Extension

Taste the Tater:
A Farm to Table Luncheon and Economic Development Discussion

Blue Sky Farmers in Hastings
Thursday, September 20, 2018
(4805 County Road 13 South Elkon, Florida)

The project is aim at connecting local farmers, UF scientists, and consumers to provide new agricultural production techniques and bring discussions to make agriculture for efficient and productive.

This trip is involved in several activities:

1.Potato chip tasting: potato chips were made from new potato varieties were given to attendants and were evaluated later.
2.New potato varieties are provided: purple-heart potato, yam, and Asian fruits and vegetables were presented.
3.A luncheon and an economic development discussion were held at the Blue Sky potato farm.
4.A field tour including growing, harvesting, washing, drying, storage, and packaging were showed and explained by farm owner Danny Johns.

Florida Agro Expo - Nov 7, 2018

Postharvest Forensics: Diagnosing causes for rejected loads of fresh produce
Session Description:
Each session is designed for growers and handlers from roadside stand to major shipper levels. Participants will explore some of the most common reasons receivers reject loads of fresh produce via hands-on exercises at several stations in the classroom. They will learn the causes and solutions for quality losses related to farm- and packinghouse-level practices such as harvest operations, temperature management, sanitation, and mechanical damage. A special topic will present the potential for applying CRISPR gene-editing technology to reduce postharvest losses.