Taking Fertilizer Knowledge to the Next Level

Josh McGill Education, Nutrition

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has launched a new online graduate certificate program for agricultural professionals. “The certificate program is called Fertilizer Science and Technology, offered completely online at the student’s pace and oriented to growers, consultants, suppliers and regulators,” says Kelly Morgan, UF/IFAS professor of soil fertility and water management. The certificate is …

Scholarship Opportunity for Ag Students

Tacy Callies Education, Scholarship

Agriculture students at four Florida colleges and universities can apply for Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association (FFAA) Ag Scholarships by Sept. 9. The schools are Florida A&M University (FAMU), Florida Southern College (FSC), University of Florida (UF) and Warner University. The FFAA Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to qualified upper-level university and college students in agriculture or a very closely-related major. The scholarships are …

Get the Newest UF/IFAS Info at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Josh McGill Citrus Expo, Education, Tip of the Week

By Jamie Burrow and Ruth Borger Over the last several months, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus team has been preparing for the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The excitement is in the air as many faculty are preparing seminar presentations on valuable information that growers may use today to support their operations. …

A Transformative Program

Josh McGill Education

By J. Scott Angle Morgan McKenna always knew she’d return home some day. Three previous generations of McKennas hadn’t just made a living from citrus. They’d made a life of it. It’s a life she wanted, too. Morgan saw the family business as family first and business second. She was most interested in the emotional rewards of coming home to …

New Water School to Open at Florida Gulf Coast University

Tacy Callies Education, Water

Florida’s seashores, lakes, rivers and springs make it a unique spot in the world. In Southwest Florida, water is an area of intense focus in recent years as various sectors work to protect the resource. Florida Gulf Coast University, in Fort Myers, has established The Water School, recognizing the critical role water plays in the region. A new 114,000-square-foot teaching …

Seminar Schedule Announced for Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Tacy Callies Citrus Expo, Education

Growers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo scheduled for Aug. 17–18 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. Complimentary registration is available for all growers, packers, shippers, processors, association members and university researchers. Josh McGill, show director, discusses why industry members should attend this year’s event. “We’re really …

Alternative Management Tools for ACP Under Development

Josh McGill Education, HLB Management, Psyllids

By Lourdes C. Pérez Cordero Management of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in the HLB era is incredibly important. This well-known insect can vector and facilitate the spread of the bacterium associated with HLB disease. Therefore, effective reduction of ACP populations can be beneficial for the citrus industry. But how exactly do we manage this pest? Unfortunately, there is not …

New SWFREC Director Named

Josh McGill Education, Industry News Release, Research

Michael Burton has been named the next director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC). He’s scheduled to start at the Immokalee facility on July 1. Burton recently served for 17 months as proxy for the dean of Missouri State University’s William H. Darr College of Agriculture. He …

Citrus Innovation Center Coming to Lakeland

Josh McGill Education

In a public-private partnership, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) will occupy citrus-related laboratory and creative space in a new building to be built at Florida Polytechnic University (FPU) in Lakeland. The Citrus Innovation Center will be financed, built, operated, maintained and owned by private entities. Randy K. Avent, president of FPU, said that having a solid research partner such as …

Tip of the Hat to University of Florida Citrus Graduate Students

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, Education, Research

During the March All In For Citrus podcast, Michael Rogers, director of the Citrus Research and Education Center, gave props to graduate students in the citrus program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). There are 65 students currently enrolled in the program carrying out their studies across the state. “Graduate students play a huge …

Sign Up Citrus Workers for Safety Program

Tacy Callies Education, Labor, Safety

Due to a surge in infections related to the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) 2022 Ag Worker Safety Program is being offered virtually through June 30. It became available Feb. 1. UF/IFAS has alerted fresh citrus growers, packers and shippers about the program’s availability. This annual bilingual training is designed to …

Workshop to Focus on Irrigation and Nutrition

Josh McGill Education, Irrigation, Nutrition

Citrus growers depend on the latest information about best irrigation and nutrition strategies for growing productive trees. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers will share recent results regarding optimal crop management at a workshop and field visit opportunity on Feb. 8 at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) in Lake Alfred. Davie Kadyampakeni, assistant …

Attracting Students to the Citrus Industry

Ernie Neff Education

Citrus Australia is preparing a program to improve education opportunities and employment pathways in the citrus industry, as well as in wider horticulture. Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock said the industry is committed to forming a deeper partnership with education providers to ensure students are aware of the diverse career pathways in the citrus industry. “Currently there is a huge …

Alico Citrus Announces Summer Internships

Ernie Neff Education

Alico Citrus has announced internship openings for the summer of 2022. The deadline to apply is Dec. 10, 2021 and interviews will be conducted Dec. 13-16. The official start date for interns will be May 17, 2022. Interns at Alico Citrus will receive an opportunity to see all components of the citrus caretaking business. This is a paid internship. Interns …

FFVA Emerging Leaders Class Named

Ernie Neff Education

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently announced the selection of 15 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders for Class 11 of its Emerging Leader Development Program.  Class 11 members are: Miles Armstrong, TradeMark Nitrogen, Tampa Jackson Autry, Everglades Equipment, Belle Glade Ben Backus, DLF Packing, Fort Pierce Matt Bardin, Glades Crop Care Inc., Jupiter Gracelyn Byrd, U.S. Sugar, Moore Haven …

Summer Citrus Intern Sought for 2022

Ernie Neff Education

Syngenta Crop Protection is seeking a paid citrus intern for the summer of 2022. The company will assign the intern to a mentor and a territory, and provide a vehicle for work use. The intern will gain experience with territory management and pest and disease identification. Opportunities will be provided to gain sales and marketing experience and exposure to the …

Keeping Young Ag Workers Safe

Ernie Neff Education, Safety

The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) announced resources that can be used to help keep young agriculture workers safe. NCCRAHS pointed out that there are serious risks to children doing farm work, as well as positives. During the past decade, more youth have died working in agriculture than in all other industries combined, the …

Apply for FFVA Leader Program

Ernie Neff Education

The application period for Class 11 of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s (FFVA) Emerging Leader Development Program is now open. The submission deadline is July 15.  Since 2011, more than 100 participants have graduated from the program, which develops leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. Graduates are expected to make lasting contributions to the industry and enhance their …

Educational Opportunities for Growers

Ernie Neff Citrus Expo, Education

Michael Rogers discusses several educational opportunities for citrus growers, including the Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo and Citrus Packinghouse Day. Rogers is the director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). The Expo (Aug. 18-19) and Packinghouse Day (Aug. 26) will be held in-person this year after taking …

Increasing Agriculture Literacy

Ernie Neff Agriculture, Education

Agriculture is the second largest industry in Florida, but there is uncertainty about the industry’s labor force, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recently reported. UF/IFAS stated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the market value of Florida agriculture at more than $7.46 billion. “But career interest from youth does not match the size …