By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
Christine Waddill (352) 392-1761
Everett Emino (352) 392-1784
STUART—Three interdisciplinary teams in the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) were honored for outstanding contributions in research and extension at the Florida Association of Extension Professionals conference in Stuart, Sept. 14.
The awards were presented to faculty and staff by Christine Waddill, UF/IFAS dean for extension, and Everett Emino, UF/IFAS assistant dean for research.
Extension Team Award
The Florida House Learning Center, a model home and landscape in Sarasota County featuring environmentally friendly materials and construction methods, received the Interdisciplinary Extension Team Award. The team includes eight members.
“This showcase for resource conservation and technology was built as a result of a unique public/private partnership between the Sarasota County Extension Service and the Florida House Institute,” said county Extension Director Michael Holsinger.
“The house, which has attracted more than 65,000 visitors and national media attention, demonstrates energy efficiency, water conservation, healthy house concepts, and the use of renewable and recycled materials,” he said.
The project includes active and passive solar applications, cisterns and gray water utilization. The site also features composting, drought-tolerant plants, micro-irrigation and storm water mitigation. Many local, state and national builders have incorporated these features in new homes and office buildings.
In addition to Holsinger, Jean Meadows and Mark Shelby, extension agents in Sarasota, were recognized. Others on the Sarasota County team were Betty Alpaugh, program specialist at the Florida House Learning Center; Allen Garner, coordinator of Florida Yards and Neighborhoods; Ellie Gibeau, secretary at Florida House; Marjorie Rigney, administrative coordinator; and Patricia Porche, horticulturist.
Research & Extension Team Award
The Dairy Business Analysis Project, which includes nine faculty members, received the Interdisciplinary Research and Extension Team Award.
The project, which has received more positive feedback from the Florida dairy industry than any other UF/IFAS dairy research and extension program, helps operators increase profitability by adjusting seasonal milk production to meet consumer demand.
Heat stress reduces milk yields by 15 to 25 percent and reduces the number of cows conceiving after insemination by 90 percent. As a result, Florida milk production can vary from a daily low of 5.2 million pounds in September to a daily high of 7.8 million pounds in March — a 50 percent change during the calendar year.
“This project has helped them correct the disparity between costs and revenues, which causes acute financial stress on Florida dairies,” said Glen Hembry, chairman of the UF Department of Animal Sciences. “Farmers can now compare their costs, returns, production levels and efficiencies with other dairies in Florida and Georgia.”
He said the management and marketing program has reduced milk import costs by $2.3 million and export costs by $1.1 million. The program also helps dairy farmers evaluate the cost and value of using new technologies.
The team includes Andy Andreasen, Washington County extension director, Chipley; Russ Giesy, Sumter County extension agent, Bushnell; Marvin Hoekema, business and financial coordinator in the Department of Food and Resource Economics, Gainesville; Richard Kilmer, professor in the department; Oliver Miller, Okeechobee County extension agent, Okeechobee; Travis Seawright, Manatee County extension agent, Palmetto; Mary Sowerby, Hillsborough County extension agent, Seffner; Thomas Spreen, professor in the Department of Food and Resource Economics, Gainesville, and Christopher Vann, Lafayette County extension agent, Mayo.
Research Team Award
The Forestry Biology Research Cooperative, which includes six faculty in the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation, received the Interdisciplinary Research Team Award.
Formed in 1996, the cooperative includes faculty in genetics, physiology, silviculture and pathology working with the forest industry and other government scientists to increase the productivity, health and sustainability of forests.
“This 14 million acre resource, which includes five million acres of planted pine in Florida, is critically important to the state’s economy,” said Wayne Smith, professor and director of the school. “It is critical that the industry as well as non-industrial private landowners remain competitive in the global forest economy, where some foreign markets have gained the advantage due to rapid tree growth rates conditioned by favorable soils and climates.
“If the forest industry cannot remain competitive with other land uses, the green space will be lost to other development,” Smith said.
Those honored with the award were George Blakeslee, associate professor; Eric Jokela, professor; Timothy Martin, assistant professor; Donald Rockwood, professor; Robert Schmidt, professor; and Timothy White, professor.
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