In the latest phase of COVID-19 re-openings, more citrus researchers have returned to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) laboratories. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the number of researchers allowed in labs had been gradually increasing throughout the pandemic. Rogers also discusses an award won by a CREC researcher, work on …
Citrus Professor Awarded by UF/IFAS Extension Peers
Water is essential to citrus growers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow their trees and sustain their livelihood. Soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they have access to the most current research in water use and soil nutrient …
UF/IFAS Remains Resilient Amid COVID-19 Challenges
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a virtual statewide discussion for stakeholders on June 8 to provide an update on its initiatives. The emphasis was on efforts and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the webinar, Nick Place, UF/IFAS Extension dean and director, highlighted Extension’s efforts to address the COVID-19 challenges. “This has …
UF/IFAS Extension Agents Team Up to Better Serve Citrus Growers
Florida’s citrus growers have long benefited from productive relationships with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension commercial citrus agents. And it’s about to get better. Citrus agents operating in Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties are launching a new newsletter. They hope to use the platform to streamline important communications with growers, share …
UF/IFAS: More Ways to Reach Citrus Growers
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) personnel are finding more ways to stay in touch with growers safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are doing it online and by phone; some are now even being allowed to visit in person, like at groves owned by growers cooperating with UF/IFAS on research. If UF/IFAS personnel do show …
UF/IFAS Welcomes New Entomologist
In mid-April, Tolulope Morawo began a new position as an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce. He joins UF’s statewide effort to protect crops and natural environments with integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. In 2017, Morawo completed his doctorate degree …
UF/IFAS Names New VP of Agriculture
University of Florida President W. Kent Fuchs announced today that J. Scott Angle will be joining the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) as vice president of agriculture and natural resources. His first day will be July 13, 2020. “Dr. Angle will oversee UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with more than 6,000 students, the Florida …
UF/IFAS Working Through COVID-19
Whether in the field or from home, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus staffers are working for growers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center at Lake Alfred, tells how. “We still are doing business right now,” Rogers says. “IFAS continues to provide support in any way …
UF/IFAS Still Serving Citrus Growers
Like much of the rest of the world, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has closed its research and Extension facilities to visitors because of COVID-19. The closures are intended to protect the public and UF/IFAS employees from the coronavirus. Additionally, all UF/IFAS-sponsored events have been cancelled through the end of April. But UF/IFAS employees …
Grower Input Needed in Selection Process for UF/IFAS Leader
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Jack Payne is set to retire this summer. After a national search process, four finalists to fill his position were invited to the Gainesville campus and to the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred to meet with faculty, staff, students …
UF/IFAS Plant and Soil Diagnostic Labs Remain Operational
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants growers to know its diagnostic labs are continuing to operate during the COVID-19 crisis. Plant and soil health are critical to agriculture, an industry designated as essential during the pandemic. Therefore plant, soil and water testing will continue to be available. The following UF/IFAS labs are receiving and …
UF/IFAS and FDACS Working to Bring Pesticide Licensing Online
(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are working to identify ways to provide online testing for certified pesticide applicators while in-person testing is unavailable due to COVID-19. All in-person UF/IFAS Extension programs and activities, including pesticide testing, have been postponed or cancelled through …
New UF/IFAS Citrus Extension Agent
(UF/IFAS) — When you meet Ajia Paolillo, you might think that everything old is new again. That’s because Paolillo, the new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) citrus agent for DeSoto, Hardee and Manatee counties, leans heavily on the experience of faculty colleagues from previous experiences. “I learned so much working with Stephen Futch, Bill …
Growers Prepare for Winter Weather With UF/IFAS Extension
(UF/IFAS) — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension will educate growers on how to protect their crops and prepare for cold weather at the upcoming Winter Weather School. This year, the event will address winter crop protection for citrus, blueberries and ornamental plants; all of which need cold protection during severe weather. “While we have …
Sample the Latest Citrus From UF/IFAS
(UF/IFAS) — As citrus growers, packers, processors, gift-fruit shippers and others taste, feel and smell the latest varieties from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), they hope their taste buds explode with flavor and that a fresh aroma fills the room at the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). These participants will get two more …
UF/IFAS Adds Fourth Citrus Nutrition Workshop
Responding to strong grower interest, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has added a fourth event to its roster of citrus nutrition workshops this fall. The event happens 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, at the UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County office in Sebring. For more information, visit citrusnutritionprogramsebring.eventbrite.com. Admission is free and …
UF/IFAS to Add Citrus Plant Improvement Specialist
Many citrus growers want to replant their groves that are withering because of greening. But they need field data to know which varieties to plant. Gathering that information takes time. As a rule, though, it takes 15 to 20 years to develop a new citrus variety and get data on how it will perform in the field before it is …
Nutrient Sampling to Be Funded by UF/IFAS
A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) official announced at Citrus Expo that UF/IFAS will fund “starter kits” for nutrient sampling. Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Director Michael Rogers says the kits will allow for leaf and soil sampling in a 20-acre block for a year. Growers can get the starter kits at meetings slated …
UF/IFAS Personnel Honored
Two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus researchers and one citrus Extension agent were honored this summer, two by the Florida Entomological Society and one by UF/IFAS. JAWWAD QURESHIEntomologist Jawwad Qureshi received the Entomologist of the Year award at the Florida Entomological Society annual meeting. He was also named president of the society for 2018–19. …
UF/IFAS Helps Assess, Manage New Fruit Bug
Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are already trying to help growers figure out how to effectively manage the problems created by an invasive pest – confirmed last week in Highlands County — that could further erode citrus production at a time when growers are just beginning to turn the corner on managing …