Food System Study of Martin County, Florida

Cows grazing in a field. UF/IFAS file photo

Martin County, Florida has a rich agricultural history with farming and cattle ranching being important economic drivers since the early 1930s. Nevertheless, the county struggles to meet the balance between food supply and demand. Farmers often face challenges finding sizable, secure, well-paying markets, and the most consumers do not participate in local food transactions. This 4-page fact sheet written by William A. Messina, Jr., Lisa House, Yvette Goodiel, and Carol Albertsand published by the UF/IFAS summarizes two studies conducted to examine agricultural production in Martin County and its food processing, distribution and marketing systems and infrastructure to better identify potential constraints and opportunities for the local food system.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1071

FE821 Seafood Perceptions among People Aged 55 and Above: Summary of Focus Groups Results

FE821, a 6-page fact sheet by Allen F. Wysocki, Lisa House, and William A. Messina, Jr., provides a brief summary of the focus group part of a study of perceptions of Florida residents aged 55 and over on seafood consumption. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, November 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE821

FE755 Cuban Agriculture and the Impacts of Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

FE755, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by William A. Messina, Jr., Frederick S. Royce, and Thomas H. Spreen, attempts to assess the damage to Cuban agriculture caused by these three storms which hit the island within a three week period in 2008. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, October 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE755