New Facilities At UF’s Mid-Florida Research And Education Center

By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281

Source(s):
Don Poucher info@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-0437
Robert Stamps rhs@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (407) 884-2034

APOPKA—Members of the Florida Legislature and Board of Regents will dedicate a new $12.7 million addition to the University of Florida’s Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka on May 31.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. State Rep. Frederick Brummer, R-Apopka, will introduce state Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Orlando, who will present the dedicatory address.

Regent Gwendolyn McLin of Okahumpka will dedicate the 40,000- square-foot facility, which includes a research laboratory, library, teaching and administrative complex. State Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, will accept the building for the state of Florida.

Robert Stamps, the center’s acting director, will introduce guests, and Charles Conover, professor emeritus and former center director, will provide a historical perspective on the Apopka program since its inception in 1965.

Mike Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources who will preside over dedication ceremonies, said the new facilities are part of an ongoing consolidation program by the UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, bringing research and education programs previously conducted at Leesburg and Sanford to the Apopka campus.

“The consolidation of our programs, including 16 faculty and 60 staff members, at a single site in Apopka will better serve growers, students and consumers in the mid-Florida area,” Martin said. “The MREC research program will continue to emphasize biotechnology, horticultural sciences, plant pathology, environmental horticulture, crop breeding, entomology, and food and resource economics.”

Martin said the program will focus on developing new plant varieties with improved growth and pest-resistance characteristics; more efficient, profitable and environmentally sensitive plant production systems; improved pest, disease and nutrient management practices; and advanced economic analysis and planning.

Extension programs at the center will be increased to better serve various clientele groups, he said. New education and training programs in horticulture, pest management and other areas will be provided to the central Florida community.

Martin said consolidation will allow UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to expand teaching programs for place- and time-bound students in Central Florida. The expanded teaching program will be closely linked to existing state universities and community colleges in the area, similar to programs in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce and Milton.

He said the expanded teaching programs, which can accommodate 200 students per semester, will offer bachelor of science degree training in environmental horticulture and pest management.

Industry representatives expected to attend the dedication ceremonies include: Ben Bolusky, executive director of the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association; Ivy King, president of Florida Fern Growers; Glenn Rogers, past chairman and current director of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association; Gary Cox, president of the Florida Grape Growers Association; Roger Lewis, president of the Florida Pest Control Association; Mark Jarrell, president of the Florida Turfgrass Association; Samantha Winters, director of communications for the Florida Watermelon Growers and National Watermelon Promotion Board.

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Posted: May 18, 2000


Category: UF/IFAS



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