The July All In For Citrus podcast episode focuses on the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is scheduled for Aug. 20–21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

Micheal Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, previews a new, special educational session on alternative crops. Rogers said the session will focus on bamboo, macadamia, avocado and mango production.

The bulk of alternative crop presentations will focus on bamboo, which has been gaining more attention in recent years. Rogers said there are more than 1,000 acres of the crop planted in Florida, and some processing infrastructure is falling into place. Bamboo has food, wood and other use functions and is in high demand. He said the goal of the bamboo presentations is to set realistic expectations about the cost of establishing the crop, growing it and its market potential.

Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS associate professor of citrus horticulture, joins the podcast to provide details on the citrus seminars, which include 21 presentations on HLB management and other current topics. She said the primary focus of the presentations will be to provide information that growers can use in their groves right now.

Jamie Burrow, UF/IFAS Extension program manager, talks about the UF/IFAS citrus research booth that will be on the trade show floor. The booth is one of the largest exhibits and is always a highlight for attendees.

Burrow said several key research scientists will be available throughout the event at the booth so growers can have one-on-one interactions with the experts. Attendees can also pick up educational materials in the booth like the new edition of the Florida Citrus Production Guide. And there’s plenty of swag like pens, notepads and other freebies for the taking in the booth.

Don’t miss the latest All In For Citrus episode. And don’t miss the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo; register here!