February 2023 - 20
SE REGIONAL FRUIT & VEGETABLE CONFERENCE
Mr. Peach goes extra mile for industry
BY CHRIS KOGER
MANAGING EDITOR
A
ttendance at the Southeast Regional Fruit &
Vegetable Conference, which was Jan. 5-8 in
Savannah, Georgia, is back to pre-pandemic
numbers.
Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit
& Vegetable Association (GFVGA), said attendance was
more than 3,000, an increase of 12% from the 2022 show
and in line with pre-pandemic attendance numbers.
" The 2023 Southeast Conference was a testament to the
need growers have to come together in person to learn and
gain insights that they can take back to the farm and put
into use immediately for the 2023 season, " Butts said.
" We are able to bring together a wealth of
information and networking opportunities for growers
through the incredible support of our exhibitors and
education partners, " he said. " We're looking forward
to 2024 bringing even more value to our attendees,
partners and exhibitors. "
South Carolina Peach Council President Chris Yonce
(left), and 2023 Mr. Peach Award recipient Matthew
Flemming. Photo: Chris Koger
An auction netted more than $23,000 for association
needs.
Along with the expo and dozens of educational
sessions, GFVGA and co-organizer South Carolina
Peach Council recognized industry members in the
region that received accolades throughout the year, as
well as presenting their own awards, during its annual
awards breakfast during the conference.
Mr. Peach Award
Matthew Flemming, who owns Midland Insurance
Agency in Columbia, South Carolina, was recognized
with the Mr. Peach Award. Chris Yonce, president of the
South Carolina Peach Council, introduced Flemming,
noting that in 2003, his father, Larry Yonce (president
of the peach council at the time) gave Flemming's
grandfather the Mr. Peach Award. Ray Flemming
established the Midland Insurance Agency, which his
grandson Matthew joined in 1999. Matthew Flemming
took over the agency in 2003.
Yonce said Matthew Flemming's passion is working on
behalf of the farmers he represents.
" As an agent, Matthew is not obligated to fight to
make disaster aid available to all growers or to lobby for
better payment limits for growers, or to negotiate for
fair-risk assessments of high-value specialty crops like
peaches, but he did it, because that's the right thing to
do, " Yonce said.
" He didn't have to walk the halls of Congress on behalf
of producers regarding H-2A or farm labor needs,
but he did, " Yonce said. " Matthew is steadfast in his
commitment to agriculture, especially in South Carolina.
It is in his blood, and you can thank his grandad for that. "
20 | FEBRUARY 2023
http://www.provideagro.ca
February 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2023
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