Inside IFAS September 2006
Fall semester has begun and the (slightly) relaxed summertime pace at IFAS is now just a memory. So, to get into the spirit of things, we’re going to jump right into this month’s material, in a moment.
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
9.7.2006 Geoffrey Dahl appointed chairman of UF animal sciences department http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1147
9.1.2006 March of Dimes grant helps UF promote benefits of folic acid for women http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1145
8.31.2006 UF horticultural sciences chairman receives prestigious honor for international work
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1143
8.30.2006 UF launches one of the nation’s first organic agriculture degree programs http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1142
8.24.2006 UF to enhance extension demonstration and research programs at Hastings facility
http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1141
8.17.2006 New, free booklet can help you protect trees from storms http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1139
8.10.2006 UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences names two associate deans http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1130
8.2.2006 UF engineer awarded for taking the pulse of Florida’s waterways http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1127
7.27.2006 UF biotechnology center appoints director with ‘stellar’ qualifications http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.aspx?id=1126
FEATURES
Innovative manure management system draws national sustainability award
The Department of Soil and Water Science was honored in recognition of an innovative animal manure management system developed by Ann Wilkie, an associate professor with the department.
The management system uses anaerobic bacteria to treat waste from dairy cattle and swine operations. It produces fuel, saves nutrients, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and stops offensive odors. Operational for six years, the system is used at UF’s Dairy Research Unit in Hague, where it provides methane gas used to heat water for the milking parlor.
On the basis of Wilkie’s work, the scientific publishing company Benjamin Cummings chose the department to receive one of five Sustainable Solutions Awards presented nationwide to university academic departments that best exemplify principles of environmental sustainability. The award includes a $500 honorarium to support Dr. Wilkie’s bioenergy summer school program for IFAS undergraduates.
IFAS helps produce first Ph.D. in ag engineering from Chilean university
The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering has helped ElsaSusana Sepúlveda Bustos become the first person to earn a doctoral degree in agricultural engineering from a Chilean university.
Sepúlveda recently earned her Ph.D. from the University of Concepción in Concepción, Chile. Under an exchange program, she conducted her doctoral research at UF, working under the direction of Fedro Zazueta and Ray Bucklin, professors in the department.
Sepúlveda’s research concerned water resources in agriculture, and how complex irrigation simulations can be performed using multiple personal computers linked together to provide power rivaling a supercomputer. She also developed techniques for producing online educational materials.
“I’m very proud of being the first Ph.D. from the program in this discipline,” Sepúlveda said. “My plans are to pursue an academic career focusing on engineering education.”
Mobile hurricane-prep displays encourage Panhandle residents to take action
To help Panhandle residents be prepared for weather-related disasters, a group of extension faculty from Florida’s Northwest Extension District have put together two mobile displays of hurricane supplies and are bringing them to fairs, festivals and other events to show the public what they need to have on hand.
“The tools we’ve gathered will increase awareness, and if we can help a few more people each year our efforts are worth it,” said Pete Vergot, director of UF’s Northwest Extension District, which serves 18 Panhandle counties. The area was hard-hit by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The displays, housed in trailers, contain everything a typical family would need to survive a hurricane – either at home or in a shelter – and then recover afterward. Each display contains about $5,000 worth of supplies, including a generator, chainsaw, winch, tools, storage containers, food, personal care items, safety equipment, even pet-care items.
The displays are accompanied by hurricane-prep literature that viewers can take home. Vergot and Jackson County extension agent Doug Mayo spearheaded the project, which was funded with a $17,000 grant. If a hurricane strikes the Panhandle, agents will use the supplies as needed to keep extension offices open.
Other educational materials, such as public-service announcements and videos, are being considered for the project, Vergot said.
Hardee County CED Gary helps Afghanistan dairy workers
The last year and a half has been an eye-opening time for Hardee County Extension Director Lockie Gary.
Next month, he’ll fly to Afghanistan a third time, training another group of women there as “extension agents.”
Afghan women aren’t allowed to work outside the home, but because of Gary’s training – paid for by a U.S. Agency for International Development grant that’s managed by the Land O’Lakes International dairy company – they’re able to earn money through dairy farming.
The cows’ milk is taken to collection centers, where it’s refrigerated and sold, earning the women anywhere between $8 and $14 a week – good money in a weak economy.
So far, 1,531 women have been trained in cattle nutrition, milking techniques, sanitary milk handling and even artificial insemination.
Conditions in Afghanistan are “extremely primitive,” Gary said, and so far, they haven’t found a single village that has electricity. But he loves the work.
“It’s extremely worthwhile. It’s my passion,” he said. “If I could do it full-time, I would.”
There are some cultural barriers to get past, of course.
Gary could not convince the women to use a bull from a neighboring village to impregnate their cattle, and it was only after talking to a religious leader that he learned why: In that culture, using another village’s bull is akin to sharing one’s wife.
Fortunately, they had no issue with artificial insemination.
“I wasn’t raised there. And I’m not trying to change the culture,” he said. “I’m just trying to show them some things, and some best practices.”
INFORM
IFAS faculty and staff located outside Gainesville can access most UF library materials long-distance, and using these resources is now easier than ever, thanks to a new outreach librarian for agricultural sciences, Valrie Davis, and a new Web page, Library Services for Off-Campus IFAS.
Located at http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/distance/ifas.html,the Web page contains several important features including a library distance learning home page with information on getting started as an off-campus user; research support sites such as electronic journals and databases and an interlibrary loan program enabling users to check out materials by mail. It also features tutorials that demonstrate how to use Web of Science, a journal database, and RefWorks, an online research management, writing and collaboration tool.
Davis is happy to assist users with any questions or problems; she can be reached by e-mail at vdavis@ufl.edu and by phone at 352-273-2880.
The Web site, launched in December, was developed by library faculty and staff, in collaboration with off-campus IFAS personnel. Davis is working on a number of Web site upgrades and additional services that should debut in the near future.
NEW ARRIVALS AT UF/IFAS
Anna Ball named assistant professor with Department of Agricultural Education and Communications
Anna Ball has been named an assistant professor with the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. The appointment became effective July 1.
Ball will focus her efforts on teaching methodology and has received U.S. Department of Agriculture higher education challenge grants to fund her research on faculty development.
She relocated to Gainesville from the University of Missouri where she completed her doctoral degree in agricultural education and her master’s in practical arts and vocational and technical education. She received her undergraduate degree in agricultural education from the University of Illinois.
Leda Kobziar named assistant professor with School of Forest Resources and Conservation
Leda Kobziar has been named an assistant professor with the School of Forest Resources and Conservation. A portion of her time will also be devoted to the School of Natural Resources and Environment. The appointment began July 17.
She will develop research programs in fire science and forest conservation. Her research interests include predicting fire behavior and severity, and mitigating damage through fuel reduction and prescribed burning. She’ll teach forest ecology management and introduction to forest resources conservation and will work with both undergraduate and graduate students.
Before coming to UF, Kobziar spent six years at the University of California, Berkeley, where she held several teaching and research positions while completing her Ph.D. In 1997 and 1998, she was a forestry specialist for the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department.
She holds a doctoral degree in ecosystem science and a master’s degree in forest science, both from the University of California, Berkeley. Her bachelor’s degree is from The Evergreen State College.
Cynthia Minot named 4-H youth development program leader for Brevard County
Cynthia Minot has been named 4-H youth development program leader for Brevard County. Her appointment began June 5.
Minot’s focus will be leadership and citizenship development for youth along with adult volunteer training. She enjoys working with junior and high school students and says 4-H activities help them gain life and leadership skills and an appreciation for Florida’s natural resources.
During the past five years she held several positions with Brevard Job Link. There, she coordinated special projects, provided computer training and did case management. However, Minot has had a lifelong love for 4-H and Florida’s waterways. She participated in 4-H programs as a child and was a Brevard County 4-H agent for 11 years. During that time, she obtained a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District to purchase 12 canoes and formed a 4-H Canoe Club. Even while with Brevard Job Link, Minot continued to volunteer with Brevard County 4-H programs.
She has a master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of Central Florida and a bachelor’s degree in political science with a business minor from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana.
Grisel Negron named Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program multi-county extension agent for Central Florida
Grisel Negron has been named Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program multi-county extension agent for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Appointed June 16, Negron expects to have programs in full swing in all three counties by January.
In Osceola County, Negron will offer training for preschool teachers, classroom presentations for first- through fifth-grade students and after-school programs for older youth.
In Orange and Seminole counties, she will partner with community centers and health-care providers to teach parents about proper nutrition, meal planning, food shopping and cooking practices.
Negron speaks Spanish and will plan programs to reach local Hispanic communities when opportunities arise.
Before joining UF, Negron worked as a consultant for the Miami-Dade County Health Department. Other earlier positions include assistant director for the Greater Boston Center for Healthy Communities at the Medical Foundation and health educator for the Boston Public Health Commission.
Negron holds a master’s of public health degree in behavioral sciences from Boston University and a master’s in counseling psychology from Lesley University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Puerto Rico.
Hector Perez named assistant professor with Department of Environmental Horticulture
Hector Perez has been named an assistant professor with the Department of Environmental Horticulture. The appointment became effective July 1.
Perez will teach plant identification and use, plant propagation and the accompanying labs to undergraduate and graduate students. He will also serve as co-adviser of the Environmental Horticulture Club and later will become adviser. His main research areas are landscape plant use and restoration. Duties will include speaking to industry groups, mentoring graduate students and fundraising for his research.
Perez holds a doctoral degree in horticulture from the University of Hawaii, and obtained his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in environmental horticulture from UF. Before returning to Gainesville, Perez held several teaching appointments in Honolulu at the University of Hawaii.
Linda Seals named horticulture extension agent for Brevard County
Linda Seals has been named a horticulture extension agent for the Brevard County Extension Service. Her appointment began June 12.
In this role, Seals will develop new programs for nurseries, landscapers and others. She will focus on providing the courses necessary for professionals who need continuing education to maintain their certifications for pesticide handling and others. She will also work with homeowner associations and municipalities, providing best management practice training.
Before this appointment, Seals was with the Palm Beach County Extension Service for four years. She also did horticultural instruction while at the University of Tennessee. She holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in ornamental horticulture and landscape design from the University of Tennessee.
Florence Sergile named coordinator of 2007 Florida Wildlife Conservation Conference
Florence Sergile has been named coordinator of the 2007 Florida Wildlife Conservation Conference. Her appointment, from April 10, 2006 to June 30, 2007, is supported with funds from the State Wildlife Grants Program.
In this position, Sergile will manage the collaboration of the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, working with an advisory committee in planning and implementing all aspects of the June 2007 conference, which include choosing venues, keynote speakers and fundraising activities. The conference is expected to draw about 200 attendees from the public and private sectors.
Before the appointment, Sergile worked with the Société Audubon Haiti managing conservation projects and developing environmental education materials. She has extensive experience with agencies in the United States and developing countries, including the Florida Museum of Natural History, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Organization of American States, United Nations Development Programme and other organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Sergile holds a master’s degree in Latin American studies from UF and is working toward a doctoral degree in nonformal science education.
Amy Shober named assistant professor of soil and water science at Gulf Coast REC
Amy Shober has been named an assistant professor of soil and water science with the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. Her appointment became effective June 2.
Shober, who will also hold an assistant professor position with the Department of Soil and Water Science, will provide leadership for planning and implementing statewide education programs for landscape management professionals.
Her responsibilities include assisting and training extension horticulture agents, and educating commercial landscape professionals and growers at field days, workshops and presentations. She will also research residential and commercial landscape practices.
Before being appointed, Shober was a graduate research fellow at the University of Delaware’s plant and soil sciences department.
Shober holds a doctoral degree in plant and soil sciences from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in soil science from The Pennsylvania State University and bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and environmental science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Jill Taufer named family and consumer sciences extension agent for Volusia County
Jill Taufer has been named a family and consumer sciences extension agent with the Volusia County Extension Service. Her appointment became effective July 1.
She will work with Volusia County schools providing nutrition education for grades k-5. She’ll also reach out to community groups, attend wellness fairs and promote the U.S. Department of Agriculture Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which targets families with young children.
Before this appointment, Taufer was a family nutritionist at the House Next Door in Deland, Fla. She holds a bachelor of health science degree in clinical and community dietetics from UF.
Wilfred Vermerris named associate professor with Department of Agronomy
Wilfred Vermerris has been named an associate professor with the Department of Agronomy. His appointment became effective May 5.
Vermerris is primarily responsible for research, and his program focuses on the formation of plant cell walls, particularly the role played by lignin, a polymer important to plants for water transport, cell rigidity and pest and pathogen defense. He will also develop genetic tools to improve the bioprocessing of energy crops so that renewable fuels can be produced more efficiently. His research is also expected to lead to improved digestibility of forage grasses. Vermerris will teach undergraduate and graduate courses as well.
Before being appointed, Vermerris was an assistant professor of agronomy and agricultural and biological engineering with Purdue University.
He holds a doctoral degree in genetics from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in biomolecular engineering from Wageningen University in Wageningen, the Netherlands.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Horse trade show in Marion County Sept. 21
The Marion County Extension Service will host a horse trade show for breeders, trainers, those who show horses in competition and anyone else who loves horses.
The Florida Equine Institute and Allied Trade Show is set for Sept. 21 at Ocala’s Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.
Reservations are required. The show costs $25 before Sept. 11 and $50 after. Students pay $15.
Equine experts will be on hand to speak on topics including hay, parasites, whether your horse needs supplements, and the latest in mobile equine medical technology.
There will also be vendors who want to show their latest horse-related wares.
There are two afternoon presentations at the daylong show – one on how to choose what kind of hay to feed your horse and the other on how to use and fit a bit.
Make checks payable to the Marion County Extension Service and mail them to 2232 N.E. Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470-3615.
For more details, contact show organizer and UF extension agent Mark Shuffitt at 352-671-8400 or e-mail jmsh@ufl.edu.
UF Community Campaign pledge drive begins this month
It’s that time again – the annual UF Community Campaign charity pledge drive will take place Sept. 25-Oct. 6. This year’s theme is “A Million and Two Can Happen With You!” and the campuswide fund-raising goal is once again a record amount, $1.2 million. Last year’s $1 million goal was surpassed by almost 10 percent, so organizers hope for another outpouring of Gator generosity.
The official charitable giving drive for UF employees, the Community Campaign is completely voluntary. It enables faculty and staff to donate funds to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations serving residents of Alachua County and the surrounding area. Donations can be made via payroll deduction, check, cash or direct bill.
For more information, visit the campaign’s Web site at www.ufcc.ufl.edu.
PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS
Olexa named chairman of legal practice section for The Florida Bar
Michael Olexa, a professor in the Department of Food and Resource Economics and an attorney, recently took office as chairman of The Florida Bar’s General Practice, Solo and Small Firm section. The section is dedicated to professional development and represents more than 2,000 lawyers who work for smaller law firms or have interests beyond a single legal specialty.
Olexa was elected to the one-year post during The Florida Bar’s annual convention, June 21-24 in Boca Raton. He is also chairman of The Florida Bar’s Agricultural Law Committee.
Olexa teaches several courses within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and also teaches at the UF Levin College of Law. He is director of the UF/IFAS Agricultural Law Center and established the nation’s first undergraduate minor in agricultural and natural resource law.
Emerson appointed new CALS recruitment and alumni services director
Former Union County High School agriculture education instructor Charlotte Emerson has been named director of recruitment and alumni services for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Dean Kirby Barrick announced the appointment, which took effect Aug. 21.
Emerson was a teacher at the Lake Butler school for 12 years, is a CALS alumna and served on the Florida Farm Bureau Board and the North Florida Farm Credit Board, as well as being a past president of the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators.
Space shuttle carries IFAS food crop experiment
A UF/IFAS researcher is watching her first experiment – in space.
Melanie Correll, an assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering, is part of an effort between three universities and two space agencies to study how plants grow and respond to light and gravity in space.
The other universities are Miami University and Indiana University. The space programs are NASA and the European Space Agency.
In the experiment, researchers sent up dry seeds of thale cress in small cassettes on the space shuttle Discovery during its launch earlier this month.
The cassettes will be placed in a large incubator that can control gas composition, lighting, humidity and temperature.
Over the next few months, International Space Station crew members will put the cassettes in the incubator and begin the automatic seed watering that will start the experiment.
Correll and other researchers will monitor the experiment via videotaped images and hope the results will help NASA scientists grow plants for long-term space missions, to be used as food, a way to recycle water and a possible oxygen source.
Agroforestry distance-ed course wins accolades from ACE
A UF distance-education agroforestry course has won accolades from a group of agriculture communicators.
“Agroforestry in the Southeastern United States” is a Web-based course whose overall objective is to enable future natural resource professionals to offer agroforestry solutions in response to rapid land-use changes in the Southeast.
The Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences awarded the course its Gold Award for an educational project or credit and the Outstanding Professional Skill Award in distance education and instructional design. The awards were given at the 2006 ACE conference in Quebec City, Canada, in early June.
The course covers both theory and application of agroforestry practices, but emphasizes the landowners’ perspective.
Using a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, UF’s Center for Subtropical Agroforestry designed the course to meet the needs of a broad range of students, including those with nontraditional backgrounds.
Course materials are presented using online classroom software, field video interviews, videos from the universities of Missouri and Kentucky and narrated PowerPoint presentations.
Nair receives honorary doctorate from Canadian university
P.K. Nair, a distinguished professor of agroforestry, has received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. He was chosen for the honor to recognize his achievements in agroforestry research, including collaborations with Canadian scientists.
Nair received a doctor of science degree during the commencement ceremony for the Ontario Agricultural College June 15. He also served as commencement speaker at the event. While in Guelph, he visited an agroforestry field site and discussed potential collaborations with colleagues.
Nair was one of six scholars awarded honorary doctoral degrees by the university during its commencement exercises June 12-15, and the only one representing an agricultural discipline. He previously received honorary doctoral degrees from Kyoto University in Japan in 2002 and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana in 2005.
Society of American Foresters chapter launched at Gulf Coast REC
The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center can now boast a new student chapter of the Society of American Foresters.
Joining an older Gainesville student chapter, the Plant City-based group was granted its charter July 20 and includes about 13 student members, said faculty adviser Michael Andreu, an assistant professor in forest systems who is also a faculty member with the School of Forest Resources and Conservation.
Much like the American Medical Association for doctors, the forestry group promotes professionalism among foresters, professional development, publishes journals and certifies foresters, Andreu said.
Student Mindy Napier is the group’s chairman, and the group has already participated in field trips with the local professional chapter.
The group plans to have an official recognition ceremony in the fall, and students hope to attend the Southeast regional meeting September at Auburn University.
IFAS grad student develops new coleus varieties
UF has released 14 new varieties of coleus, popular plants prized for their bright foliage. Developed by UF graduate student Penny Nguyen, two of the varieties – “Royal Glissade” and “Twist ‘n’ Twirl” will be available in the Proven Winners 2007 catalog.
Nguyen, an environmental horticulture doctoral student, works with Dave Clark, an environmental horticulture associate professor, to traditionally breed coleus plants.
“Our breeding program focuses on developing new cultivars with two primary characteristics – sun tolerance and late or no flowering,” said Nguyen. “The secondary characteristics we focus on include high vigor, high branching and novel colors.”
Coleus with these characteristics are desirable, because most coleus varieties grow best in shade.
Packaging science grad student wins $25,000 scholarship
A proposal to find out how well radio frequency identification, or RFID, can be used to track and monitor perishable goods in air cargo has won a UF graduate student a $25,000 scholarship.
Packaging science graduate student Magalie Laniel won the 2006 Walter H. Johnson Sr. scholarship to pursue her research and education.
The award is given by The International Air Cargo Association.
Jean-Pierre Emond , an associate professor of packaging science at UF and Laniel’s adviser, nominated her for the award.
The study will include the effects of hardware equipment, packaging materials and the nature of cargo on radio frequency propagation outside and inside the cargo hold.
Laniel has a bachelor’s degree in food engineering from Laval University in Quebec, Canada and a master’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering from UF with a specialization in RFID applied to marine containers.
Collier County program helps families learn about marine science
Collier County extension agent Bryan Fluech and 4-H outreach coordinator Trisha Aldridge revived an old program this summer that gives families a chance to get to know their local beach.
The family beach marine science program ran for six nights over two weeks in late June and early July. Its aim was to give families a chance to learn about marine life at their local beach and how to be good stewards of beach and marine resources.
Topics included waves and erosion, algae, sea shells, crabs, sea turtles and shore birds.
Participants, who ranged in age from 4-year-olds to adults in their 50s, learned to use seine nets and identify the creatures they pulled in.
Delnor Wiggens State Park officials waived admission fees for the class.
Fluech, who started as an extension agent in March, said it was a challenge to teach to such a diverse group, but that he enjoyed it.
“I thought it would be a good program to get my feet wet with – literally,” he said.
Thanks, and we’ll see you next time!
