By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
Don Poucher info@ifas.ufl.edu, 352-392-0437
Michael Martin mvm@ifas.ufl.edu, 352-392-1971
GAINESVILLE, FLA.—Martha Rhodes Roberts, the retiring deputy commissioner with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, has been named director of industry relations for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Roberts’ appointment was announced today by Michael Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources and chief executive officer of UF/IFAS.
“Martha Roberts’ long history of meritorious service to Florida agriculture and natural resource industries provides her with the perfect platform to serve as UF/IFAS liaison to those industries. In that role, she will be responsible for our programs in agricultural profitability and sustainability,” Martin said.
He said Roberts also has strong experience in trade issues and will be of invaluable assistance to the UF/IFAS International Trade Center in developing programs that will enhance international marketing strategies for Florida’s agricultural producers. Roberts, whose appointment becomes effective Dec. 1, will be working for UF/IFAS under contract.
She began her career with the Florida agriculture department as a microbiologist/chemist in the department’s food laboratory from 1968 to 1970, and she served as assistant chief from 1970 to 1972. She became chief of the laboratory as well as assistant commissioner of agriculture in 1984, remaining in those positions until 1991 when she was appointed deputy commissioner.
Roberts has participated in and been appointed to federal advisory groups, committees, workshops and associations, providing technical or strategic input to, among others, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She served as president of the Association of Food and Drug Officials, which includes members in all states, FDA and USDA. She was instrumental in organizing the Conference for Food Protection, a national body to set food safety standards for all states.
Her accomplishments are many and varied. They include obtaining federal support for critical pest eradication programs and helping obtain Environmental Protection Agency approval for chemicals to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly during the 1997-1998 infestation.
As an authority on food safety issues, Roberts has enabled producers, packers and processors to minimize food contamination and ensure the highest quality products for consumers. As a member of the Institute of Food Technologists’ Science Advisory Board, she provided extensive input on the scientific review and analysis of issues in food safety, food processing and human health.
Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in biology summa cum laude from North Georgia College and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia, where she also earned a doctorate in microbiology. She has been honored on numerous occasions by the agriculture and natural resource industries. In 2003, she was named to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.
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