Recognized as one of the biggest agricultural trade show and seminar events in Florida, Citrus Expo is about to get even bigger. For the first time in the event’s 27-year history, vegetable and specialty crop growers are invited to attend.Citrus Expo takes place Aug. 15–16 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. Growers can pre-register for the event at CitrusExpo.net/Registration or by calling 352-671-1909. Pre-registered growers will be automatically entered for a chance to win a John Deere gun safe donated by Everglades Equipment Group.
The citrus-only seminar program will stay intact, and seminars for vegetable and specialty crop growers will be added to the program. Sessions will be included on the agenda that will address topics (such as labor, crop insurance and the farm bill) of interest to all growers.
The decision to include the expanded grower audience at Citrus Expo was a natural progression after the successful debut of AgNet Media’s Vegetable and Specialty Crop News (VSCNews) magazine in January 2018. Designed to serve the readers of both Citrus Industry and VSCNews magazines, Citrus Expo provides an opportunity for growers to earn continuing education units while connecting with companies that provide agricultural products and services.
AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper believes vegetable and specialty crop growers will feel right at home at Citrus Expo. “We’re working with Extension agents in the South Florida region in particular — Gene McAvoy and some of his colleagues, for example — to put together a strong lineup of programs for the vegetable and specialty crop side of the industry,” Cooper says. He also credits the Citrus Research and Education Center for its role in developing another exceptional citrus seminar program.
The citrus industry has seen drastic change within the past decade due to HLB, or citrus greening disease. While some citrus growers are committed to continuing to produce 100 percent citrus, others are looking to diversify with alternative crops. Citrus Expo will serve both sectors, in addition to the vegetable and specialty crop growers.
More details on the seminar sessions and pre-registration information can be found at CitrusExpo.net.