Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA)

Class 13 of the Emerging Leader Development Program recently visited California's Salinas Valley, where they explored innovative farming practices and compared agricultural opportunities and challenges between Florida and California. 🌱 ELDP Class 13 members Clayton Waterhouse and Robert Ortez share their observations of farming practices in the West Coast, and reflections on their final production trip of the year. 👉 Read the blog: https://bit.ly/3SWx7WP

With over a century in the citrus industry, the Roe family is redefining the future of Florida’s citrus landscape. 🍊 Now in its fourth generation, learn how these FFVA members are navigating the industry's toughest challenges while setting a new standard in citrus production and marketing. Read the Citrus Industry Magazine article here: https://bit.ly/3yLW93Y

Agriculture comes with its fair share of challenges, and the pressure can be overwhelming at times. 🍉 Mind Your Melon invites you and your family to participate in the Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Study to better understand the unique challenges faced by farmers and farm families while uncovering the types of resources that could be most valuable for them. Participation will remain confidential and voluntary. 👉 Complete the Farmer Wellbeing Study here: https://lnkd.in/egDiZawh You matter. Your family matters. Florida agriculture matters.

Earlier this month, ELDP Class 13 visited several farm operations in California’s Salinas Valley to learn about production practices and processing for various crops, including artichokes, artisan lettuce, cabbage, cherries, celery, strawberries, tomatoes and more. During their final production trip of the year, the class had the chance to observe autonomous tractors in action, explore the sustainability efforts of regional production facilities, and listen to emerging companies pitch their latest projects, among other activities. ☀ We’d like to thank our friends on the West Coast who made the trip a success including Ocean Mist Farms, Automated Harvesting LLC, Taylor Farms, Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, George Chiala Farms, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Wish Farms, DiMare Fresh, Gizdich Ranch, Pezzini Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Stout Industrial Technology, Inc., Bengard Ranch and Kirk Williams Ranch.

Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida this week announced the winners of its inaugural 2024 Merchandising Display Contest, designed to excite shoppers with creative displays featuring Florida sweet corn. 🌽🔥 Congratulations to Sprouts Farmers Market in Cumming, Ga. which took home the grand prize of $2,500! 👉 Find out who won: https://lnkd.in/etC_J7dQ 👉 Learn more about Sunshine Sweet Corn: https://lnkd.in/eCHHQd3P

Meet the 2024 Mike and Karen Stuart Scholarship recipients: Emma Putnam and Alex Fast 🎓🍊🌱 Established in 2021 by FFVA, this scholarship aims to inspire a passion for agriculture, engage the next generation of leaders and build a workforce dedicated to the future of Florida agriculture. 👉 Learn more about the recipients: https://lnkd.in/eY5w6UYt

Join us in celebrating National Pollinator Week! 🌸🐝 Did you know that pollinators such as bees, insects, birds and other wildlife play an essential role in the production of Florida's specialty crops? Protecting pollinators is a major part of good stewardship practices. Buzz over to GrowingMatters.org/BeSure to learn more. 🌿🍓🍊

Have you heard? Registration for FFVA 2024 is open! 🎉 FFVA 2024 will be held at a new location, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort Sept. 16-18. Reserve your spot today and keep an eye out for more exciting news in the coming weeks. 👉 To register, click here: https://lnkd.in/ecNi2n9

Today marks World Food Safety Day, a day that draws attention and inspires action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks. 🌎 The produce industry incorporates food safety as part of its everyday business practices. It is part of each company’s culture and reflects an ongoing commitment to Good Agricultural Practices and other standards/programs to ensure the safety and security of our food supply. 🌱 👉 Food safety information and best practices for the industry are available on our Resources page: https://lnkd.in/e28qHzHu 👉 Consumers play a role, too. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ei_dh_Z9

“We were devastated to learn of Tuesday morning’s fatal crash involving a bus transporting farmworkers, and all of us at the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) are lifting up these individuals and their families in our prayers. Not only are farmworkers critical to helping feed consumers across the U.S. and world, but they are valued members of our farming communities and families, working alongside growers each and every day.” — “Estamos devastados con la noticia del accidente fatal del martes por la mañana que involucró a un autobús que transportaba a trabajadores agrícolas, y todos nosotros en la Asociación de Frutas y Verduras de Florida (FFVA, por sus siglas en inglés) estamos elevando a estos individuos y sus familias en nuestras oraciones. Los trabajadores agrícolas no sólo son fundamentales para ayudar a alimentar a los consumidores en los Estados Unidos y el mundo, sino que también son un grupo valioso de la fuerza laboral agrícola y de la familia. Nuestra asociación valora profundamente el trabajo esencial que realizan.” Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/euNAy2As