Ask a farmer about their biggest challenges, and the responses you’re almost guaranteed to hear include labor, pests, and market competition. This has been the case for what seems like eternity. However, the dialogue may be changing sooner than you think – if modern technology and applied research have anything to say about it.
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Walk This Way
Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 80s greeted visitors to the latest iteration of the Florida Ag Expo at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. This year marked the 12th running.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Checking In
For more than a decade, the Florida Ag Expo has aimed to be the premier event for the state's fruit and vegetable growers. Once again, hundreds of growers, researchers, suppliers, and other stakeholders turned out for what's become a fall farming tradition.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Leading Off
UF/IFAS Senior VP Jack Payne welcomed folks to the 12th Florida Ag Expo at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. Payne pointed out accomplishments over the past year achieved through hard work and collaboration. He also cited the exhaustive efforts of Extension to help farmers and citizens before, during, and after Hurricane Irma. In addition, he mentioned how the land grant institution has a lot on its plate going forward to sustain and secure food systems not only on local levels, but also global scales.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Packed House
The general session room filled quickly to hear opening remarks and the industry panel discussion, which touched on several hot topics affecting the state's specialty crop sector.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Eyes to the Front
A panel of Florida agriculture industry influencers kicked off a busy agenda at the Florida Ag Expo. Panel members included Mike Stuart, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Reggie Brown, Florida Tomato Committee; Kenneth Parker, Florida Strawberry Growers Association; and Michael Hill of Southern Hill Farms.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Power Panel
2017 Florida Ag Expo industry panel members discussed challenges and opportunities currently facing the industry. In particular, the conversation centered around NAFTA renegotiation, farm labor issues, and the prospect of automation adoption on the farm. All agreed the lack of adequate farm labor was the top challenge. Can robots be the solution? "We have to invest in technology," Stuart exclaimed.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Vendor Views
Industry suppliers showcasing products and services lined the hallways inside the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center as well as the walkways in the exhibitor tent adjacent to the facility.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Well-Equipped
Too big to fit inside, several suppliers brought some shiny toys to look at. Field equipment -- large and small -- was on display at the 2017 Florida Ag Expo.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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The Right Track
New this year to the Florida Ag Expo, the short course was split into two separate tracks -- Alternative Crops/Pest & Disease Control; and Farm Automation & Mechanization. As part of the Pest Management track, Dr. Hugh Smith, UF/IFAS, provided interesting intel on whitefly control amid what has been an exceptionally heavy year for the pest across the Southeast U.S. He even highlighted several biocontrol options that have had shown efficacy.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Weed Science
Across the aisle in the Farm Automation & Mechanization track, UF/IFAS Associate Professor Nathan Boyd led a presentation about automation and its growing role in weed management. He explained how ag technology like machine vision and precision herbicide application can enhance and streamline vegetable production systems.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Fueled for Discussion
At the conclusion of the Farm Automation & Mechanization short course, each presenter participated in a lively Q&A with the audience. [from left] Arnold Schumann, UF/IFAS (new technologies for protected ag); Nathan Boyd, UF/IFAS (weed science); Gary Wishnatzki, Wish Farms, speaking on behalf of Harvest CROO (robotics); and Sam Hutton, UF/IFAS (tomato plant breeding for mechanical harvest) fielded several questions from the audience -- including multiple from grower Carl Grooms and UF/IFAS Nematologist Joe Noling. There was much interest about the potential regarding the automatic strawberry picker developed by Harvest CROO.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Meet and Eat
Despite offering lots to see and do around the sprawling site, there is one occasion on the schedule that brings all Florida Ag Expo attendees together -- lunch.
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Talking Business
Break time at the Florida Ag Expo is the perfect opportunity for attendees and exhibitors to catch up and exchange ideas.
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Field Tour Time
Beyond the educational programming and tradeshow exhibits, there are other learning opportunities at the Florida Ag Expo. While some attendees opted for the hands-on pest/disease identification workshop in the lab, others took to the great outdoors. From crop protection, to plant breeding, and alternative crops, the Florida Ag Expo field tour served up a variety of things to see and learn up close.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Artichoke Alternative
Alternative crops are top of mind for many Florida growers. Artichokes are being evaluated for their viability at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Dr. Shinsuke Agehara is leading the research on artichokes at the Center. During the late fall and early winter, the perennial plant is in vegetative growth. Tomato beds with 60-inch to 72-inch row spacing can be used to plant the crop.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Learning in the Field
Research Assistant Tia Silvasy answers a question about the current artichoke trial on display at Gulf Coast Research and Education Center during the 2017 Florida Ag Expo. Many questions remain as to if the artichoke can grow commercially in Florida. To make up for the climatic differences between Florida and California, the plant hormone gibberellic acid is needed to artificially induce flowering of artichoke, which occurs between mid-February and early March.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Hop Stop
A big attraction along the 2017 Florida Ag Expo field tour route was the hop yard stop. The hop continues to draw interest from local growers seeking to diversify. Different hop varieties are growing and producing cones on the trellis structure. Three in particular have shown noteworthy growth and productive characteristics: 'Cascade,' 'Nugget,' and 'Willamette.'
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Having a Bine Time
UF/IFAS Professor Dr. Zhanao Deng points out resins and the oils inside a 'Cascade' hop cone. The variety is widely grown in the Pacific Northwest. Florida's environment gives the varietal here an aroma and flavor unique to the Sunshine State. That has great appeal for local breweries seeking to serve up something special to thirsty patrons.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Brew With a View
With the local craft beer industry surging, along with growing interest among stakeholders in alternative crops, UF/IFAS researchers are excited about the prospect of continued trial work with hops.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Thanks for Stopping By
Cheers to all the participants for helping make the 2017 Florida Ag Expo a success!
At the 2017 Florida Ag ExpoSM, innovation was an underlying theme. Presented by UF/IFAS and Florida Grower® magazine, the 12th annual one-day conference/tradeshow/field tour event held at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm, featured an agenda dedicated to the state’s fruit and vegetable producers, highlighting marked progress being made on all fronts (production, crop protection, marketing, and yes – labor) using the latest scientific data, technology, and ingenuity.
In hearing the messages delivered during speaker presentations and panel discussions, it’s clear adoption of agriculture technology is part of the equation to solve challenges that continue to dog growers; as is the careful consideration of alternative crops. Hops, blackberries, and artichokes are certainly piquing interest.
The main takeaway from the 2017 Florida Ag Expo? Farming is changing, especially in Florida. It has to. A drive along the road that leads to the GCREC tells the story in that area. What was once open spaces filled with strawberry fields and hoophouses, are now lined with subdivisions and track houses.
The good news: Growers, researchers, and industry stakeholders are talking and collaborating on game-changing projects to help move the state’s specialty crop sector forward. That kind of teamwork is needed now more than ever.
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Scan the photo gallery above to take a virtual tour and gather detailed information heard during the 2017 Florida Ag Expo.
015Florida Growers Explore New Solutions to Age-Old Problems
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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.
November 13, 2017 
