Secretary of ag visit highlights FFVA convention
Secretary of ag visit highlights FFVA convention
ORLANDO, FL -- An already strong gathering of the Florida fruit and vegetable industry took on an even greater buzz as the top U.S. agriculture official paid a visit to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association convention, praising the hardworking members of the industry for their dedication and offering to be a sounding board for their concerns about the future of Florida agriculture.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns was on hand at the 62nd FFVA convention, held here Sept. 25-27, to conduct a listening session in preparation for the next farm bill, which is scheduled to be in place in 2007. The session was the 22nd stop on a fact-finding sojourn for Mr. Johanns, who said that when he was appointed to his post earlier in the year, he was charged by President Bush to find out from agricultural producers what is working and what is not under the present farm bill.
Based on the previous listening sessions, Mr. Johanns said that he is seeing a pattern develop with regard to certain issues, with a strong consensus being established for some and a high degree of contention for others.
He said that there has been tremendous support for conservation issues and rural development efforts, while the fair distribution of farm benefits has seen mixed support depending on the geographic region; western states typically look for payment limits, while those in the South are against limits, he said.
Among the goals of the new farm bill are to provide an opportunity for young people in agriculture, which was highlighted by the number of adolescents in attendance at the listening session. Members of the Future Farmers of America and 4-H organizations requested funding for education and programs to keep young people interested in pursuing careers in agriculture. Andy LaVigne, executive vice president of Florida Citrus Mutual, pleaded for funding that would allow more research into disease prevention. Reminding Mr. Johanns that Florida's $9 billion-a-year citrus industry has recently endured citrus canker and greening diseases, he stated, "Research is key. Our industry has experienced tremendous damage from pests."
Mr. Johanns said during a press conference prior to the listening session that he had visited the states citrus-producing areas during an earlier tour and saw how badly the citrus crop had been harmed. I saw the effects on the citrus crop and realized that we need to beat [canker] back and eradicate while we still can.
Rick Roth of Roth Farms in Belle Glade, FL, asked the secretary to consider additional financial incentives for Florida growers to implement fuel conservation measures, such as using ethanol.
"It was very important to have a chance to share our concerns and goals for the 2007 farm bill. It was important that USDA hear from Florida producers, " said FFVA Chairman Tony DiMare of DiMare Homestead Inc. in Homestead, FL.
"FFVA and other produce industry groups are working collectively to help USDA and Congress craft farm policies that take into account the unique concerns of growers of specialty crops in our state," added Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.
Mr. Johanns said that the listening sessions were expected to culminate in the next few months, and then recommendations would be passed on to Congress, which would then begin the process of drafting the 2007 Farm Security & Rural Investment Act.
Web portal now on-line
In other news, Mr. Johanns announced that USDAs new web portal is now up and running and should help agriculture producers by providing instant, real-time access to daily and historical reports on agricultural commodities.
"We want to be as user-friendly as possible," Mr. Johanns told a gaggle of reporters during a press conference prior to the Sept. 27 farm bill listening session.
According to Mr. Johanns, "The web portal (marketnews.usda.gov) will help businesses make important marketing decisions with instant access to USDA databases. Users can create, save and re-use customized searches of USDA's extensive information. Previously, users had to wait up to three days for customized historical data and specially requested sets of data. The new portal will make this customized information available almost instantaneously. "
The new portal will significantly enhance current USDA Market News web site services. Fruit and vegetable market news data are now available through the portal of custom services. Customers who register and create an account on the web site can log into the portal and create their own market summary charts to provide snapshots of commodity prices based on location and dates. Registered users can also access additional features, such as storing electronic bookmarks to quickly locate specific data, call up weather reports nationwide and make metric and currency conversions. There is no cost to register.
Sessions and speakers offer valuable insight
The FFVA convention included several educational workshops and presentations by speakers.
On Sept. 26, a session on protecting growers PACA Trust rights was conducted by two members of the USDA, Bruce Summers, chief of the PACA branch, and Robert Parker, Southwest regional director, as well as Priscilla Grannis, a partner in the law firm Rynn & Janowski, which specializes in PACA law.
Among the more important points made by the panel were making sure every transaction is covered by a written contract and ensuring that specific language appears on the front of the invoice that expressly states that the receivables from the transaction are covered under the PACA Trust. Also, said Ms. Grannis, payment terms must not exceed 30 days, or PACA Trust rights will be void.
Also on Sept. 26, a session on sales strategies for growth was conducted by Produce Marketing Association Vice President Terry Humfeld, who explored the shifting trends in produce consumption. Specifically, he said, more of the consumer dollars are being spent in foodservice, and produce suppliers must shift focus to keep pace with that trend.
The "new" consumer, he said, has less free time and is looking for more convenience, and suppliers can boost sales by extending their business in the foodservice end of the industry. But supplying product to foodservice brings with it a duty to be in compliance with the highest food-safety standards.
The produce industry must change its way of thinking and determine what consumers want and provide it for them, said Mr. Humfeld, who said that the industry must work "fork to field" and not "field to fork" as it had in the past.
On Sept. 27, futurist Ed Barlow gave attendees tips on enabling their businesses to survive in the future. Among his more salient points, Mr. Barlow said that understanding other cultures is key to thriving in the future. He said that India and China have the fastest-growing populations, and that Brazil will become a powerhouse as it has been working with China. Celebration of diversity will be the key to economic viability, he said.
Legendary college football coach Terry Bowden gave the keynote speech at the Sept. 27 luncheon, during which several members of the Florida produce industry were honored: the Publix supermarket chain received the Merchandiser of the Year Award for its strawberry campaign; John L. Johnson Jr., an extension agent from the University of Florida, received the Researcher of the Year Award for his work with citrus; and state Rep. Dwight Stansel received the Legislator of the Year Award.
A theme party and benefit auction Sept. 27 capped off the events for the 62nd annual FFVA convention, with proceeds from the auction benefiting the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which supports farmworkers' children.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns was on hand at the 62nd FFVA convention, held here Sept. 25-27, to conduct a listening session in preparation for the next farm bill, which is scheduled to be in place in 2007. The session was the 22nd stop on a fact-finding sojourn for Mr. Johanns, who said that when he was appointed to his post earlier in the year, he was charged by President Bush to find out from agricultural producers what is working and what is not under the present farm bill.
Based on the previous listening sessions, Mr. Johanns said that he is seeing a pattern develop with regard to certain issues, with a strong consensus being established for some and a high degree of contention for others.
He said that there has been tremendous support for conservation issues and rural development efforts, while the fair distribution of farm benefits has seen mixed support depending on the geographic region; western states typically look for payment limits, while those in the South are against limits, he said.
Among the goals of the new farm bill are to provide an opportunity for young people in agriculture, which was highlighted by the number of adolescents in attendance at the listening session. Members of the Future Farmers of America and 4-H organizations requested funding for education and programs to keep young people interested in pursuing careers in agriculture. Andy LaVigne, executive vice president of Florida Citrus Mutual, pleaded for funding that would allow more research into disease prevention. Reminding Mr. Johanns that Florida's $9 billion-a-year citrus industry has recently endured citrus canker and greening diseases, he stated, "Research is key. Our industry has experienced tremendous damage from pests."
Mr. Johanns said during a press conference prior to the listening session that he had visited the states citrus-producing areas during an earlier tour and saw how badly the citrus crop had been harmed. I saw the effects on the citrus crop and realized that we need to beat [canker] back and eradicate while we still can.
Rick Roth of Roth Farms in Belle Glade, FL, asked the secretary to consider additional financial incentives for Florida growers to implement fuel conservation measures, such as using ethanol.
"It was very important to have a chance to share our concerns and goals for the 2007 farm bill. It was important that USDA hear from Florida producers, " said FFVA Chairman Tony DiMare of DiMare Homestead Inc. in Homestead, FL.
"FFVA and other produce industry groups are working collectively to help USDA and Congress craft farm policies that take into account the unique concerns of growers of specialty crops in our state," added Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.
Mr. Johanns said that the listening sessions were expected to culminate in the next few months, and then recommendations would be passed on to Congress, which would then begin the process of drafting the 2007 Farm Security & Rural Investment Act.
Web portal now on-line
In other news, Mr. Johanns announced that USDAs new web portal is now up and running and should help agriculture producers by providing instant, real-time access to daily and historical reports on agricultural commodities.
"We want to be as user-friendly as possible," Mr. Johanns told a gaggle of reporters during a press conference prior to the Sept. 27 farm bill listening session.
According to Mr. Johanns, "The web portal (marketnews.usda.gov) will help businesses make important marketing decisions with instant access to USDA databases. Users can create, save and re-use customized searches of USDA's extensive information. Previously, users had to wait up to three days for customized historical data and specially requested sets of data. The new portal will make this customized information available almost instantaneously. "
The new portal will significantly enhance current USDA Market News web site services. Fruit and vegetable market news data are now available through the portal of custom services. Customers who register and create an account on the web site can log into the portal and create their own market summary charts to provide snapshots of commodity prices based on location and dates. Registered users can also access additional features, such as storing electronic bookmarks to quickly locate specific data, call up weather reports nationwide and make metric and currency conversions. There is no cost to register.
Sessions and speakers offer valuable insight
The FFVA convention included several educational workshops and presentations by speakers.
On Sept. 26, a session on protecting growers PACA Trust rights was conducted by two members of the USDA, Bruce Summers, chief of the PACA branch, and Robert Parker, Southwest regional director, as well as Priscilla Grannis, a partner in the law firm Rynn & Janowski, which specializes in PACA law.
Among the more important points made by the panel were making sure every transaction is covered by a written contract and ensuring that specific language appears on the front of the invoice that expressly states that the receivables from the transaction are covered under the PACA Trust. Also, said Ms. Grannis, payment terms must not exceed 30 days, or PACA Trust rights will be void.
Also on Sept. 26, a session on sales strategies for growth was conducted by Produce Marketing Association Vice President Terry Humfeld, who explored the shifting trends in produce consumption. Specifically, he said, more of the consumer dollars are being spent in foodservice, and produce suppliers must shift focus to keep pace with that trend.
The "new" consumer, he said, has less free time and is looking for more convenience, and suppliers can boost sales by extending their business in the foodservice end of the industry. But supplying product to foodservice brings with it a duty to be in compliance with the highest food-safety standards.
The produce industry must change its way of thinking and determine what consumers want and provide it for them, said Mr. Humfeld, who said that the industry must work "fork to field" and not "field to fork" as it had in the past.
On Sept. 27, futurist Ed Barlow gave attendees tips on enabling their businesses to survive in the future. Among his more salient points, Mr. Barlow said that understanding other cultures is key to thriving in the future. He said that India and China have the fastest-growing populations, and that Brazil will become a powerhouse as it has been working with China. Celebration of diversity will be the key to economic viability, he said.
Legendary college football coach Terry Bowden gave the keynote speech at the Sept. 27 luncheon, during which several members of the Florida produce industry were honored: the Publix supermarket chain received the Merchandiser of the Year Award for its strawberry campaign; John L. Johnson Jr., an extension agent from the University of Florida, received the Researcher of the Year Award for his work with citrus; and state Rep. Dwight Stansel received the Legislator of the Year Award.
A theme party and benefit auction Sept. 27 capped off the events for the 62nd annual FFVA convention, with proceeds from the auction benefiting the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which supports farmworkers' children.
