Florida Agriculture Financial Mgmt. Conference – Nov. 13 & 14

The Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference Returns

November 13-14, 2014

Omni ChampionsGate Resort in Orlando

Agribusiness experts present risk management strategies to address the complex financial and business challenges Florida agriculturalists face every day.

The 2014 Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference held in Orlando will address key financial issues producers face. Analyzing financial performance, evaluating new market opportunities and adapting to regulatory and technology changes are just some of the highlights of the conference.

“Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses must continually look for risk mitigation strategies and solutions. No topic in the world of agriculture today is more important than effective financial risk management to remain profitable and viable,” said Farm Credit of Central Florida senior vice president and chief business development officer Regina Thomas, one of the event organizers.

The conference, now in its fourth year and supported by a USDA specialty crop block grant among other influential sponsors, will equip participants with the skills to analyze their economic opportunities and challenges, according to Thomas.

“The financial aspect of farming is absolutely critical now,” Sonia Tighe, executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation said. “For many farmers, there are seasons where their profit margins are just razor thin, depending on weather or the availability of labor or competition from imports. So a farmer’s ability to manage every aspect of their business, from cash flow to insurance and investments and risk, are critical to their ability to survive and prosper.”

The event promotes networking with colleagues and peers, the sharing of ideas and best practices, and gives attendants the opportunity to discuss the current financial market and its impact on agribusinesses. Owners and managers of Florida farms – large and small – are encouraged to attend, along with chief financial officers, controllers, CPAs, accountants, book keepers and attorneys who represent growers as CPE and CLE credits will be available.

Ed Seifried, professor emeritus of economics and business at Lafayette College, returning speaker and event favorite, will present his insights about the post-taper economy and a forecast for its short-term and long-term impacts on agriculture. Seifried’s presentation will examine the key drivers of U.S. interest rates and help prepare attendees for changes in the years ahead.

Noted food safety attorney Bill Marler will talk about the impact of increasing litigation of farmers and in particular the evolution and impact of new food safety regulations. He will provide tips on how to avoid being sued, as well as reasons to implement effective food safety programs. Marler is known for litigating food safety personal injury cases, beginning 20 years ago with the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak.

“The Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference offers solutions and relationship-building opportunities for producers, office managers and allied professionals, such as lenders, accountants and attorneys,” says Thomas. “Anyone invested in the future of agriculture in Florida will benefit from attending and be part of building the future for us all.”

For more information or to register for the Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference, visit the conference website at http://www.fafmc.org/.

About The Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference

The Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference (FAFMC) is a collaborative effort to enhance Florida’s specialty crop industry. The planning committee for the conference is composed of UF IFAS, McGladrey, Dean Mead, Wells Fargo, Prudential, allied suppliers, commodity associations, growers and Farm Credit representatives.

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