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Contact Information:

Jayne Moraski

Director of Economic Development and

The Original Florida Tourism Task Force

North Central Florida Regional Planning Council

352.955.2200 x.106

moraski@ncfrpc.org

Council for Sustainable Florida Presents Promising Practice Award to The Original Florida Tourism Task Force

Tallahassee, FL– Renowned nature photographer John Moran joined the Council for Sustainable Florida Monday in Tallahassee to honor business, non-profit, education and individual leaders committed to preserving the environment and creating a healthy economy for Florida.

The Original Florida Tourism Task Force received a promising practice award for agritourism workshops hosted in North Florida from December 2006 to February 2007.

The Original Florida Tourism Task Force in conjunction with the University of Florida’s IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center hosted a series of three workshops aimed at exposing residents of North Florida to alternative uses of farm lands and natural resources. The goal was to create a "one-stop shop" to introduce agritourism to persons who have interest but little exposure to this type of business; and to find ways to improve and expand existing agritourism businesses.

A total of 124 participants attended the workshops, an average of 41 on each day. From their evaluations the workshops were very successful. Of the participants who responded to the evaluation survey 91% said that they found the workshops to be helpful and 86% indicated that they were likely to start an agritourism activity because they attended the workshops. Financial assistance was provided by VISIT FLORIDATM, and Farm Credit of North Florida, and the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

The Council for Sustainable Florida presented awards in several categories including Leadership, Small Business, Large Business, Government, Non-Profit, Business Partnership, a Green Building Award and the Legacy Award.

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Editor’s Note: The Original Florida Tourism Task Force is a non-profit group that seeks to market the unique tourism destinations in Natural North Florida – the region from Tallahassee to Gainesville to Cedar Key and everything in between.

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