Tea researchers, growers and prospective growers gathered at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra on Thursday, June 7 for Tea Research Day. The event showcases the tea research project led by Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology Brantlee Spakes Richter and Professor of Horticulture Sciences Bala Rathinasabapathi.

Established with a 2015 Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services specialty crops block grant, the project aims to determine the viability of growing tea plants in Florida.

Attendees heard updates from growers and researchers, discussed research priorities, and visited the plot where the experimental tea plants are grown.

“The goal of this was to bring everyone together in one room to talk about their experiences, and to help prioritize what we as researchers should be doing for the next few years,” said Dr. Spakes Richter. “We want to make sure we’re prioritizing our research program in a way that makes sense and is most beneficial to the current growers and soon-to-be growers.”

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