From Hurricanes to Harvest: How Florida's Farmers are Fighting Back—Join Us at the Farm City Luncheon!
Article Posted on October 22, 2024
Dear Friends,
Florida agriculture never has an easy year, but this past one, with four major hurricanes and billions of dollars in damage to Florida’s farmlands, is nothing short of disastrous.
Hurricane Milton alone generated $2.5 billion in damages to infrastructure like barns and greenhouses and caused significant production losses. Some citrus farmers are wondering whether this is the last straw, after decades of citrus greening have decimated a crop that was once the pride and economic driver of the Treasure Coast.
Folks, we talk a lot about how important agriculture is to our economy and our whole way of life. It’s not just talk. Agriculture is big business in Florida, and a few more tourists won’t make up for its loss. It’s more than money, though. It’s our food supply.
We expect to find good, reliable products in our grocery stores. Well, vegetables and meat don’t come from supply depots. They come from farms and ranches. The damages to vegetable farming and ranching from this year’s storms are enormous. Farmers can’t harvest what’s been washed away. Cows can’t graze on a field that’s under water. A steady food supply depends on steady food production, and in Florida, ours has been badly shaken.
An endangered food supply is also a danger to our country’s security. Every crop we can’t grow in our country and have to import is another point of vulnerability.
So what can we do besides moan and worry? Well, good news. Our agricultural community is growing and developing in ways that few people outside of the ag community know about. Technology is key. And you can learn about it.
Our annual Farm City Luncheon, a celebration of the important relationship between farmers, consumers, community leaders, and everyone in between who contributes to the community’s safe, abundant food supply, is coming up on November 21. Here are the details. Hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Rick Hartman
Farm City Luncheon 2024
Celebrates The Role of Technology in
Martin County Agriculture
Today’s farmer is just as likely to be monitoring irrigation systems on an electronic spreadsheet as driving a tractor. This whole new world in agriculture – a technological one – will be celebrated at Martin County’s 7th annual Farm City Luncheon this November 21 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Rockin H Ranch in Palm City.
Dr. Kati Migliaccio is the keynote speaker. Dr. Migliaccio is the Chair of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida and was a pioneer in developing Smartphone Apps for irrigation management. Currently she is working across UF and IFAS to foster innovative technology and its application in agriculture, natural, and human systems to meet present and future society needs.
As with previous year’s luncheons, the farm to table menu will feature items that are locally grown and sourced.
