Opinion: Hands-On Learning Helps Emerging Leaders
May 29, 2012 
From peppers to the Port of Tampa, toddlers and tomatoes to tangerine juice, FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development class had a full agenda for its April session, which focused on diverse agriculture operations in Hillsborough and Polk counties.
The April leadership seminar was designed to give the 10-member group a firsthand look at a wide variety of production practices and operations that they may not have seen before. The tour included field and packinghouse tours at Wm. G. Roe & Sons, SunnyRidge Farms/Dole, DiMare Fresh, Lipman, and Wish Farms.
The class also met with representatives of other aspects of agriculture, including the staff and children of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association’s (RCMA) Dover Center, the owners of Keel & Curley Winery, researchers at the UF Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, a Publix store manager, managers at C&D Fruit & Vegetable Co. at the State Farmer’s Market, and officials at the Yara North America facility at Port Sutton in Tampa Bay. The group toured fields and greenhouses, watched packing operations, and played with the children at RCMA.
There is tremendous value in seeing things firsthand, and even though each member of the leadership group is involved in some aspect of agriculture, they all got to see something new.
The Future’s So Bright
FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development program is in its inaugural year and is administered through the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. It’s designed to give participants a well-rounded experience. These young people will finish the program equipped with a broad knowledge of the issues facing agriculture. It’s FFVA’s goal to give them the tools they will need to be the next generation of strong, effective advocates for Florida agriculture through our association and others.
The group is gearing up for the culmination of its year together, a trip to California’s agricultural region in July. The class will “graduate” at FFVA’s Annual Convention in September.
Hands down, the program participants agree that one of the most valuable takeaways will be the network they have built among themselves and those whom they have met at each session. “These are people I’m sure I’ll keep in contact with for decades, and it will be neat to see all of us grow together in the ag industry,” said class member April Roe Porter of Wm. G. Roe & Sons.
What advice does Porter have to other up-and-coming leaders in Florida agriculture about applying for FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program? “Do it,” she urged. “It’s such a great opportunity to be able to interact with people our age who care a lot about agriculture and who have a lot to teach me. And then to learn from all the other people in the industry who have been here for years.”
Moving Forward
Feedback from the participants and from FFVA volunteer leadership has been enthusiastic, and the selection process has begun for the 2012-2013 class. To build on the success of its first year, however, the program needs continued industry support. “The people who have made this possible have really enriched the lives of all 10 of us,” Porter said. For example, touring California farms is “something so many young people in ag won’t get the chance to do. For this program to continue, I know it’s important for the funding to continue to come.”
Don’t take my word for it. Visit FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program online to see what the inaugural class members have to say about their experience. Go to FFVA.com, click on “Membership,” and then choose “Emerging Leader Development Program” from the drop-down menu. You’ll also find information on how to support the program and ensure that we are cultivating leaders who will make sure that Florida agriculture continues to thrive.