Volume I - Issue 4 29 | May | 2012 Session 4: ’s West Coast

Emerging Times . . . growing toward the future

Opportunity to tour ag operations is an eye-opener for young leaders

The class outside the first stop of its April production tour, SunnyRidge Farm. From left to right: Rob Atchley, Sonia Tighe, Michael Hill, Jennifer Hodges, Andy Ballard, Elizabeth Malek, Adam Trott, April Roe Porter, Rachel Walters, Amy Tadlock, Heather Banky, Justin Roberson, Keith Mixon. by Avery Sams

The Emerging Leader Development Program said Michael Hill. “I would just like to say thank you to the recently finished its fourth session, a tour of the entire FFVA community for the opportunity to be a part of vegetable- and berry-producing areas around such a wonderful program.” Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk counties. The class visited a wide range of operations including The agenda was packed with visits to 14 sites packinghouses, a fertilizer supplier, a winery and fields of in two days, and the class was nothing less than , tomatoes, eggplant and squash. astounded, and somewhat exhausted, by the time In July the group will travel to to learn about the session was over. and tour the agricultural production areas in Salinas and “I don’t think that I can put a finger on my the surrounding areas. favorite site that we visited because there were so many, and each site had their unique strengths,” 2

29 | May | 2012

Do you know where controller, which will automatically close valves DiMare explores or shut down if there is a problem. your fertilizer comes I enjoyed seeing this side of the agricultural new growing strategy from? process. It makes you think a little differently when you have to order fertilizer. I didn’t realize the effort or manpower it took to get NPK. This experience with the ELDP was definitely an enlightening session.

by Heather Banky by Andy Ballard U.S. Sugar Corporation Hundley Farms “My tomato journey Our April trip included a visit to the Our glimpse inside the DiMare Fresh YARA facilities in Tampa. YARA is one potentially gave me packing facility gave me an appreciation of the largest fertilizer suppliers in the of its focus on quality and the attention to world, and about 10 percent of the detail that it takes to consistently meet the international supply moves through the another leadership les- demands of the marketplace. However, Tampa port. That makes this YARA plant the most impressive take-away was the one of the busiest in North America. greenhouse operation that is newly Based in Oslo, Norway, YARA specializes son learned - if you underway. The efficiency, technology and in agricultural products and environ- mental agents. The facility in Tampa cannot beat them, join overall layout that included a well-thought- handles only fertilizers. Ships bring in out expansion plan sent a powerful large amounts of anhydrous ammonia them, and then figure message. Foreign competitors should stored at 28 degrees below zero; then it watch out; DiMare has no intention of is pumped into storage tanks. The tanks losing the fight for the marketplace. are always kept at least half full in case of out how to beat them My tomato journey potentially gave severe weather. The plant averages four me another leadership lesson learned – if or five vessels a month, and each vessel at their own game. you cannot beat them, join them, and then can store up to 40,000 tons. The majority figure out how to beat them at their own of the vessels come from Trinidad, but game. - Heather Banky some come from Ukraine. The plant can pump 1,200 tons an hour from a ship. Once it is in the storage tanks, it is then pumped 40 miles away to Bartow, where it is turned into MAP and DAP fertilizers. The YARA plant also stores CN-9, a primarily calcium solution. Trucking companies usually pick up the CN-9 so- lution instead of pumping it away. The CN-9 is stored the same way with differ- ent tank criteria because of the weight of the solution. Demand for calcium in the past 12 months has doubled, so produc- tion is starting to increase for CN-9. It is produced in Norway, with a vessel arriv- ing at the plant about every month. The plant’s strict security system includes a 24-hour security guard and surveillance cameras. A high wall with barbed wire surrounds the facility. Eight people run the plant during the day and it is controlled by a program logic Adam Trott, Andy Ballard and Elizabeth Malek take a more hands-on approach while touring a tomato field. 3

29 | May | 2012

Learning something tunnels. His experiments show that high tunnels help decrease the disease pressure on State of new every day tomatoes and peppers, as well as eliminate the importance use of overhead irrigation for frost protection on . It is difficult for these industries not to look hard into these experiments going forward; agriculture is all about adapting to surroundings and being innovative. With the

constant increase in production prices and the by Michael Hill by Elizabeth Malek Lakeshore Growers Inc. decrease in market prices, we all must keep our minds open to new techniques and to Glades Crop Care, Inc. implementing new practices. The Florida State Farmer’s Market As a grower, I found the Tampa I don’t think that I can put a finger on my favorite site that we visited because there were allows ag-related businesses such production trip to be the most interactive as growers, shippers, packers and and exciting trip that our Emerging so many, and each site had its unique strengths. It was amazing seeing just one of Lipman’s distributors to conduct business in Leader Development Program has been an open market. Companies can rent on. In two and a half days we successfully 7,000-acre tomato farms in the middle of harvest - an experience that I will never forget. on-site units, packing houses, coolers, visited 14 different locations/operations truck scales, and offices in the market across the Tampa, Plant City, Ruskin and The tour of YARA where fertilizer comes into port was eye-opening as well, and I learned as temporary or permanent tenants. Winter Haven area. I took a great deal of One of the great advantages of being knowledge back with me, to say the least. a great deal. Our schedules were busy from sun up to sun down the entire trip. I believe I a tenant in the market is that the state One of the locations that our group assists with sales and marketing. This visited was the local Publix, where we can speak for the entire group when I say that the Emerging Leader Development Program ensures that large and small companies toured the fresh produce area and spoke are equally competitive and consumers with the manager of the store as well as has been a huge success. It is difficult for me, being a grower, to see the “big” picture of receive quality produce. The market also the produce manager. Something that I promotes “Fresh from Florida” produce found interesting was that bananas are Florida agriculture when I am only exposed to our farm. Through this program I have which is vital to the economic growth of the highest-volume fruit moved year in Florida’s agriculture. and year out through their store. learned so much about every aspect and stage of agriculture, from the field to the packing Working in Immokalee, I frequently We also visited University of Florida’s drive by a state Farmer’s Market. I never Gulf Coast Research Center, where houses and on to the grocery stores, all to eventually end with the consumers. knew the scope or importance of the they are doing some amazing things market until after our tour in Plant City. for the tomato, pepper and The individuals that I have met and the contacts that I have made are immeasurably Last year the state market sold over producers in Florida. Dr. Natalia Perez $225 million in vegetable and fruit founded SAS (Strawberry Advisory valuable, and will greatly benefit my career and network in the future. I would just like to say commodities, and the market in Plant City System); she informed us that one of the profited more than $500,000. The Farmer’s biggest problems strawberry growers are thank you to the entire FFVA community for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful Market is a win-win for agribusiness and facing during their season is anthracnose. the state. Growers who sign up for SAS are notified program. through text messages or email when temperatures favor anthracnose, picked up through their nearest FAWN (Florida Automated Weather Network) station. This is a big money-saver for the farmers, because they can spray accordingly using the SAS technology instead of having to spray continuously as a preventive measure. Additionally, almost every facet of Florida agriculture is based on market windows, and Dr. Bielinski Santos has multiple, excellent trials with high

Justin Roberson, Michael Hill and Bill Roe discuss planting, harvesting and pest management techniques utilized by Wm. G. Roe & Sons 4

29 | May | 2012 5

29 | May | 2012

RCMA visit is operation, it has contributed books to the center’s lending grown to be a well-known brand child’s play library. throughout North and South America, RCMA operates and is regulated like most and has expanded to include blackberries, other day care centers. But there is more raspberries and strawberries. The tour wound passion and certitude at RCMA. Everyone in and out of coolers and throughout the works together to improve the lives of the packinghouse. Keith described the strict local migrant community, and the spirit of quality-control standards as well as the close RCMA is contagious. The impressions from by April Roe Porter business relationships they have with their our visit will stay with us far longer than the Wm. G. Roe & Sons growers. It was interesting to see how the morning we spent with the kids at RCMA. fruit is inspected and the multiple tests it undergoes to ensure a quality product. As On day two of our April production the tour concluded, Keith and Amy sent trip, we visited the Redlands Christian the group home with fresh blueberries, Migrant Association’s Dover center. I was blackberries and raspberries. familiar with RCMA, having supported the organization through its annual Getting a lesson in Christmas card fundraiser. But visiting the center in person was more touching “Wish” thinking than I imagined. We spent the morning touring the facility, visiting with the center’s staff and playing with the kids. It was heartwarming to see how cheerful they were and to hear from staff members that many families wouldn’t have this by Elizabeth Malek opportunity without RCMA. Glades Crop Care, Inc. RCMA’s mission is to help families solve and prevent the problems inherent Wish Farms is a great example of a in a migrant lifestyle so the children can successful and innovative business. Family grow up in an environment that nurtures owned and operated, the company began in New York City in 1922 with a few vegetable success. RCMA’s services go well beyond Jennifer Hodges connects with one of the push carts. Since then it has expanded to education and day care. Support workers nearly 100 children at the RCMA center in help families with immigration issues, Dover. growing, processing, packing and shipping, finances, health care, etc. They visit the and is now the largest strawberry shipper families’ homes two times a year and are in Florida. Wish Farms also sells blueberries, on call full-time. Trip begins with tomatoes, peppers, cantaloupe, eggplant, and However, it’s not just children whose sunny outlook squash. lives are changed by RCMA – the center’s Not only is this company highly diversified, staff members often have come from but it also utilizes technology. Wish Farms a migrant family or were RCMA kids uses the bloom count forecasting model themselves. A big part of RCMA’s success which was developed by the University of is the ability of its staff to empathize with by Jennifer Hodges Florida. This allows them to predict with the families it serves. The Andersons some accuracy what fruit production will be For part of the year, the Dover center Plant Nutrient Group like three weeks later, and it helps them to has “Strawberry Saturdays,” extending its organize harvesting crews, materials, and hours to six days a week so parents can The first stop during our April production storage space. take advantage of the extra day’s work. trip was SunnyRidge Farm in Plant City. Wish Farms also uses Fresh QC™ and RCMA’s centers open and close with the Our group had the privilege of visiting How’s My Picking™ which are part of their rhythm of the harvest season. with Keith Mixon, president and CEO of produce traceability initiative. These programs During our visit, two of our class SunnyRidge/Dole, and his product support allow for comments and feedback from the members, Michael and Justin, read books coordinator, Amy Tadlock. This impressive consumer to go directly to the company, the to the children. The kids were hanging organization is led by the three Mixon grower, and even the picker, making everyone on every word. The moment made a big brothers: Keith, Jerry and Greg, who took accountable. They also help Wish Farms to impression on each of us. The class also over after their father, Gerald, retired. know which fields had higher-quality fruit and Although this organization began as a small which varieties were favored by consumers. 6

29 | May | 2012

Technology paired Blueberry wine from Feeding school kids with time-tested Florida a surprise a serious business practices

by Rob Atchley by Rachel Walters by Heather Banky A. Duda & Sons Bayer CropScience U.S. Sugar Corporation

Have you ever heard of blueberry The tour of Wm. G. Roe & Sons’ wine? Did you know that dry, semi-dry Mary Kate Harrison just as easily could facilities was definitely one of the and sweet blueberry wines are produced have been speaking to us about leading a highlights of our April agricultural in Florida? My answer to both of these major corporation rather than overseeing production tour. It was impressive to questions was no. However, we had the the feeding of Hillsborough County see how the family has embraced new pleasure of visiting Keel & Curley Winery Public Schools’ children. Harrison, general technology while leveraging the benefits during the April production trip, and I can manager of the school system’s student of good old-fashioned manpower. As now answer yes. nutrition services, explained the challenges with most packing facilities, technology We met Clay and Ryan Keel, brothers of managing a $105 million program that was very prevalent. It was interesting to who manage the family business in Plant demands a good product at a low cost for see how the family uses machinery in its City. The company began as a container more than 214,000 meals served every blueberry facility to control the amount nursery. Once market conditions began day. The cheaper, faster, higher-quality of fruit put in the packages down to the to change, they planted five acres of push combines three objectives that individual berry. blueberries in 1997. In the early 2000s, cannot be easily achieved together, which Bill Roe explained that while the the family began to experiment with often means compromise. Ms. Harrison company depends on the machines to winemaking. After partnering with a was excited about the opportunities of do those tasks, for many jobs there are winemaker from Vermont, they launched a fresh fruit and vegetable program, but still benefits in using people. He made an the winery. Currently, the business is she emphasized the need for a statewide excellent point that people can change 50 percent winemaking and 50 percent infrastructure to manage the details of such tasks with simple instruction, and they do blueberry production. There are several an endeavor and to ensure its future. not require expensive maintenance. You business entities: the farm, winery, retail Educating our children on the also do not have to wait for parts to repair store and a beer and wine distribution importance of good nutrition and exposing them. This was definitely great food for business. them to what that means in the form of thought on the ride home that day. The Keel family is producing fresh fruits and vegetable from our home We were also able to tour the facility blueberries on 20 net acres. They are also state is definitely worth the effort it will take where the family bottles its Noble brand growing blackberries and peaches for to give the program a good foundation. juices. The juice tasted great. I was very U-pick. They are able to buy blueberry impressed by the use of plant plastic in so culls from other packinghouses across much of the juice packaging. We saw the the state and have access to berries entire bottling process and it was clear from all over the world in the off season. the family strives to create a brand that Therefore, they are making wine year- not only tastes great, but is packaged in a round in Plant City. manner customers can feel good about. Their wine is carried in all of Publix’s I arrived at the Roes’ facilities expecting 770 Florida stores as well as 300 to 400 just another packinghouse tour. I left with other retail outlets across the country. So some great ideas and no doubt a new the next time you are shopping at your juice-buying habit. local Publix, be on the lookout for this Florida product.

7

29 | May | 2012

Associations help competitive advantages and must C & D Fruit & continue to address and compete with Vegetable Company to market berries these new supplies. The growth of a global economy is not a threat. Rather, it’s an opportunity the state should capitalize on for new markets and new trends.

by Adam Trott by Justin Roberson New technology Rabo AgriFinance Lipman Produce adds precision to farm With Frank Lombardi as our tour guide, our group visited C&D Fruit & Vegetable Co.’s The Florida Strawberry Growers Dover growing, packing/cooling, and ship- Association was started in 1982 and ping operations. serves growers by raising awareness and With strawberry season over and many promoting Florida berries. It allows growers of the company’s vegetables still in the to collaborate in research and marketing. by Jennifer Hodges ground, Frank showed off C&D’s beauti- Florida is primarily known for providing the ful eggplants, yellow squash and zucchini, The Andersons winter crop and is considered the Winter which had been planted in the same beds Plant Nutrient Group Strawberry Capital of the World. The Florida previously used for strawberries. Frank ex- Blueberry Growers Association operates plained that for more than 30 years, C&D has in much the same way. In recent years, On the final day of the trip, we were supplied a variety of fruits and vegetables blueberries have gained momentum and fortunate to visit with Larry Moss at to customers all over the from continue to be a favorable spring crop. Lipman’s Duette farm. Larry, who has its numerous locations. The company also On our tour of Plant City, we met with Ted decades of experience as a farm manager, grows a proprietary variety of strawberries Campbell and Bill Braswell of the FSGA shared many interesting facts about the developed in collaboration with the Univer- and FBGA, respectively, to discuss the history of Lipman and how much he has sity of Florida. associations and industry challenges. enjoyed working for the company over While Frank and Sam handle the major- It was surprising to hear that the the years. I was impressed by the level of ity of the sales and farming operations in Dover, C&D also has growing, packing/cool- majority of all strawberry and blueberry commitment this organization puts on ing, and shipping operations in Bradenton. varieties come out of Florida. Not only food safety and traceability. Employees are required to carry an ID badge and are The Bradenton facility includes a market and are these varieties being used by growers general store. within the state, but by the rest of the scanned in and out of each field in which world. In fact, countries such as Spain they work. This means not only can the are large buyers of Florida seed varieties. company track the produce from its point of We also learned that much of the variety origin; it can trace back to the picker as well. research is being conducted by the Larry described the reports that are The next stop will be a University of Florida and managed by the produced to show where each employee grower associations. has worked throughout the week. He can July visit to California Challenges for the berry industry look back and find out exactly who was in to tour ag operations include disease pressure, labor shortages each field throughout the day. Another and poor weather. Increased berry acreage interesting fact is Lipman provides housing in Salinas and the sur- also has posed some challenges in the for its laborers without cost. This is a great rounding areas. Look market. Much like the tomato industry, the incentive for these employees and their berry industry is seeing increased supply families. Larry jumped on our bus and took for those stories and us through a couple of squash, eggplant from Central and South America, namely class member profiles Mexico and , making these countries and tomato fields. Although our bus strong competitors. driver had a little difficulty navigating the in the final issue. Pressure to the Florida berry industry terrain, we made it through, and our group will likely continue to grow as new varieties thoroughly enjoyed the visit. and growing regions emerge around the world. However, Florida has many