About The Florida Ag Expo

Now in its seventh year, the Florida Ag Expo is the only show dedicated to where Florida vegetable growers can listen to the latest information on new production trends and techniques, sample new varieties and see new field trials. Tomato, strawberry, pepper and cucurbit growers will find a wealth of valuable information unmatched in any other industry event.

The program at the 2012 Florida Ag Expo will include updates on food safety, labor, control strategies for pests, diseases and weeds, protected agriculture, smart irrigation, and more. The Florida Ag Expo also features an expansive exhibit area with industry suppliers ready to share the latest product and service innovations with growers.

All of this will take place at the state-of-the-art University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. From the classroom, to the tradeshow, to the field trials, you will be able to easily access it all with one trip to the Florida Ag Expo.

Make the Florida Ag Expo your meeting of choice when it comes to connecting with fellow industry professionals, learning how to improve your growing operation and establishing beneficial business relationships.

Expo Highlights

• In-depth education sessions covering a wide array of timely topics that are important to growers and their operations.
• Expert speaker faculty of Extension and industry representatives.
• Extensive exhibit areas for "hands-on, in-person" previews of the latest products, equipment, and services.
• The ability to connect with fellow growers and share success stories and best practices.
• Catered lunch.

Organizers

Florida Grower is a monthly magazine serving the Florida citrus, fruit, and vegetable market. It also produces Florida Grower eNews, a weekly eNewsletter specifically for Florida agriculture professionals. Florida Grower is part of the Horticulture Group (www.GrowingProduce.com) of Meister Media Worldwide (www.MeisterMedia.com). Meister Media Worldwide is a Willoughby, OH, based business-to-business producer of magazines, conferences, and an array of eMedia products. The company was founded in 1932.

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information available. While extending into every community in the state, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research and Extension.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is non-profit, agricultural trade association whose mission is to enhance the competitive and business environment for producing and marketing fruits, vegetables and other crops. FFVA represents and assists its members on a broad range of farming issues including food safety, environmental protection, marketing, labor, pest management and communications.

The Florida Tomato Committee is a Federal Marketing Order that was established to regulate the handling of tomatoes and has authority over the tomatoes grown in Florida's production area. It affects tomatoes that are shipped outside of the regulated area. The committee funds market research and development projects, and marketing promotions including advertising and other projects which improve or promote the marketing, distribution and consumption of fresh Florida tomatoes.

In 1982, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association was officially formed. The organization became a voice for Florida Strawberry growers. The mission for the handful of farmers was to become partners in research, promotion and member community service. Since its inception, the association s met that mission and succeeded in forming a voluntary organization that represents more than 7,000 acres of berries.