CFCS 44th Annual Meeting Hosted by:

News update!
CFCS Abstract Deadline Reminder!

44^th Annual

Caribbean Food Crops Society Meeting

“Repositioning Caribbean Agriculture: Challenges & Opportunities for Sustainability”

 July 13-17, 2008

Miami, Florida, USA

Register Now  •  Call for Abstracts Open  •  Register Now  •  Call for Abstracts Open  •  Register Now  •  Call for Abstracts Open

If you have not yet registered or submitted an abstract for consideration please do so now at:

http://cfcs.eea.uprm.edu/44th_Meeting/Home.htm

  ***contact information for principal program organizers can be found at the end of this message*** 

Greetings:

 We hope you are making plans to travel to Miami, Florida for the 44^th Annual Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS) Meeting scheduled for July 13-17, 2008.  We have more news updates for you this week.  Topics covered in this news update include:

Abstract Deadline EXTENDED:  May 26, 2008 (Memorial Day Observed for U.S.)

Special Sessions to be Featured at 44^th CFCS Meeting:  6 Sessions You Won’t Want to Miss!

Preregistration Incentive:  Free Transportation to & From Miami Airport!

Registration Deadline Reminder:  July 1, 2008 for Online Registration (On-Site Registration Is Available)

Hotel Reservation Deadline Reminder:  June 12, 2008

 For these important CFCS news updates, read on:

ABSTRACT DEADLINE EXTENDED!
NEW ABSTRACT DEADLINE: MAY 26, 2008 (MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED FOR U.S.)

While responses for abstract submissions have been excellent, a number of special requests with good reasons have come to our attention, asking for a deadline extension.  That will benefit others who may have been considering attending but couldn’t prepare an abstract by the original May 16, 2008 deadline.  We have therefore extended the deadline to May 26, 2008.  That will give you an extra week plus a weekend to prepare and submit abstracts for the CFCS meeting.  Be sure to take advantage of this deadline extension!

 SPECIAL SESSIONS TO BE FEATURED AT 44^th CFCS MEETING:

1. T-STAR Sponsored Invasive Species Workshop

A full-day Invasive Species Symposium, organized by the Caribbean Invasive Species Working Group (CISWG), will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.  For additional information please contact Dr. Carlton Davis at cgdavis@ufl.edu or Dr. Waldy Klassen at klassen@ufl.edu.

2. Red Palm Mite Meeting

For anyone with an interest in the red palm mite invasion, a special meeting focused on this invasive species has been added to the 44^th Annual Meeting’s agenda.  The red palm mite entered the Caribbean in 2004 and spread widely throughout the Caribbean region, attacking coconut and many other species of palm and also attacking banana and plantain trees, heliconias, gingers, bird of paradise and screw pine, endangering these valuable plants.  The red palm mite entered Florida in late 2007, putting Florida’s crops and landscapes at risk, as well.  It is believed this invasive species is spread by the wind and through souvenir sales of items made from palm tree products.  Join this special meeting of experts from around the Caribbean to learn more about this red-flag issue.  The meeting will take place from 6:00 – 7:30 pm on Tuesday July 15, 2008.  Contact Amy Roda for additional information:  Amy.L.Roda@aphis.usda.gov

3. Small Ruminant Session

A small ruminant session, organized by Florida A&M University, will take place in the poster area during the poster session on Tuesday July 15, 2008 from 7:30 – 11:00 pm.  Contact Angela McKenzie-Jakes for information (angela.mckenziejakes@famu.edu; http://www.famu.edu/goats).  A portion of the poster room area will be devoted to posters and display materials related to small ruminant production and health.  Tables will be available for display materials and poster boards will be available for presentation of poster material.  Submit your abstract according to instructions at http://cfcs.eea.uprm.edu/44th_Meeting/Home.htm and indicate in the body of your email that your abstract is for the Small Ruminant Session.  The abstract deadline for the Small Ruminant Session has also been extended to May 26, 2008.

4. Agricultural Experiment Station Directors and PROCICARIBE Joint Meeting
A joint meeting of PROCICARIBE and Directors of Agricultural Experiment Stations in the Caribbean will occur on Tuesday afternoon, July 15, 2008, from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, for discussion of topics of joint interest.  For further information contact Bruce Lauckner at blauckner@cardi.org or Dr. Altagracia Rivera de Castillo at ariveradecastillo@gmail.com.

5. CACHE:  Board Meeting and General Assembly
The CACHE Board will meet the afternoon of Tuesday July 15, 2008 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.  The CACHE General Assembly will meet the following day, Wednesday July 16, 2008.  For further information contact Dr. Dyer Narinesingh at dnarinesingh@fsa.uwi.tt or Dr. John Fernandez at john@uprm.edu.

6. Caribbean Regional Diagnostic Network (CRDN)
A demonstration of the newly developed CRDN will take place in the poster room area.  Microscopes and a live internet connection will be available to demonstrate the system in real time.  The CRDN website can be found at http://crdn.ifas.ufl.edu/crdn/home.jsp.  Don’t miss this impressive demonstration! Learn how this technology is solving real-world problems.

 PREREGISTRATION INCENTIVE:

For participants who preregister and prepay for the CFCS meeting by the July 1, 2008 deadline, we will provide free ground transportation to and from the Miami International Airport.  Be sure and preregister via the website at:  http://cfcs.eea.uprm.edu/44th_Meeting/Home.htm.

 REGISTRATION DEADLINE REMINDER:

Online registration will close on July 1, 2008.  On-site registration will be available beginning at 2:00 pm Sunday July 13, 2008 at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa hotel.  Pre-registrations paid via the website, with an airline flight into the Miami International Airport, will qualify for free transportation to and from the airport.

HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE REMINDER:

Be sure to reserve your hotel room by the June 12, 2008 deadline.  Reservations made after this date cannot be guaranteed availability of a room.  A block of only 250 rooms has been held for this annual meeting, so be sure to reserve your hotel room now.

About CFCS:

The CFCS organization attracts experts from a variety of disciplines, including horticulture, agricultural and biological engineering, marine science, natural resources, and animal science among other areas that pertain to agriculture and food resources in the greater Caribbean basin.  A very exciting, engaging, and timely program has been planned.  We invite your attendance and ask you to share this message with faculty, graduate students, and others whom we know will be interested in participating.  Scholarships for students are available on a limited basis. 

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For more information about the CFCS meeting, please contact Marti Dettman-Kruse, Linda Evans, or Mark Trujillo.  We look forward to seeing you in Miami.

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For more information about the CFCS meeting, please contact Marti Dettman-Kruse, Linda Evans, or Mark Trujillo.  We look forward to seeing you in Miami.

Marti Dettman-Kruse
Phone: (352) 392-1965
Email: martidk@ufl.edu

Linda Evans
Phone: (352) 392-1965
E-mail evanslin@ufl.edu

Mark Trujillo
Phone: (352) 392-7141
Email: mt@ufl.edu