Andy Neuhofer, Florida Farm Bureau Federation; Curt Covington, AgAmerica; Steve Johnson, chair, Florida Citrus Commission; Andrew Muhammad, Ph.D., University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture; Corey Geiger, Lead Economist for Dairy at CoBank, and Paige Gilligan, CAC, Risk Mitigators & Advisors, are rounding out the slate of speakers for 2024 Annual Conference in Fort Myers, Fla., November 3-5.
Neuhofer, a Florida native with life-long involvement in the state’s agriculture, will lead off with a “Welcome to Florida Agriculture” on Monday morning. He has been with the Farm Bureau since 1988.
In his role as director of institutional business and managed assets, Covington assists with credit analysts and production personnel on large agricultural loans. He will bring that experience to his presentation, “A Look Inside the Head of a Seasoned Ag Banker.”
“Issues Affecting the International Fresh Citrus Trade” will be addressed by Muhammad, a professor at the university, whose current research focuses on agricultural trade and trade policy, global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture, effects of trade on developing countries, and the economic determinants of global diets and food choice. In addition, as the Blasingame Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Policy, he focuses on assisting decision makers in the evaluation of opportunities, policies, and programs on international trade.
Geiger, who brought scientific, managerial, and policymaking information to the world’s dairy community as an editor for “Hoard’s Dairyman” for nearly three decades and authored two award winning ag books, will speak on how “Beef on Dairy Is Transforming Markets.”
Gilligan’s presentation, “Consulting in an AI Environment,” will draw on her expertise as a thought leader in the field of collateral valuation and due diligence, and her role as a trusted advisor in navigating complex financial landscapes. This segment will also satisfy the ethics course requirement for Certified Ag Consultants (CAC).
Johnson, a fourth-generation citrus grower and cattle rancher, will keynote the Monday dinner, providing insight on “Florida Agriculture and Its Role in the State’s Diversity.” He will be able to draw from his experiences as the owner and general manager of Johnson Harvesting, Inc. and Treeair Cattle Co., Inc., as well as his positions with state and county Farm Bureau Federations and the Hardee County Soil and Water Conservation Board.
These presenters will join previously announced speakers Rusty Rumley, JD, LL.M, National Ag Law Center; Chrissy Wozniak, North American Ag; and Don Tyler, Tyler and Associates.
Rumley, back by popular demand, will give attendees an update on the ag industry’s ever-changing legal and policy landscape during the Monday afternoon session, November 4. Wozniak will address “Leveraging Technology to Efficiently Build Your Brand.” Tyler will provide his insights on situations where clients seek assistance with more personal matters with his segment entitled “How to Switch from Consultant to Counselor.”
With the education sessions finalized, the committee has turned its attention to the Tuesday afternoon ag tours, which will be announced shortly.
The deadline for early registration pricing and hotel rooms is October 12. The hotel conference room rate is $169 per night at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers Gulf Coast.
