Hillsborough County Site Selected For New UF/IFAS Research Center

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has announced the intent to locate a new consolidated research and education center at Balm in Hillsborough County.

The proposed $12 million center will merge the programs of the 75-year-old Gulf Coast Research and Education Center at Bradenton and a field laboratory site at Dover near Plant City. The center will conduct research on tomatoes and vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, and strawberries. The new facility conforms to a legislative mandate to consolidate and regionalize the UF/IFAS research and education network.

Discussion of the new research center started in December, during a special session of the legislature as UF/IFAS was facing a potential $8-million budget reduction, and sought to lower operating costs by eliminating or replacing older facilities. Funds for the new state-of-the-art center will come from proceeds of the sale of the existing research site and facilities in Manatee County.

The new center’s site will be recommended to the UF Board of Trustees by UF Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mike Martin, and was selected from two locations: one, near Duette in Manatee County and the other, near Balm in Hillsborough County.

Martin heads UF/IFAS, the organization conducting the University of Florida’s research and education programs in agricultural, and natural and human resources.

“We have studied the alternatives from every possible angle. We received valuable input from industry leaders as well as our own scientists. This proved to be a difficult close call because both counties offered generous and attractive options,” Martin said.

A 12-member committee of farmers and faculty provided advice to Martin on the two sites. Both tracts, 475 acres in Hillsborough County and 440 acres in Manatee County, were offered free to UF/IFAS. In the end, Martin made the choice from input received from the committee. The final choice was based on the site best suited to serve regional agricultural and natural resources needs and concerns and is the more economically attractive alternative.

“The decision came down to choosing the site that offers the best long-term possibilities to build and continually rebuild truly excellent, responsive research and education programs which will address the current and future needs of the region. Be assured UF/IFAS is committed to serving the entire region’s industries and citizens effectively and efficiently. The new center will be central in keeping this commitment,” Martin said.

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Posted: August 21, 2002


Category: UF/IFAS



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