Alternative crops like hemp, artichokes, hops, and pomegranates will be featured at the upcoming Florida Ag Expo.

The Florida Ag Expo is slated for November 21st at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. The event features education sessions, grower roundtables, field tours and demonstrations, and a large vendor show; alternative crops like hops, hemp, artichokes, and pomegranates will be highlighted, according to a Vegetable and Specialty Crop News article. See the details and where to register below.

Alternative Crops at the Florida Ag Expo

According to the article, the Florida Ag Expo was started as a way to showcase the Gulf Coast REC. The event will feature outdoor tours of what the Gulf Coast REC is growing and topics on the center’s greenhouse research. There will be many discussions and sessions on alternative crops.

“We are excited to be having a field tour showing our latest research results on alternative crops — hops, hemp and pomegranates,” center director Jack Rechcigl said in the article. The alternative crop tour will feature the following topics:

  • Optimizing Hemp Production in Florida – Cultivar Evaluation and Impact of Supplemental Light
  • Demonstration of the New V-Trellis Hop Yard
  • Hop Variety Trials in Central Florida
  • Evaluation of Cultivars, Planting Dates, and Artificial Bud Induction Methods for Artichokes
  • Postharvest Cooling and Other Technologies for Quality Fruits and Vegetables

There will also be a panel discussion on hemp, with panel participants being Zach Brym, UF/IFAS TREC, Assistant Professor/Agronomy; Holly Bell, Florida Dept. of Ag., Director of Cannabis; Doris Hamilton, Kentucky Dept. of Ag., Hemp Program Manager; and Paul Adams, North Carolina Dept. of Ag., Industrial Hemp Program Manager.

To see the lineup of the Florida Ag Expo, get details, and register, visit http://floridaagexpo.net/

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