For the past decade, Citrus Expo has partnered with Florida FFA. Citrus Expo, held in conjunction with the Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo (VSC Expo) this year, takes pride in providing a leadership opportunity for FFA officers to be able to network and connect with industry professionals. During the event, FFA officers get a firsthand look at how different sectors of the agriculture industry come together.
The FFA was founded by young farmers in 1928 to keep the passion for farming alive and well in times when its popularity was starting to decrease. FFA allows students to gain leadership experience and learn more about a future in an agriculture-based career.
The officers who volunteer at the Citrus Expo and VSC Expo are newly elected each year in June at the Florida FFA state convention. Last week, individuals were elected to serve Florida FFA for the next year. Members of the 2019–2020 state officer team include:
- James Prescott, state president
- Sydney Swartman, secretary
- Braeden Raper, area 1 vice president
- Lauren Roberts, area 2 vice president
- Taylor Burns, area 3 vice president
- Maddie Dvorak, area 4 vice president
- Cole Hanson, area 5 vice president
- Courtney Ball, area 6 vice president
After a month-long leadership orientation, the Citrus Expo and VSC Expo will be one of the first major events in the industry that this new team will attend. These young leaders play a key role at the event, working hard from set-up to tear-down.
Fundraisers at Citrus Expo have contributed thousands of dollars to Florida FFA, thanks to generous support from the event’s attendees. The newly elected FFA officers will be selling raffle tickets at the Citrus Expo and VSC Expo on Wednesday, Aug. 14, for some incredible prizes. The raffle drawing will take place during the networking reception on Wednesday. Drawings will be held on the trade show floor, and you must be present to win. Please support the Florida FFA by buying raffle tickets at the show!
Citrus Expo and VSC Expo will take place Aug. 14–15 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. Growers will not want to miss this year’s event, so don’t wait. To preregister, click here or call 352-671-1909.
Due to a staggering amount of support, Citrus Expo is currently sold out of indoor exhibitor space, but there are outdoor booths available. If you would like to exhibit outdoors or be added to the waiting list for indoor space, please fill out a registration form.
Information about the seminar sessions will be available soon. To learn more, visit CitrusExpo.net.