AREERA Report of Accomplishment University of Florida/IFAS Florida A&M University/CESTA Research
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AREERA Report of Accomplishment University of Florida/IFAS Florida A&M University/CESTA Research (1862) and Extension (1862/1890) Federal Fiscal Year 2003 This document is produced yearly through the efforts of all of Florida’s 1862 and 1890 landgrant faculty and staff. Please note that this document is designed for electronic use and best viewed in Print Layout. For clarity and efficiency many areas have links to specific information on multiple levels. The best way to use this document is to click on the links for specific areas on the Table of Contents, and returning before moving on to the next section. ~ TABLE OF CONTENTS . AREERA Table of Contents . AREERA Executive Summary . Planned Critical Need Programs (identified by stakeholders) for Research and Extension Goal 1: An agricultural system that is highly competitive in the global economy. Through research and education, empower the agricultural system with knowledge that will improve competitiveness in domestic production, processing, and marketing. • To Enhance and Maintain Agricultural and Food Systems Goal 2: A safe and secure food and fiber system. To ensure an adequate food and fiber supply and food safety through improved science based detection, surveillance, prevention, and education. • Processing, Distribution, Safety and Security of Food Systems Goal 3: A healthy, well-nourished population. Through research and education on nutrition and development of more nutritious foods, enable people to make health promoting choices. • To Assist Individuals and Families Achieve Economic Well-Being and Life Quality Goal 4: Greater harmony between agriculture and the environment. Enhance the quality of the environment through better understanding of and building on agriculture's and forestry's complex links with soil, water, air, and biotic resources. • To Maintain and Enhance Florida’s Environment • To Create and Maintain Florida Friendly Landscapes: The Smart Way to Grow Goal 5: Enhanced economic opportunity and quality of life for Americans. Empower people and communities, through research-based information and education, to address economic and social challenges facing our youth, families, and communities. • To Develop Responsible and Productive Youth Through 4-H and Other Youth Programs • To Assist Individuals and Families Achieve Economic Well-Being and Life Quality • To Achieve Economic Prosperity and Community Vitality in Florida’s Urban and Rural Communities Goal 6: Improving Extension Performance (Human Capital) • To Promote Professional Development Activities Designed to Enhance Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness . Research Projects and Extension Programs . Stakeholder Input Process for Florida IFAS (includes FAMU and UF) . Scientific Peer and Merit Review Guidelines . Evaluation Form for Merit Review . Evaluation Form for Scientific Peer Review . Evaluation of the Success of Multi-State and Integrated Activites . Multi-state Extension Programs . Integrated Research projects . Integrated Extension projects . Statistical Tables . Appendix . List of Hatch Research Projects by Titles . List of State Major Programs by Title . FAIR Report . Reply to the FAIR Report . External Review . New Extension Goals and Focus Team Areas . Waivers ~ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Like most of the rest of the country, Florida has had to deal with the ramifications caused by 9/11 and the falling economy that occurred following that date. From 2001-2003 the Florida Legislature made cuts of approximately $12.4 million that, when coupled with the flat budget in the previous ten years, forced a severe decrease in funding for research and educational activities. To fully implement the reduced funding, the administration, faculty and support positions as well as facilities have undergone consolidation with a downsizing of over 251 positions. Part of this downsizing was caused by the budget and part by the high percent of retirements that have occurred over the past few years resulting in the loss of human resources in some key critical areas that remain vacant. IFAS is presently reviewing all open positions and replacing those that are the most critically needed based on budget restricitions. Along with dealing with the budget crisis and in an effort to further streamline their programs, FAMU/CESTA and UF/IFAS Extension completed long range planning processes in early 2004. UF/IFAS Research is also involved in a series of Ag Summits across the state with Ag Industry which are nearing completion at this time. These grass roots processes have provide valuable information for teaching, research and extension and will allow them to prioritize and disseminate the information gathered into needed research projects, and for the development of educational programs and activities. A formal process has been used and guidance through documents such as “Preparing for Challenge and Change in the 21st” and 9 Step Process ensure standardization of the process as well as assuring that all populations including the underserved and underrepresented had the opportunity to provide valuable input. During 2003 UF/IFAS Extension also underwent a formal external review which made recommendation for changes within the organizational structure. Following a review of the State Major Programs (SMPs) by the committee it was recommended that Extension had too many SMPs (68). As part of the long-range planning process, the recommendations of the External Review Committee were adopted and the 68 SMPs have been reduced to 6 goal areas that relate to the 5 national goals (and a 7th internal goal). These Extension goals and the three to five focus areas that fall under each goal are based on the priorities identified at the grassroots levels. Teams formed for each focus area are comprised of 1890 and 1862 Extension faculty, Research faculty and many focus teams also include industry leaders in areas of agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Energy, Marine and Natural resources and youth development. A faculty accountability system called fas2 has been developed and each team provides expected outputs, outcomes, impacts and other pertinent information into the system which will be used by state and county faculty over the next year to develop their individual POWs and ROAs. UF/IFAS Research and Teaching also use this accountability system. In future years this system will be used to produce the information for the AREERA report including information from faculty on their research and extension integrated and multi-state activities. Along with restructuring and the long-range planning process Florida Extension and Research faculty have worked hard during 2003 to provide the state with the necessary integrated research and educational programs the citizen’s of the state have requested. At the beginning of each of the national goal areas you will find a summary of Research and Extension programs in Florida. Also provided in this document is a summary of multi-state and integrated activities. ~ AREERA CRITICAL NEEDS Goal 1 An agricultural system that is highly competitive in the global economy. Through research and education, empower the agricultural system with knowledge that will improve competitiveness in domestic production, processing, and marketing. Florida’s Performance Goal To Enhance and Maintain Agricultural and Food Systems Statement of Issue: The agriculture and natural resources industries are major contributors to Florida’s economy, generating billions of dollars of revenue and tax contributions and hundreds of thousands of jobs every year. In 2000, Florida’s agriculture and natural resources industry generated nearly $62 billion in output impacts, $31 billion in value-added (output impacts less Cost of Goods Sold), and almost $3 billion in indirect business taxes for state and local governments. These industries supported 644,673 jobs that generated $19 billion in labor income. In addition to these significant monetary impacts, these industries benefit the state by providing wildlife habitat, aquifer recharge areas and areas of open space. From livestock and field crops to fruit to ornamental plants to forest products, the agriculture and natural resources industries contribute significantly to Florida, the United States, and the world. Extension education programs are essential components to the continued profitability and sustainability of Florida’s agricultural and natural resource industries. These educational efforts ensure continued improvements in domestic and international competitiveness, as well as addressing important issues related to Florida’s expanding urban development and sensitive natural ecosystems. These educational programs will ensure a continued supply of safe, wholesome agricultural and natural resource products for the citizens of Florida, the United States, and the world. In the area of Food safety and quality it will encompass the total scope of Florida's agriculture industry, from production practices to food service. The goal is to provide educational programs and technical assistance for Florida's food processing and retail foods industry, regulatory officials, and related clientele in the areas of food safety, food security, nutrition, and quality as they are impacted by food processing and handling. Emphasis is on food safety, food security, and quality intervention systems, food regulations, food processing systems (e.g. ingredient technology, formulation, food processing, and food packaging), functional foods, genetically modified foods, and international aspects; To provide