By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
Mike Martin mvm@mail.ifas.ulfl.edu, 352-392-1971
Jack Rechcigl rechcigl@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, 941-751-7636 ext. 225
Don Poucher info@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, 352-392-0437
BALM, Fla.—Groundbreaking ceremonies for the University of Florida’s new Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, Fla., will be held October 28, marking the beginning of a $15 million regional facility that will consolidate programs now located at Bradenton and Dover.
Congressman Adam Putnam, UF Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Mike Martin and UF Trustee Carlos Alfonso will speak at the 10 a.m. event, which is expected to attract agricultural producers, researchers, educators and other state officials from around the state.
Martin said the new center, which is part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), will continue to house an interdisciplinary research and education team to develop and disseminate new scientific knowledge and technology for ornamental, strawberry and vegetable growers. Spring 2005 is the target date for completing the facility.
“This research and education program will help Florida agricultural producers remain competitive in a global economy, and maintain and enhance the quality of our natural resources,” Martin said.
The Balm construction site includes 474 acres of land donated by Hillsborough County, along with $422,500 for developing the site. Martin said the property was selected because of its central location between Bradenton and Dover, high quality soil, water availability and overall good condition. It was formerly used for citrus production.
“The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Bradenton was sold to the Manatee County School Board, which is building a high school on the site,” Martin said. “Funds from the sale, along with the land and monetary donation from Hillsborough County and some state renovation funds, are the primary sources of funding for the $15 million center.”
Jack Rechcigl, director of the Gulf Coast center, said the center was originally established in 1925 to solve disease problems for local tomato growers. A facility near Dover was established in 1925 to conduct research on strawberry production. When the new center opens in Balm, the 21-acre Dover facility will be revert to Hillsborough County, he said.
In addition to managing faculty and staff from Bradenton and Dover, Rechcigl will oversee programs at the UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona, programs in aquaculture at UF/IFAS Ruskin Research and Education Center and UF/IFAS teaching programs at the Hillsborough Community College campus in Plant City.
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