Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference Scheduled For August
July 12, 2015 In its fourth year, the Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference (FAFMC) has established itself as a premier source of agribusiness information and education. The 2015 gathering at Champions Gate Omni Resort in Orlando will offer insights on many trends important to growers and stakeholders in the state.
In addition to trends, presentations will provide practical tips on utilizing data from financial reports and balance sheets to manage business outcomes more efficiently. The conference also provides attendees important analytical tools that should be part of any sound business plan.
“We are excited about this year’s program, which will convene some of the best business minds in the country,” said Regina Thomas, FAFMC program coordinator and a senior VP/chief business development officer with Farm Credit of Central Florida. “Regardless of the size of the farming operation, growers will benefit from the educational track we have planned.”
Come Tour With Us
Learn about Port Tampa Bay’s expansion plans due to the Panama Canal Expansion Project opening in 2016 allowing larger ships to access this port during a special tour scheduled for FAFMC. The port is proposing a refrigerated warehouse and food campus along with a high speed train from Tampa to Chicago to move goods and agriculture products. Mosaic will be the sponsor of the tour and dinner after at Keel & Curley Winery in Plant City.
Stellar Speaker Lineup
Dr. Ed Seifried will be back at the conference by popular demand. The professor emeritus of economics and business at Lafayette College will give a detailed look at economic indicators heading into 2016. Previous attendees can attest that Seifried digs deep into the numbers, providing everyone a spreadsheet to keep tabs with and play along during his presentation.
Normalized relations with Cuba could have significant impacts on Florida agriculture in the future. With a similar climate and crops, the island nation could pose a competitive threat. Dr. Bill Messina, an economist for UF/IFAS, will provide an overview of the current state of Cuba’s ag sector and its future implications to Florida agriculture.
Staying on the trade front, Liz Gablehouse, a marketing specialist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will discuss how the agency is working to grow markets for Florida goods both domestically and internationally. In addition, she will cover how Florida exporters can obtain financial assistance from the Fresh From Florida program and obtain additional help from the Florida Export Finance Corporation.
As the Food Safety Modernization Act’s wheels begin roll, growers and shippers must be up to speed on the law’s far reaching impacts. But, even before the law is enacted, the potential fallout of a foodborne illness outbreak is huge. Personal injury attorney Bill Marler will present trends in foodborne illness litigation. Marler is the most well known food safety litigator in the country with his career spanning back to the landmark Jack In The Box outbreak. He has secured more than $500 million in rewards for his clients over the years. Marler will tell growers how to prepare for risk assessments and best practices to avoid potential litigation.
Dr. David Kohl returns to the conference with his informative financial workshop. The emeritus ag economist from Virginia Tech has conducted more than 6,000 seminars and is in high demand for his ability to explain complex financial concepts in ways laymen can understand.
There will be a projected nine billion people on the planet by 2050. The implications for society, and more importantly for agriculture will be massive. Dr. Paul Genho, recently retired president of the Farmland Reserve, will speak on the global food challenge ahead and how it will influence the profitability of agricultural land investments in the coming decades.
The educational program will feature even more great speakers and several entertainment opportunities. People choosing to extend their stay can enjoy a world class golf venue and spa at the resort. Register now for the 2015 FAFMC.
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