Agenda
Nov. 9, 2023
UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center
Breakfast With Vendors
7:30 a.m.
General Session
9:00–9:15 a.m. Welcome, Jack Rechcigl, UF/IFAS; Frank Giles, AgNet Media
9:15–9:30 a.m. Built for Speed: UF/IFAS Accelerates BMPs, AI and Plant Breeding, Rob Gilbert, UF/IFAS
9:30–9:50 a.m. 4Roots Farm: Educating the Public and Providing Opportunities for Central Florida Growers, Tommy Ward, 4Roots Farm
9:50–10:10 a.m. Florida Agricultural Policy Priorities Heading into 2024, Tripp Hunter, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
10:10–11:10 a.m. Addressing the Future of Farming, an Emerging Leaders Development Program Alumni Panel, Michael Hill, H&A Farms; Dustin Grooms, Fancy Farms; Jason Chandler, Grimmway Farms; Marshal Sewell, Mind Your Melon
Lunch and Tailgate with Exhibitors
11:10 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Pest Management Session
1:00–1:15 p.m. Vegetative Disease Management – Focus on Cucurbits, Gary Vallad, UF/IFAS
1:15–1:30 p.m. Invasive Thrips Impacting Florida Vegetable Production, Hugh Smith, UF/IFAS
1:30–1:45 p.m. Why You Should Grow Cover Crops – A Nematologist Stating His Case, Johan Desaeger, UF/IFAS
1:45–2:00 p.m. Techniques to Improve Herbicide Efficacy, Peter Dittmar, UF/IFAS
Novel Technologies and Practices Session
1:00–1:15 p.m. Alternative Crop Research: Turning Climate Constraints into Opportunities, Shinsuke Agehara, UF/IFAS
1:15–1:30 p.m. Targeted Pest Management Systems for Vegetable Crops, Nathan Boyd, UF/IFAS
1:30–1:45 p.m. Drones and AI for Precision Crop Management, Yiannis Ampatzidis, UF/IFAS
1:45–2:00 p.m. Unleashing the Power of AI in Plant Breeding, Kevin Wang, UF/IFAS
Field Tours
2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (2 start times, same tour)
- Weed Management: Targeted Spray Technology
- Vegetable Cover Crop Practices to Improve Nematode Control and Nitrogen Utilization
- Alternative Crops: Artichoke Varieties and Hops
- Fall Vegetable Disease Trials
- Beer Tasting in the Hop Yard