TODAY TODAY Agribusiness Agribusiness
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
Ryan Duffy
It’s been a banner year for the FGCU Center for Agribusiness. Recently, the Center began its release of a landmark study focused on the future of agriculture in Southwest Florida. The study was the first of its kind in our state: it brought together perspectives from 24 agribusinesses in the region and identified challenges and opportunities for the entire industry The study was led by NC State agricultural economist Dr. Barry Goodwin and Center faculty and showed the strength of FGCU’s academic thought leadership on issues facing not only agriculture producers, but also consumers and stakeholders throughout the region, Florida and the world We look forward to sharing more details of the study with the Southwest Florida community later this year
In addition to the Center’s ongoing academic efforts, enrollment in Agribusiness courses continues to climb Since May 2023, the Center has seen a 40 percent increase in course registrations as well as a 41 percent increase in individual students enrolling in courses. To date (including current registrations for summer and fall 2024 terms), the Center has had: 871 course registrations across all courses since spring 2019, 871 course registrations, representing 494 individual students, 28 Agribusiness minors have been awarded since spring of 2019 (including spring 2024 graduates), and 9 more students have completed the Agribusiness minor but have not yet graduated from FGCU
Overall, the Center continues to attract greater interest from students and the general public alike Under the leadership of FGCU’s new president, Dr. Aysegul Timur, I am confident the Center will continue to uphold FGCU’s legacy tied to Florida agriculture, which began through a donation of land from Ben Hill Griffin, III The late agricultural pioneer was a thirdgeneration citrus grower, cattle rancher and successful businessman who left an indelible mark on Florida and Southwest Florida
With Florida’s population growing rapidly, the need to prepare students for careers in agriculture has never been greater Farmers are growing more food on less land and doing it more sustainably and with more technology and science than ever before. If we want to continue feeding our nation and world, we must do so with a greater understanding, awareness and appreciation for everything that goes into crop production, harvesting, processing, shipping, transporting and selling It has been wonderful serving as Chairman of the Center’s Advisory Committee. I’m proud to leave the leadership of the committee under the direction of a longtime friend and colleague, Lindsay Harrington. Lindsay also hails from my hometown region of Charlotte County I first met Lindsay when I was in middle school while he was serving as my local member of the Florida House of Representatives Since that time, Lindsay went onto serve as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives and as a member of the FGCU Board of Trustees. I want to congratulate Lindsay on his new role as Chairman of the Center’s Advisory Committee.
INCOMING CHAIRMAN INCOMING CHAIRMAN
IINCOMING NCOMING VICE CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN Greg Adkins
Lindsay Harrington
JENNIFER
CARPENTER - THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
JENNIFER CARPENTER - THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
Jennifer Carpenter currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director of Conservation and Government Relations in Florida at the Nature Conservancy. Jennifer has a Master of Environmental Science from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.
LUCAS CONRAN - LIPMAN FAMILY FARMS LUCAS CONRAN - LIPMAN FAMILY FARMS
Lucas Conran is Farm Operations Manager at Lipman Family Farms Lucas studied business management at Tusculum University in Tennessee and Florida Southwestern College in Naples, FL
ANDREW COUSE - FIRST BANK ANDREW COUSE - FIRST BANK
Andrew Couse is the President and COO of First Bank Andrew received his Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Florida
DENISE GRIMSLEY - THE DEVELOPMENT GROUP DENISE GRIMSLEY - THE DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Denise Grimsley currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at the Development Group. Ms. Grimsley is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate.
JOHN KEIRNAN - ALICO INC.
JOHN KEIRNAN - ALICO INC.
John Keirnan serves as the President and CEO of Alico Inc. Mr. Keirnan earned his Master of Business Administration at the University of Virginia, along with his Juris Doctorate. Mr. Keirnan also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and History.
JEREMY NIPPER - EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT
JEREMY NIPPER - EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT
Jeremy Nipper is the Agricultural Sales Manager at Everglades Equipment Group. Mr. Nipper earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Valdosta State University.
LUCIENNE PEARS - KITSON AND PARTNERS LUCIENNE PEARS - KITSON AND PARTNERS
Lucienne Pears is the Vice President of Economic and Business Development at Babcock Ranch Ms Pears earned her Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Salisbury University
ARNIE SARLO - TARPON BLUE/ S&C CATTLE
ARNIE SARLO - TARPON BLUE/ S&C CATTLE
Arnie Sarlo is an Agricultural Real Estate Agent with Tarpon Blue as well as owner/operator of S&C Cattle and Land Services Mr Sarlo earned his Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University as well as his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Animal Science from the University of Florida
RACHEL SYNGO - MELON 1
RACHEL SYNGO - MELON 1
Rachel Syngo is the Chief Marketing Officer at Melon 1. Ms. Syngo earned her Bachelor of Science from Florida Gulf Coast University
FGCU AGRIBUSINESS 25 YEAR SWFL AG OUTLOOK STUDY FGCU AGRIBUSINESS 25 YEAR SWFL AG OUTLOOK STUDY
On May 21, the Center for Agribusiness hosted over 60 attendees to hear the initial findings of the Center’s 25 Year Southwest Florida (SWFL) AG Outlook study As part of the initial steps of this study, leaders from twenty-four of the region’s largest agribusinesses were interviewed to discuss their perceptions on the future of AG in SWFL over the next 25 years. Dr. Barry Goodwin, FGCU Presidential Fellow, conducted a Quantitative study while Dr. Fritz Roka and Ron Hamel were key in the Qualitative aspects of this research. Overall, the challenges, strengths and opportunities of AG in the region were discussed at length with interviewees. A strong initial consensus from the study suggests that agriculture’s “footprint” in Southwest Florida will decline, but the decrease in farm/ranch acreage will be offset by technological advancement thereby allowing farmers and ranchers to grow more food with less land, water, and plant nutrients Economic viability of agricultural operations will be key for long-term sustainability, which in turn will be dependent on favorable federal trade and farm policies, as well as the public perception that agriculture plays an important and favorable role in sustaining Southwest Florida’s cultural and environmental heritage.
The Center for Agribusiness would like to extend its gratitude to all of those who played key roles in this research, and we look forward to publishing our findings in the near future
Thank you to President Timur for her introduction and participation in the 25 Year Study AG Outlook Unveiling on May 21st.
MISSION STATEMENT FGCU CENTER FOR AGRIBUSINESS
Educate Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) students, faculty, and the regional community as to the economic significance and sustainability of Southwest Florida’s agriculture, and provide service and support to the region’s agribusinesses through research-based information.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Dr. Fritz Roka
The FGCU Agribusiness academic program continues to evolve. As noted earlier in this newsletter by Chairman, Ryan Duffy, agribusiness enrollment at FGCU is increasing. We hope to build on that momentum during the upcoming AY 2024-25 by adding three new agribusiness classes for FGCU students to consider. First, “Farm-2-Table Sustainability” - Fall 2024. This course, developed in partnership with the FGCU School of Resort and Hospitality Management, explores the challenges and opportunities of growing food and moving those products across the food supply chain ultimately to our dining room tables. Sustainability concepts are important components in this class and as such, our Farm-2-Table class will count as an alternative to FGCU’s University Colloquium. Second, “Agricultural Policy” also will be offered in Fall 2024. This online class will be taught by Dr. Barry Goodwin who is an agricultural economist nationally recognized as an expert in federal crop insurance and farm bill legislation. Dr. Goodwin joined the Agribusiness Center as a Presidential Fellow. A new third class is an international study trip. Dr. Alex Magnier, working with management professor Dr. Daniel Rottig, is organizing a trip to Peru. Students will not only visit cultural heritage sites, but also interact with Peruvian agricultural and agribusiness leaders. Drs. Magnier and Rottig are planning to lead the trip in early May 2025. Their study trip compliments an emerging partnership between the business schools at FGCU and Peru’s ESAN University.
Prepare to hear more about agribusiness micro-credentials. Our Center Advisory Committee has strongly endorsed the development of micro-credentials, not only for FGCU students, but also for industry personnel. Micro-credentials are an integral part of President Timur’s FGCU’s Strategic Plan as a way of building work-force competencies. Industry leaders will play a key role in defining specific skills/learning objectives for a given micro-credential. Farm financial management, human resource management, and environmental regulations are a few of the topics being considered for the first round of agribusiness microcredentials. Once developed, agricultural micro-credentials will be offered as online continuing education opportunities. A “digital badge” will be awarded after completing the course requirements.
Please keep up with further developments in our Agribusiness program. Checkout our website as well as follow us on Instagram and other social media platforms.
Thank You to Our Emeritus Center Advisory Committee Members
Tim Cordes, DVM
Charlie Edwards, UF Board of Gov
Hugh English, DUDA
Peter Hahn, King Ranch/CCLP
Mitch Hutchcraft, King Ranch/CCLP
Dr. Fritz Roka
Bernie Lester, Alico Inc
Russell Priddy, JB Ranch
Dallas Townsend, UF/IFAS
Matt Caldwell, Lee County Property Appraiser
Miller Couse, First Bank
Ken Smith, Tarpon Blue
Jaime Weisinger, Lipman Family Farms
Joe Hilliard, II, Hilliard Brothers
Stacy Mello, DUDA