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Led by County Commissioner Al Higginbotham (D-4), a Plant City resident whose district includes Valrico, the Board of County Commissioners honored the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World" in the 73rd celebration of the Florida Strawberry Festival at its regular meeting in late February. The festival, which was held from February 28-March 9 in Plant City, draws an estimated 550,000 people annually from the local area as well as the rest of the United States, Canada and England. Plant City and eastern Hillsborough County produce three-fourths of the nation's midwinter strawberries grown on more than 8,320 acres with an annual value of nearly $300 million. The commission also honored the Strawberry Queen and her court, the festival directors, the city commissioners, the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, and the Strawberry Growers Association."The agriculture industry is highlighted at the Florida Strawberry Festival each year," said Higginbotham. "Its impact has deep roots not only in eastern Hillsborough County but in the rest of the county." The most recent industry sales figures show $763 million in sales in 2006, he said. Higginbotham continued by stating think the agricultural industry is a sleeping giant in our community. "One of the benefits to us is that if the farmers are successful, the property is not going to be developed. This keeps us green. The industry also produces jobs through production and distribution." Higginbotham mentioned that Future Farmers of America (FFA) offers high school programs that are highlighted at the festival. The FFA's goal is to create awareness among the area’s young people who might be interested in a career in the agricultural industry. "We provide a safe product here due to our regulations," he said. "This is a real asset to our local economy." For more information, contact Jess Johnson at 272-5740.
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