Thanks to all who helped with AGRItunity!

AGRItunity 2010 was held last weekend and was a great success! It was wonderful to see so many people interested in agriculture attend both the conference and the farm tour.

Thanks to the 46 vendors and sponsors who supported the conference - it was a dynamic trade show! The trade show was a great mix of suppliers and resources for farmers.

We could not have AGRItunity without the year long commitment from our faculty and staff in four counties. And the volunteers! We had 70 volunteers for the day and they were terrific.

An early glance at the evaluations shows that the speakers were also really providing the information that the participants came here to find. Sessions were very well attended and I have heard many comments about being inspired, and learning so much from them.

We will soon start planning to do it all again - look for the conference to be even bigger and better in 2011!

(Farm) Girls Night Out - Annie's Project Coming to Sumter and Lake

Annie's Project is a 6 week course for women involved in agriculture and the Florida pilot of this program includes Sumter and Lake counties. The program originated in honor of Annie Fleck, a woman that lived in a small town in Illinois. She spent her lifetime learning how to become a better business partner with her husband.

This program will help any woman who has their own agribusiness, is thinking of starting one, or like Annie, is interested in becoming more involved in the family farm business. The format of the program is to meet once a week for six weeks, from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Bushnell Community Center. The dates are Feb. 9 - March 16 and the last session will be held in Tavares at the Lake County Ag Center. Topics include human resources, business plans, alternative enterprises, social style, farm succession, retirement and estate planning, insurance, financial records and much more. Speakers will be from the local community and also UF specialists and a light supper will be served each night.

Cost for the program is $25 and there are a few opening left for this session. Contact Susan Kelly at (352) 793-2728 for more information.