Florida Hosts the Asian Pacific Islander Organization Training Conference

Pursuing Excellence through Leadership, Diversity, and Unity was the theme for this year’s Asian and Pacific Islander Organization National Training Conference held in Miami, Florida.

Florida NRCS State Conservationist Niles Glasgow welcomed the nearly 100 participants with an overview of the State’s agriculture and Chief Arlen Lancaster provided an update on the status the 2007 Farm Bill.  Associate Chief Dana York presented an overall agency update and California NRCS Deputy State Conservationist Carlos Suarez represented the National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees.

Breakout sessions included topics such as technology exchange, global warming, engineering software, energy in agriculture, and retirement financial planning.  District Conservationist for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties Christine Coffin arranged and conducted the tour of farms in Homestead, which is south of Miami.  On the tour, conference attendees learned about Asian fruits, vegetables, and herbs such as longan, guava, and dragon fruit.  Stops at an ornamental nursery and a Buddhist monastery were also included on the tour.
Your contact is Bob Stobaugh, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 352-338-9565.