Brett Winsett, president of AFGC, says, “I am excited to have Florida as a council. I believe that they have an excellent leadership base in place, and it is a great opportunity to impact livestock and forage producers in the state of Florida and surrounding areas.”
Officers for the newly formed FFGC include: President Glen Aiken (North Florida Research and Education Center), First Vice President Jeremy Matson (Deseret Cattle and Timber), Second Vice President Ann Blount (University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences), and Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Mackowiak (University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences).
Objectives for forming the new council include:
- To promote sustainable and profitable forage production on all size and types of operations across Florida
- Provide a forum for collaboration between producers, university specialists and industry professionals
- Advance the development of improved forages across the state of Florida
- Educate producers, students and youth about Florida forages
- Expand knowledge of forage and grassland production nationwide through affiliation with AFGC
The new council plans to hold annual meetings to provide face-to-face interaction with producers, hold various forage field days across the state and provide quarterly forage newsletters.
Other states with AFGC affiliate councils include: Oregon, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Maryland/Delaware.
Go to the AFGC website to learn more about participation in American Forage and Grassland Council and its affiliate councils. 
—From American Forage and Grassland Council news release
