IMPACT | Spring 2007 1

IMPACT | Spring 2007 1 perspective BIOLOGICAL INVADERS tree has infested more than a million acres in Many of the qualities that make Florida the South Florida, replacing native vegetation, de- world’s No. 1 tourist destination also make the stroying wildlife habitat, affecting water flow and state ideal for some unwelcome visitors. Our creating fire hazards. IFAS research and extension warm climate, thriving tourist industry and global scientists have partnered with state and federal trade ports make Florida increasingly susceptible agencies and private landowners to develop and to invasive plants, animals, pests and diseases. In demonstrate effective biological controls for the fact, Florida is probably more susceptible than any tree. The TAME Melaleuca project—short for The other state in the nation. Areawide Management and Evaluation of melaleu- Hundreds of invasive species—ranging from ca—is helping control this invasive tree that was Africanized bees, fire ants and Formosan termites introduced from Australia about 100 years ago. to diseases such as citrus canker and greening— When it comes to insect pests, more than a threaten Florida’s economy, agriculture and envi- thousand have invaded the state, and one of the ronment. In many cases, these biological invaders most troublesome is the red imported fire ant, also threaten the health and welfare of people. which is the subject of the cover story in this issue The invasive species puzzle is big and complicat- of IMPACT. ed. For example, almost 2 million acres of Florida’s These stinging ants came from South America natural areas have become infested with nonna- to the United States in the 1930s and have spread tive plants. Aggressive weeds cover pastures and rapidly because their natural enemies were left tree canopies while hydrilla clogs waterways and behind. Until recently, insecticides and baits were destroys native biodiversity. Florida has more non- the only way to manage the ant, but the pest is native fish than any other state, and the intentional now being controlled more effectively thanks to a or accidental release of iguanas, pythons and other successful biological control research and demon- exotic creatures affects native species and alters stration project developed by USDA in cooperation the natural environment. Mosquito-borne diseases with the Florida agriculture department’s Division such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encepha- of Plant Industry and IFAS. The project is a prime litis viruses threaten human and animal health. example of how IFAS is working with other state Lurking offshore in Africa and the Caribbean are and federal agencies to manage an onslaught of diseases such as tick-borne heartwater that would invasive pests and emerging pathogens. devastate the state’s cattle and livestock industries. In addition to these efforts, IFAS faculty and Two bacterial diseases—citrus canker and citrus staff are working on other interdisciplinary re- greening—are major threats to Florida’s $9.3 bil- search and education programs to stop or manage lion citrus industry, and the pathogens that cause invasive species. Many graduate and undergradu- these diseases also have worldwide implications. ate courses offered by IFAS faculty address issues Scientists with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricul- related to biological invaders; information on these tural Sciences (IFAS) are working with the U.S. issues is also available on the UF Extension Service Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Florida Web site: SolutionsForYourLife.com Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services IFAS is one of three main components in UF’s and other citrus-producing countries to develop new Emerging Pathogens Institute, which received technologies to manage these diseases, and we are funding from the 2006 Florida Legislature. By making progress in developing disease-resistant fusing key disciplines, the Emerging Pathogens citrus varieties. Institute will develop research and educational IFAS is also performing a critical role in the bat- outreach capabilities to predict and control inva- tle against soybean rust, a destructive fungus that sive diseases, and preserve the health and economy threatens the nation’s soybean industry. Florida’s of the state. warm winters provide an ideal environment for the As always, we hope you find interesting and rust to survive on various weeds before the fungus useful information in this issue of IMPACT. We moves north into major soybean production areas. welcome your comments and suggestions for im- Therefore, Florida is an important sentinel state proving the magazine. for predicting outbreaks elsewhere in the country, and IFAS scientists are partnering with scientists in major soybean-producing states to monitor movement of the disease. jimmy g. cheek In another example of how invasive species can Senior Vice President for disrupt the natural environment, the melaleuca Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida IMPACT is published by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and is produced by IFAS Communication Services (Ashley M. Wood, director) and IFAS External and Media Relations (Jack Battenfield, director). © the institute of food and agricultural sciences magazine | vol. 23 no. 1 | spring 2007

EDITORIAL BOARD Jimmy G. Cheek Senior Vice President Agriculture and Natural Resources Joseph C. Joyce Executive Associate Vice President NEWS UPDATES FEATURES Larry R. Arrington Dean for Extension 4 organic farming 14 fire ants meet Mark McLellan opportunities their match Dean for Research R. Kirby Barrick building a better new partnerships Dean of the College of 5 20 Agricultural and Life Sciences peanut for growth EDITOR management issues Charles T. Woods 7 a+ peanut production PHOTO EDITOR 26 toward a Thomas S. Wright 8 exceptional ag expos! sustainable florida DESIGNER Tracy D. Zwillinger STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS 10 helping the hungry 30 designer genes for Sally Lanigan in haiti Josh Wickham grass

CONTRIBUTORS Mickie Anderson 11 25 years and counting stopping scale on Stu Hutson 34 Laura Lok sagos Tom Nordlie 12 wings for florida 4-h COPY EDITORS Darryl Palmer 36 spotlight Nicole L. Sloan 13 dvd dispels orchid To change an address, request extra myth ifas development copies of IMPACT, or to be added to 42 the mailing list, e-mail Chuck Woods news at [email protected] or write Chuck Woods at PO Box 110275, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. 32611-0275. IMPACT is available in alternative formats. Visit our Web site: impact.ifas.ufl.edu On the Cover Accidentally introduced from South America in the 1930s, the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) has spread across the southern United States, infesting more than 320 million acres. New biological control measures are helping reduce populations of these small and aggressive, stinging ants. for more information, please see page 14. photo by david almquist

IMPACT news updates istered by the horticultural sciences major andminorprograms are admin- agriculture for the past year. Both the similar programs lastfall. Washington State University started major. Colorado State University and three U.S. institutions to offer this gram at UF, making it one of the first organic agriculture undergraduate pro the official launch of a science-based of producers andconsumers. program that will help meet the needs Life Sciences to launch a new academic ing UF’s College of Agricultural and professionals isalsogrowing, prompt cent eachyear, thedemandfortrained and revenues climbbyalmost20per | A

Spring 2007 UF hasoffered aminorinorganic The fall2006semestermarked As organic food goes mass market Organic Farming - - - organic farmers. lished strictguidelinesforcertifying ofAgricultureDepartment hasestab andpesticide.cal fertilizer The U.S. tle ornouseofsyntheticchemi- to foodproduction thatinvolves lit to do the work employers need.” and a lack of people who are qualified “There’s a big industry, a big demand and the United States,” Cantliffe said. been long overdue, especially for UF horticultural sciences department. said Dan Cantliffe, chairman of the personnel to manage their operations, beyond thestatetofindhighlytrained industry, butproducers mustlook Food and Agricultural Sciences. department, part of UF’s Institute of Organic agriculture isanapproach “This (program) is something that’s Florida hasagrowing organic food Opportunities photo by thomas wright thomas by photo program. undergraduate agriculture organic new UF’s in enrolled is resident, aTampa Ben-Avraham, Cantliffe. Dan with pepper bell grown organically an examines Sciences, Life and Agricultural of College UF’s in astudent left, Ben-Avraham, Rachel - - into production, you could do it,” said to put 2,000 acres of organic crops nical knowledge where if you needed Organic Agriculture. Swisher, director of UF’s Center for an organic farming unit, said Mickie focus on training students to manage she said. enrolled in the minor program, the more, the merrier.” “There’s no set cap on enrollment, so come out of the woodwork,” Webb said. sciences department. vices coordinator for the horticultural Melissa Webb, ser academicsupport others have expressed interest, said undergraduate program, and many develop, we may expand the program.” “As thedemandandcurriculum for teaching this material,” he said. faculty and facilities that are suitable response to ongoing student demand. grams were developed partly in said. The UFmajorandminorpro interested in organic food, Cantliffe than 18 percent per year. foods have risenbyanaverage ofmore from U.S. consumer sales of organic organization. Since1998,try revenues Trade Association,aleadingindus - survey commissioned by the Organic sales, according to a manufacturers’ about 2.5 percent of total U.S. food $13.8 billion in U.S. consumer sales, “This givesyou theskillsandtech- “This The undergraduate program will About one dozen students are “We think a lot more (students) will Five studentshave enrolled inthe “Another big factor was that we have And it’s not just consumers who are In 2005, organic foods accounted for

- - news updates 5

Spring 2007

| IMPACT IMPACT [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (352) 392-4711 – tom nordlie tom – (352) 392-1928 (352) 392-1928 (352) 392-2201 [email protected]

dan cantliffe dan darnell rebecca swisher mickie webb melissa

For more information, contact: contact: information, more For considered interdisciplinary and is also also is and interdisciplinary considered sci- in the horticultural headquartered ences department. - -

- The minor program requires the sus- the requires minor program The a com- helped organize Swisher Systems, was modified to put greater greater put to modified was Systems, agriculture. organic emphasis on alternative and production tainable three least at plus classes, cropping three of each on electives of credits subjects—crop man- pest production, management. resource and agement the minor pro that developed mittee 2004. in period six-month a over gram is minor the 2005, fall in Launched - building a betterbuilding PEANUT

“If we can breed or create a peanut where all the aller a peanut where or create can breed we “If Peanut allergies are the most common and often the most the most common and often the are allergies Peanut in proteins one of the allergenic found that have They but known for being loaded with protein, are Peanuts sometimes shows up in a form however, latter, The The program requires 120 credit credit 120 requires program The of Principles class, required One Maria Gallo, left, examines a test tube-grown peanut seedling held by postdoctoral research associate Victoria James. Gallo is investigating a naturally occurring variation in a peanut protein that may be a first step toward an allergy-free peanut. photo by sally lanigan resulting in a form that apparently doesn’t trigger a bad doesn’t that apparently in a form resulting immune systems. by human reaction severe of all food allergies, but now researchers from UF’s UF’s from but now researchers of all food allergies, severe an taken Sciences have and Agricultural of Food Institute peanut. a nonallergenic creating important first step toward with a portion missing— peanuts is sometimes produced as benign as this one, in forms that are are genic proteins easier for the that would be a big step for making life much sensitive—sometimesmillions of people who are deathly so—to to eat so much that us like of a substance that the rest a plant molecu- Gallo, said Maria virtually everywhere,” it’s with her graduate lar biologist who conducted the research work has been published online Their Kang. student, Il-Ho by the journal Plant Science and will appear in an upcoming print issue of the publication. of pro reported about 20 types scientists have over the years tein molecules that seem to trigger an overblown immune that three The in those with peanut sensitivities. response h 2 and h 1, Ara Ara dubbed are cause the most problems h 3. Ara than that found in most peanuts. slightly different that’s UF h 3-im. The has been named Ara protein altered This gram; another, Alternative Cropping Cropping Alternative another, gram; Swisher, a UF associate professor of of professor associate UF a Swisher, sciences. community and youth family, them in science courses most of hours, genetics, botany, including chemistry, capped science, soil and entomology agriculture production several by off classes. Production, Sustainable and Organic specifically for the pro devised was P 6

IMPACT news updates the next20years orso,” saidPeggy Ozias-Akins, apeanut used bypeanutfarmerstoday. together toproduce apeanutplantthatwouldreplace those were accomplished,thentheywouldallhave tobeput stand-ins fortheusualsuspectsofpeanutallergens. If that get thesameresponse asthenormalallergen.” knows?—there isapossibility thatsometimesthismightjust said. “Some mightjusthave lessofaresponse, and—who see thatthislackofresponse foreveryone,” istrue Gallo out withsamplesfrom alotmore thanjustthree peopleto peanut isfarfrom certain. defenses didn’t recognize thisaltered protein. produced noreaction—showing thatthepatients’ immune in thesamplesfrom theallergenic patients, butAra h3-im and onewhoisn’t. blood drawn from two peoplewhoare allergic topeanuts researchers extracted peanutproteins andexposedthemto |

Spring 2007 “Don’t lookforthistobesomethingthatyou’ll seein tofindorcreateThe other nextstepwouldbetrying seemsgreat, this butwe“This needtogothrough andtry As promising asthissounds, thefuture ofanallergen-free The normalformoftheprotein triggered asevere reaction peanut.” said. “We’ll figure outhowtoproduce anevenhealthier ing onthis, andtechnologyismakingourjobseasier,” Gallo allergy vaccine. peanut sensitivities, tocreate suchasefforts apeanut could play avitalroletoprotect inotherefforts thosewith system doesn’t overreact formofprotein tothisparticular the ultimategoal.Understanding why thehuman immune plant—but alsointree nutsandalotofotherfoods.” could befoundinsoybeans—which wouldbethemostlikely that knowledgeisnotlimitedtopeanuts. “Similar structures tantly, ittellsusalotaboutfoodallergies,” shesaid.And even knowifsomethinglike thiscanbedone. lot ofgeneticsgroundwork thatwe stillhave tolay before we genome researcher attheUniversity ofGeorgia. “There’s a

For moreinformation, contact: “There are“There many dedicatedscientistsoutthere work In theend,buildingabetter peanutmightnotneedtobe “However, itopensupanopportunity. And, more impor maria gallo n

– stu hutson (352) 273-8124 [email protected] - - news updates A+Peanut Production

Three new peanut varieties have an acre—we’ve had it happen here and and Life Sciences, the Florida been released by UF’s Institute of there, but never twice in (the) same Agricultural Experiment Station and Food and Agricultural Sciences, and season at two sites.” Florida Cooperative Extension Service researchers hope they will give the UF breeders released high oleic under one umbrella. Tmarket-dominant Georgia Green pea- acid peanuts—the healthy kind that He’s been an adviser to six U.S. nut some hearty competition. help lower cholesterol—in 1995 and presidents and traveled the globe to The new peanuts, including two 1997, Gorbet said. But those variet- lend agricultural assistance in Latin named for former university admin- ies couldn’t stand up to tomato spotted America, Asia and Africa. istrators, were introduced in August wilt virus like the new ones. But lesser known is that York began 2006 at UF’s annual Peanut Field Day “We’re just now getting plant mate- his career as a North Carolina State in Marianna. Created through tradi- rial out that has good resistance to that University agronomist, and his first tional breeding, the new varieties have virus,” he said. “Compared with the assignment: figuring out how to boost been in the works about a decade, said many peanut varieties UF has issued what were then stagnant peanut- Dan Gorbet, a professor of agronomy over the years, these stack up really crop yields. at UF’s North Florida Research and well—they should give the market- He did so, and eventually penned a Education Center in Marianna. dominant Georgia Green peanut a run chapter for the textbook The Peanut: The York variety, named for former for its money because the new ones The Unpredictable Legume. And while State University System Chancellor are higher in heart-healthy oils with the title seemed apt at the time, after E.T. York, has strong resistance to better pod/seed yields.” exhaustive research on peanut produc- tomato spotted wilt virus—the No. 1 The Florunner, introduced in 1969 tion, he realized that farmers who fol- peanut disease facing growers in the by Al Norden, a UF professor of agron- lowed a complete package of recom- Southeast during the past 10 years. omy, dominated the market for two mended techniques enjoyed much The peanut is also high in healthy oils decades before it became susceptible to higher crop yields than those who and has a long shelf life. The McCloud tomato spotted wilt virus, Gorbet said. didn’t. variety, named for the late UF agron- The peanut breeders named the two York said having a peanut named for omy department chairman Darrell varieties for the former UF administra- him is “quite an honor,” though he said McCloud, shares similar traits. tors because of their work to advance it’s sure to earn him some ribbing. The third new variety, Florida-07, agriculture, he said, and because they “I’ll be kidded a lot about it, but also has strong resistance to the dis- both had focused on improving peanut that’s all right,” he said, before grin- ease, is high in healthy oils and has a production. ning and making a joke of his own. “It long shelf life, said Gorbet, who has York, chancellor emeritus of makes sense, since I’ve been working been breeding new peanut varieties Florida’s public university system, was for peanuts for all these years.” n since 1970. UF’s provost for agriculture, vice pres- – mickie anderson “It’s the first peanut ever produced ident for agricultural affairs, executive For more information, contact: by Florida that made 7,000 pounds vice president and interim president. dan gorbet (850) 482-9956 an acre in tests in both Marianna and In 1964, he organized UF’s Institute [email protected] Gainesville,” he said. “We’ve never had of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the same peanut make 7,000 pounds bringing the College of Agricultural

(Opposite) Dan Gorbet, who has been breeding new peanut varieties at UF’s North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna since 1970, holds the new Florida-07 peanut, which has strong resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus, is high in healthy oils and has a long shelf life. photo by josh wickham

IMPACT | Spring 2007 7 Exceptional AG EXPOS! More than 800 people attended the first-ever Florida Ag Expo at UF’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in December 2006, and UF now has a permanent exhibit building at the Sunbelt Ag news updates news Expo in Georgia—billed as the world’s largest farm show.

“At the first-ever Florida Ag Expo, the turnout far ex- continued use of the effective methyl bromide soil fumigant. ceeded our expectations, and we received many positive Best management practices for vegetable production, irri- comments from growers and vendors who participated in gation, fertilizer, and pest and disease control were also dis- the vegetable production seminar, field demonstration and cussed in seminars. Atrade show event,” said Jack Rechcigl, director of UF’s Gulf Craig Chandler, a professor of horticultural sciences at Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. “Based upon the Gulf Coast center, presented results from field trials of this response, we plan to host the event annually.” new strawberry varieties, and Jay Scott, a professor of hor- The Dec. 8-9 exposition was presented under the aegis ticultural sciences, showed results from field trials of new of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in tomato varieties. cooperation with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Associa- Rechcigl said one of the highlights of the expo was the tion (FFVA), the Florida Tomato Committee, the Florida demonstration of new, affordable housing for migrant farm Strawberry Growers Association and Florida Grower workers. “The prototype housing, commissioned by the U.S. magazine. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is the Rechcigl, who coordinated the event, said educational result of two years of work by Florida producers and others programs at the expo focused on a wide range of issues fac- to develop quality, cost-effective housing that can withstand ing the state’s fruit and vegetable industry, including food Category 4 hurricanes,” he said. safety, changing state and federal regulations, and exemp- He said the idea for the expo came from FFVA Chairman tions from the Environmental Protection Agency for the Jay Taylor and former FFVA Chairman Tony DiMare, who both serve on the UF center’s advisory committee. “After discussing the idea with Jimmy Cheek, UF’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, we decided it would be a useful event to have at the center—something that would be different from a traditional field day, incorporating a variety of educational programs as well as field demonstrations and vendor booths.” The 2007 Florida Ag Expo will be held December 6-7 at the Gulf Coast center.

One of the highlights of the Florida Ag Expo was the demonstration of affordable housing for migrant farm workers. Among those who inspected the housing were, from left, Jack Rechcigl; Charles Bronson, commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Inez Banks-DuBose, director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Jimmy Cheek and Jay Taylor. photo by ian maguire

8 IMPACT | Spring 2007 news updates 9 Spring 2007

| - - - IMPACT IMPACT - (813) 633-4111 [email protected] [email protected] (352) 392-1971 [email protected] [email protected] (850) 875-7137 (352) 392-1963 (352) 846-0867 (407) 884-2034 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] – chuck woods – chuck [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

n jimmy cheek jimmy emerson charlotte felter liz rechcigl jack smith wayne vergot pete Felter said an important feature of the display is the UF is display of the said an important feature Felter Emerson said the CALS display showcases the college as a showcases the college display Emerson said the CALS For more information, contact: more information, For

Extension Service’s new Web site—SolutionsForYourLife. new Web Service’s Extension of use array vast instant access to the com—that provides ful information from statewide IFAS teaching, research research teaching, IFAS statewide ful information from site Web consumer-oriented The and extension programs. Program, Gardener Master on UF’s includes information for nurser BMPs and Neighborhoods, Florida Yards 4- small farms and alternative enterprises, ies and turf, and Radio” Album and the “Family development, H youth programs. radio in a Minute” “Gardening of pre-professional leader in the areas national educational and the life resources natural food, agriculture, training, curricula “The also shows how the many display sciences. taught and advised by a dis- students are to CALS available nationally and inter recognized are who tinguished faculty nationally for their teaching, research and extension exper research nationally for their teaching, known for its student-centered a college she said. “As tise,” on educating society-ready CALS prides itself focus, graduates.” - - - - was opened Oct. 2006 17, in ceremonies led by UF’s new exhibit building at the Sunbelt Ag Expo Jimmy Cheek, far right. Others participating in the executive director of the Sunbelt Ag Expo; Charlotte Emerson and Wayne Smith. photo by josh wickham County extension director; Pete Vergot; Chip Blalock, ceremonies were, from left, Dale Bennett, UF Wakulla The annual Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie, in Moultrie, Exposition Agricultural annual Sunbelt The Cheek said the Sunbelt Ag Expo is the premier farm show Ag Expo is the premier Cheek said the Sunbelt “The information, education Ag Expo emphasizes Sunbelt Emerson Charlotte Liz Felter, Vergot, Pete Smith, Wayne Ag Expo dis- the team, said the Sunbelt who leads Smith, Other displays provide information on UF’s state on UF’s information provide Other displays wide Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) and (FAWN) Network Weather wide Florida Automated for the southeast a climate information system AgClimate, said both services important Smith are for States. ern United agriculture. precision today’s Sunbelt Ag Expo Ag Sunbelt building for the UF’s a new exhibit Ga. now includes more Featuring Sciences. and Agricultural of Food Institute and education pro highlighting research than 20 displays grams, the building was dedicated during the October dedicated during the October the building was grams, 2006 event. at the a permanent presence will have in the world, and UF three-dayannual event. The than 1,200 more show features visitors. than 200,000 more exhibits and attracts technology, of the latest agricultural and implementation an important for venue and equipment—providing research and extension programs,” research showcasing our teaching, Cheek said. the and staff coordinated and a team of other UF faculty in Moultrie. at the facility displays installation of the IFAS of emeritus of the School and director is a professor Smith is in Gainesville; Vergot and Conservation Resources Forest Research Florida at the North an extension district director is an extension in Quincy; Felter and Education Center at Mid- responsibilities agent with statewide marketing and in Apopka; and Education Center Florida Research and alumni services of recruitment Emerson is director for and Life Sciences (CALS) of Agricultural the College in Gainesville. water on managing and protecting focus plays—which to improve information on programs resources—include Agricultural Everglades in the 505,000-acre quality water in the (BMPs) implement best management practices Area, water as healthy forests Basin, maintain River Suwannee sheds, use reclaimed water from urban areas on agricultural on agricultural urban areas from water use reclaimed sheds, sensors, with soil moisture systems irrigation control crops, systems hydroponic with computer-controlled crops grow aquatic weeds. and control 10

IMPACT news updates I lems commoninHaiti, shesaid. kwashiorkor andotherhealthprob a malnutrition-linked illnesscalled don’t getameatsource.” and polenta,” Williams said. “They get comesmainlyfrom riceandbeans protein intheirdiets, andwhatthey west area oftheCaribbean nation. a city ofalmost100,000 inthesouth- and toddlersinvillagesnearJeremie, charity feedingprogram forinfants turkey sausage that’s beingusedina Agricultural Sciences, hascreated a sor withUF’s Institute ofFood and University ofFloridaanimalscientist. cost source ofprotein developedbya are nowhealthierthankstoalow- mon, thedietsofmany young children |

Spring 2007 Animal protein helpschildren avoid “Children inJeremie little getvery Sally Williams, anassociateprofes- In Haiti, where malnutritioniscom- HUNGRY IN HAITI - Norwich, Conn. volunteer organization basedin the Haitian Health Foundation, a ofafeedingprogrampart operated by children ages6monthsto3years, as andusedtofeed portions into 2-ounce Agriculture grant. from athree-year U.S. of Department ments inJuly 2005;fundingcomes UF personnelbegansendingtheship County ExtensionCanning Center. canned inJacksonville attheDuval thesausageis sciences department; pounds ofthesausageatUF’s animal sees production ofabout200to300 percent ofthem. population; malnutritionaffects30 prise about15percent ofJeremie’s Children under5years ofagecom- HELPING THE Comprised of83percent mechan- When thesausagearrives, it’s sliced threeEvery months, Williams over key flavor. gna andhasamildtur sausage resembles bolo canned. Sliced,the packed inwater and beforeportions being is cutinto1.5pound The finishedproduct diameter andcooked. ings about3inchesin dients are putintocas- Williams said.The ingre tein and18.5 percent fat, includes 15percent pro a nutritionalprofile that ings, thesausageoffers protein andseason- key and17percent soy ically separated tur wickham josh by photo Williams. Sally with sausage aturkey of quality the checks department, sciences animal UF’s in student agraduate left, Djeri, Noufoh ------ounces ofedibleproduct. per week. Eachfishcontains 4.5 to5 that yieldatotalof1,100 to1,200fish have established16concrete ponds local assistance, andRedden Dinkins a community insouthernHaiti. With tilapia fishtofeedchildren inGressier, an aquaculture project thatproduces sausage, UFfaculty are assistingwith of theirownprotein foods.” to getHaitian farmersproducing more an interimsolution.Ideally, we’d like Augustine. “It’s butit’s important, very feed people,” saidDinkins, basedinSt. ate measure where we cangoinand University isalso involved inthework. the program. North Carolina State Dinkins, whohelpsRedden oversee County David ExtensionDirector education inHaiti, saidSt.Johns improve nutrition,agriculture and year. aboutsixtimesper visits thecountry Haitian reliefsince1989and efforts children. Redden hasbeeninvolved in about 4tonspermonthtofeed2,700 charge. The goalistoboostoutput to facture andcanthesausagefree of Redden andhisbrother, willmanu- County Edsel ExtensionDirector The plant,ownedbyUFPutnam processing facility inWest Virginia. sausage movesfrom Floridato ameat giant stepforwardasproduction ofthe For moreinformation, contact:

sally williams edsel redden david dinkins In additiontodevelopingturkey turkey sausageisanimmedi- “The UF ispursuingrelated projects to This spring, theprogram willtake a [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (904) 209-0430 (386) 329-0318 (352) 392-2993 – tom nordlie n news updates 11 Spring 2007 -

- | IMPACT IMPACT [email protected] (352) 846-0552 – chuck woods – chuck n and Counting

hayes john In early 1980, the Goodhill Foundation awarded a grant a grant awarded the Goodhill Foundation early 1980, In endowment an established also Foundation Goodhill The For more information, contact: more information, For

ing and fishing preserve. In 1979, the Swisher Foundation Foundation Swisher the 1979, In preserve. fishing and ing in estab for assistance Conservancy Nature The approached tobacco late the to monument a as sanctuary wildlife a lishing 3,000 totaling land, of tracts Two Swisher. Carl industrialist, Nature The to donated were prairies, and wetlands of acres Swisher Carl the named was acreage the and Conservancy, Sanctuary. Memorial of upland acres 6,100 to purchase to the UF Foundation acre The Foundation. the Swisher high-pine sandhills from 3M the Ordway, Katharine of name the in preserved was age time, same the At Goodhill. founded who heiress Corporation Swisher Carl the lease to agreed Conservancy Nature The - and both orga Sanctuary to the UF Foundation, Memorial for the com- agreement nizations signed a joint stewardship properties. bined and management the for Foundation UF the by administered Carl and Preserve Ordway Katharine the both of protection designated as the man- UF was Sanctuary. Memorial Swisher clearly iden- to more order In aging body for both properties. Board UF the properties, the of management and use the tify Biological Ordway-Swisher the them named Trustees of Station earlier this year.

------

photo by sally lanigan 25 Years 25

John Hayes takes notes on some of the unique environmental features at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station near Melrose in Putnam County.

He said the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, which is is which Station, Biological Ordway-Swisher the said He The November 4, 2006 event also marked the upcom- 2006 event also marked 4, November The invitation by event the attended guests 100 Approximately education and conservation pro said UF research, Machen “The celebration turns a new page in the relationship relationship the in page new a turns celebration “The our to enhancement an as this see “We said, Tschinkel John Hayes, chairman of UF’s wildlife ecology and con- wildlife ecology chairman of UF’s Hayes, John “The station’s research program focuses primarily on sup program research “The station’s The Swisher family of Jacksonville bought the land in in land the bought Jacksonville of family Swisher The ing to protect ecologically important lands and water. important ecologically and water. ing to protect lands managed by the wildlife ecology and conservation depart The University of Florida and The Nature Conservancy Conservancy Nature The and Florida of University The at education and research of years 25 celebrated recently Memorial Swisher Carl and Preserve Ordway Katharine the Sanctuary in Putnam County. Nature The from sanctuary 3,000-acre the of gift ing and Foundation Florida of University the to Conservancy Ordway-Swisher the as facilities combined the naming Station. Biological state Tschinkel, Victoria and Machen Bernie President UF of Orlando. in organization conservation the of director grams at the sanctuary have benefited from a long relation- a long at the sanctuaryfrom grams benefited have as described he which Conservancy, Nature The with ship work leading conservation organizations one of the world’s a is Sciences, Agricultural and Food of Institute UF’s in ment study and conservabiological field station established for the - tion of unique ecosystems. “We said. Machen Conservancy,” Nature The and UF between - to a close partnership looking forward that pairs environ are and outreach.” mental conservation with education, research Biological Ordway-Swisher the bolster will that partnership of University the for tool and area research a as Station manage to all us allow also will This program. science Florida efficiently more place important and beautiful this and effectively.” effectively.” and servation is a mosaic of wet department, said the property lands and uplands that includes sandhills, hammocks, upland upland hammocks, sandhills, includes that uplands and lands of fauna A variety marshes and lakes. swamps, forests, mixed federally and state of number a including station, the inhabit listed species. species. listed

porting research and education activities for UF students students UF for activities education and research porting program education station’s “The said. Hayes faculty,” and - and train stewardship includes workshops on environmental Other universities and col fires. ing in conducting prescribed the utilize also agencies, federal and state with along leges, and education.” station for research hunt as a private for 50 years and used the tract the 1930s T 18 USC 707 WINGS for florida 4-h While some people may associate interest in them,” she said. “The fun and gives them skills that they will use the 4-H Youth Development Program and easy activities provide a quick way into adulthood.” with agriculture and livestock, the pro- to transform them from a beginner to Martin said the WINGS project is gram also includes other exciting an engaged citizen scientist. Citizen delivered through leaders to youth in Wprojects such as communications, science means that the youth par- 4-H clubs and groups. “The WINGS leadership, citizenship, and science ticipants contribute to the scientific program follows a train-the-trainer and technology. knowledge base during the program.” model,” she said. “4-H agents and lead- And when it comes to science and After they observe the butter- ers participate in workshops designed news updates news technology, one of the most interest- flies, the youth enter their data into to help guide youth through the expe- ing and popular programs is Project an interactive WINGS Web site. riential science learning, and then Butterfly WINGS—an interactive Scientists and the public will be able they are able to go out and train the project that helps young people to use this information to further sci- youth themselves.” engage in the scientific method of entific knowledge and view trends in In Miami-Dade County, workshops data collection. butterfly populations. were conducted recently with 19 par- WINGS—short for Winning “Young people come away from this ticipants for the second WINGS proj- Investigative Network for Great project feeling like they are truly con- ect. “All of the participants stated Science—allows 4-H youth in fourth tributing to science,” Martin said. that they increased their scientific through eighth grades to design proj- The program’s main goals include: inquiry skills by working on this projects to collect information about but- involving adolescents in the genera- ect,” Martin said. “Youth even took terflies in their areas and share it tion of knowledge about science, par- their interest in WINGS outside of online, said Marilyn Martin, direc- ticularly scientific insights into but- the workshops for 54 butterfly-related tor of Project Butterfly WINGS at the terfly distributions provided by data fair projects this year, including the Florida Museum of Natural History collected; helping youth partici- creation of a butterfly quilt that was on the UF campus. The project inte- pants gain knowledge and life skills donated to the Florida museum.” grates 4-H life skills, such as decision in decision making, problem solv- WINGS began in the summer of making and problem solving, through ing and critical thinking; and collect- 2004, and it is expanding its pilot experiential and cooperative science ing butterfly data that will be used by testing to other 4-H groups in the learning. research scientists to increase scien- state and the southeastern United “The youth don’t need to have pre- tific knowledge. States. Funded in part by the National vious knowledge about butterflies to “We have developed a great part- Science Foundation, WINGS is being participate, they just need to have an nership with the Florida Museum of developed collaboratively by UF’s Natural History to Florida Museum of Natural History offer the WINGS and the wildlife ecology and conser- project to our vation department. The Florida 4-H 4-H’ers,” said Youth Development program is admin- Marilyn Norman, istered by the Extension Service, state 4-H leader which is part of UF’s Institute of Food and associate dean and Agricultural Sciences. n – laura lok of UF’s statewide For more information, contact: Extension Service. marilyn norman (352) 846-0996 “It makes sci- [email protected] ence a fun experi- marilyn martin (352) 846-2000 ence for youth [email protected]

Youth from Alachua County support programs such as the WINGS project and become “citizen scientists” as they monitor butterflies and enter their sighting data on the WINGS Web site: www.flmnh.ufl.edu/ education/cise/wings.htm photo by josh wickham

12 IMPACT | Spring 2007 news updates 13 Spring 2007

| - IMPACT IMPACT (352) 335-7152 (352) 376-9673 – chuck woods – chuck [email protected] [email protected] n myth

bob black bob sheehan tom The DVD can be purchased for $25.00 (plus tax, shipping (plus tax, shipping for $25.00 can be purchased DVD The also the authors of a new book, Sheehan and Black are “Often described as the most beautiful flowers in the most beautiful flowers described as the “Often Black, with Bob on the DVD Sheehan, who appears 1957 when Sheehan dates back to research UF orchid societ of orchid hundreds has spawned mania” “Orchid For more information, contact: more information, For

ies across the nation. In South Florida alone, more than 20 more South Florida alone, In the nation. ies across societies meet every American month, Sheehan said. The and members nationwide, has nearly 20,000 Society Orchid including the the year, shows throughout orchid are there Show sponsored Orchid world famous Miami International Society. by the South Florida Orchid at Bookstore Extension the IFAS and handling) from or information, call (352) 392-1764 more For ifasbooks.com. (800) 226-1764. later this year , that will be released and Grow to Know Orchids of Florida Press. by the University world, orchids have a distinct and undeniable mystique,” mystique,” a distinct and undeniable have world, orchids our fascination alone cannot explain Sheehan said. “Beauty and complexity variety, When it comes to with these flowers. other.” any unlike plants are orchid elegance, horti- environmental emeritus in the UF another professor to poinsettias—are department, said orchids—next culture in Florida, plant produced flowering now the leading potted than $23 million in annual farm sales. more generating fertilization methods for using bark began studying proper also began using tissue medium. He growing as an orchid applica- and tested foliar clonal varieties to multiply culture active in national remains He tion of fertilizer on orchids. societies. and orchid and international organizations - - - - orchid Orchid Society. photo by sally lanigan Tom Sheehan,Tom left, and Bob Black examine Gainesville Orchid Society and the American vandaceous orchids in Black’s greenhouse near Gainesville. Sheehan and Black are active in the

dvd dispels dispels dvd The DVD, which dispels the myth that orchids are difficult are that orchids myth which dispels the DVD, The money and just a hobby for those with the time, “Once - epi can be terrestrial, When it comes to habitat, orchids has of orchids the popularity Over the past few decades, longer a luxury at can be purchased No item, orchids they also grow common in the tropics, are While orchids When a few basic cultural requirements are met, growing met, growing are requirements When a few basic cultural “Growing Orchids: Easier Than You Think,” featuring two featuring two Think,” You Easier Than Orchids: “Growing Growing orchids just got easier, thanks to a new University to a new University thanks just got easier, orchids Growing of Florida DVD that provides a complete guide to producing guide to producing a complete that provides DVD of Florida most beautiful flowers.” world’s “the and Agricultural of Food Institute experts orchid at UF’s includes interviews and hands-onSciences, demonstrations. - con has information on selecting appropriate disk also The and requirements watering plant media, fertilizers, tainers, is 54 minutes, runningthe DVD time of Total other tips. varieties orchid segment on easy-to-grow with a 21-minute for growers. and a 33-minute guide Orchid American on location at the recorded was to grow, in Delray and Botanical Garden Center Visitors Society Beach, Fla. now the fast are orchids plants, exotic for patience to care $13 billion floricul of the nation’s segment est growing humid climate is ideal for warm, and Florida’s industry, ture emer Tom Sheehan, a professor said plants,” these flowering gen- of six orchid species and hybrids he said. The rience, and easy to grow the most popular because they’re are era Vanda, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, flowers: beautiful produce Epidendrum. Oncidium and Cattleya, on other plants) or lithophytic (those that grow phytic of habitat dictates the type The rocks). on (those that grow to be used, Sheehan said. medium growing culti- thanks to new and improved dramatically, increased techniques that allow commercial and propagation vation numbers of plants at affordable large to produce growers he said. prices for the consumer, Sheehan plants, flowering to other potted prices comparable identified species and 120,000 than 25,000 more said. With of flower- group the largest they are hybrids, registered ing plants. climatic conditions on everywild under different conti- species orchid States, the United In Antarctica. nent except native to everyare state—including “arctic where Alaska, been identified. have orchids”

itus in UF’s environmental horticulture department and one environmental itus in UF’s experts. leading orchid of the nation’s expe can be a rewarding environment in the home orchids G 14 IMPACT | Spring 2007 FIRE ANTS cover story MEET THEIR MATCH by Chuck Woods

With damage and control costs exceeding $6 billion a year, the red imported fire ant is one of the most troublesome pests in the southern United States. The aggressive, stinging ants—accidentally introduced from South America to the U.S. in the 1930s—have spread rapidly because their natural enemies were left behind. Until recently, insecticides and baits were the only way to manage the ant, but the pest is now being controlled more effectively thanks to a successful biological control research and demonstration project developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The project, which received a top USDA national award in March 2007, is a prime example of how UF is working with other state and federal agencies to manage an onslaught of invasive pests and emerging pathogens.

It’s not science fiction or a scene Mexico and California, is also invad- from a horror movie. In this real-life ing Australia, China and New Zealand. drama, millions of tiny flies that decap- Florida’s balmy climate, like that of itate their enemy are being released other southern states, is ideal for the Iby Florida researchers to help stop an South American invader that entered invasion of fire ants across the south- the port of Mobile, Ala., more than 70 ern United States. years ago. The decapitating flies—along with “In South America, the fire ant pop- pathogens that infect fire ants— ulation is only about 20 percent of are some of the biological control what it is in the U.S. because their tools being used to help win the fight natural enemies are not here,” said against a costly pest that now infests Phil Koehler, a professor of entomol- more than 320 million acres in 12 ogy with UF’s Institute of Food and southeastern states and Puerto Rico. Agricultural Sciences. “Over the past The red imported fire ant Solenopsis( 30 years, fire ants have become very invicta), which has spread to New troublesome because of their large

(Opposite) Robert Vander Meer, left, and Phil Koehler examine activity in a fire ant colony in Gainesville. Vander Meer said the fire ant research and demonstration project is an excellent example of cooperation and technology transfer between the USDA and the State of Florida that benefits all 12 fire ant-infested states. photo by sally lanigan (Right) When disturbed, fire ants viciously defend their nests, crawling on intruders and repeatedly stinging them. A white pustule forms on the site of the sting, which usually heals in about two weeks. The sting can be fatal for people allergic to fire ant venom.usda photo

IMPACT | Spring 2007 15 (Left) A decapitating phorid fly—less than one-sixteenth of an inch in size (about 1 millimeter)—hovers above a fire ant before diving in and injecting an egg into the ant. (Middle) After several weeks, the fire ant is decapitated by the developing fly larva, which then consumes all tissue inside the fire ant head. (Right) The decapitating phorid fly uses the fire ant’s head as a pupal case, and then a new fly emerges several weeks later.photos by sanford porter

numbers and painful sting—about which may be deep inside the fire ant a temporary ARS-funded program— 40 percent of the people in heavily nest. Baits are more effective because Area-Wide Suppression of Fire Ant infested areas get stung every year.” worker ants feed the bait to the queen Populations in Pastures—that has been When disturbed, fire ants viciously and brood, thereby controlling the under way for about six years and will defend their nests, crawling on intrud- colony. end in 2008.” ers and repeatedly stinging them, he “Treating all infested land with He said the long-term goals of the said. A white pustule forms on the site insecticides or baits in the 12-state ARS are to develop biologically based of the sting, which usually heals in area would cost about $10 per acre, or methods of fire ant control, including about two weeks. But the sting can be about $6 to $12 billion a year,” Koehler self-sustaining fire ant biological con- fatal for people allergic to fire said. “Because of the expense and per- trol agents to at least partially restore ant venom. ceived hazard of using insecticides the ecological balance observed in the Koehler, who leads the extension or baits, most landowners do noth- fire ant’s homeland in South America. education program in Florida and ing, underscoring the need for sustain- This could ultimately reduce damage other cooperating states for the multi- able, biological controls that have been and control costs by billions of dollars agency fire ant suppression team, said developed in this integrated fire ant a year. the invasive pest harms the natural management demonstration program.” In tests in Florida and other par- environment—reducing the number Robert Vander Meer, leader for ticipating states, 300-acre plots were of native ants and other insects, kill- the USDA Agricultural Research treated with insecticides that reduced ing ground-nesting wildlife such as the Service’s (ARS) Imported Fire Ant and fire ant populations up to 90 per- northern bobwhite quail and newly Household Insects Research Unit in cent. However, within a few months, hatched sea turtles. The ants kill live- Gainesville, said the project was ini- fire ants reinvaded the sites from sur- stock and feed on crops such as cit- tiated about six years ago by the ARS rounding areas. rus, peanuts and strawberries. Heavy to develop and demonstrate the use “In Florida, fire ant reduction has infestations also damage electrical of sustainable biological controls that averaged 88 percent where the inte- equipment. complement existing insecticide and grated pest management approach Until recently, insecticides and baits bait treatments. was used compared to only 71 percent have been the primary methods of “The overall goal of the demonstra- where fire ants were controlled only controlling fire ants, but these mate- tion project is to maintain greater than by chemical pesticides,” Vander rials must be applied several times a 80 percent reduction of fire ants over Meer said. year, which can be expensive when several years using an integrated man- The area-wide project, head- large areas are being treated, he said. agement approach with biological con- quartered at the ARS Center for Insecticides are not effective unless trol agents and toxic baits,” Vander Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary the chemical reaches the queen, Meer said. “The effort is the result of Entomology (CMAVE) in Gainesville,

16 IMPACT | Spring 2007 cover story 17 - Spring 2007

| - IMPACT IMPACT He said the decapitating flies also said the decapitating He also is a courtesy who - assis Porter, weaken the fire ant colonies because ant colonies because the fire weaken looking for food out stop workers to and hide in the mound side the nest by the flies. attacked being avoid entomology and in UF’s tant professor nematology department, said species become estab of the phorid flies have than 60 million acres lished on more nine other in Florida and in the the Florida, North In southern states. - ment. Two weeks later, the adult fly later, weeks ment. Two mouth. Each squeezes out of the ant’s female fly can attack newly emerged fire more hundred and kill several ants.” said. “The mag- egg hatches into a tiny head ant’s into the got that burrows weeks. for several there and grows ant’s the maggot causes the fire Then killing the ant and head to fall off, head for a protective using the ant’s develop case in which to complete - - - - - Vander Meer, who also is a courtesy Meer, Vander Sanford Porter, an ARS entomol Porter, Sanford “When phorid flies are the female Sanford Porter, left, and David Oi examine fire ants in a laboratory colony. photo by sally lanigan includes entomologists at UF and the at UF and includes entomologists and Florida Department of Agriculture In Services in Gainesville. Consumer scientists in Gainesville, addition to includes state the $6 million project in Mississippi, researchers and federal and Texas. Oklahoma, South Carolina entomology in UF’s assistant professor and nematology department, said the and pathogens being predators natural in Florida and other states released and Argentina found in Brazil were pop ant fire they help control where ulations. Before the biocontrols are are the biocontrols Before ulations. carefully they are in the U.S., released facilities oper tested in quarantined in Gainesville to make ated by CMAVE harm native plants they will not sure he said, other words, In and animals. ants. they must be specific for fire ogist, began his efforts to find natu- ants in 1991 when enemies of fire ral Since and Brazil. he visited Argentina with four differ then, he has returned ent species of phorid flies that attack and each spe ants, and decapitate fire ant and a specific size fire cies attacks is active only during certain times of phorid flies different Three the day. in Florida and been released have the southern other sites throughout at the rate spreading are and they U.S., A fourth fly of 10 to 30 miles per year. He in 2007. is expected to be released about 20 different are estimates there of phorid flies that attack types ants. fire they ant mounds, near fire released quickly attack—or dive bomb—the Porter eggsants and lay inside them,” 18

IMPACT cover story trator attheFloridaDepartment Schneider, abiologicaladminis- is beingcoordinated byGeorge release inFloridaandotherstates the jobofrearing millionsoffliesfor approved forrelease bytheUSDA, during theday. fireattacks ants medium-tolarge-size sus), scheduledforrelease thisyear, evening. flyspecies(P. Afourth - obtu during theearlymorningand years, attacks large fire ants, mainly (P. litoralis), released overthepastfour the middleofday. Athird species in 2003, attacks smallfire antsduring Another species(P.), released curvatus from latemorningtoafternoon. fire ants medium-size andlarge-size pis), released in 1997 and 1998, attacks 15 millionacres. two fliesare establishedon more than Steven Valles loads a gel to separate and characterize viral genes. His laboratory has completed sequencing the entire genome of the first virus ( virus first the of genome entire the virus-1 sequencing invicta completed has laboratory His genes. viral characterize and separate to agel loads Valles Steven |

Spring 2007 Once thedecapitatingfliesare One flyspecies(Pseudacteon tricus- photo by sally lanigan sally by photo genes. ant fire 2,000 than more screening by virus the found He ant. fire imported red the infects ) that in Gainesville. He saidthefly-rear ofPlantIndustry Division Services of Agriculture andConsumer 18 months. causing thecolony todiewithin produces 90percent fewer eggs, reduces thequeen’s weight, andshe probably through foodexchange. It ers transmit thediseasetoqueen, sae)—infects antcolonieswhenwork tozoan parasite (Thelohaniasolenop pro byasingle-celled disease—caused entire fire antcolony. Afire ant biological control thatweakens the researchers are relying uponanother were reared atthefacility. tricuspis andP. phoridflies curvatus 2006,During more than2millionP. (APHIS)andhisstateagency.Service Animal andPlantHealth Inspection erative agreement withtheUSDA’s ing program isfundedthrough acoop In additiontothedecapitatingflies, - - - - - colonies are more difficulttoinfect saidthesingle-queen ogy department, sor inUF’s entomologyandnematol ease’s impact.” because large populations limit the dis- other hand,theyare harder tocontrol from othercolonies,” Oisaid.“On the will adoptandraise infectedbrood colonies withthediseasebecausethey that number. colony canhave twice ple-queen have 250,000 workers, andamulti- many. colony may Asingle-queen only onequeenwhileothershave phase oftheproject. ogist inGainesvillewhooverseesthis flies,” said David Oi,anARSentomol spreads more slowlythanthephorid Oi, a courtesy assistantprofesOi, acourtesy - “It’s easiertoinfectmultiple-queen He saidsomefire antcolonieshave thisdiseaseiseffective,“While it Solenopsis - - Valles, an ARS entomologist in teristics are consistent with similar cover story Gainesville who has discovered the insect-infecting viruses. “They often first virus Solenopsis( invicta virus-1) persist as unapparent, asymptomatic that infects the red imported fire ant. infections that, under certain condi- He found the virus by screening more tions, grow in the host, resulting in than 2,000 fire ant genes. observable symptoms and often death,” He said the virus infects all fire ant he said. “We are currently studying the developmental stages, including eggs, factors necessary to induce the lethal indicating that the infection is passed phase of the virus in fire ants to bet- from parents to offspring. The virus, ter assess its effect on the population which appears to be easily transmitted, and use as a potential biological con- is already present in fire ant popula- trol method.” n tions in Florida and other areas. For more information, contact: “The average infection rate is about phil koehler (352) 392-2484 20 percent, and its presence is sea- [email protected] sonal,” Valles said. “Infected individ- david oi (352) 374-5987 Two worker fire ants tend larvae in a colony. [email protected] photo by sanford porter uals or colonies do not exhibit any immediate, discernable symptoms in sanford porter (352) 374-5914 because they are suspicious of, or fight the field. However, under stress caused [email protected] with neighboring fire ant colonies. by moving the colony from the field george schneider (352) 372-3505 He said the research team is also to laboratory, massive brood death is [email protected] studying another protozoan pathogen often observed among infected colo- steven valles (352) 374-5834 [email protected] (Vairimorpha invictae) from Argentina nies, often leading to the death of the robert vander meer that is more potent, but it’s more diffi- entire colony.” (352) 374-5855 [email protected] cult to rear in the laboratory. Valles, a courtesy assistant profes- Viruses can also be an effective bio- sor in UF’s entomology and nematol- logical control agent, said Steven ogy department, said these charac-

Map shows the distribution or range of fire ants across the southern United States.usda map

Entire County Quarantined Portion of County Quarantined

IMPACT | Spring 2007 19 New Partnerships for

20 IMPACT | Spring 2007 feature 21 Spring 2007

| IMPACT IMPACT

With Florida’s population expected to double in 50 years, growth growth years, 50 in double to expected population Florida’s With and difficult urgent, most the of one be continue will management realistic Finding state. the facing issues contentious potentially important of range a wide to solutions legal equitable and affect that those use issues—especially land and environmental energy—is easier and resources water green space, agriculture, Florida’s of University betweenthe a new partnership to thanks Agricultural and Food of Institute UF’s and Law of College Levin law the in housed Clinic, The Conservation (IFAS). Sciences is working Responsibility, Governmental for Center college’s educate help to Service Extension IFAS statewide the with closely issues sustainability and management growth about public the state. the throughout (Opposite) Some new residential developments such as this one near Pompano Beach border the Florida Everglades.new single-family More than detached 200,000 homes were constructed in Florida during 2005, and the statefor has out 13 led of the the past country 15 years. In in the new next home construction 50 years, more than 11 million new homes—along with millions of squarespace feet and of thousands commercial of miles of new roadways—will be needed to accommodate an influx of new residents. photo by patrick lynch

Issues

Management Management

Growth Growth for New New Partnerships Tom Ankersen, left, and Pierce Jones are working with Marion County officials to protect water quality in Silver Springs. UF’s Conservation Clinic and the Program for Resource Efficient Communities in IFAS have been assisting Marion County with policy and practice tools to integrate low impact development practices into new planned communities within springsheds. photo by sally lanigan

Amidst a population boom that adds almost l,000 new best design, construction and management practices in residents daily, Florida is poised to become the nation’s third new residential community developments that measurably largest state in the next two years—behind California and reduce energy and water consumption and environmental Texas—underscoring the need for realistic growth manage- degradation.” Ament practices to protect the state’s environment. Jones said the goal of building resource efficient commu- More than 200,000 new single-family detached homes nities has been strengthened by a new partnership with the were constructed in Florida during 2005, and the state has Conservation Clinic at UF’s Levin College of Law. led the country in new home construction for 13 out of the The Conservation Clinic provides environmental and land past 15 years. In the next 50 years, more than 11 million use law services to Florida communities and nongovern- new homes—along with millions of square feet of commer- ment organizations and university programs such as the UF cial space and thousands of miles of new roadways—will Extension Service and Florida Sea Grant College Program, be needed to accommodate the influx of residents, accord- said Tom Ankersen, director of the clinic. Among other proj- ing to Pierce Jones, director of the Program for Resource ects, the clinic has consulted with local governments on Efficient Communities at the University of Florida’s state- ordinances and comprehensive plan policies, drafted lan- wide Extension Service, which is part of UF’s Institute of guage for state statutes and worked with landowners on con- Food and Agricultural Sciences. servation easements. “In order to achieve the kind of resource-efficient growth “Demand for clinic legal services has been growing, we need, our community planning efforts require cross dis- and much of this has come through requests generated by ciplinary collaboration with building professionals, local our expanding relationship with UF’s Extension Service, governments, water management districts and other agen- which has offices in every county,” Ankersen said. “The cies,” Jones said. “The Program for Resource Efficient Conservation Clinic already has an ongoing relationship Communities, which was established in 2005, works with with the Florida Sea Grant program to support its coastal these and other collaborators to promote the adoption of and marine education programs.”

22 IMPACT | Spring 2007 feature

According to Larry Arrington, dean for the Extension “One way to ensure that homeowners maintain the land- Service, “UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences scape is to incorporate the principles of a Florida-friendly has faced increased pressure” to play a greater role in Florida landscape into the community covenants, conditions and growth management issues. restrictions (CCRs),” she said. “CCRs developed by the “Agricultural producers in the state have emphasized Conservation Clinic provide a binding set of community the need for science-based solutions to issues surrounding regulations that can be used by developers and homeowner growth, and county government officials are also request- associations.” ing more support on growth issues,” Arrington said. “The Wells said Willowbend in Osprey, Fla., is the first develop- partnership with the College of Law positions IFAS to better ment to incorporate Florida-friendly landscaping through- respond to these needs.” out the project, and the community association requires that Jones said the Conservation Clinic recently helped draft the landscaping be maintained according to environmentally the language for Gainesville’s Green Building Program, friendly principles. which is being used as a model by Sarasota and other Florida Lee Wetherington, president and founder of the project, communities. Working with the Program for Resource said landscaping was developed on a community-wide rather Efficient Communities, Carter Construction and other local than house-by-house basis. Each homeowner was allowed to builders are participating in the Gainesville Green Building select individual plants from a list of Florida native plants. Program. The incentive-based program incorporates a vari- “To cut down on the amount of water required for irriga- ety of energy efficient construction and landscape criteria tion, we installed a drip irrigation system and also regulated that builders must follow in order to build homes that are what plants could be placed under overhanging eaves,” he certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition. said. “We also placed native plants around lakes to avoid fer- Another extension educational effort benefiting from the tilizer runoff.” clinic’s legal services is the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Jim Cato, director of the Florida Sea Grant College (FYN) program, which encourages builders and developers Program, said the Conservation Clinic has been working to protect natural resources by incorporating environmen- with Sea Grant’s boating and waterways management pro- tally friendly landscaping into their new construction. gram for a number of years. Ondine Wells, statewide builder and developer coordina- Bob Swett, a waterways specialist who directs the pro- tor for FYN, said the Conservation Clinic provides model gram for Florida Sea Grant, said the laws of Florida regard- language for various covenants, conditions and restrictions ing boating, anchoring and mooring fields have been in a to help homeowner’s associations do their part to protect state of flux over the last few years. Many local communi- and conserve Florida’s water resources using science based ties and counties are confused as to the options available to information generated by IFAS. them with regard to regulating their waterways and provid- “The health of Florida’s estuaries, rivers, lakes, springs and ing public access. The Conservation Clinic has been instru- aquifers depends partly on how yards are landscaped and mental in providing guidance to county governments as well maintained,” she said. “Thanks to the efforts of the Florida as cities such as Bradenton Beach, Ft. Myers Beach, Punta Yards and Neighborhoods program, many developers and Gorda, Sarasota, St. Augustine and Venice. builders are opting to protect Florida’s natural resources by “The Conservation Clinic is currently helping develop incorporating Florida-friendly landscaping into their new a harbor management plan for the City of St. Augustine,” construction.” Swett said. “They have also developed policy toolkits and However, ensuring that these landscapes are maintained guidelines that have been valuable to communities strug- properly and not replaced with more energy- and water- gling with the issue of public access to Florida’s waterways.” intensive landscapes by the homeowner is a constant challenge, Wells said.

IMPACT | Spring 2007 23 Angela Polo Maraj, left, and Ondine Wells, right, talk with developer Lee Wetherington about his decision to incorporate Florida-friendly landscapes in the community of Willowbend in Osprey, Fla. Polo Maraj is the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods regional builder and developer coordinator for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. photo by thomas wright

Using geographical information systems, the University of Florida’s GeoPlan Center has developed these maps showing current land use in Florida and projected land use by 2060. Graphics courtesy of Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Orlando.

24 IMPACT | Spring 2007 feature 25 Spring 2007

| [email protected] IMPACT IMPACT [email protected] (352) 392-1761 (352) 392-1831 [email protected] [email protected] (352) 273-0835 (352) 392-8074 (352) 392-6233 (352) 392-5870 (352) 392-9238 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

ankersen tom arrington larry cato jim jerry robert jones pierce swett bob wells ondine For more information, contact: more information, For

n – chuck woods – chuck The toolkits and guidelines are available on the available and guidelines are toolkits The said smart of Law, College dean of the Levin Jerry, Robert man- successfully to vital is interdisciplinary approach “An

Robert Jerry, left, and Larry Arrington discuss the new partnership betweenmanagement issues UF’s Levin around College the state. of Law Arrington and the UF Extension said Florida’s Service population to address is various expected growth tothe double most in 50 urgent, years, and difficult growth managementand potentially will continuecontentious be one of issues facing the state. photo by thomas wright site: http://www.law.ufl.edu/ Web Clinic’s Conservation conservation/waterways/waterfronts/ in Florida, and issues key are and sustainability growth and environmental been a focus of the college’s long have in UF’s as a number of units as well program land use law Sciences. and Agricultural of Food Institute and this partnership with the Extension aging these areas, - and physi intellectual available Service amplify will greatly also Clinic projects “Conservation said. Jerry cal resources,” dollars by utilizing the time and talents of taxpayer leverage students benefit, The guidance. students under faculty law hands-on, by gaining world experience.” real too, TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE FLORIDA

26 IMPACT | Spring 2007 feature 27

Spring 2007

| - - IMPACT IMPACT Nirmul, a regional agent a regional Nirmul, Gellermann, who cate residents about about cate residents management and growth helping educate the public about the benefits associated with green space, the need of conserving water and energy, Sciences to help edu- urban environmental of Food and Agricultural are and the importance of community sustainability. sustainability. Tampa Bay area. Bay Tampa based at the Extension Experts with UF’s Institute participation in the development of Food and Agricultural and Agricultural of Food mental sustainability in the mental sustainability sustainability inSouth Florida. decision-making process. photoby - for urban environ programs Florida Everglades is enhancing agents hired by UF’s Institute Institute UF’s by hired agents josh wickham joined the St. Lucie County joined the St. Lucie County Restoration and protection of the 2006, is developing outreach outreach is developing 2006, the way as the first extension as the first the way Extension Service in June 2005, 2005, Extension Service in June At a time when managing a time when managing At Extension Service in September and Devesh Nirmul are leading are and Devesh Nirmul is developing educational pro working for the Pinellas County working for the Pinellas County Florida’s breakneck urban growth urban growth breakneck Florida’s ing the state, Jeffrey Gellermann Jeffrey ing the state, A is one of the biggest challenges fac- Coast, while Nirmul, who began while Nirmul, Coast, grams for smart manage grams growth ment practices on the Treasure on the Treasure ment practices TOWARD A TOWARD FLORIDA SUSTAINABLE Devesh Nirmul, left, Thomas Roberts, Bert Henderson (foreground) and Carl Lucchi check the energy efficiency rating of a heat pump in Pinellas County. Nirmul said one of the first steps that organizations can take to improve their sustainability is to eliminate waste and improve efficiency. Roberts is a curator of education with the UF Pinellas County Extension Service; Henderson is an extension energy agent, and Lucchi is a special project assistant. photo by josh wickham

past two years, said forecasts indicate the state’s population will reach nearly 34 million by 2050. Partly because of this growth, Florida is making impres- sive economic gains beyond traditional mainstay industries such as agriculture, natural resources and tourism, he said. The state is quickly becoming known for its growing biotechnology industry, evolving from a tourist destination to a diverse economic magnet. “But we are paying a price for that growth and prosperity,” Gellermann said. “There are many redevelop- ment projects across the state, but a large portion of the land cleared to make room for all of the new residents migrating to Florida is undeveloped. This has resulted in a large portion of Florida’s native hab- itats being destroyed. Rapid development has begun to take a toll on the quality of life; key economic sec- tors such as agriculture and natural resources are also feeling the impact. Service’s Bushnell Center for Urban Development as well as environmental “The good news is that we are learn- Sustainability in Largo, is working finance work for the National Wildlife ing from our past mistakes, and we with county residents, local govern- Federation in Washington, D.C., where can take steps to prevent detrimental ment agencies, community organi- he also founded a sustainable business development patterns in the future,” zations and corporate institutions to network. His current position and the he said. improve environmental, economic and establishment of the Bushnell Center Growth management—balancing social sustainability in the daily lives of for Urban Sustainability in Pinellas economic and ecological sustainabil- individuals at home, work and play. County is supported by UF’s William ity while maintaining individual prop- “Sustainability is a process that P. and Janet F. Bushnell Professorship erty rights—is the primary instrument can lead to conservation of natural in Urban Environmental Sustainability that will shape the future, he said. “A resources, increased economic pros- endowment. sustainable Florida can be achieved perity and better lives today and in the Nirmul will lead the Bushnell center through educating the public to the future,” Nirmul said. “It can be as sim- in its first operational year, focusing on benefits associated with green space, ple as changing to fluorescent light a tripartite strategy—sustainability in the need of conserving water and bulbs or as bold as redesigning cities.” county departments, community out- energy, and the importance of commu- Before coming to the UF Extension reach to promote adoption of sustain- nity participation in the development Service, Nirmul was an environmen- able practices, and developing partner- decision-making process.” tal services coordinator and urban ships with UF and other institutions Gellermann said rapid growth on planner in Tampa. His previous work for applied research, learning and the Treasure Coast is similar to that includes climate change and sus- analysis on urban sustainability. occurring elsewhere in the state. tainable development consulting for Gellermann, who has been working According to the regional planning the U.S. Agency for International on growth management issues for the council, there are approximately

28 IMPACT | Spring 2007 Jeff Gellermann says rapid growth on the Treasure Coast is similar to that occurring elsewhere in the state. According to the regional planning council, there are approximately 118,585 homes pending or approved in the region. In St. Lucie County, there are 80,228 pending or approved homes alone. photo by thomas wright

118,585 homes pending or approved in the region. In St. Lucie County, there are 80,228 pending or approved homes alone. “By working with the development community in St. Lucie County, we can help promote the adoption of more sustainable development practices by the industry across the entire region,” Gellermann said. “With the large number of new homes planned, even a small change in practices for the better can have immense benefits overall.” Gellermann is also looking at issues such as affordable housing, which is one of the hottest topics currently in growth management. He said St. Lucie County currently has a tremendous demand for affordable housing, and it is projected that 50 percent of the total number of homes needed in Florida in 2050 have not yet been built. Another important growth management issue involves urban service boundaries, designed to limit the tourism industry and $18 billion For more information, visit the urban services such as water and less than the agricultural and natural following Web site: sewer. “In many counties and cities resource industries, he said. SolutionsForYourLife.com to access across Florida, development pressures “If we have learned anything, the publications under community devel- to build past these boundaries are speed of our development is as much opment (urban and rural growth), increasing,” Gellermann said. “In some of an issue as the amount,” Gellermann including Towards a Sustainable Florida. instances, the county may approve said. “The techniques used to solve the The 102-page publication, released development on one side of the road challenges we are facing today may in September 2005 for The Century but will not approve the same develop- have dire consequences for tomorrow. Commission for a Sustainable Florida, ment on the other side without those In the 1970s and 80s, issues surround- provides a comprehensive review of services.” ing leapfrog developments and sprawl- environmental, social and economic He said some developers have solved ing residential neighborhoods in South concepts for sustainable development this problem by establishing wells for Florida were not taken as seriously as in the state. Many of the reports in the drinking water and package plants to today. Growth management profes- document were prepared by faculty handle their own sewer and wastewa- sionals are still trying to undo those and staff in UF’s Institute of Food and ter discharge. So far, their last major mistakes. Unfortunately, with devel- Agricultural Sciences. n hurdle seems to be schools that are not opment, the consequences may be – chuck woods allowed to be constructed beyond the unknown for many years or decades, For more information, contact: urban service boundary. and by that time we may have very jeffrey gellermann (772) 462-1938 Florida’s construction activity for well replicated those mistakes across [email protected] 2005 was valued at approximately $69 the state many thousands of times.” devesh nirmul (727) 582-2508 billion—nearly $12 billion more than [email protected]

IMPACT | Spring 2007 29 designer genes for grass

30 IMPACT | Spring 2007 feature In Florida’s largest biotechnology program for commercially important species of grasses, researchers in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are improving forage grasses, turfgrasses, cereal crops and grasses that can be used for bioenergy. The molecular plant physiology laboratory in the agronomy department is developing advanced technologies that enhance the productivity of these grasses, improve the use of natural resources and protect the environment.

(Opposite) Fredy Altpeter displays transgenic bahiagrass prior to exposing it to freezing temperatures in a computer-controlled environmental growth chamber. photo by thomas wright

When it comes That’s the goal of Fredy Altpeter, an assistant professor of to the world’s molecular biology in the agronomy department, who leads most important a team of researchers using genetic engineering to improve grass crops, there’s economically important pasture grasses, turfgrasses Wroom for improvement. and cereals. On average, these crops Residential and commercial turfgrass covers about 4.4 attain only about 25 per- million cultivated acres of land in Florida, and consumers in cent of their potential yield the state spend about $6.5 billion a year on turfgrass main- because of problems associ- tenance and products. Bahiagrass, one of the most popu- ated with insect pests, patho- lar perennial pasture grasses in the southern United States, gens, weeds, cold or drought, but covers 5 million acres in Florida and supports the state’s these and other limiting factors $1.1 billion cattle and dairy industries. Cereal crops include can be addressed by enhancing the grasses such as wheat and rye cultivated for their edible genetic tolerance of grass crops grains. Worldwide, cereal grains are grown in greater to stress.

IMPACT | Spring 2007 31 Fredy Altpeter measures stress tolerance of transgenic bahiagrass plants using a pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer. photo by sally lanigan feature

Altpeter says that understanding this “wiring” and identifying the most important regulatory genes is the key to designing better crops. “We are beginning to understand how plants sense stress and which genes are activated or turned on in response. But translating this knowledge into improved quantities and provide more food energy for people than any turfgrass, forage, cereal grain or bioenergy plant biomass other crop. requires knowledge of how these pathways can be cranked Altpeter said the targets for improving grasses include up without lowering yield or compromising the plant’s better insect resistance, cold and drought tolerance, disease quality.” and herbicide resistance, and conversion to biofuels. While Working in cooperation with Ken Boote, a professor in many of these improvements have been the target of con- the agronomy department, and Hartwell Allen, an agrono- ventional plant breeding programs for decades, genetic engi- mist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural neering opens new doors for plant improvement. Research Service (USDA/ARS) in Gainesville, Altpeter is “Our research team is identifying critical genes for crop evaluating the extent to which individual genes help protect stress tolerance and quality, redesigning these genes, intro- plants from stress. ducing them into grasses and studying the performance of “Identifying genes that help plants respond to stress, these genetically enhanced grasses under controlled envi- designing better versions of these genes and reintroducing ronmental and field conditions,” Altpeter said. them by genetic engineering may allow plants to survive and He said research has shown that plant response to stress produce biomass with less water or with lower water qual- is very complex at the molecular level, with approximately ity,” he said. “One of our studies shows that a regulatory 2,000 genes responding to each stress episode. However, master switch gene—isolated from a drought-tolerant desert only a small fraction of these genes seem to be crucial— grass—enhanced drought tolerance and biomass production some of them act like a master switch and turn on multiple of turf and forage grass,” Altpeter said. stress-protecting genes at the same time. His work in collaboration with Ann Blount, a professor More importantly, Altpeter said, plants have most of the of agronomy at UF’s North Florida Research and Education right stress-tolerance genes they need, but they don’t switch Center in Marianna, showed that transgenic grass shows them on appropriately to deal with adverse conditions. “The an improvement in biomass production on an annual basis. hardware is all there, but it’s the wiring—or the regulatory “By introducing stress-tolerant genes from wild plants into master switch genes—that’s mucked up,” he said. domesticated crops, we can add desirable characteristics

32 IMPACT | Spring 2007 feature 33 Spring 2007

| IMPACT IMPACT (352) 392-1823 – chuck woods – chuck [email protected]

n fredy altpeter fredy He said that energy derived from grass biomass is one grass from derived said that energy He journal articles is also the senior author of two Altpeter the USDA, from is supported by grants His research For more information, contact: more information, For

professor in UF’s microbiology and cell science department. microbiology in UF’s professor plant-based developing on focused currently is research “Our degrading of cell wall technologies for high-level expression the cost of technology for reducing enzymes—a promising said. Altpeter biomass,” from ethanol producing towards that Florida and the nation can move of the ways of unused or underuti “The- has plenty state security. energy on grown are grasses land, and perennial lized agricultural he said. of these lands,” areas large making bread describing work that should help improve articles were The in cereals. and disease resistance quality 2004 and January 2005 issues of Plant published in the April Molecular Biology. District, the Management Florida Water the Southwest and private Research, of Plant Biotechnology Consortium industry biotechnology such as The leaders in turfgrass genomics such as Vialactia grass and forage Company Scotts Biosciences. - - melanie thorpe eliminated by the herbicide. photo by Non-transgenic grass (outer circle) was highly resistant to glufosinate herbicide. In cooperation with Maria Gallo, Paul Mislevy (based at (based at Mislevy Paul Gallo, with Maria cooperation In In another study with Blount, In - con with Blount is also addressing research Altpeter’s Sinclair, and Tom Kenworthy with Kevin research Field biomass into grass of converting enhance the process To transgenic bahiagrass (inner circle) that is Ann Blount checks a patch of healthy, green lowing redesign of a master switch gene that affects plant lowing redesign said. Altpeter development,” in Ona) and Education Center Research Range Cattle UF’s depart in the agronomy professors Wofford, and David that allowed their ancestors to that allowed survive in a harsh environment,” said. Altpeter confirmed the generation Altpeter - is highly resis that of bahiagrass grasses to regular tant to glufosinate herbicide compared herbi- The eliminated by the herbicide. that are and weeds as Liberty. commercially cide is marketed impact of geneti- cerns about the potential environmental of new molec- availability the “With cally modified grasses. we containment systems, ular and existing reproductive plants into natural can minimize the dispersal of transgenic he said. areas,” department, demonstrated in the agronomy professors “Plants dis- bahiagrass. in transgenic turf quality improved fol production seed-head a denser turf and delayed played an entomologist with USDA/ Meagher, ment, and Robert Bacillus thuringen- synthetic is introducing Altpeter ARS, said He insect pests. to control sis (BT) genes in grasses with a synthetic bahiagrass shows that transgenic research - pests than regu to fall armyworm resistant more gene is BT lar bahiagrass. a Preston, is working with James low-cost ethanol, Altpeter 34

IMPACT feature |

Spring 2007 SAGOS SCALE Stopping on on by josh wickham josh by photo ayear. within it kill and months within sago amedium-sized coat completely can infestation an worst, its At scale. cycad Asian the by attack to susceptible very are sagos queen and King I eral, scaleinsectshatchintoacrawler an infestedplant,” shesaid.“In gen- lives, Mannion said. on theplant,underwhichinsect cycad scaleproduces awaxy covering within monthsandkillitayear. pletely coatamedium-sizedsago At itsworst,aninfestationcancom- cycad scale(Aulacaspis). yasumatsui susceptible toattack bytheAsian andCycasrevoluta rumphii)—are very cycads—king andqueensagos(Cycas with economiclossesinthemillions.” hasbeendevastated, industry nursery palms inCentral Florida.The cycad almost halfofthekingandqueensago were killed,andthepesthaskilled queen sagopalmsinSouthFlorida few years, 80percent ofthekingand Southeast Asia,” shesaid.“Withina introduced totheMiamiarea from 1990s, whenthepestwas accidentally plants inSouthFloridathemid- Education Center inHomestead. mology atUF’s Tropical Research and assistant professor ofornamentalento Florida, saidCatharine Mannion, an tive natural enemiesestablishedin thattheinsecthasfeweffec- suggests collections around theworld. cycad populationsandconservation threatsingle mostimportant towild say thescaleisprobablyexperts the cycad—also calledasagopalm—and spread throughout thestate. has invaded SouthFloridaandquickly industry,ery theAsiancycad scale dollars indamagetothestate’s nurs- landscape plantsandcausemillionsof insect canwreak havoc onvaluable “The coveringismostvisibleon “The Like otherarmored scales, theAsian She saidtwo commonlygrown insectbeganattacking“The the Its rapid spread throughout thestate The tiny insect’s onlyhostisthe In anotherexampleofhowanexotic - Catharine Mannion examines the or mobile stage—small enough to be severity of an Asian cycad scale spread to other plants by wind. When infestation on a sago palm at UF’s Tropical Research and Education they find a suitable spot on the plant, Center in Homestead. photo by josh they insert their mouthparts and wickham start feeding.” The scale completes its life cycle in about one month, but dead scale stay on the plant for weeks, especially if the infestation is heavy, she said. The Asian cycad scale is unusual in that it can also infest plant roots. southern Florida and con- She said management of the scale is tribute to the control of difficult because early infestations are the scale,” Mannion said. hard to see, populations can grow very “However, because of the quickly and they are very good at hid- explosive nature of the scale ing in protected areas of the plant’s insect, neither one of these trunk and crown. Until now, cycads natural enemies can provide have been considered relatively “low- complete control.” maintenance” for pests, but this insect Ronald Cave, an assistant has changed that. professor of entomology at “In areas with high infestations, UF’s Indian River Research management of the pest will be a and Education Center in Fort continuous and long-term effort,” Pierce, is conducting research Mannion said. “If infested cycads go on the scale’s natural ene- unmanaged, the scale will not only kill mies to learn more about the cycad but can be spread to other their population dynam- cycads. Management of the pest can ics and interactions with the also be deceiving because it is not obvi- scale pest. ous when the scale insects are dead, Cave recently traveled to and the scales remain on the plant for China and Vietnam to iden- long periods of time.” tify parasitoids that could be imported At this time, horticultural oils and/ Researchers with UF’s Institute of and released in Florida. Two para- or insecticides can be used to manage Food and Agricultural Sciences have sitic wasps (Aprostocetus purpureus Asian cycad scale, she said. Thorough introduced two natural enemies to and Arrhenophagus sp.) were collected coverage of the plant is extremely help combat this pest, but they are not and brought to quarantine facilities important when applying a foliar spray. completely effective. The insects were in Gainesville and Fort Pierce, where Depending on the product, repeat imported from Thailand and released methods are being developed to rear applications may be necessary. in South Florida in 1997 and 1998 by the wasps for research purposes. “If plants are heavily infested with Richard Baranowski, a professor of Mannion is also evaluating another the scale, removal of the leaves may entomology at the Homestead center. potential predatory beetle (Rhyzobius help reduce the pest population,” The natural enemies are a preda- lophanthae) that was introduced into Mannion said. “Monitoring the plant ceous beetle (Cybocephalus nipponicus) Hawaii many years ago for control and application of an oil or insecticide and a parasitic wasp (Coccobius fulvus). of other armored-scale insects and are still necessary after the leaves have The adult beetle feeds primarily on reportedly provides some control of been removed. No product will kill all adult female scale. The beetle lays her the Asian cycad scale. This predatory the insects on the plants forever, so eggs among the scale eggs underneath beetle was released on the island of maintenance of a clean, healthy plant the scale armor covering. After hatch- Guam and in south Texas, where it is will likely be a continuing effort.” n ing, the beetle larva feeds on all stages spreading rapidly. Small, isolated pop- – chuck woods of the scale. The parasitic wasp attacks ulations have been found in Florida, For more information, contact: and kills female scale by laying its but Mannion says this localized dis- ronald cave (772) 468-3922 egg inside the female scale where the tribution is not understood, and early [email protected] developing wasp larva feeds and grows. indications are that it may not be con- catharine mannion (305) 246-7001 “Both of these natural enemies have tributing much to the control of [email protected] become established in many areas in this pest.

IMPACT | Spring 2007 35 Chinese Collaboration He Kang, a former Chinese minis- “Minister Kang has opened up ter of agriculture and one of the found- an extraordinary door for UF—all ers of the South China University we need to do is to walk through of Tropical Agriculture (SCUTA) in it,” McLellan said. “This collabo- Hainan Province, visited with faculty, ration with agriculturists in the staff and students at the UF’s Tropical world’s most populated country is Research and Education Center in rich in benefits and opportunities Homestead and the Fort Lauderdale for our faculty and our Chinese Research and Education Center in counterparts. Virtually every dis- He Kang, left, learns about a research project on December 2006. cipline in our program has poten- nematodes from Robin Giblin-Davis, a professor of Kang was invited to visit the UF tial for unique study, strong nematology at UF’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. photo by ian maguire spotlight facilities by Mark McLellan, dean for collaboration and excellent research at UF’s Institute of Food and exchange. These opportunities do Su, a professor of entomology at the Agricultural Sciences in Gainesville, not come every day, and we are pleased Fort Lauderdale center and one of the who met the Chinese scientist at that our faculty is in a position to take world’s leading termite experts. the World Food Prize Awards in Des advantage of this new relationship.” Prior to Kang’s visit, Jonathan Crane, Moines, Iowa last fall. Mary Duryea, Waddill said Kang was surprised by a professor and associate director of the associate dean for research, and Van the number of Chinese scientists and Homestead center, traveled to China in Waddill, director of the Homestead and students working at the two UF centers, December to consult with researchers Fort Lauderdale centers, also accompa- and he enjoyed interacting with them. and learn more about tropical agricul- nied Kang on his tour of UF facilities. “He extended a warm invitation to our tural research and education there. n During his visit, Kang called for faculty to visit China and develop coop- – chuck woods increasing collaboration between the erative research projects,” Waddill said. For more information, contact: Chinese university and UF because the The Chinese minister discussed mark mclellan (352) 392-1784 two institutions have much in com- research projects with faculty at the UF [email protected] mon. He said SCUTA is the largest centers, including Yuncong Li, an asso- van waddill (305) 246-7001 Chinese university dedicated to tropical ciate professor of soil and water science [email protected] and subtropical agriculture. at the Homestead center, and Nan-Yao Distance Education for Honduras For more than 20 years, UF’s College them attain the required proficiency of Agricultural and Life Sciences in English before their graduation,” he has developed a close working rela- said. “The class included insect identi- tionship with the Escuela Agricola fication, computer skills, ornamental Panamericana in Honduras, and cultivation, marketing, sales, investing, now that relationship is being fur- bonsai production and invasive species.” ther enhanced by a distance educa- Despite some bandwidth problems tion course presented by faculty at UF’s between Florida and Honduras, which Indian River Research and Education occasionally hindered reception, the Center in Fort Pierce. class was surprisingly well received, he P.J. van Blokland, a professor of food said. As a result, the course will be con- and resource economics at the Ft. tinued in the future. Pierce center, and Ron Cave, an assis- In October 2006, van Blokland and tant professor of entomology at the cen- Cave, along with Ferdinand Wirth, an p.j. van blokland ter, recently initiated a distance educa- associate professor of food and resource tion class in English for seniors at the economics at the UF center, and Sandra said. Usually, he added, there are sev- Honduran college (now a four-year col- Wilson, an associate professor of orna- eral exchange students from Zamorano lege called Zamorano University). mental horticulture at the center, vis- University studying at the Fort Pierce Van Blokland, who also directs the ited Zamorano University to meet many center, which is part of UF’s Institute of center’s education programs, said the of their students as well as faculty and Food and Agricultural Sciences. n class lasted 10 weeks and ran from 90 administrators at the university. – chuck woods minutes to two hours on Wednesday The trip strengthened the recipro- For more information, contact: afternoons. cal program between UF and Zamorano p.j. van blokland (772) 468-3922 “The idea was to present a vari- University and will result in more stu- [email protected] ety of subjects to the students to help dent exchange programs, van Blokland

36 IMPACT | Spring 2007 UF Research Foundation Professors

Six faculty members with UF’s Institute that are not copied by messenger RNA spotlight of Food and Agricultural Sciences have during protein synthesis. been named UF Research Foundation George O’Connor, a professor in the Professors for 2006, in recognition of their soil and water science department, past research accomplishments and strong focuses on the application of basic soil current research agendas. chemistry to issues associated with janaki alavalapati The honorees are Janaki Alavalapati, the land application of nonhazardous Lawrence Datnoff, Jude Grosser, Curt wastes, primarily biosolids. His inter- Hannah, George O’Connor and K.T. ests include determining how chem- Shanmugam. icals in the wastes move through the Campuswide, 33 UF faculty mem- soil and developing methods to control bers were named Research Foundation the impact of these chemicals on the Professors. The three-year award provides environment. each honoree with a $5,000 annual salary K.T. Shanmugam, a professor in the supplement and a $3,000 grant. microbiology and cell science depart- lawrence datnoff Janaki Alavalapati, an associate profes- ment, researches the physiological pro- sor in the School of Forest Resources and cesses involved when bacterial cells Conservation, studies economics and pol- synthesize enzymes containing the icy related to sustainable forestry, environ- element molybdenum. His current mental services, wildland-urban interface, research focuses on engineering bac- biomass and bioenergy, climate change and teria as biocatalysts for cost-effective protected areas management. conversion of biomass-derived sug- Lawrence Datnoff, a professor in the ars to fuel ethanol, hydrogen and com- plant pathology department, focuses on modity chemicals, such as lactic acid, a the biology, etiology, epidemiology and bioplastics precursor. jude grosser control of foliar and soilborne diseases of All UF Research Foundation rice, turfgrass and, most recently, orna- Professors are selected based on rec- mentals. He is perhaps best known for ommendations from the deans of their studying how silicon, used as a fertilizer, respective colleges. The research pro- can help rice and turfgrass resist disease, fessorships are funded from UF’s share and has been investigating the mechanisms of royalty and licensing income from responsible for this effect. technologies developed by faculty, staff Jude Grosser, a professor of horticul- and students. tural sciences at the Citrus Research and Founded in 1986, the UF Research Education Center in Lake Alfred, spe- Foundation is a nonprofit organiza- curt hannah cializes in genetics and biotechnology tion that supports research by faculty research related to citrus variety improve- members and facilitates transfer of UF- ment. His work has addressed all major cit- developed innovations to the public. n rus production problems in Florida and – tom nordlie the development of new citrus varieties to For more information, contact: provide growers with greater marketing janaki alavalapati (352) 846-0899 opportunities. [email protected] Curt Hannah, a professor in the horti- lawrence datnoff (352) 392-3631 cultural sciences department, researches [email protected] the molecular genetics of starch produc- jude grosser (863) 956-1151 george o’connor tion in corn. He is particularly interested [email protected] in genetic mutations that change the size, curt hannah (352) 392-1928 shape and texture of corn seed. Recent [email protected] studies have also investigated the effects george o’connor (352) 392-7181 [email protected] of introns, DNA sequences in plant genes k.t. shanmugam (352) 392-2490 [email protected]

k.t. shanmugam

IMPACT | Spring 2007 37 New Associate Deans Elaine Turner, interim associate A member of the UF faculty since dean of UF’s College of Agricultural 1996, Turner taught at Clemson and Life Sciences, and Mark Rieger, University from 1986 to 1996. She a professor of horticulture with the earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics University of Georgia, have been from Kansas State University, and mas- named associate deans of the UF col- ter’s and doctoral degrees in nutrition lege, according to an announcement from Purdue University. by Dean Kirby Barrick. Rieger has been with UGA’s horti- Turner’s appointment became culture department since 1987, where spotlight effective in June 2006, and Rieger’s his research focused on environmental appointment became effective in stress physiology of fruit crops. He has September. Rieger also serves as a hor- three horticultural science degrees— ticultural sciences professor. a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania Although their responsibilities over- State University, a master’s degree lap somewhat, each associate dean from the University of Georgia and a has specific assignments, Barrick said. doctoral degree from UF. elaine turner Turner will provide leadership for “I’m delighted to be coming back to undergraduate education and teaching Gainesville after 20 years,” said Rieger. enhancement programs. Rieger will “I’ve been preparing for a career in col- provide leadership for graduate educa- lege administration, and this is a great tion, distance education programs and opportunity for me.” n – tom nordlie the upper-division undergraduate hon- For more information, contact: ors programs. kirby barrick (352) 392-1961 The addition of a second associate [email protected] dean will greatly benefit the college, elaine turner (352) 392-1963 said Turner, who is also an associate [email protected] professor of food science and human mark rieger (352) 392-1963 nutrition. [email protected]

mark rieger

Three New Department Chairs New chairpersons were recently Charudattan, who joined the UF and aquatic plant diseases, and he has named for three departments in UF’s plant pathology faculty in 1970, served as editor of Biological Control, a Institute of Food and Agricultural assumed leadership of the department highly respected scientific journal.” Sciences. Feb. 13. Cheek said Charudattan is rec- The author of numerous publica- Raghavan Charudattan is the new ognized nationally and internationally tions, Charudattan earned his bache- chair of the plant pathology depart- as a leader in the biological control of lor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in ment; Geoffrey Dahl is the new chair weeds, using plant pathogens as a sup- plant pathology at the University of of the animal sciences department, plement to conventional weed man- Madras in India. He also was a post- and Dorota Haman is the new chair agement methods. doctoral research plant pathologist of the agricultural and biological engi- “Dr. Charudattan has built a unique, at the University of California, Davis, neering department. The appoint- strong and productive program of from 1968 to 1970. ments were announced by Jimmy research, graduate education and In announcing Dorota Haman’s Cheek, UF senior vice president for international cooperation in biologi- appointment, which becomes effec- agriculture and natural resources, cal control,” Cheek said. “He is known tive May 1, Cheek said, “We are fortu- following nationwide searches for for his pioneering studies on weeds nate to have a faculty member with the candidates.

38 IMPACT | Spring 2007 spotlight expertise and range of experience that poultry and dairy science programs. Dr. Haman brings to the department, Hembry also led the animal sciences which is consistently ranked among program from 1990 to 2000. the nation’s top programs by U.S. News Cheek said Dahl will focus on and World Report magazine.” enhancing the department’s teaching, Haman began her career in the research and extension programs in department as an assistant profes- beef cattle, dairy cattle and equine sci- sor in 1985, rising to the rank of pro- ences. His appointment became effec- fessor in 1998, and has most recently tive in September 2006. served as the department’s graduate “We believe that through his leader- coordinator. Specializing in irrigation ship we will build on our strengths and and water management, Haman has a achieve even greater successes in the strong interest in irrigation education future,” Cheek said. “Dr. Dahl will help in developing countries. Her recent this become one of the best depart- research projects have focused on irri- ments of its kind in the world.” gation efficiency in ornamental plant Prior to his UF appointment, Dahl raghavan charudattan production. was a faculty member in the animal Haman received her bachelor’s sciences department at UI at Urbana- degree in mathematics from the Champaign from 2000 to mid-2006. University of Warsaw in 1973, and From 1994 to 2000, he was a fac- completed her master’s and doctoral ulty member with the University of degrees in agricultural engineering at Maryland’s animal and avian sciences Michigan State University in 1980 and department. He began his professional 1983, respectively. She has received career as a research fellow with the numerous professional awards and is University of Michigan’s reproductive a member of many professional soci- sciences program from 1991 to 1994. eties, including serving a second term Dahl received a bachelor’s degree on the board of directors of the U.S. in animal science from the University Committee on Irrigation and Drainage. of Massachusetts in 1985, a master’s She is the second woman to lead degree in dairy science from Virginia the department, replacing Wendy Polytechnic Institute in 1987 and Graham who became director of UF’s a doctorate in animal science from dorota haman new Water Institute in 2006. Ken Michigan State University in 1991. n Campbell, a professor in the depart- – chuck woods ment, has served as interim chairman For more information, contact: of the department since May 2006. raghavan charudattan (352) 392-7240 Geoffrey Dahl, a professor of animal [email protected] sciences at the University of Illinois, geoffrey dahl (352) 392-1981 succeeds Glen Hembry, a UF animal [email protected] sciences professor who became chair- dorota haman (352) 392-1864 man in 2000 when the department [email protected] was created by merging the animal,

geoffrey dahl

IMPACT | Spring 2007 39 New Biotech Director Following an international search horticultural sciences department in for outstanding candidates, Robert 1987 and a professor in 1990. In 1994, Ferl has been named director of he was named assistant director of the the UF’s Interdisciplinary Center ICBR. for Biotechnology (ICBR), which is Phillips said the primary mission expanding its mission in the new $85 of the ICBR is to provide UF’s bio- million Cancer and Genetics Research technology community with central- Complex in Gainesville. ized research facilities, state-of-the- In announcing the appointment, art equipment and staff trained in the spotlight Win Phillips, UF senior vice presi- latest technologies, such as high-end dent for research, said Ferl’s record of genomics, informatics and proteomics. research accomplishments made him These are technologies that are usu- the ideal choice. “He is well known for ally too expensive or unwieldy for indi- his outstanding dedication to research, vidual researchers. but he’s also admired for his ability Ferl received a bachelor’s degree in to work with others and coordinate biology from Hiram College in 1976 robert ferl efforts effectively,” Phillips said. and completed his master’s and doc- Ferl, a professor of molecular biol- toral degrees in genetics at Indiana ogy in UF’s Institute of Food and University in 1980. n – stu hutson Agricultural Sciences, joined the UF For more information, contact: faculty in 1980 as an assistant pro- robert ferl (352) 392-1928 fessor in the botany department. He [email protected] became an associate professor in the

International Fellow Dan Cantliffe, professor and chair- Cantliffe’s international work man of UF’s horticultural sciences includes research and outreach on pro- department, has been named a fel- tected agriculture, a high-tech, high- low by the International Society for yield approach to growing fruits and Horticultural Science. Cantliffe is one vegetables in greenhouses. Popular of only six individuals to receive the in Europe, the Middle East, Canada, highest honor from the 6,300-mem- Mexico, China, Korea and Japan, pro- ber society. tected agriculture enables year-round The ceremonies took place at the production while conserving resources 27th International Horticultural and reducing pesticide use. Congress and Exhibition in Seoul, Cantliffe has developed collab- South Korea, in August 2006. orative relationships with institu- During the conference, Cantliffe tions in Brazil, Israel, Italy and Korea. also received a second honor—the While promoting protected agricul- ISHS Medal—for his work as chair- ture in Florida, he has also intro- man of the organization’s vegetable duced growers to two crops developed dan cantliffe section over the past eight years. in Israel: Galia muskmelons and Beit The fellowship selection process Alpha cucumbers. He was named an requires letters of support from at least International Fellow by UF’s Institute For more information, contact: five colleagues in three nations and of Food and Agricultural Sciences in dan cantliffe (352) 392-1928 approval by the organization’s council, 2005. n – tom nordlie [email protected] which includes representatives from each of ISHS’s more than 140 member nations.

40 IMPACT | Spring 2007 Soil and Water Engineering Award spotlight Kenneth Campbell, a professor and excess phosphorous in runoff was a interim chair of UF’s agricultural and major factor behind damaging algal biological engineering department, blooms that were clogging the area’s has been recognized by the American water systems. Campbell’s work pro- Society of Agricultural and Biological vides a clear illustration of this effect Engineers (ASABE) for his creation and helped to develop regulations to of sophisticated computer models rein in the damaging effects. that provide a highly accurate view of In 2000, Campbell began a year’s waterway dynamics. His work reveals Fulbright sabbatical in South Africa the ebb and flow of essential nutrients at the University of Natal. He helped and pollutants through waterways. develop a new computer model using The Hancor Soil and Water the object-oriented computer lan- Engineering Award was presented to guage called Java to help land manag- Campbell at the 2006 ASABE Annual ers in the near-desert region make the International Meeting in Portland, best use of their resources. The sys- Ore. The award, first given in 1966, is tem proved to be so adaptable that he kenneth campbell one of the group’s most prestigious rec- brought it back to UF, where he uses ognitions of engineering achievement. it to predict runoff from ranches and Campbell was among eleven nomi- farms. nees from national and international However, the model isn’t the only institutions. connection Campbell still holds with According to the ASABE, Campbell South Africa. Since his time there, was chosen in large part for his two- Campbell has helped four students For more information, contact: decade-long endeavor to model phos- from the region come to UF to pursue kenneth campbell phorous levels in South Florida. In graduate academic degrees. n (352) 392-1864 [email protected] the early 1980s it was recognized that – stu hutson

Distinguished Alumni Award

Larry Arrington, UF dean for exten- His professional affiliations include sion, received the 2007 Distinguished the Florida Farm Bureau, American Alumni Award on March 3 from The Association for Agricultural Education Ohio State University’s College of and the Florida Association of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Extension 4-H agents. In 2004, he Sciences Alumni Society. served as a member of the Board of Arrington, who completed his doc- Directors with the National Extension toral degree in agricultural and exten- Virtual Diversity Center. n sion education at Ohio State, joined – chuck woods the faculty of the UF’s Institute of Food For more information, contact: and Agricultural Sciences in 1981. He larry arrington (352) 392-1761 was appointed interim dean for exten- [email protected] sion in 2003 and has served as dean for extension since 2004.

larry arrington

IMPACT | Spring 2007 41 ifas development News

Jimmy Cheek, left, UF senior vice president for Carl B. Loop, Jr. photo provided by florida Muncy and Herb Chapman agriculture and natural resources, receives a farm bureau federation $100,000 check from Florida Cattlemen’s As- sociation President Hal Phillips at the FCA Allied Trade Show. photo provided by ron o’connor

florida cattlemen’s carl loop legislative endowment qualifies for a 50 percent association foundation internship endowment match from Florida’s Major Gifts The Florida Cattlemen’s Association In recognition of his 23 years of Trust Fund. Foundation has given a $100,000 gift service to the Florida Farm Bureau herb and muncy chapman designated for the construction of Federation, the federation hon- endowment fund a new multipurpose facility at UF’s ored Carl B. Loop Jr., former presi- Range Cattle Research and Education dent, with a gift to establish The Carl Herb and Muncy Chapman of Vero Center in Ona. The foundation’s con- Loop Legislative Internship Endowment. Beach recently funded joint life chari- tribution may be matched dollar for The gift will support undergradu- table gift annuities with a gift of appre- dollar through the Alec P. Courtelis ate and graduate students participat- ciated securities to the University of Facilities Enhancement Challenge ing in either the state or federal leg- Florida Foundation. Grant Program. islative internship program through “Fifteen of my 28 years with UF’s “The range cattle center is an out- UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Institute of Food and Agricultural standing facility for training students Sciences. The $100,000 gift also qual- Sciences were spent as director of the interested in pursuing career oppor- ifies for a 50 percent match from Range Cattle Research and Education tunities in livestock and forage pro- Florida’s Major Gifts Trust Fund. Center, which served over half of the duction, as well as the enhancement cattle industry in Florida,” Chapman national foliage of natural resources that are linked to foundation graduate said. “Since retirement, Muncy and our range and grazing landscapes,” said assistantship I have written The Wiregrass Trilogy, center director John Arthington. “This three historical fiction novels based on gift will be a tremendous asset for the The National Foliage Foundation the cattle industry prior to the Florida enhancement of our facilities.” Inc. (NFF) recently funded a new Territory becoming a state. The Ona $350,000 permanent endowment center continues to provide vital infor- through the University of Florida mation for cattlemen in subtropical Foundation to support graduate stu- and tropical environments, and we dent assistantships in the environ- wanted to help support their efforts.” mental horticulture department. The remaining principal value of the Administered by the Florida Nursery, annuities will one day establish The Growers and Landscape Association, Herb and Muncy Chapman Endowment the NFF is dedicated to funding Fund that will support research and research projects that have the poten- academic programs at the Range tial for enhancing the development Cattle Research and Education Center New multipurpose facility to be constructed at of the foliage industry and increasing in Ona. the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona. the enjoyment of indoor plants. The

42 IMPACT | Spring 2007 ifasDevelopment “Private Gifts Providing the Margin of Excellence”

what is ifas development? how gifts are used The IFAS Development program serves as the cen- All gifts designated for IFAS are payable to the tral fundraising effort to secure private support for the University of Florida Foundation and are generally University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural tax-deductible. Your gift may support IFAS academic, Sciences in partnership with the SHARE Council direct sup- research or extension programs, faculty initiatives, stu- port organization and the University of Florida Foundation. dent scholarships, enhanced facilities or equipment. Charitable gifts provide the “margin of excellence” for state- Permanent named endowed funds may also be estab- wide IFAS academic programs, research, extension and lished to ensure long-term stable funding for any proj- facilities. ect or program. ways to give matching gift programs There are several ways to support IFAS: The state of Florida currently provides generous • Cash matching funds for endowed gifts of $100,000 or more • Charitable Bequests (wills and trusts) through its Major Gifts Trust Fund according to the fol- • Real Estate (residential or farmland) lowing state matching gift levels: • Life Income Gifts (charitable remainder trusts, annuities, retained life estates and retirement planning) $100,000 to $599,999...... 50% • Stocks (especially appreciated stocks) $600,000 to $1,000,000...... 70% • Life Insurance (new or existing policy) $1,000,001 to $1,500,000...... 75% $1,500,001 to $2,000,000...... 80% uf/ifas endowments $2,000,001 or more...... 100% Endowments are named permanent funds that provide annual renewable support for donor-designated IFAS The Alec P. Courtelis Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant programs. Endowments are managed and invested by the Program provides 100 percent matches for gifts to construct University of Florida Foundation. As of December 31, 2006, or renovate UF/IFAS academic buildings. there are 234 UF/IFAS endowments valued at more than Employers may also match employee contributions. Check $78 million established by individual College of Agricultural with your employer’s benefits office, and see if they will pro- and Life Sciences alumni, businesses, associations and vide a matching gift form for you to complete and return friends of UF/IFAS. A new endowment requires an initial with your gift. minimum gift of $30,000.

For more information contact: IFAS Development Office IFAS Fiscal Year Endowment Values 78,413,681 Ken DeVries, Assistant Vice President 80,000,000 for IFAS Development

70,000,000 63,430,102 (352) 392-5424 58,014,236 60,000,000 53,449,791 Josh McCoy, Director of Development 49,560,111 49,226,101 50,000,000 (352) 392-5427

40,000,000 Joe Mandernach, Director of Development (352) 392-5457 30,000,000

20,000,000 Office: (352) 392-1975 10,000,000 Fax: (352) 392-5115 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Web site: http://share.ifas.ufl.edu

IMPACT | Spring 2007 43 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 94 GAINESVILLE, FL

senior vice president agriculture and natural resources The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences PO Box 110180 Gainesville, FL 32611-0180

GARDENING IN A MINUTE! Tom Wichman, an extension agent in UF’s environmental horticul- Master Gardener Program, said broadcast coverage will be increased ture department, provides thousands of listeners with timely informa- as other stations are added. The program can also be heard online at tion on the new “Gardening in a Minute” radio series. GardeningInAMinute.com. The interactive Web site provides garden- Designed for Floridians with a passion for home horticulture and ers with an opportunity to ask questions of a state horticulture expert, Tproduced by UF’s Institute of Food participate in horticulture contests and find more information on and Agricultural Sciences, the one- gardening topics. minute program airs on WUFT-FM in Listeners can also subscribe to Podcasts of the program at Gainesville and WJUF-FM in GardeningInAMinute.ifas.ufl.edu/shows/podcasts/ Inverness during the 2 p.m. index.html. hour and again at 6:18 “We’re very excited about the impact this program can have p.m., Monday through in bringing practical gardening information to the public,” Friday. These 2 pub- Wichman said. “Although the series is for gardeners throughout lic radio stations the state, more localized information can be obtained from UF cover 19 counties in Cooperative Extension Service offices located in every county.” North Central and Visit SolutionsForYourLife.com for more information. Mid-Florida. He said “Gardening in a Minute” provides a chance for IFAS fac- Wichman, who also ulty to become involved in an interdisciplinary effort. While the coordinates the show is a gardening program, script content is reviewed by state spe- popular cialists in many fields. The program is produced at WUFT-FM in UF’s College of Journalism and Communications; UF’s Center for Landscape Ecology and Conservation funds production costs and underwrites expenses for the series. For more information, contact: tom wichman (352) 392-1831 [email protected] emily eubanks (352) 392-1831 [email protected] photo by emily eubanks

institute of food and agricultural sciences | university of florida| All programs and related activities sponsored for, or assisted by, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are open to all persons with nondiscrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. Information from this publication is available in alternate formats. Visit 44 IMPACTimpact.ifas.ufl.edu, | Spring 2007 or contact IFAS External and Media Relations, University of Florida, PO Box 110275, Gainesville, FL 32611-0275. ISSN #0748-23530