The University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University Extension Team are partnering to present the 2023 Emerging Farmers Symposium.
The symposium will be held on Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday May 4 at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, located at 155 Research Road in Quincy.
This event will provide a great networking space and share practical farming knowledge that can help farmers across the region. The Emerging Farmers Symposium will feature topics such as cost-share and lending programs, agritourism and marketing opportunities, a tradeshow of agricultural vendors, and an educational farm tour. The registration fee is $15 and includes refreshments, lunch, educational materials, and transportation to farm tour sites.
The conference keynote speaker will be John Jackson of Comfort Farms.
Comfort Farms aids in the therapy of veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other visible disabilities while recognizing butchers, farmers, and chefs who work together throughout the growing season to prepare seasonal and delicious meals from local, sustainable, and organic sources.
Comfort Farms raises hogs, chickens, turkeys, and ducks while also cultivating heirloom seeds and seasonal vegetables grown in raised garden beds and greenhouses all for Community Supported Agriculture. John’s talk will focus on creating a successful direct to consumer enterprise.
Full conference registration includes a post-conference tour. Registered attendees can take an educational tour to explore many aspects of agriculture in the region. The tour will travel from the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center to explore the FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research in Tallahassee, then to the FAMU Research and Extension Farm in Quincy.
To register, use the following link: https://202 3emergingfarmers.eventbrite.com
For more information, contact Donna Arnold at 850-875-7255 or darnold1@ufl.edu or donna1.arnold@famu.edu.