Events and announcements

2013 Joint Tomato Conference:

** Please note all Tomato conference activities are being held at a new location.  The Ritz Carlton beach resort is undergoing renovations. The meeting will be held at the golf resort: Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, 2600 Tiburón Drive, Naples, FL.

 

September 3: Tomato Food Safety Workshop: T-GAP/T-BMP Training and Research Updates, 1:00-5:30pm. Please see the attached agenda.

You can register for the meeting here: http://2013-tomato-food-safety-es2.eventbrite.com/?rank=1

 

September 4: Tomato Institute, 9:00am-4:00pm. Restricted Use and CCA CEUs are pending approval. Please see the attached agenda.

If you are interested in presenting in the “industry updates” section, please contact Chris Miller at: cfmiller@ufl.edu

 

If you have questions about becoming a sponsor, need to book a room or need to register for other parts of the conference, please visit the Florida Tomato Exchange Website http://www.floridatomatoes.org/tomato-conference-general-information/ or contact Diana Hester at: Diana@floridatomatoes.org

 

September 12: Farm to School Webinar: Understanding School Food Service, 10:00am Please see attachment for details

 

September 25, 26: Core and Private Applicator Training and Exams

Core 10am-12pm Sept. 25, Private 10am-12pm Sept. 26, Manatee County Extension Service, Palmetto, FL.

Two separate exam prep classes will be held to help you prepare for the Core and Private Applicator RUP license exams. Exams will be offered immediately following the classes. However, you do not have to take the exams the same day.  You may schedule a time to take the exams at your convenience.  You may take one class without the other, if needed.

If you are already a license holder, 2 CEUs in Core and 2 in Private are offered for both classes, respectively. Light snacks will be offered. For details and registration visit:

 

Core Exam training and testing:

http://core9-25-13.eventbrite.com/

 

Private Applicator Exam training and testing:

http://private9-26-13.eventbrite.com/

 

October 21-22: Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference, Orlando, FL. Please see the attached flyer for details.

 

October 22: Local Food Systems Urban Farming Conference 9:30am-3:00pm, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. Please see attachment for details.

 

Farm Labor Supervisor Trainings: Five scheduled one-day trainings will be offered in different IFAS locations:  Sept. 10, Homestead; Sept. 24, Belle Glade; Oct. 22, Arcadia; Oct. 23, Bartow; Oct. 29, Immokalee. Please see the attached flyers for details.

 

 

Other News:

 

Job Opportunity: Pepper Research Technician

Enza Zaden is seeking a pepper research technician for their Myakka City location.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

POSITION:Research Technician, Pepper

 

POSITION IN THE ORGANISATION: Reports to the Plant Breeder, Pepper

 

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:  Provide support in the execution of plant breeding programs.

 

Summary of responsibilities:

1.   Set up and execute schedules for hybridization programs.

2.   Perform administrative duties.

3.   Oversee the administration of selected plants.

4.   Maintains an organized seed vault inventory.

5.   Other duties as may be required.

 

Brief description of responsibilities and duties:

 

1.     Set up and execute schedules for hybridization programs.

• On the instructions of the Plant Breeder, carries out hybridization programs in both field and greenhouse settings.

• Accurately pollinate, harvest and process fruit for seed according to the plan.

• Assists in sowing, monitoring germination after sowing and transplanting.

• Signals and discusses bottlenecks with the Plant Breeder. 

 

2 Perform administrative duties.

• Assists in collecting information for the research database and keeps organized data logs. 

 

3. Oversee the administration of selected plants.

• Ensures proper tagging, digging and labeling of plants. 

• Monitors insect and disease pressure of greenhouses and reports feedback to Farm Manager.

 

4.  Maintain an organized seed vault inventory.

• Prepares and organizes seed packets for receiving and storing into seed vault.

 

5. Other duties as may be required.

• Carries out all (project) activities as may be required by the Breeder.

• Collects plant samples for testing. 

 

 

Profile:

 

Education / knowledge

Bachelor of Science degree required. Has a thorough knowledge of the respective crop with 1-2 years of relevant work experience.  Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. 

 

Skills

Excellent and clear communication skills (verbal and written).

Is accurate with strong attention to detail. 

Demonstrates effective supervisory skills.   

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

 

Traits

Shows personal initiative, is flexible, pragmatic, and a team player. 

Must be able to portray and promote a positive image of the company’s vision, mission and values.

Must maintain high confidentiality.

 

Independence

Performs the various duties independently as much as possible, under the responsibility of the Plant Breeder.

 

Contacts

Contacts are mainly internal. 

 

Leadership

Supervises the activities of the seasonal labor crew.

 

Working conditions

Sometimes works under pressure in greenhouses and open field under varying climatic conditions.  Infrequent travel, including overnight stays, may be required on occasion. 

 

Please send Resume to:

                               

Enza Zaden Research USA INC.

27610 Crosby Road

Myakka City, FL 34251

Or by e-mail:

                           yayeh.tarekegn@enzausa.com                                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

Crystal Snodgrass, M.S.
Extension Agent, Vegetables
Manatee County Government
University of Florida IFAS Extension
941-722-4524, Ext. 230
Fax: 941-721-6796
crys21@ufl.edu
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu