MAITLAND, Fla. – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s annual convention will focus squarely on the future of Florida agriculture with a look at opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
FFVA 2014, set for Sept. 17-19 in Naples, will bring together hundreds of Florida growers, allied industry representatives and agricultural leaders from across the country. Attendees will hear from a powerful lineup of industry leaders and experts who will examine politics, health care, marketing trends and more.
“FFVA’s convention is a time for the producer community and allied trade partners to come together and get the latest information on issues that are critical to their business,” said FFVA President Mike Stuart. “It also offers a tremendous opportunity for networking. We’re expecting a strong turnout and a great event.”
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will kick off the convention with a “state of the industry” keynote address. Putnam, who has made protecting Florida’s water supply his signature issue, also will discuss opportunities for expanding markets for the produce industry, progress in putting healthy produce on schoolchildren’s lunch plates, and more.
Keynote speaker for the traditional Cracker Breakfast is veteran political journalist Mark Halperin, managing editor of Bloomberg Politics. Halperin will bring to FFVA 2014 his trademark rigorous analysis of policy, the political arena and the media. Formerly senior political analyst for TIME magazine and political director of ABC News, Halperin has covered national politics and government for more than 20 years, including six presidential campaigns. His regular TV appearances include NBC’s Meet the Press and PBS’s Charlie Rose.
The Issues Forums will focus on several timely topics: the continuing evolution of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on agricultural employers; implications of the upcoming state and congressional elections on agriculture and water; and ever-changing consumer tastes and trends.
During the convention FFVA will elect its 2014-15 board of directors and officers. It also will give out its annual awards for Researcher of the Year, Legislators of the Year and Merchandiser of the Year. The recipient of the George F. Sorn Scholarship will be announced as well.
Other activities include a golf tournament, a fishing excursion, and live and silent auctions that will benefit the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation.
Online registration is still open at www.ffva.com/RegisterFFVA2014.
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association represents Florida’s producers of fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops. Its mission is to enhance the business and competitive environment for producing and marketing fruits, vegetables and other crops. You can follow FFVA on Facebook and Twitter.
Source: Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association