New UF/IFAS Study: Florida Agriculture, Natural Resource and Related Industries Have $101.9 Billion Value-Added Impact and Generate Second Largest Number of Jobs in the State

February 29, 2008
Topic(s): Economics, Families and Consumers

• By:
  Chuck Woods
• Source:
  Alan Hodges – awhodges@ufl.edu, 352-392-1881 x312

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — At a time when the nation’s slowing economy is tipping toward recession, one of the largest and most stable sectors of Florida’s economy continues to thrive, according to a new University of Florida study released last month.

In fact, the $101.9 billion annual value-added impact of agriculture, natural resource, food and fiber product manufacturing, distribution and related service industries is larger than ever, and these industries will continue to play a vital role in Florida’s economy for 21st century as they have in the past, say economists with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/IFAS. (more…)

Career Expo (stand alone photo – no story available)

February 20, 2008
Topic(s): Announcements, IFAS, Stand-Alone Photos

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In this photo released from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF junior and Iraq veteran Lee Gladden, left, speaks to Randy Strode, owner of Agri-Starts, Inc., about job and internship opportunities with the Apopka-based company – Wednesday, February 20, 2008. (more…)

Next Week’s ‘Florida Saves’ Campaign Urges State Residents to Save for a Rainy Day

February 19, 2008
Topic(s): CALS, Economics, Finances, IFAS

• By:
  Mickie Anderson – (352) 273-3566
• Sources:
  Elaine Courtney – ecourtne@ifas.ufl.edu, (850) 689-5850
  Anita McKinney – anitamck@ufl.edu, (904) 387-8850

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Expect a call from your conscience next week, telling you it’s time to blow the dust off that piggy bank.

The organizers behind Florida Saves and UF Saves – both part of a national push called America Saves – don’t mind nagging. During America Saves Week, which runs from Feb. 24 through March 2, the state and campus organizations will host activities intended to get residents focused on their financial futures. (more…)

More Seek the Small-Farm Dream, but Need Help from Friends, Experts Say

February 18, 2008
Topic(s): Agriculture, Extension, Families and Consumers, Lawn & Garden, Vegetables

• By:
  Stu Hutson – (352) 273-3569
• Sources:
  Robert Hochmuth – bobhoch@ufl.edu, (386) 362-1725 x103
  Danielle Treadwell – ddtreadw@ufl.edu, (352) 392-1928 x210

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It wasn’t long after longtime commercial writer Sandra “Sam” Williams and husband Jerry left their full-time desk jobs to start a 200-acre farm in Starke that they realized they could use a little help.

“Sitting at a keyboard doesn’t give you much insight into how to harvest chickens or ward off whiteflies,” she said. “And those are the easy problems. These aren’t the smoothest of times for anyone, let alone small farmers.” (more…)

‘It’s All About Food,’ Global Policy Expert Will Explain

February 13, 2008
Topic(s): Announcements, Economics, Environment

• By:
  Stu Hutson – (352) 273-3569

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — At January’s World Economic Forum, Bill Gates stood before a collection of the world’s foremost business and political leaders – all buzzing with concerns of global recession, energy shortages and terrorism – and told them that the world’s most dire economic priority is, simply put, food.

Two billion of the world’s poorest people are undernourished, and the only way to feed them, he said, is by better steering the world’s economic forces. (more…)

Pollinating Peaches (stand alone photo – no story available)

February 12, 2008
Topic(s): Crops, Stand-Alone Photos

• Source:
  Jose Chaparro – jaguey58@ufl.edu, (352) 392-1928

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In this photo released from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, fruit crop genetics researcher Jose Chaparro, left, and doctoral student Omar Carrillo evaluate an ornamental peach tree at the UF/IFAS research grove at UF’s main campus in Gainesville – Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Armed with an ordinary pencil eraser and a bag of pollen, they pollinate flowers and then test how many days of cool temperatures are needed for the trees to bear fruit.

(AP photo/University of Florida/IFAS/Thomas Wright)