The Florida Ag Expo is scheduled for Nov. 7 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma. It has evolved into the premier event for small fruit and vegetable growers in Florida and the Southeast in its nearly two-decade run.

The Expo packs a lot into a one-day event. There’s plenty of educational opportunities. A morning general session will focus on a variety of topics that impact specialty crops. Then, after lunch, two breakout sessions will focus on current pest management issues and emerging technologies being applied on farms.

One element of the Expo that distinguishes it from other meetings is the field tour offered in the afternoon. The GCREC has several hundred acres of land dedicated to a wide variety of research projects. Growers and other attendees will get to see that work firsthand during the field tour.

The tailgate-style exhibitor setup was such a big hit last year that it will be back again this year. Vendors will be serving up all kinds of delicious food from their booths. And there’s a friendly competition to see who’s food is the favorite among attendees. The tailgate atmosphere is a great environment for growers to visit exhibitors and network with their peers.

“We are excited about this year’s event and bringing back the tailgate,” said Josh McGill, AgNet Media show organizer. “The tailgate setup was very popular, and we expect a great turnout this year. There are very few events out there like the Florida Ag Expo, so I’d encourage growers to register today and join us in November.”