Page 114 - 0319

BLAST FROM THE PAST
Aphoto from the 1950s of men in a Hastings, FL, potato field with harvesting equipment shows what at the time was a relatively new type of machinery developed to dig potatoes. The picture illustrates the innovation growers strive for to continually improve the efficiencies of their operations. That is nothing new and something Florida growers have long done to keep up with the times and remain competitive.
Last year, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association celebrated its 75th year. The trade group representing the Sunshine State’s grower-shippers began in 1943 as the Florida Vegetable Committee.
Trade organizations such as FFVA, which also represent dis- tributors, brokers, marketers and allied industry people including those in crop protection and insurance, must remain innovative, nimble and able to “see around the corner” to identify potential threats and opportunities for their members.
That’s something that’s beyond the reach for most growers and packing and shipping operations, which have their hands full in the daily operations and aren’t afforded a big-picture view.
“The fact that FFVA just marked its 75th anniversary demon- strates that Florida’s grower-shipper community sees value in an industry association whose goal is to help them to operate profitably in a sound business environment,” says Lisa Lochridge, the Maitland, FL-based organization’s director of public affairs. “Collectively, the voice of our members is strong and carries great
114 / MARCH 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
weight to ensure that we are at the table when critical issues for agriculture are discussed.”
During the 1950s, few would have predicted the global econ- omy that emerged in the later decades.
“FFVA is devoted to helping our members maintain a compet- itive edge in a global marketplace,” says Lochridge. “We keep them informed on issues that are important to their bottom line so they can be profitable.”
FFVA’s membership is its strength, says Lochridge. The or- ganization relies on active volunteer leaders who direct policy, help identify priority issues and guide the association’s work.
Establishing FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program is one of the association’s many accomplishments, says Lochridge. In its eighth year, the program identifies young leaders and helps educate them about issues facing the industry, not only their particular parts of the industry. It provides them the tools they need to become effective advocates for Florida agriculture.
Numbers produce strength. As the battles growers fight be- come more challenging, FFVA’s guidance on an array of issues, including trade, labor, pest management and the environment, helps grower-shippers. FFVA also assists in lobbying at state and federal levels. It builds industry coalitions and collaboratively works with other agriculture groups across the country on issues affecting all in the industry. pb
PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER