AGRItunity 2011 was the best yet!

 Thanks to our speakers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and those of you who came to learn!  We had 472 people attend in some capacity during the day - a new record.  Keynote Speaker Daniel Salatin was inspirational and all of the sessions were well received.  There were 90 exhibitors present - bringing you a first hand look at their products and services - including the alpaca and llamas from Serenity Hills Llama Ranch below, and anitique farm tools and equipment brought by Steve Melton.  Special thanks to our volunteers - we had 43 volunteers during the day and could not have made it without them!  Hope to see you next year - January 28th!

Serenity Hills Llama Ranch, Groveland, FL

Clay Olson teaching class about mushroom culture.

Steve Melton entertains and educates!

Don't Miss A Chance to Hear Daniel Salatin at AGRItunity 2011 Conference

Daniel grew up in the Shenandoah Valley on Polyface Farms, “a farm of many faces” and is the son of author and farmer Joel Salatin. The mission of the farm is: to develop emotionally, economically, environmentally enhancing agricultural enterprises and facilitate their duplication throughout the world. Daniel has spoken at many farm conferences and can relay his experiences working daily on the farm.

Daniel’s keynote address is entitled “Relationship Marketing” and will provide insight into how their farm has developed direct markets such as restaurants, buying clubs, on-site store and retail outlets. He will also present “Salad Bar Beef” during the livestock workshops. This is the term Salatin coined to describe his pasture-finished cattle: fresh daily paddocks and lots of forage species variety. A hard core how-to talk, this one walks the audience though electric fencing, water systems, breeding, movement logistics, forage growth and rest cycles, stockpiling for dormant seasons, and processing.

The AGRItunity Conference and Trade Show will be held at the Sumter County Agricultural Education Center at the Sumter County Fairgrounds in Bushnell, Florida on January 29, 2011. Don’t miss this exciting annual event! In addition to the keynote speech there will be 8 workshops, a large tradeshow, animal and alternative energy exhibits, antique farm equipment and more. Lunch is available for purchase on site from the famous restaurant the Speckled Butterbean. Pre-registration is $10 at http://sumter.ifas.ufl.edu. The cost for the conference is $15 at the door if not pre-registered. For more information call (352) 793-2728 x236 or email sakelly@ufl.edu. AGRItunity is a project of the extension offices in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Pasco and Sumter counties.