Last Updated on November 29, 2018 by Angela Colonna
This week, we would like to spotlight Jared Fuqua, an undergraduate plant science student here at the UF IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Jared started his schooling at Valencia College then transferred into the UF College of Agricultural and LIfe Sciences to get his bachelor’s degree but wanted to stay in Central Florida to work at a local nursery. Read his story below.
1. What is your major or main area of study? Do you have a specialization? I am studying plant science with greenhouse management, but as I get deeper I may decide to change some things up.
2. What is your main motivation to work with plants? I grew up on a farm, and have land available to produce food on. Also random jobs have made me realize I enjoy working with plants.
3. What is your favorite plant? My favorite plant is the everglade tomato.
4. When did you realize you enjoyed working with plants and/or the natural sciences? First interest was in 2010, when I did landscape at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City. But after I got my own house and got into gardening I fell head over heels for it.
5. What is your hometown? Dothan, Alabama.
6. Have you always been a University of Florida student or did you transfer to UF? I transferred to UF after completing my associate of arts (AA) degree at Valencia College in Orlando.
7. If you could have lunch with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? Hard not to say family, in which case it would be my peepaw, Thomas Fuqua. But honestly just a random survivor who moved to early America and had to struggle to set up some sustainability with little to no resources.
8. What is your dream job? Own and operate my own sustainable farm as much off the grid as possible.
9. What is your favorite activity to do in your free time? Playing guitar and keeping up with US and global politics.
10. What is the best advice someone has given you? Doesn’t matter what you do, just do something. -My mother
For information about the UF plant science major and AA transfers follow this link or check out the MREC Teaching page.
For more information about UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ majors follow this link.
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