Growers are invited to attend the 2019 Florida Ag Expo, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma. This will be the best year yet for the event, as AgNet Media is partnering with UF/IFAS to provide growers with the latest research information.
Not only will growers see the latest research in tomatoes, strawberries, hops and ornamental plants, they will also be able to learn more about hemp and what will go into producing the crop. During the morning session, there will be a panel discussion about the legalities and logistics of the crop. Plus, Holly Bell, director of cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will speak on the future of hemp in Florida as an alternative crop.
After lunch, two concurrent educational programs for both large and small acreage farmers will be held. One will focus on pest management in vegetables and the other on soil fumigation. The sessions will give growers the opportunity to earn continuing education units for their Florida restricted-use pesticide licenses. After the sessions, growers can participate in field tours.
There will also be a large trade show with various suppliers of the inputs, services and equipment needed to produce a successful crop. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the GCREC and get a firsthand look at the 475-acre facility.