Citrus Expo Seminar Planning Underway

seminar
Citrus industry members met to discuss the Aug. 14-15 Citrus Expo seminar program. Those present at the meeting included (from left, around the table): Ray Royce, Highlands County Citrus Growers Association; LeAnna Himrod, Florida Department of Citrus; Tacy Callies, AgNet Media; Rick Dantzler, Citrus Research and Development Foundation; Josh McGill, Abbey Taylor and Ernie Neff, AgNet Media; Laurie Hurner, Highlands County Extension; Kait Shaw, Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association; Robin Loftin, AgNet Media; Tripti Vashisth and Michael Rogers, University of Florida. Not pictured are Gary Cooper, AgNet Media, and Mary Hartney, Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association.

Citrus Expo is just six months away, which means the planning process has started for the seminar program. Growers of citrus, vegetables and specialty crops will once again have the opportunity to earn continuing education units and Certified Crop Adviser credits at the event.

Citrus Expo will kick off with a general session on top agricultural issues of importance to all types of growers. The general session will be followed by two concurrent programs for citrus growers and vegetable/specialty crop growers.

The AgNet Media team that manages Citrus Expo met with citrus industry leaders in Sebring, Florida, on Feb. 20 to initiate the seminar planning process. Meeting participants included:

  • Michael Rogers and Tripti Vashisth of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center
  • Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation
  • LeAnna Himrod, communications manager for the Florida Department of Citrus
  • Ray Royce, executive director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association
  • Kait Shaw, executive director of the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association
  • Laurie Hurner, Highlands County Extension director and citrus Extension agent
  • Mary Hartney, president of the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association

The group discussed the current optimistic state of the citrus industry and issues of importance to growers. They also explored themes for this year’s seminar program, which will be selected and announced soon. In the meantime, mark your calendar for Citrus Expo on Aug. 14-15 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida.

Finally, growers with suggestions for topics they would like considered for the Citrus Expo program are invited to email their ideas to CitrusExpo@AgNetMedia.com.

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