WHAT: The 59th Annual Ag/Farm Tour and Luncheon, a popular tradition in the heartland of Miami-Dade County’s Homestead, will offer an up-close experience into South Florida’s agriculture and horticulture industries. The tour also serves as a scholarship fundraiser for students pursuing a career in agriculture or horticulture.
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
WHERE: Tour departs from UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County
18710 SW 288th Street, Homestead, FL 33030
CONTACT: MEDIA RSVP is required by 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10
Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu or 954-242-8439.
ABOUT:
The 59th Annual Ag/Farm Tour and Luncheon is organized by the Dade County AGRI Council Inc. in collaboration with UF/IFAS Extension in Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Agricultural Manager Office, Dade County Farm Bureau, Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, and other partners. The day will offer 100 participants stops at several tropical fruit and vegetable farms and horticulture nurseries showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of farming in South Florida’s subtropical climate.
Participants will also see the University of Florida IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, where a wide variety of research is conducted with growers, landowners, and producers to keep the industries thriving.
Learn about the economic importance of tropical fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals and as well as Homestead’s thriving agritourism industry. See first-hand innovative farming techniques.
Homestead stands apart as one of the very few areas in the United States with winter production of fruits and vegetables and with production of certain ornamental plants and tropical crops. Complete with a thriving agritourism industry, Homestead sits in an area of Miami-Dade County that is ranked second in the state among the top 10 most extensive agriculture and ornamental plant production hubs. Valued at $838 million for agricultural products sold, it includes food, marketing practices, and value-added products, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Schedule
8:00 a.m. Check-in & refreshmentss
9:00 a.m. Buses depart promptly for farm visits.
12:30 p.m. Luncheon held at Redland Golf & Country Club
24451 SW 177th Avenue (Krome Ave.)
Homestead, FL, 33031 (After lunch additional stops)
4 p.m. Return to UF/IFAS Extension Office
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at ifas.ufl.edu/food or follow #FoodIsOurMiddleName.
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