Celebrating 100 Years Of Florida Grower

My wife’s birthday is February 25. And believe me, she’s very proud of it. In fact, as her birthday gets closer each year, she helpfully reminds me of the number of days, or even hours, that are left until her big day is once again upon us. She’s not doing this to get showered with gifts or praise or anything; she’s simply proud to be able to celebrate her own special day each year.

Why am I telling you this? Because, let’s face it, most of us love to celebrate milestones. It means a lot to know you’ve hit a major benchmark, and you’ve made it this far, with only the future to look forward to. Just last month, the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association used this page to celebrate its 75th anniversary, which was also highlighted at its annual meeting in July.

As you’ve noticed in reading our cover stories over the past eight months, Florida Grower magazine is meeting a milestone of its own this year. For 100 years, Florida Grower and its previous titles have provided vitally important information that the state’s citrus and vegetable growers (and, previously, ranchers) need to keep their business moving forward in a profitable manner.

Along with our cover stories, which have highlighted growing operations that have remained successful for more than 100 years, we have also spent the last year reprinting articles that were published in older issues. The purpose of doing so was twofold — to show how production, technology, and pest management have changed (or not changed) over the years, and to offer a glimpse of where the industry might be headed in the future.

However, bear in mind that our celebration of Florida Grower’s 100th anniversary is not simply to toot our own horn. It’s about you and your industry, where you’ve come from, and where you’re going.

In December, we will publish a special 100th anniversary issue that you will hopefully want to hang on to, not only as a keepsake, but also as a reference point for moving forward in the coming years.

We need your help in putting this issue together. Take a look at the following questions, think them over carefully, and send us your responses. Whether you’re a grower, a university Extension agent or researcher, an officer with an association, or an industry supplier, we want to hear from you. It’s all about you, after all.

1. What innovation from the last 100 years has had the most significant impact on the way you grow citrus or vegetables?

2. Going beyond the farm, what industry issue has had the most significant impact on your business?

3. What will it take to keep your business successful 100 years from now?

4. Name one way in which you think the industry will have changed 100 years from now. (Although this question is designed to be serious, feel free to have some fun with it as well; your off-the-wall predictions are just as appreciated!)

Send your replies to: Editorial, Florida Grower, 1555 Howell Branch Rd., Suite C-204, Winter Park, FL 32789, or e-mail them to [email protected]. Please submit your responses by September 30.