By Emily Bruce, 1/14/2026

Attending the Florida Strawberry Growers Association Tailgate was stepping right into the heart of Florida’s strawberry community. Located at the FSGA pavilion in Dover, the event brought together growers, industry partners, researchers, and supporters in a setting that was relaxed, welcoming, and full of connection. The tailgate atmosphere created an easygoing space where conversations were held, plates were piled high with delicious food, and people took time to catch up, share ideas, and celebrate the industry that supports so many families across the state.

The smell of local favorites filled the air as partners set up tables, offering not just easy to eat food, but opportunities to talk about everything from crop protection and irrigation to the latest strawberry varieties and the upcoming season. What stood out most was how approachable everyone was, longtime growers swapping stories with newer faces, university researchers discussing innovations alongside research fields, and allied businesses strengthening relationships. We were grateful to contribute a yummy local peach salsa snack donated by the Gill Family and have conservation conversations throughout the event.

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association has a long-standing mission of supporting growers through advocacy, education, and research, and this tailgate perfectly reflected that purpose. It wasn’t just about presentations (which were included and gave a lot of educational insight); it was about bringing people together in a meaningful way. It was such a wonderful event being around a group of people who work hard, take pride in what they do, and come together each season no matter how challenging it gets.