Off-Campus Faculty and Facilities - Central Florida

 

Mid Florida Research and Education Center - Apopka, Florida

Changing demographics and clientele needs helped spur the consolidation of the research centers at Apopka (c.1969), Leesburg (c.1934), and Sanford (c.1927) into a new multi-million dollar research and education facility in Apopka. The Mid Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) staff of about 80, including 14 faculty, focus primarily on the science and art of growing and using plants for food and aesthetics and the related impacts on Florida life-styles.

MREC Research, Extension, and Teaching programs center on vegetable, fruit, and environmental horticulture crops in three broad areas of study: Plant Development - breeding, developmental biology, biotechnology, and economics; Plant Production - nutrition, water use, light, and horticulture; and Plant Protection - plant pathology, entomology and IPM. Additionally, a program studying the ecology and management of aquatic insect pests expands the scope of our mission.

Citrus Research and Education Center - Lake Alfred, Florida

The UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred is the world's largest center devoted to citrus. CREC scientists and engineers interact closely with the citrus industry to address pertinent issues in horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, postharvest and processing technology.

At CREC, seven plant pathology faculty lead programs on diseases such as tristeza, citrus canker, postbloom fruit drop, greasy spot, citrus blight, citrus brown rot, foliar fungal diseases, citrus psorosis and many others, including exotic diseases. There is ongoing research on the biology and molecular genetics of disease-causing organisms, detection methods and management strategies. ;CREC plant pathologists are also working with plant breeders to develop disease-resistant varieties for Florida.

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center - Balm, Florida

The University of Florida 's Institute for Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Educational Center in Balm is now officially in business. The new center, which broke ground in October 2003, combines programs of the Bradenton-based Gulf Coast Research and Education Center , which was established in 1925 as the Tomato Disease Laboratory to address disease problems in locally grown tomatoes, and the UF Strawberry Research Center in Dover , also established that year to conduct research on strawberry production. In addition to faculty and staff researchers, the center will host UF faculty from throughout the state as they pursue relevant research. The center also operates a regional diagnostic clinic to help growers identify and manage pest and disease problems. The regional research facility will serve the needs of growers and Florida citizens in Manatee, Sarasota , Hillsborough, Polk, Desoto and Hardee Counties.

Central Florida Faculty