NAPLES, FL — The 300-plus attendees at the 69th annual Florida Fruit & Vegetable Convention, held Sept. 18-21 at the Ritz-Carlton resort, here, heard from some of the industry's leading lights, met to discuss issues and challenges, relaxed a little in the Florida sunshine, and then went home to deal with an ever-evolving agriculture landscape in the state.

Florida Sen. Alan Hayes (R-Umatilla), honored as one of the FFVA Legislators of the Year, perhaps put it best during his acceptance speech: "This is a team sport, folks. It's also a contact sport."

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said during his Sept. 19 Jessica Kerstein of Lipman, Lee Ann Coleman of Hinton Farms and Amber Kosinsky of Wish Farms at the closing gala banquet of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association's 69th annual convention, held Sept. 18-21 at the Naples (FL) Ritz Carlton. (Photo by Chip Carter)keynote luncheon address, "Florida agriculture continues to be strong, but we face challenges, mostly from our own government. Some of you are having the worst year ever while others are benefiting and thriving. Florida blueberries went from non-existent 10 years ago to a $100 million market, and recently the Florida Pomegranate Growers Association held its first meeting. Trade flow and demand for Florida product continues to grow. We produce more than 300 commodities in Florida."

What was clear to all attendees is that Florida agriculture is at a crossroads of sorts. Stalwarts like tomatoes, citrus and strawberries have been under siege for a decade or more, and as disease pressures and outside competition increase there is growing concern about their place in the state's produce hierarchy. Meanwhile, commodities that are relatively new to Florida, like peaches and blueberries, are prospering and growing, though still tiny compared to their older brethren.

Said FFVA President Mike Stuart, "Some commodities in the state and some big crops had a very, very tough year for a variety of reasons. If things don't improve, they're going to continue to suffer. Those industries are facing some significant challenges and it's not limited to those by any stretch of the imagination but they're certainly front and center. Others have had a pretty good year. Grower returns have been strong as well. The challenges are there but economically the industry is doing better certainly than others. Then you have a lot of folks just going through normal up-and-down cycles. It's truly is a mixed bag and that's what makes a diverse state like Florida interesting; you're very seldom hitting on the same cylinders at the same time, there's always ups and downs."

Florida Rep. Ben Albritton (R-Bartow), the FFVA's other Legislator of the Year, said during his acceptance speech, "Every day my family grows citrus for a living under great duress. I understand the challenges. I'm humbled. You give me hope."

While Florida growers struggle daily with labor and water woes, immigration issues, diseases and pests and ever-shrinking margins, there are those outside the state who have a clear appreciation for their work. United Fresh Produce Association President Tom Stenzel and Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann were both among the attendees.

"There is a sign in our office that says, 'Growers are the seed of our business, and we truly believe that," said Jean-Francois Delorme, senior category manager for Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Canada's largest food retailer and the FFVA Merchandiser of the Year. "There is a phenomenal group of growers here in Florida and they are willing to stand up and put their name on that box and stand behind it and stand with us and we are truly grateful for that."

Keith Mixon, president of Dole Berry Co.'s SunnyRidge Farms in Winter Haven, FL, was elected 2012-14 FFVA chairman and Alan Temple, president of B&W Quality Growers Inc. in Fellsmere, FL, was named vice chairman.

FFVA also recognized some of its long-time member companies. Founding members (69 years) are Nelson & Co. Inc. and A. Duda & Sons; 50 year-plus members are P.H. Freeman & Sons Inc., Chapman Fruit Co. Inc., Hogan & Sons Inc., Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Lewis Friend Farms Inc., Clonts Groves Inc., Alger Farms Inc.

Pacific Tomato Growers, Ltd. has been a member for 45 years, and 25-year members are Sykes & Cooper Farms Inc., Manley Inc. and Byrnes Farms Inc.

The association also introduced its 2012-13 Emerging Leader Development Program members: Jonathan Allen of R.C. Hatton Inc., Nicholas Basore of TKM Bengard Farms, Ian Bessell of ABC Research Laboratories, Lee Ann Hinton Coleman of Hinton Farms Produce, Thomas Dalton of Farm Credit of Central Florida, Carleton Johns of Tater Farms, Jessica Kerstein of Lipman Produce, Amber Kosinsky of Wish Farms, Christian Miller of Glades Crop Care, Tom Mitchell of Riverfront Packing Co., Derek Orsenigo of Grower's Management Inc. and Joby Sherrod of A. Duda & Sons.