Opinion: Leading, Learning Know No Borders
August 28, 2012 
FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program class recently took an intensive, 2½-day tour of farming, cooling, packing, and processing operations in California’s Central Coast region. The trip was the group’s final session in the year-long leadership program.
The tour gave class members the opportunity to get an up-close look at crops and production practices in a different region and to learn about the issues that affect growers there.
“We had a very successful and highly educational trip to California,” said Sonia Tighe, director of the program and executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, which administers the program. “We were able to see the breadth and scope of production in the Salinas Valley.”
The 10-member class traveled to Salinas, Castroville, Watsonville, King City, and San Juan Bautista. The group toured operations at Mann Packing, Ocean Mist Farms, California Giant Berry Farms, Rio Farms, Paraiso Vineyards, John S. Tamagni and Sons, Church Brothers, D’Arrigo Brothers, and Taylor Farms. Class members also met with officials from the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Western Growers, and United Fresh Produce Association.
We were taken aback by both the similarities and the differences between Florida and California with regard to production practices, geography, climate, and the issues growers face.
California Dreamin’
As a native Floridian, I’m always a little awestruck by mountains (even the hills of Clermont sometimes make me do a double-take). It was a bit jarring to see crops being grown against the backdrop of a mountain range. It also took some time getting used to seeing the ocean on one side of a field and a mountain on the other.
The moderate climate of the Central Coast with its cool temperatures and low humidity was a welcome change from the Florida heat and humidity. It pointed out just how harsh Florida’s climate is for farming. Those differences also were apparent when the growers talked about their pest and disease pressures and spraying regimens.
Besides seeing specialty crops that also are grown in Florida, we were able to see some different crops as well, including specialty leaf, wine grapes, fennel, snap peas, and of course, artichokes.
The group learned that specialty crop producers in the Salinas Valley face many of the same tough issues we do here in Florida: a dwindling labor supply, water quality and quantity, food safety, and over-regulation.
Program Progress
This was the first year of FFVA’s leadership program, and by all accounts it was a great success. During the growing season, the class toured farms, packinghouses, and other agricultural operations to see crops and production practices in a number of agriculture sectors. They learned about community and the importance of supporting groups that address the needs of farmworkers and their families, such as the Redlands Christian Migrant Association. The tour of California’s agricultural region was designed to round out their leadership development experience and give them an even broader perspective. Throughout each session of the program, class members were building important and lasting relationships.
“Because of the program, I take a much wider view of the world of agriculture than before,” said class member Rob Atchley of A. Duda and Sons. “I have been able to see different challenges as they relate to different growers of different crops in different states. I also have been able to see that though we are separated by geography, we are all subject to many of the same challenges. It is a very small world indeed.”
The class will graduate at FFVA’s annual convention this month, and the 12 members of the 2012-2013 class will begin their year. Nominations for the next class will open in April 2013.
You can help the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association build for the future. The program welcomes additional supporters any time. More information is available on FFVA.com. Click on “Membership” from the top menu, then select “Emerging Leader Development Program.”
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