The 10th annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference will address the key issues, research, and policies shaping the state’s agriculture industry.
Hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) food and resource economics department, the day-long event is scheduled for May 8th at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra, Florida. Attendees have the option to participate in person or online.
The conference will provide an overview of several important topics expected to impact Florida agriculture in the coming year. These topics include the delayed United States Farm Bill and the applications of artificial intelligence in agriculture, according to Suzanne Thornsbury, a UF/IFAS professor of food and resource economics and the conference coordinator.
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“Each carefully selected topic chosen may impact our attendees’ businesses, their clientele, and the economy at large,” Thornsbury said. “The information provided can inform decision-making as attendees navigate the year ahead.”
The conference will feature speakers including state and federal leaders from organizations such as the Florida Department of Commerce, the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research, and the American Farm Bureau Federation, as well as UF/IFAS leaders and researchers.
“We’re proud to provide this opportunity for our community of agricultural producers, researchers, and policymakers to come together and discuss the future of Florida’s food and resource industries,” said Lisa House, chair of the UF/IFAS food and resource economics department (FRE). “We look forward to this being our best conference yet.”
Event pricing ranges from $40 to $60, and registration is open online through May 1st.
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Agenda Highlights:
- 8:30 a.m. – Registration
- 9:00 a.m. – Welcome
- Lisa House, chair of the UF/IFAS food and resource economics department.
- Scott Angle, UF/IFAS senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.
- 9:30 a.m. – State agricultural policy
- J. Alex Kelly, secretary, Florida Department of Commerce.
- Tripp Hunter, director of state legislative affairs, Florida Farm Bureau Federation.
- 10:30 a.m. – Federal agricultural policy
- John Newton, executive head, Terrain.
- John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs, American Farm Bureau Federation.
- 11:15 a.m. – Legislative Perspective
- J.J. Grow, member, Florida State House of Representatives.
- 11:45 a.m. – PSREU Overview
- Jim Boyer, center director, PSREU.
- 1:00 p.m. – Reconvene
- Derek Farnsworth, associate professor, UF/IFAS food and resource economics department.
- 1:15 p.m. – Agricultural research and extension partnerships
- Damian Adams, associate dean for research, UF/IFAS.
- Brittany Lee, vice president, Florida Blue Farms, and member, USDA Agriculture Trade and Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables.
- LaKisha Odom, scientific program director, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.
- Paul Hindsley, chief economist, Everglades Foundation.
- 2:45 p.m. – Artificial intelligence applications for agriculture
- Nathan Boyd, associate center director and professor of horticulture, UF/IFAS. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.
- Weizhe Weng, assistant professor, UF/IFAS food and resource economics department.
- Martha Montoya, chief executive officer, Agtools.
- 3:45 p.m. – Wrap-up, evaluations, and poster results
- Suzanne Thornsbury, professor, UF/IFAS food and resource economics department.
- 4:00 p.m. – Optional PSREU tour
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