By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
Mike Martin mvm@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1971
George Hochmuth gjh@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (850) 875-7116
Don Poucher info@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-0437
Cheryl Vergot cvergot@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (850) 875-7112
QUINCY, Fla.—Dedication ceremonies for “The Fountain H. May, Sr. Building” at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy will be held April 3, naming the facility in honor of an agricultural leader who has helped introduce Florida nursery products around the world.
Construction on the 28,000-square-foot facility started in Dec. 2000, made possible by a $5-million appropriation from the Florida Legislature.
The facility, which is part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, will be used for research and education on plant science, including plant breeding, plant disease, insect and nematode pests, forestry, soil science and rural development, said George Hochmuth, center director. The programs are designed to improve production of agronomic crops and forages as well as vegetables, fruit crops and ornamentals.
“The new laboratory building, greenhouse and nursery area will provide the needed modern facilities for the research, extension and teaching faculty and staff at the center,” Hochmuth said. “The new facility will allow UF/IFAS to serve our clientele with the most up-to-date research and education programs possible.”
Mike Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said May’s contributions over the past 50 years to Florida agriculture and the UF have been enormously helpful.
“It’s appropriate that we honor him at this time,” Martin said. “May’s work with the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association (FNGA), particularly his efforts to promote a global marketplace for Florida products in Europe and the Far East, deserves special recognition.
“In addition, May has been a valuable supporter of UF in the state and in Washington, D.C. His support and gifts to UF’s SHARE (Special Help for Agricultural Research and Education) private support program are greatly appreciated,” Martin said.
May is a member of the Gadsden County Farm Bureau and former governor of the American Association of Nurserymen, former president of the Southern Nurserymen’s Association and former president of the Florida Nursery and Allied Trade Show.
He was honored as Florida Nurseryman of the Year by FNGA in 1982, Outstanding Farmer of the Year by the Gadsden County Farm Bureau in 1983 and Nurseryman of the Year by the Southern Nurserymen’s Association in 1992. He was elected to the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2001.
The dedication ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with welcoming remarks from Martin, followed by Hochmuth, who will introduce guests.
Dedicatory comments will be provided by Jerry Osteen, president of the Gadsden County Cattlemen’s Association, Will Maxwell, president of the Gadsden County Tomato Growers Association, Cindy O’Connell, member of the UF Board of Trustees, and state Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee.
The building will be formally accepted by state Rep. Curtis Richardson, D-Tallahassee, state Rep. Bev Kilmer, R-Marianna, Martin, Hochmuth and George Hackney, president of Hackney Nursery in Greensboro.
May will conclude the dedication with comments about the new building, the North Florida Research and Education Center and the value of statewide UF/IFAS teaching, research and extension programs.
Beginning at 11 a.m., there will be an “open house” celebration, and the public is invited to visit the new facility.
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