the panel why not hire college students to pick produce since they are always looking to earn extra spending money. After similar responses (“we’ve tried that to no avail”) from several of the panelists, as well as the moderator, longtime local berry grower Carl Grooms of Fancy Farms spoke up. “We’re not here to pay someone’s gas money. We’re trying to run a business.” That concise statement put a cap on the discussion.
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015Pomp And Plenty Of Circumstance At The 10th Florida Ag Expo
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.
November 9, 2015 
