Familiar Face Settles In As New Florida Strawberry Association Leader
August 14, 2014 A lifelong resident of Hillsborough County has taken the reins as the new executive director of Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA). Kenneth Parker assumed the role from Ted Campbell, who is retiring after six years of service to the association.
Kenneth Parker
Parker is an active member in a number of farm organizations in the region including Florida Strawberry Festival Steering Committee, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, Florida Future Farmers of America, and Florida Cattlemen’s Association. As a certified crop advisor, Parker has worked with strawberry growers for more than 20 years to maximize their marketable yields.
“Kenneth is a lifelong resident of Plant City and knows everyone,” Campbell says. “His business association with the growers gave him an excellent knowledge of their growing practices, and his exceptional interpersonal skills have endeared him to all.
“I’ve spent the last month working side by side with him on every aspect of FSGA’s business, and I can assure you the association is in very good hands going forward. He is highly capable, and I will remain accessible to help him in any capacity as he assimilates into his new position.”
Florida Grower asked Parker to address some key priorities as he takes the helm at FSGA:
What are some keychallenges facing Florida strawberry growers as you prepare for next season?
Parker: Every season presents a different set of challenges. The past couple of seasons, strawberry growers have faced burdensome costs associated with diseased and virus-infected transplants that were not anticipated. We are working in cooperation with UF/IFAS researchers to develop a means of early detection and protocols in nurseries to ensure high-quality plants that are free of pathogens.
Every strawberry plant is planted by hand and the fruit is harvested at least twice per week by hand. This process requires a stable, reliable, and skilled labor force. We recognize the need for a comprehensive immigration plan that does not overburden our growers with unreasonable costs and liability.
How are strawberry growers dealing with water-related challenges that have arisen in recent years?
Parker: The strawberry industry has been on the cutting edge of implementing strategies to conserve water and embrace technologies that enhance the efficient use of state’s most valuable natural resource. Urban and rural communities are dependent on water sources. We cannot exist without it. Each one of us are stakeholders in the debate over water concerns. Strawberry growers must reach out with other agricultural interests and work together with water management districts to ensure effective use of all available resources.
We encourage good stewardship and implementation of best management practices among our growers. The association will continue to invest in research projects that will provide the information needed to make wise decisions as it relates to the use of water.
How will you address marketing challenges, particularly competition over the next few years?
Parker: Supply and demand will always dictate the price growers receive for their product. The association is responsible for raising the awareness of sweet, fresh, locally grown strawberries from November through April. During the winter months, Florida strawberries are the most “locally” grown berries in North America to markets east of the Great Plains.
As an industry, our marketing goal is to create and maintain satisfied customers at a reasonable profitable level for our growers. We must differentiate the strawberries grown in Florida from our competition. Customers are demanding sweeter berries with longer shelflife.
We are investing in an aggressive breeding program and ongoing research with UF/IFAS to produce strawberries that satisfies our customers’ needs. We are keenly aware that any competition advantage is short lived; therefore, it is a priority to keep pushing the bar higher and to work harder to create demand for Florida strawberries.
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