The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, the Florida Farm Bureau and the South Florida Fair, will host the annual Farm City Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Farm City annually highlights local agribusiness, as Palm Beach County is one of the largest agriculture counties in the country.
The event’s keynote speaker will be Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The Florida chamber created an educational partnership with Dr. Brian Lapointe, research professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, to help secure Florida’s water future.
With 6 million more residents expected to call Florida home and the state’s water demand expected to increase by 20 percent by 2030, strong, science-based water quality standards will continue to play a vital role in Florida’s economy and quality of life.
“At the Florida Chamber, we remain committed to Florida’s environment, and look forward to sharing Dr. Lapointe’s research and further securing Florida’s water future,” Wilson said.
Lapointe has extensive experience in water quality research in the region. His research has led to greater nutrient removal from sewage effluents in Monroe County. His long-term water quality monitoring at Looe Key reef represents the longest low-level nutrient record for a coral reef anywhere in the world.
“I’ve been studying issues surrounding marine pollution and various land-based sources that contribute to the problems we’re seeing around the state,” Lapointe said. “This is a whole new paradigm shift for me, to take what I’ve learned over 30 years and educate the public about these issues — and they’re big issues.”
With the belief that knowledge is power, the event will feature a panel of experts who will share important information, scientific research and possible solutions.
The panel includes Lapointe and Wilson; John Mitnik, director of operations for the South Florida Water Management District; and Keith Wedgworth, manager of Wedgworth Farms and Wedgworth’s Inc. As is tradition, each guest can expect to walk away with a box of locally grown produce, courtesy of the area’s farmers, and the lunch menu will feature some of this freshly grown produce.
Farm City will be take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center, located at 9067 Southern Blvd.
Tickets are on sale now. To register, visit the chamber web site at www.cpbchamber.com and click on the “Business Calendar.”
