Chief Agricultural Ambassador Meets Growers At Strawberry Fest

PLANT CITY, FL - Plant City Strawberry Festival: U.S. Chief Agricultural Ambassador Gregg Doud visited the Florida Strawberry Festival Sunday morning to meet with agricultural producers in the Plant City area.

Nearly 15 producers of strawberries, vegetables and cattle, along with U.S. Rep. Ross Spano of Florida, State Rep. Lawrence McClure of District 58 and officials from the City of Plant City, were present at the assembly to hear Doud speak on international trade policies which are currently in negotiation. The guests in attendance were also given an opportunity to voice their ideas and concerns for the future of United States international agricultural trade.

"We still have work to do," said Doud, "and we're going to do the best we can to get things squared away."

During the meeting, producers asked specifically about trade negotiations with Mexico and China and even brought up other issues they're facing such as labor policies, government subsidies and more.

In addition to meeting simultaneously with producers and legislators at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, Doud also spent the day touring produce and cattle farms in the area.

"The future of the strawberry industry and agriculture industry as a whole is extremely dependent upon proper trade deals," said Florida Strawberry Growers Association President Kenneth Parker. "We rarely have an opportunity to sit face-to-face with someone who is directly negotiating these deals, and we're extremely grateful that he would take the time to hear from us."

About the Florida Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival's headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake. The 2019 Florida Strawberry Festival where "It's A Hit!" took place Feb . 28 through March 10 in Plant City.