Florida AREERA 2002 Report of Accomplishment Submitted

511 Pages·2003·2.43 MB·English

Florida AREERA 2002 Report of Accomplishment
Submitted: March 1, 2003

Contained in this document is the Florida 2002 AREERA Report of Accomplishment. Information in this
report has been obtained from UF/IFAS 1862 Research and Extension and FAMU/IFAS 1890 Extension.
For the third year, information has been obtained from the Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural
Science’s (IFAS) online Faculty Accomplishment System (FAS) including multi-state and integrated
activities. Contained herein are all requirements to complete this report, including a review of some
projects and programs occurring within each of the critical need program areas as they were shown in the
AREERA five year Plan of Work. In comparing this ROA to the POW, you will find that this year several
critical need areas have been deleted or combined and one new critical need area has been added (disaster
preparedness). These changes have been made to reflect changes occurring within IFAS and the state,
through Florida FIRST, advisory committees, and at the recommendation of our stakeholders.

This report contains projects and programs receiving some Federal Formula Funds (specifically Smith-
Lever, Hatch, and others identified in the AREERA guidelines). There is also a section relating
specifically to multi-state (Smith-Lever) and integrated programs (Hatch and Smith-Lever).
It should be noted that this report was designed to be submitted and viewed electronically (requirement
from Washington) and may not print out well in a hard copy format.

If you have any questions about this report please feel free to email me at: [email protected]
I ~ TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Table of Contents
II. Executive Summary
III. Planned Critical Need Programs (identified by stakeholders) for Research and Extension
Goal 1 - An agricultural system that is highly competitive in the global economy
Objective 1.1: To produce new and value-added agricultural products and commodities
Objective 1.2: To increase the global competitiveness of the U.S. Agricultural
production system
Objective 1.4: To improve decision-making on public policy issues related to the
productivity and global competitiveness of the U.S. agricultural
production system
Program 1. Food Crops and Crop Production
Program 2. Value Added Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture
Program 3. Forest and Natural Resource Enhancement
Program 4. Fundamental Plant Sciences
Program 5. Plant Genetic and Germplasm Enhancement
Program 6. Citrus and Other Fruit Crops
Program 7. Green Industry (Turfgrass/Horticulture)
Program 8. Improved Grazing Systems in Animal Production
Program 9. Understanding the Physiological Basis of Animal Disease, Pests
Reproduction, Growth and Well Being
Program 10. Genetic Enhancement of Agriculturally Important Animals
Program 11. Aquaculture and Sustainability of Marine Resources
Program 12. Develop and Integrate Nutritional Knowledge to Enhance Animal
Production
Program 13. Potential of Alternative Livestock for Florida’s Economic Enhancement
Program 14. Economic Competitiveness
Program 15. Agricultural Risk Management
Program 16. Agricultural Information Technology
Program 17. Pest/Disease/Weed Management
Program 18. Weed Management (has been incorporated into Program 17)
Goal 2 - A safe and secure food and fiber system
Objective 2.1: To improve access to an affordable, healthful, and culturally relevant
food supply
Objective 2.2: To improve food safely by controlling or eliminating food borne risks

Program 19. Reduction of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Negative Components
Introduced into Human and Animal Foods
Goal 3 - A healthy, well-nourished population
Objective 3.1: To optimize the health of consumers by improving the quality of diets,
the quality of food, and the number of food choices.
Objective 3.2: To promote health, safety, and access to quality health care.

Program 20. Improving Human Health and Nutrition (Topic changed 2001)
Program 21. Fiber-Related Products (Textiles and Apparel) and Businesses for
Protection, Social, and Economic Enhancement (Deleted 2001)
Goal 4 - An agricultural system which protects natural resources and the
environment
Objective 4.1: To develop, transfer, and promote the adoption of efficient and
sustainable agricultural, forestry, and other resource conservation
policies, programs, technologies, and practices that ensure ecosystems
integrity and biodiversity.
Objective 4.2: To develop, transfer, and promote adoption of efficient and sustainable
agricultural, forestry, and other resource policies, programs,
technologies, and practices that protect, sustain, and enhance water, soil
and air resources.
Objective 4.3: To improve decision-making on public policies related to agriculture and
the environment.

Program 22. Precision Agriculture
Program 23. Organic Agriculture
Program 24. Sustainable and Environmentally Safe Management of Soil Resources
Program 25. Integrated Pest Management/Biological Pest Management
Program 26. Animal Waste Management
Program 27. Water Resources (Changed in 2001 to: Water
Resources/Quality/Conservation)
Program 28. Interactions Among Agriculture Biosystems, Weather and Climate
Program 29. Environmental Quality in a Changing Landscape
Program 30. Enhancement of Environmental Quality in Animal Production
Program 31. Nutrient Management
Goal 5 - Enhanced economic opportunity and quality of life for Americans
Objective 5.1: To increase the capacity of communities and families to enhance their
own economic well-being.
Objective 5.2: To increase the capacity of communities, families, and individuals to
improve their own quality of life.

Program 32. Community Economic Development
Program 33. Family and Consumer Sciences (Quality of Life)
Program 34. Youth and Human Development
Program 35. Disaster Preparedness
IV. Research Impact Statements
V. Extension Impact Statements
VI. Stakeholder Input Process for Florida IFAS (includes FAMU and UF)
VII. Scientific Peer and Merit Review Guidelines
A. Design Team Self-Review Reports for 2002
B. Example Merit Review of SMP-FL511
VIII. Evaluation of the Success of Multi-State and Integrated Activiites
IX. Multi-State Extension Programs (1862 Smith-Lever)
X. Integrated Extension Programs (1862 Smith-Lever)
XI. Integrated Research Projects
XII. Statistical Tables
XIII. Appendix
A. List of Hatch Research Projects by Titles and National Goals
B. List of State Major Programs by Title and National Goals
C. Waivers
II ~ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) located at the University of Florida (UF) and
Florida A&M University (FAMU) have a mandate to serve the people of Florida. This mandate is defined
in federal legislation including the Morrill Acts of 1862, 1890, and 1994, the Hatch Act of 1887, and the
Smith-Lever Act of 1914. Through these Acts, the Florida land-grant college (IFAS) has been created and
is expected "to set a broad course and direction to help Florida expand domestic and international
commerce, enhance natural resources, provide consumers with a variety of safe, affordable food, support
community development, maintain a sustainable food and fiber system, and improve the health and well-
being as well as the quality of life for all Florida citizens."

IFAS is accomplishing these goals by identifying present and potential critical needs through grassroots
networking with Florida's citizens and stakeholders. This networking is reached through Florida county
advisory committees, councils such as the Florida Ag Council, Inc., departmental and commodity
advisory committees, research and education Center advisory committees, listening sessions, survey's and
one-on-one conversations. Extension also does a long range plan every four year that includes grassroots
listening sessions. Extension is presently in the listening session stage for the 2004-2008 long range
planning process. The Florida FIRST initiative, a movement developed by IFAS in 2000 was another
broad based series of listening sessions. These sessions were held to engage Florida stakeholders from all
walks of life, including individuals, groups and organizations, and encompassed all ethnic and
socioeconomic levels. Information obtained from these activities will be used to mold the vision and
direction of IFAS well into the 21st Century. This direction, combined with the land-grant mandate for
service, is at the heart of Florida’s IFAS and is the driving force within the research, extension and
education components of the IFAS organization.

Through the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station System, the IFAS mission is "to invent, discover,
and develop applications of knowledge. Its mission supports agriculture and the natural and human
resources through application of the natural, biological and social sciences." It is through this scientific-
based research that present critical needs are solved and future potential problems are alleviated before
they have an opportunity to develop.

Integrated and inseparable from research, IFAS Extension "provides Floridians with life- long learning
programs in partnership with county governments, state agencies and the United States Department of
Agriculture. The wide breadth of educational programming offered in each Florida county responds
directly to the local needs of families, youth, the economically disadvantaged, schools, regulatory
agencies, community organizations and industry." IFAS Extension, through its integration with research,
also serves to ensure that research needs, often identified by faculty working at the grassroots level, are
included in the IFAS research agenda.

What problems does Florida IFAS face that require solutions? Some of the most pressing issues relate to
population. In the 2000 census, it was shown that Florida's population had grown to almost 16 million, a
dramatic 23.5% increase over the 1990 census. As the population continues to grow, it is also becoming
more diverse with Hispanic and African Americans, who now comprise 16.8% and 14.6% respectively, of
the total population. Diversity offers additional challenges such as language barriers, poverty, and
additional health and nutrition issues. The ever-increasing tourist population, although necessary for
Florida's healthy economic growth and wellbeing, can also cause challenges. The 50 million estimated
annual visitors require a growing service and tourism-related labor force. This need for additional labor in
the non-agricultural job market causes increased competition between agriculture and non-agricultural
businesses. This often results in shortages of farm labor during crucial periods of the agricultural
production cycle.
Population growth and other related factors also put increasing pressure on the natural and renewable
resources in both the urban and rural settings. The skyrocketing growth in Florida, especially in coastal
communities, places many unprepared and unsuspecting citizens in line for the natural disasters common
in Florida, including hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires. Reduction and destruction of the environment,
including marine, wetlands, and wildlife, are intensifying through continued population growth and
development. The stresses of severe drought and its impacts on water quality and quantity are adding to
the negative economic impact in the state. The demands for water in some counties are already beginning
to exceed local water resource availability. IFAS is educating the public on these areas to reduce negative
impact. Energy extension has a strong program with hotels and motels in coastal areas to reduce storm
and hurricane damage to property and lives of citizens and tourists. Through the marine program research
and extension are working together on post harvest treatment options for the Florida oyster industry to
reduce the illness rate caused by vibrio vulnificus. Research scientists and extension faculty also continue
to look for better ways to improve water quality and conservation. One example of where this is occurring
is continuing improvements on the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural irrigation systems and new
uses for waste water.

The expanding need for land to meet the needs of urban growth continues to force traditional agriculture
and forestry lands to increase in value, ultimately leading to increasing fees and taxes or rezoning for
urban uses. In order to survive, with the help of IFAS, land-extension agriculture is finding solutions as
can be seen in parts of South Florida where traditional farming is being replaced by high-value specialty
fruits, vegetables and nursery products.

Changing U.S. government policies toward agriculture and trade have greatly enhanced risks facing
Florida agricultural producers. This results in a need for more study in the area of risk management
practices and strategies as well as an emphasis on the importance of overall financial and risk
management planning, as Florida producers find themselves in competition with foreign markets selling
in the U.S. Also, these changing policies will continue to increase market, public, and political pressure
forcing Florida producers to be more competitive in the global marketa new and daunting venture for
many. Not only will this increasing importation of goods into and through Florida increase financial risk
issues, but will also increase environmental, health, and safety concerns as Florida’s IFAS continues to
battle the almost constant unwanted introduction of invasive plants, pests, and diseases, as well as food
borne pathogens, into the state. IFAS is involved in the Southern Region Pest Management Center which
maintains a regionally based pest management information and communication network among the states
and territories in the Southern Region.

All of these pressures place additional stress on human and community resources in both urban and rural
areas of the state. Problems facing communities include growth management, economic development,
affordable housing, overcrowded schools, and environmental protection. Now at 17.6 percent, by 2020,
one-fourth of Florida's population is projected to be 65 or older, and issues relating to health and nutrition,
among others, will grow increasingly more important. Florida research and Extension is dealing
aggressively, through scientific discovery and educational activities, with these and other related
problems. IFAS/Extension is also partnering with many organizations, such as the national AARP, a
national association of older citizens to provide much needed financial management programs for women
and older adults nation-wide.

The 2000 census shows that presently 22% of the population is less than 18 years of age corresponding
directly with the increase in juvenile violence and school dropouts. A nationally publicized, longitudinal
study completed in 2001 by a Florida IFAS extension/research faculty member documents the affect of
positive relationships in families to the educational success of children. Parenting and other skills meant
to teach these positive relationships are being offered to at risk families by extension faculty. This same
study also shows the important roles that other adults play in children's educational success, including
participation in youth organizations such as 4-H. In Florida last year, 271,077 children were involved in
Florida 4-H through school enrichment, 4-H club enrollment, and special interest groups. There is also a
successful tri-state consumer fraud prevention education program on going between Florida, Georgia and
Alabama.

Another area of need that has been reinforced through stakeholder involvement is the request for a more
positive focus on the small farmer and farm families. Traditionally, these underserved groups have not
had equal access and participation in programs and training which have often been designed for large
producers and agribusiness. In addition, a main issue identified by stakeholders is that profitability from
traditional crops on small-scale farms is poor. Florida A&M University's 1890 program is doing research
projects and extension programs on alternative crops such as scotch bonnet hot peppers and animal
production such as meat goats, designed specifically for the small farm. Over 433 producers locally and
regionally were trained in goat production and management in 2002. Research continues in several value-
added products that can further increase the farmers profit and partially replace income lost through the
removal of tobacco as a crop in the region. Two products made from goat meat and developed by IFAS
researchers are now being sold in grocery stores catering to the Hispanic population, who historically
consume large quantities of goat meat. Other new markets are also being investigated.

Besides population, weather, climate, and soil conditions also lend themselves to unique problems
affecting Florida especially in the area of agriculture. Florida agriculture relies heavily on high value
crops such as citrus, vegetables, green house and nursery ornamental plants, and sugarcane to a much
larger extent than other states. Many of these crops are grown only in temperate areas such as Florida,
reducing the amount of research readily available from other sources. This puts greater responsibility on
IFAS researchers to discover new, stronger and more disease resistant cultivars adaptable to Florida's
unique conditions. Changes in recent laws are also requiring Florida researchers to find new and better
means of reducing pests and disease in Florida's agricultural industries. Recent research projects have
included the development of numerous new value-added cultivars including tropical fruit and citrus
cultivars, as well as post-harvest handling and processing methods needed to reduce spoilage and increase
food quality in vegetable and fruit packing houses located in Florida's humid climate. Many of the
cultivars that are developed are then field tested across the state by county extension faculty and
stakeholders in order to duplicate exact growing conditions. This integration of stakeholders, research
scientist and extension faculty is not unique to Florida IFAS.

Severe heat and many pests and diseases associated with Florida's temperate regions can also be
responsible for the loss or reduced productivity from Florida's agriculturally important animals. The
combination of heat and animal production can cause clashes between urban and rural communities. For
example, problems with odors and flies caused by the existence of animal waste can cause environmental
issues as the state population continues to encroach on traditionally agricultural areas. Florida research
studies on improved absorption of animal nutrition and better methods of recycling animal waste
productions, combined with proper education through extension programs for producers, lawmakers, and
urbanites, have also added to solutions to some of these more volatile issues and have made for better
neighbors in many parts of the state.

Recent changes in world conditions have also impacted IFAS goals and objectives. Fears of bioterrorism,
food safety and the continued increase in immerging diseases and invasive species have increased the
need for vigilance and solutions in agricultural communities. IFAS offers solutions through scientific-
based research, information technology and strong educational programs throughout the state. Research
and extension faculty also work closely with the Center for Disease Control, emergency management
departments and other agencies across the state to combat the steady onslaught of pest, disease and
invasive weeds that continue to reach Florida from foreign ports.

Improving accountability and information technology to better reach and serve the residents of Florida
have also been important developments by Florida IFAS in 2002. Through EDIS (Extension Digital
Information Source), Florida research and extension publications are online for immediate use by
Florida's citizens as well as the rest of the citizens of the world. Created and developed by IFAS faculty,
DDIS (Distance Diagnostic Information System), consists of a website and database which allows
identification of plants, animals, and diseases by IFAS experts using digital photography. For example,
beneficial and harmful insects can be identified within hours or minutes, saving farmers and home owners
crucial time in preventing crop and plant damage. FAS (Faculty Accomplishment System), an online
database accountability system developed by IFAS research and extension personnel and used by all
IFAS faculty, allows for more accurate evaluation of programs and accomplishments within IFAS. This
system has also made it possible for states to see what multi-state programs are ongoing and is
responsible for the increase in many multi-state activities this year. FAWN is a real-time weather
information source that is used by many constituents for a variety of applications, including freeze
protection, home and landscape irrigation scheduling, medium-term climate prediction based on El Nino,
emergency management, and others. This program has been so successful that millions of dollars have
been saved and additional towers were added this year to increase the coverage of the system.

Through these and many other projects and programs, The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is
working hard to successfully identify problems facing the citizens of Florida. And, following the goals
and responsibilities set by the federal mandates, they are dedicated to finding long term solutions that will
improves the wealth, safety, health and quality of life for all who reside within this great state.

But some hardships now face IFAS in reaching some of these goals? Since the terrors of 9/11 and the
economic deficit that has plagued Florida since, IFAS has been directly impacted. In 2001-02 the state
appropriated funds for IFAS were reduced by $2.5 million. In 2002-03 they were reduced by an additional
$7.1 million. The proposed reduction for IFAS in 2003-2004 is another $8.4 million. What this means for
Florida is that:

• Over the past two years we have deleted 46 faculty and 131 vacant staff position from
which the salary dollars, representing $5.4 million, were being used for support of
programs and operations.

• Sixty-eight high priority faculty and staff positions and 45 county extension faculty
positions were frozen (not filled due to lack of funds). This represents almost $2.3
million.

• Thirty-seven administrative and technical staff were either reassigned or laid-off due to a
lack of funds representing $1.4 million.

• Over the past four years over $2.0 million has been reduced from IFAS central
administration and shifted to the units for program support which reduces the ability to
further reduce central support functions.

• IFAS administration has taken an additional $1.2 million reduction from central services
to meet mandated reductions.