Inside IFAS August 2006
This issue should mark our return to a more regular schedule, and please accept our apologies for the delays we’ve experienced in recent months.
As always, we need your help to keep “INSIDE IFAS” going strong as the voice of faculty and staff. Please send brief news items to insideifas@ifas.ufl.edu, including all the essential information – who, what, when, where, why and how.
Produced by UF/IFAS External and Media Relations in cooperation with IFAS Communication Services, the online “INSIDE IFAS” is a work in progress, so please let us know if you have any suggestions for improvements. We look forward to hearing from you.
Below, you’ll find a table of contents with links that will take you to different sections of the issue.
ONLINE STORIES
7.6.2006 UF extension education program helps slow spread of citrus canker and greening
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1123
6.26.2006 UF’s Rick Rudd receives national teaching award
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1119
6.15.2006 UF ag communications director Ashley Wood honored for leadership
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1118
6.7.2006 E.T. York receives special service award from UF veterinary college
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1117
6.1.2006 UF scientists to participate in massive Everglades restoration conference June 5-9
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1115
5.30.2006 Six IFAS faculty members named UF Research Foundation Professors
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1112
5.24.2006 Former UF/IFAS vice president honored for service
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1109
5.15.2006 New UF Web site gives consumers, industry professionals one-stop source for extension information
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1107
5.10.2006 UF extension agents can help seniors understand Medicare prescription options
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1103
5.8.2006 UF dean McLellan elected president of global food organization’s board of directors
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1101
5.8.2006 CALS graduate, former presidential adviser James Newsome receives Distinguished Alumnus Award from UF
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1100
5.4.2006 New “Hurricane House” open to public May 26 at UF’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1099
5.3.2006 P.K. Nair to receive prestigious Humboldt Research Award
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1098
5.1.2006 George Hochmuth appointed UF/IFAS associate dean for research
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1097
4.27.2006 John P. Hayes named chairman of wildlife ecology and conservation department at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1096
4.25.2006 “Agrismarts” program helps local children learn where food comes from
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1094
4.25.2006 UF student named to ag fraternity’s national board of directors
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1093
4.21.2006 Master Gardener volunteers help keep Florida growing
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1092
FEATURES
Jim Jones to receive Malone International Leadership Award
Jim Jones, a distinguished professor of agricultural and biological engineering, has received the 2006 Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award. It was presented by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges at its Commission on International Programs, held July 14 at Lake Tahoe, California.
The award recognizes those whose work furthers international education at state and land-grant institutions. University of Missouri chancellor Brady J. Deaton is the other recipient.
Among Jones’ accomplishments: internationalizing the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, redefining the scope of IFAS’ International Programs Office and its director, teaching in a number of countries, and providing opportunities for students to participate in research around the world. Jones has served on a number of international scientific advisory boards, and has chaired the board of trustees of the prestigious International Center for Tropical Agriculture in Cali, Colombia.
Jones also created a process that will help Third World farmers keep nutrients in their soil, increase crop yields and extend farmland’s lifespan, and could eventually allow them to join the fight against global warming.
Second grant-writing seminar encourages IFAS faculty, postdocs
Successful grant-writing is much like successful scientific research – plan your work, work your plan and explain everything clearly, according to research funding expert Stephen Russell, who led a seminar for faculty and post-doctoral associates May 18-19.
A former professor and department chair with UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Russell is the co-founder of Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops LLC, a California-based consulting agency. His visit in May marked the second of six seminars arranged by IFAS Dean for Research Mark McLellan.
Russell helped participants understand how funding agencies evaluate ideas and proposals. Some of the most important concepts taught at the seminar included matching research proposals to agencies’ needs, reviewing previous studies to find unique approaches to issues, and understanding how research topics gain popularity among scientists and funding agencies.
One of the more insightful portions of the event dealt with the typical atmosphere in which representatives of funding agencies make decisions about proposals. Personnel may spend three days in a stuffy, windowless conference room, struggling to remain mentally focused as they review dozens of briefly described proposals each day.
With decision-makers operating under those conditions, a good first impression can literally mean the difference between being funded and being disappointed, Russell said.
During opening remarks, McLellan was pleased to note that this second event included attendees from UF’s College of Education and the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. He also said the first seminar had been extremely successful.
“Some of our very best researchers have come to me and said, ‘wow, if I only had this (training) 20 years ago when I was starting, what a difference it would have made,’” McLellan said.
Two more grant-writing seminars are planned for the 2006-07 academic year, and two in the 2007-08 academic year, he said. Also, three intensive grant-writing workshops will be conducted for faculty members who apply and are selected.
Congratulations to 2005 IMAGE award winners
In May, the winners of the 2005 IMAGE Awards were announced, and a team representing the Osceola County Extension Service won the coveted Grand IMAGE Award for their innovative display, “The Extension House and Family Farm: A Hands on Approach to Extension Education.”
The IMAGE (Institutional Marketing Awards for Gaining Excellence) Awards Program is conducted to encourage, recognize and celebrate the promotional efforts of IFAS personnel. Entries are recognized for their success in providing information and enhancing the IFAS image throughout the state.
Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards are given in more than 14 categories including brochures, newsletters, videos and Web sites. One outstanding entry from the Gold Award winners is selected to receive the Grand IMAGE Award, which includes a $1,000 honorarium to be used toward program funding.
Information on next year’s awards will be announced this fall.
The honorees were:
GRAND Award Winners
Jennifer Welshans, Randy Bateman, Joy Borgman, Eleanor Foerste, Mary Beth Salisbury, Jessica Sullivan
IFAS Osceola County Extension
“The Extension House and Family Farm: A Hands on Approach to Extension Education”
Exhibit
Gold Award Winners
Jennifer Welshans, Randy Bateman, Joy Borgman, Eleanor Foerste, Mary Beth Salisbury, Jessica Sullivan
IFAS Osceola County Extension
“The Extension House and Family Farm: A Hands on Approach to Extension Education”
Exhibit
Mark Hostetler, Elizabeth Swiman, WUFT-TV
IFAS Dept. of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
“Living Green TV Series”
TV or DVD Product
Robin Koestoyo, Bill Overholt, Ron Cave, Ken Gioeli, Ed Skvarch, Dan Culbert, Janet Bargar, Christine Kelly-Begazo, Michele Linette, Hope Norman
IFAS at IRREC-Ft Pierce
“The Biological Control Brain Bowl”
Event
Al Williamson, Martin Main, Robert Annis
IFAS Communication Services
“Florida Master Naturalist Program Upland Series on DVD”
TV or DVD Product
Roger Natzke, Lisette Staal, Linda Evans
IFAS International Programs
“International Focus Newsletter”
Newsletter
Joy Jordan, Alan Long, Julie Clingerman, Laura Lok
IFAS Family, Youth & Community Sciences
“Journey Into Agroforestry: 4-H Project Series”
Educational Materials
Charles T. Woods
IFAS External and Media Relations
“Media Coverage Invited (Tip Sheet) for Videoconference Wedding”
Written Word
Carrie T. Stevenson, Andrew P. Diller, Christina M. Verlinde, Deborah L. Miller
IFAS Escambia County Extension
“Resource Rangers: Sharing Our Space”
TV or DVD Product
Michele Linette, Pam Kight, Tom Wright, Josh Wickham, Marisol Amador
IFAS Communication Services
“2004-2005 SHARE Annual Report”
Written Word
Stephen H. Brown, Peggy Cruz, Grace Fields, Debbie Hughes, Ken Kath, Helen Novella
IFAS Lee County Extension
“ Southwest Florida Garden and Landscape Conference”
Event
Julie Carson, Buddy Walker
IFAS Southwest Florida REC
“SWFREC Update Newsletter (Volume 1, Issue 3: September 2005)”
Newsletter
Mark Hostetler, Michelle Aldridge, Elizabeth Swiman
IFAS Dept. of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
“Living in Harmony; A Website for a Green Community”
Web site
Ed Jennings, Mary Lee Capparelli, Betsy Crisp, Jean Hink, Sherry Steiert
IFAS Pasco County Extension
“ Pasco County Agriculture Industry Tour”
Event
Teresa Watkins, Ruth Howard
IFAS Orange County Extension Office
“ Central Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Newsletter”
Newsletter
Michele Linette, Chana Bird, Timothy Broschat, Monica Elliott
IFAS Communication Services
“Disorders and Diseases of Ornamental Palms ID Deck”
Brochure
Janet Golden, Terry Murphy, Betty Lipe
IFAS Pinellas County Extension
“ Pinellas County 4-H School Enrichment Brochure”
Brochure
Georgene Bender, Chaunna Farmer
IFAS Hillsborough County Extension
“4-H in the Afterschool: ‘Green Eggs & Agriculture’”
Educational Materials
Mariana Wallig, Chana Bird
IFAS Communication Services
“CALS Alumni & Friends San Francisco Trip Brochure”
Brochure
Brian Scully, Harold Browning, Tom Nordlie, Robin Koestoyo
IFAS Indian River REC
“Citrus Canker Crisis Communications”
Media Kit
Diane Mealo
IFAS Mid-Florida REC
“Environmental Horticulture/Science Camp Standard Operating Procedures”
Written Word
Mark Hoyer, Daniel E. Canfield, Mary Stonecipher, Christy Horsburgh, Julie Terrell, David Watson, Daniel Willis, Claude Brown, Eric Schulz, Stephen Caton, Sharon Fitz-Coy, Joseph Wilkinson, Mary Lettelier, Roger Bachmann, Marilyn Bachmann, John Douglas, Wanda Garfield, Thomas DeGroat, Kelly Schulz
IFAS Dept. of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
“ Florida Lakewatch Newsletters Volumes XXX, XXXI, and XXXII 2005”
Newsletter
Lisa Leslie, Billie Lofland, Robert Northrop
IFAS Hillsborough County Extension
“Preparing and Reinforcing Your Home for Hurricane Season”
TV or DVD Product
Julie Carson, Hope Norman
IFAS Southwest Florida REC
“SWFREC Exhibit Display Posters”
Posters
Julie Carson, Kent Cushman, Tracy Zwillinger
IFAS Southwest Florida REC
“2005 SWFREC Holiday Card”
Brochure
Michele Linette, Robin Koestoyo
IFAS Communication Services
“Biological Brochures”
Brochure
Maia McGuire
IFAS St. Johns County Extension
“Duval County Boating & Angling Guide”
Educational Materials
Robin Koestoyo
IFAS at IRREC-Ft Pierce
“Movin' On Out”
Written Word
Justin Sapp
IFAS Taylor County Marine Extension
“We Still Have Much to Learn About Red Tide”
Written Word
Tracy Zwillinger, Chana Bird, Chuck Woods, Ashley Wood, Thomas Wright, Marisol Amador, Josh Wickham
IFAS Communication Services
“2006 UF/IFAS Extension Annual Report/Calendar”
Calendar
Carrie Lapaire Harmon
IFAS Dept. of Plant Pathology
“Citrus Greening Identification Card”
Brochure
Eleanor Foerste, Randy Bateman, Joy Borgman, Mary Beth Salisbury, Jessica Sullivan, Jennifer Welshans
IFAS Osceola County Extension
“ Farm City Days Newspaper Insert”
Written Word
Susan Curry, Rao Mylavarapu
IFAS Dept. of Soil and Water Science
“Nutrient Management in the Southern Region”
Newsletter
Philip F. Harmon, Carrie Harmon, Jim Marois, David Wright, Tim Momol, Hank Dankers, Larry Halsey, Richard Sprenkel, Joan Dusky, George Hochmuth
IFAS Dept. of Plant Pathology
“Soybean Rust Identification Short Course”
Event
Justin Sapp, Clay Olson
IFAS Taylor County Marine Extension
“ Taylor County Extension Web Site”
Web site
Stephen H. Futch, M. Salyani, L.W. Timmer, C.W. McCoy, J.H. Graham, L.W. Duncan, H.N. Nigg
IFAS Citrus REC
“Using Trade Journals and EDIS to Provide Educational Materials to Citrus Growers”
Written Word
Silver Award Winners
Carrie Stevenson
Escambia County
“ Florida Yards & Neighborhoods News”
Written Word
Tracy Zwillinger, Chana Bird, Ashley Wood, Tom Wright, Marisol Amador, Josh Wickham
IFAS Communication Services
“2004 Annual Research Report”
Written Word
Ralph Mitchell, Pam Phillippe, Elizabeth Staugler, Kristy Hanlon
IFAS Charlotte County Extension
“2005 Year in Review/2006 Calendar”
Calendar
Robert Strong
IFAS Orange County Extension
“4-H Public Service Announcement”
TV or DVD Product
Robin Snyder
IFAS Dept. of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
“ABE/AOM/PKG Brochures”
Brochure
Justin Sapp
IFAS Taylor County Marine Extension
“Coastal Seagrasses: The House Made of Straw”
Written Word
Michele Linette, Lisa Hightower, Bill Zettler, Jennifer Gillett
IFAS Communication Services
“Mission Icy Hot, Ooze, Spore Wars, Virulent, Yuck, and Nematodes”
Educational Materials
Laurie Osborne, Bob Hochmuth
IFAS North Florida REC – Suwannee Valley
“Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Web Site”
Web site
Julie Carson
IFAS Southwest Florida REC
“SWFREC Brochure”
Brochure
Mariana Wallig
IFAS Communication Services
“ Pensacola Bay Watershed Poster”
Posters
Peter Nkedi-Kizza, Gabriel Kasozi, Kafui Awuma, Richardson Travis
IFAS Dept. of Soil and Water Science
“SOS 5605 Laboratory Video Project”
TV or DVD Product
Natasha Masciarelli
IFAS Marion County Extension
“ Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame”
TV or DVD Product
Gerald Edmondson, Elaine A. Courtney, Larry Williams, Sheila Dunning, Jennifer Heady, L. Scott Jackson, Linette Jerkins
IFAS Okaloosa County Extension
“Okaloosa Extension Report to the People”
Written Word
Janet Bargar
IFAS Indian River County Extension
“What's In Your Water”
Written Word
Teresa Watkins, Ruth Howard
IFAS Orange County Extension Office
“ Central Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Brochure”
Brochure
Andy Toelle, Kate Fogarty, Jennifer Heady, Robert Strong, Marilyn Norman, Bridget Milam, Christa Carlson, Joy Jordan, Marilyn Lesmeister, Wendy Taylor, Tracy Tesdall, Shelda Wilkens, Julie Wilson
IFAS Duval County Extension
“ Florida 4-H Recognition for Excellence: Helping Youth Grow Handbook”
Educational Materials
Tracy Zwillinger, Chana Bird, Amanda Chambliss, Chuck Woods, Ashley Wood, Tom Wright, Marisol Amador, Josh Wickham
IFAS Communication Services
“Impact Magazine – 2005 Series”
Magazine
Jacque Breman, Diana Smith, Colan Coody
IFAS Union County Extension
“Union County Program Summary – 2005”
Written Word
Tracy Zwillinger, Jenai Collins, Chris Vitelli
IFAS Communication Services
“CALS Ambassador Brochure”
Brochure
Al Williamson, Tracy Irani, Lisa Hightower, Scott Weinberg
IFAS Communication Services
“Solutions for Your Life Preview for Extension on DVD”
TV or DVD Product
Holly Shiralipour, Tracy Zwillinger
IFAS FYN, Environmental Horticulture
“ FYN Yard Certification Checklist for New Construction”
Educational Materials
Michele Linette, Elizabeth Swiman, Greg Golgowski, Tom Wright
IFAS Communication Services
“Living in Harmony”
Brochure
Charles Woods
IFAS External and Media Relations
“UF Wildlife Expert: Quail Decline Linked To Changing Land-Use Practices”
Written Word
Bronze Award Winners
Tracy Zwillinger
IFAS Communication Services
“IFAS Pocket Folder”
Brochure
Teresa Watkins
IFAS Orange County Extension Office
“In My Backyard”
Radio
Maria Solis, Kim Wilson
IFAS Indian River REC
“Environmental Management Departmental Brochure”
Brochure
Rebecca Clapp, Robert Annis
IFAS Communication Services
“Peanuts as Healthy as Fruit”
TV or DVD Product
Dan Culbert, Charlie Vavrina, all staff in South Central Extension District
IFAS Okeechobee County Extension
“South-Central Florida Extension District Photography Contest”
Web site
Wagner Vendrame, Ian Maguire
IFAS Tropical REC
“Orchid Photo Library”
Web site
Pam Roberts, Rosa Muchovej, Robert Rouse, Jonathan Crane, Jeff Williamson, Roger Burnham, Al Williamson, Robert Annis
IFAS Southwest Florida REC
“Fruits for the Florida Landscape”
TV or DVD Product
Yasmin Wallas
IFAS North FL REC
“Beef Cattle Field Day Media Kit”
Media Kit
Mariana Wallig
IFAS Communication Services
“‘The Lygaeeidae Of The West Indies’ – Book Cover”
Book Cover
NEW ARRIVALS AT UF/IFAS
James E. Davis Jr. named Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program extension agent for Sumter County
James E. Davis Jr. has been named Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program extension agent for the Sumter County Extension Service. His appointment became effective May 23.
Davis is responsible for educating Sumter County residents about the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program, which promotes water conservation and sustainable landscaping practices.
His activities include teaching classes at The Villages retirement community, speaking to Sumter County garden clubs, writing newspaper articles promoting Florida Yards and Neighborhoods principles and holding monthly plant clinics.
Before being appointed to this position, Davis was lead gardener at The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach and an intern at Universal Studios theme park in Orlando. He has also worked as a garden center manager for the K-Mart store chain.
Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental horticulture, with a minor in entomology and nematology, from the University of Florida.
Francisco Escobedo named assistant professor in UF’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation
Francisco Escobedo has been named an assistant professor with the University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation. The position became effective July 17.
Escobedo’s research and extension work will focus on the environmental services of urban forests to communities, wildland-urban interface issues and development of a statewide urban forestry extension program. He will also teach undergraduate classes and mentor graduate students.
Much of his work will be in collaboration with personnel from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Center for Wildland-Urban Interface Research and Information, and the Florida Division of Forestry.
Prior to the appointment, Escobedo was the soil and air resources coordinator for the USDA Forest Service in Fort Collins, Colo. He has held numerous other positions with the Forest Service in urban forestry and watershed management.
Escobedo holds a doctoral degree in forest resources management from the State University of New York, a master’s degree in watershed management from the University of Arizona and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from New Mexico State University.
Karen Headlee named family and consumer sciences extension agent for Lee County
Karen Headlee has been named the family and consumer sciences agent for the Lee County Extension Service. Her appointment became effective April 27.
She is responsible for providing leadership and management for the county’s family and consumer sciences program, which assists residents with information on topics including food safety, nutrition, child care, aging and elder care, financial management, health care and housing.
Before being appointed, Headlee was an adjunct professor at Manatee Community College in Bradenton. She also worked for a decade as a 4-H extension agent with the West Virginia University Extension Service.
Headlee holds a master’s degree in family studies and a bachelor’s degree in child development, both from West Virginia University. She also holds a graduate certificate in gerontology from WVU.
Mary Beth Henry named commercial urban environmental horticulture agent for Hillsborough County
Mary Beth Henry has been named the commercial urban environmental horticulture and integrated pest management extension agent for the Hillsborough County Extension Service. Her appointment became effective May 18.
Henry provides educational and informational resources to green industry professionals in the areas of horticulture, pest control, pesticide safety and integrated pest management. She also handles pesticide testing and licensing for Hillsborough County, maintains the educational Web site www.prohort.net and shares information on business strategies with owners, managers and employees of professional horticulture services.
Before the appointment, Henry was a plant science intern with Epcot Science at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista. She also worked for 15 years as a produce stand and farm operator in Michigan and held several agricultural research positions with Michigan State University.
Henry holds a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil sciences from Michigan State University.
Phyllis Laufer named 4-H youth development extension agent for Orange County
Phyllis Laufer has been named 4-H youth development extension agent for the Orange County Extension Service. The appointment became effective April 7.
She will be responsible for recruiting 4-H club members and volunteers, developing programs, and teaching and supervising 4-H activities.
Before being appointed to this position, Laufer worked for Penn State Cooperative Extension in Northampton County, Penn. for 12 years as a county extension director. Her responsibilities included community development, small farm development, rural/urban issues and 4-H.
Laufer holds a bachelor’s degree in education from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in education from Lehigh University.
PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS
Charlotte extension service receives forestry award
The Charlotte County Extension Service has been given the 2006 Outstanding Urban Forestry Project award by Trees Florida for its project called “A Tree-Mendous Giveaway.”
A two-year Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services grant of $120,000 is paying for the program, designed to replenish urban forests devastated in the last two hurricane seasons.
About 6,500 Charlotte County homes are eligible for the program, which allows two free trees per residence.
To date, more than 4,000 trees – everything from flowering trees to fruit to good old crape myrtle - have been given away, said Charlotte County extension agent Ralph Mitchell. The project continues through next year.
Top conservation journal says UF is most-published university
UF/IFAS faculty members and students are a prolific group of writers, it seems.
A recent analysis of scientific articles published in Conservation Biology shows that UF students and faculty had the highest number of articles among universities authored or co-authored in the publication, tied with the University of California, Davis.
Only the USDA Forest Service had more.
Published bimonthly for the Society for Conservation Biology, the journal publishes scientific papers on topics such as population ecology and genetics, ecosystem management, freshwater and marine conservation, landscape ecology, and is the world’s most frequently cited conservation journal.
The ranking put UF ahead of such institutions as Duke University, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.
FAITC honors educators, volunteers
Florida Agriculture in the Classroom Inc. has given out its annual awards for outstanding agriculture educators and volunteers.
Cyanne Williams, an Archer Community School teacher, won the state Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award. She also won the national Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture award.
Ann Cruikshank, a teacher at Louise R. Johnson Middle School in Bradenton, won the award for middle school teachers, while Elaine Dixon, a teacher at Navarre High School, won the high school version.
Williams, a 32-year teaching veteran, uses a program called “Florida: Our Land, Our Food and Our People,” to help her fourth-grade students become Florida “pioneers,” learning how to plant and process food, make rugs or quilts from discarded clothing, make soap from scratch and participate in a cattle drive.
At the same June 15 gathering, Florida Ag in the Classroom also lauded its 2006 Outstanding Volunteers of the Year. Kelli Hofer, a Marion County Farm Bureau member, and Bill and Carol Lare, UF/IFAS master gardeners in Hernando County, took the honors. All three have helped with Ag Literacy Day readings.
Florida Ag in the Classroom is a nonprofit group funded by sales of the “Ag Tag” specialty license plate. The organization aims to help K-12 students learn about Florida agriculture by giving teachers classroom materials, grants and other aids.
Brown receives 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award
Former 4-H extension agent Nettie Ruth Brown has received the 2006 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award.
Brown, who retired in 1985, received the award in mid-March at the organization’s Annual 4-H Reception and Auction in Tallahassee.
Brown, who began her 4-H career in Tennessee as an extension home demonstration agent, returned to St. Johns County in 1960 to run the home economics and girls 4-H program.
She helped charter the state’s 4-H Agents Association, is a charter inductee in the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, and endowed the Nettie Ruth Brown scholarship award through the Florida 4-H Foundation, given each year at 4-H State Congress.
Charudattan named outstanding weed scientist
UF/IFAS plant pathology Professor Raghavan Charudattan has been recognized as an Outstanding Weed Scientist by the Florida Weed Science Society for his research on biological weed control.
Charudattan is a pioneer in biological control of weeds using plant pathogens and an expert on aquatic plant diseases. He directs a unique research and teaching program that blends plant pathology, weed science, microbial technology and integrated control. He teaches a course on microbiological control of plant diseases and weeds and has conducted short courses in Brazil, Nicaragua and Mexico.
In February, he visited Shanghai Jiaotong University in China as a guest professor.
New DVD explains impact of IPM on Florida
A new DVD is available to educate the public about the impact different kinds of insect, weed and disease control have on agriculture, community and natural areas.
The 90-minute, UF/IFAS-produced disc, called “Integrated Pest Management in Florida,” is directed at general audiences.
Norm Leppla, a professor of entomology and director of IPM Florida, and Jennifer Gillett, IPM Florida’s assistant director, helped compile examples of successful pest management projects in concise two- to three-minute segments.
Contact Gillett: gillett@ufl.edu to get copies of the DVD.
Plant City campus joins local chamber of commerce
The UF/IFAS Plant City Campus has joined the city’s chamber of commerce.
Officials cut a ribbon in front of the facility June 1 to celebrate.
The academic program at Plant City is on the Hillsborough Community College campus, in the heart of strawberry and horticulture industries. The facility serves students from Hillsborough and surrounding counties.
Students attend classes taught by on-site IFAS faculty specializing in horticultural production, entomology, wildlife sciences, forestry sciences, plant pathology and soil and water science. Additional distance-learning courses are also taught.
The campus offers a bachelor’s degree in environmental horticulture, and natural resource conservation and a master’s in environmental horticulture or soils and water science. Later this year, they’ll offer a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education.
Innovative program encourages students to eat vegetables
Students at Gainesville’s Talbot Elementary School spent this last school year learning that vegetables aren’t the enemy.
A group of eight UF students in the master of science-dietetic internship program, acting on an assignment to develop an elementary-level nutrition program, created a campaign to encourage Talbot’s students to view vegetables more favorably.
The master’s students created a “Veggie Force” that included characters Captain Carrot, The Broc, Sweet Tater Crusader and Princess Spinach.
They created a vegetable of the month program, made Veggie Force buttons featuring the vegetable superheroes, and started a garden club that let children plant their own veggies, everything from peas to potatoes.
Every month, the graduate students offered kids taste tests of a featured vegetable, as a way for them to try vegetables they might ordinarily avoid.
The vegetable-purveying graduate students included: Melanie Grabianowski, Laura Postin, Brooke Findley, Jessica McIntire, Cristin Cuozzo, Jenny Hill, Brad Jahnke, Laura Jensen.
Environmental horticulture grad Valero-Aracama receives IFAS Award of Excellence
Carmen Valero-Aracama, who graduated from the University of Florida with a doctorate in environmental horticulture, was honored in March with the 2006 IFAS Award of Excellence in graduate Ph.D. research.
Valero-Aracama’s dissertation, “Physiological and Anatomical Basis for In Vitro and Ex Vitro Differences in Growth Performance of Sea Oats, Uniola Paniculata, Genotypes,” was selected as the most outstanding from more than 100 applicants.
A 2001 Fulbright Scholar, Valero-Aracama has completed research projects in Brazil and Japan. In Japan, she attended Chiba University and completed a master’s degree with a research project to study rhododendron.
She was awarded a Ph.D. in horticultural sciences from UF in December 2005.
Thanks, and we’ll see you next time!
