APOPKA, Fla. — Florida agriculture and food industries are among the largest economic contributors in the state. Agricultural producers manage 9.5 million acres, growing more than 300 commodities, including everything from citrus and cows to peanuts and potatoes. Agricultural products are shipped to national and international markets.

On January 28, some of the state’s top agriculture thinkers will gather at the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka for the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference scheduled for 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Cost is $50 and includes a catered lunch. The event is organized by the UF Food and Resource Economics Department, under the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“This event will be the kickoff for a new agribusiness policy center in the Food and Resource Economics Department,” said Spiro Stefanou, UF Food and Resource Economics Department chairman. “The conference will address some of the critical policy issues facing agribusiness in Florida currently and over the long run, such as land development, water resources, sea level rise and healthcare for the agricultural workforce,” he said. “We expect to have an exciting exchange of opinions from a diverse group of industry leaders with different perspectives. We anticipate that this conference will become an annual headline event in the state.”

More than 100 industry executives, association leaders, elected local and state policy makers, private and public sector economists, and other allied professionals are expected to attend. Five speakers will address critical issues in relation to agribusiness, including:

• David Denslow, professor emeritus, University of Florida, Department of Economics – “Outlook for the Florida and U.S. Economy”
• Rich Budell, managing partner, Budell Water Group, LLC, formerly Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Agricultural Water Policy – “Agricultural Water Supply in Florida”
• Paul Genho, retired from Farmland Reserve, Inc. – “Land Development and Conservation Strategy: A Private Landowner Perspective”
• David Letson, Professor, University of Miami, Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society – “Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, and Implications for Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources”
• Mary Ahearn, retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture -Economic Research Service – “Healthcare for the Agricultural Workforce”

For more on the event, go to http://fred.ifas.ufl.edu/FlAgPolicyOutlookConference/.

To register, go to EventBrite URL: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-agricultural-policy-outlook-conference-tickets-19928897870

By Kimberly Moore Wilmoth, 352-294-3302, k.moore.wilmoth@ufl.edu

Sources: Alan Hodges, 352-294-7674, awhodges@ufl.edu

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