Rising Stars Of Florida Farming Go West To Gather Intel
July 29, 2013
Farming in California in many ways resembles growing crops in Florida. But there also plenty of differences, as the 12 members of FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program’s class learned during their recent trip to the Salinas Valley.
The group visited 15 locations in three busy days, from mushroom production to garlic processing to lettuce harvesting. Three of the companies were California counterparts to Florida operations: Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Wish Farms, and TKM Bengard. Each of those companies is represented in the current class as well.
Many of the issues Florida producers face, such as access to an adequate workforce and dealing with costly and increasing government regulations, also are challenges for California growers. For example, several of the producers voiced concern about the future of the agricultural workforce and the need for comprehensive immigration reform. But none said that they had experienced labor shortages this season, and they were grateful for that. And, just as in Florida, water quality and quantity are serious issues.
The trip encompassed a variety of crops and production practices. Companies that the group toured and the operations they saw were:
- Uesugi Farms, Gilroy: Napa cabbage production
- Christopher Ranch, Gilroy: Garlic packing, including the cracking and peeling process
- Gizdich Ranch, Watsonville: Stone fruit, agritourism
- Monterey Mushrooms, Watsonville: Mushroom production and packing
- Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Salinas
- Wish Farms, Salinas
- Fresh Leaf Farms, Salinas: Romaine lettuce production
- Taylor Farms: Bagged salad processing
- Ramsay Highlander, Gonzales: Manufacturing of precision farm equipment, including mechanical harvesting
- Gonzales Packing Co., Gonzales: Tomato packing
- Bengard Ranch, Salinas: Cauliflower and broccoli production and harvesting
- Tanimura & Antle, Salinas: Romaine and artisan lettuce production and harvesting
- Dole, Salinas: Automated warehouse
- Paraiso Vineyards, Soledad: Wine grape production
Sonia Tighe, who is executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, also directs the leadership program. The collaboration of the Western Growers Association and the United Fresh Produce Association in the California trip strengthened the experience for class members, she said.
The trip was the culmination of the yearlong leadership program, which will be capped off in September with the class’ graduation at FFVA’s annual convention.
FFVA recently announced selection of Class 3, whose members will be introduced to the industry at the convention. They are Cathy Atchley of AgXplore, Ryan Atwood of Keyplex, Elton Baldy of Bayer CropScience, Daniel Cavazos of Veg Pro International, Sam Glucksman of Glades Crop Care, Jeff Goodale of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Jamie Lang of Farm Credit of Central Florida, Arby Lipman of Lipman Produce, Clayton Norman of DuPont Crop Protection, Geoff Roe of Wm. G. Roe and Sons, Matt Stacey of Crop Production Services, and Jordan Theis of Prudential Agricultural Investments.
Celebrating 70
Speaking of FFVA’s upcoming annual convention,be sure to register now. The association was founded 70 years ago, so we’re celebrating those decades of leadership during this event. Two great keynote speakers are lined up: Phil Lempert, known as the “Supermarket Guru,” will share his perspective on trends on the horizon for the produce industry at our State of the Industry luncheon. And retired Lt. Col. Robert Darling will talk about his experience on Sept. 11, 2001, with the vice president and others in the White House bunker in the hours after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.
You won’t want to miss either of these presentations, or the rest of the 2½-day convention at The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island. For details and registration, go to www.ffva.com/FFVA2013.
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