Impact Impact Fall 2008 : Page 2
perspective in “a land remembered” by pat smith, tobias macivey and his family came to fl orida in 1863 as dirt-poor crackers, struggling for their very existence. “There were many times when Tobias thought otherwise, but they did survive. He learned many things by trial and error, and passing strangers told him of others.” He and his family gained an appreciation of the land and ecosystem. Even in a time of economic gloom, it’s important to not forget the land’s natural treasures — but in- stead remember to look to them as a source of renewal for a prosperous tomorrow. This has always been a key mission of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. One of those treasures is the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station. Thanks in large part to a donation of land from The Nature Conservancy, IFAS is using the 9,100 acres of pristine and diverse landscapes ranging from wetlands to sandhills to support our tripartite mission. As a core site for the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the station’s unadulterated ecology will be a key element of a national effort to track the effects of climate change, land management practices, invasive species and other factors on Florida’s environment and the nation’s natural resources. IFAS has facilities in every one of Florida’s 67 counties, and there are 13 research and education centers throughout the state dedicated to developing the state’s $101 billion agriculture and natural resources industry. Each year, IFAS continues to expand its efforts throughout the Sunshine State. The amount of funding IFAS garners through grants and contracts has maintained a steady climb, and has increased in the past year by $11.3 million to $104.8 million for 2008. And that is money put to good use. IFAS is spearheading research and educational programs to fi nd solutions to citrus greening, which threatens a citrus industry that has been a Florida keystone since the time of the earliest Spanish settlers. Meanwhile, in light of the recent tomato scare, IFAS faculty members have worked hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser- vices and the Florida Tomato Exchange to develop and institute a groundbreaking set of self-imposed safety standards among the state’s growers. We are helping to set the stage for a future of alternative fuel sources born from but not a burden to the land. A new cellulosic ethanol pilot plant on our Gainesville campus will help refi ne methods to turn nonfood biomass and wastes into a fuel that can help alleviate the nation’s reliance on oil. Mean- while, new biofuel classes and educational programs offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will help give a head start to tomorrow’s leaders in the fi eld. Recently I announced that I have accepted an offer to become chancellor of the University of Tennes- see at Knoxville, effective Feb. 1, 2009. It is with reluctance that I leave the University of Florida where I have served for more than 33 years. My wife Ileen and I are committed Gators and both our children earned their degrees here. However, I felt this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as the overall administrator of a great land-grant university would be the capstone to my career. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given to IFAS and our programs in teaching, research and extension. Because you have made a difference, IFAS has made, and will continue to make a difference. ective in “a land remembered” by pat smith, tobias macivey and his family came to fl orida in 1863 as dirt-poor crackers, struggling for their very existence. “There were many times when Tobias thought otherwise, but they did survive. He learned many things by trial and error, and passing strangers told him of others.” He and his family gained an appreciation of the land and ecosystem. Even in a time of economic gloom, it’s important to not forget the land’s natural treasures — but in- stead remember to look to them as a source of renewal for a prosperous tomorrow. This has always been a key mission of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. One of those treasures is the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station. Thanks in large part to a donation of land from The Nature Conservancy, IFAS is using the 9,100 acres of pristine and diverse landscapes ranging from wetlands to sandhills to support our tripartite mission. As a core site for the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the station’s unadulterated ecology will be a key element of a national effort to track the effects of climate change, land management practices, invasive species and other factors on Florida’s environment and the nation’s natural resources. IFAS has facilities in every one of Florida’s 67 counties, and there are 13 research and education centers throughout the state dedicated to developing the state’s $101 billion agriculture and natural resources industry. Each year, IFAS continues to expand its efforts throughout the Sunshine State. The amount of funding IFAS garners through grants and contracts has maintained a steady climb, and has increased in the past year by $11.3 million to $104.8 million for 2008. And that is money put to good use. IFAS is spearheading research and educational programs to fi nd solutions to citrus greening, which threatens a citrus industry that has been a Florida keystone since the time of the earliest Spanish settlers. Meanwhile, in light of the recent tomato scare, IFAS faculty members have worked hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser- vices and the Florida Tomato Exchange to develop and institute a groundbreaking set of self-imposed safety standards among the state’s growers. We are helping to set the stage for a future of alternative fuel sources born from but not a burden to the land. A new cellulosic ethanol pilot plant on our Gainesville campus will help refi ne methods to turn nonfood biomass and wastes into a fuel that can help alleviate the nation’s reliance on oil. Mean- while, new biofuel classes and educational programs offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will help give a head start to tomorrow’s leaders in the fi eld. Recently I announced that I have accepted an offer to become chancellor of the University of Tennes- see at Knoxville, effective Feb. 1, 2009. It is with reluctance that I leave the University of Florida where I have served for more than 33 years. My wife Ileen and I are committed Gators and both our children earned their degrees here. However, I felt this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as the overall administrator of a great land-grant university would be the capstone to my career. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given to IFAS and our programs in teaching, research and extension. Because you have made a difference, IFAS has made, and will continue to make a difference. Jimmy Jimmy G. Cheek Senior Vice President Agriculture and Natural Resources 2 IMPACT | Fall 2008
Perspective
In “a land remembered” by pat smith, tobias macivey and his family came to fl orida in 1863 as dirt-poor crackers, struggling for their very existence. “There were many times when Tobias thought otherwise, but they did survive. He learned many things by trial and error, and passing strangers told him of others.” He and his family gained an appreciation of the land and ecosystem.<br /> <br /> Even in a time of economic gloom, it’s important to not forget the land’s natural treasures — but instead remember to look to them as a source of renewal for a prosperous tomorrow. This has always been a key mission of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.<br /> <br /> One of those treasures is the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station. Thanks in large part to a donation of land from The Nature Conservancy, IFAS is using the 9,100 acres of pristine and diverse landscapes ranging from wetlands to sandhills to support our tripartite mission. As a core site for the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the station’s unadulterated ecology will be a key element of a national effort to track the effects of climate change, land management practices, invasive species and other factors on Florida’s environment and the nation’s natural resources.<br /> <br /> IFAS has facilities in every one of Florida’s 67 counties, and there are 13 research and education centers throughout the state dedicated to developing the state’s $101 billion agriculture and natural resources industry. Each year, IFAS continues to expand its efforts throughout the Sunshine State. The amount of funding IFAS garners through grants and contracts has maintained a steady climb, and has increased in the past year by $11.3 million to $104.8 million for 2008.<br /> <br /> And that is money put to good use. IFAS is spearheading research and educational programs to fi nd solutions to citrus greening, which threatens a citrus industry that has been a Florida keystone since the time of the earliest Spanish settlers. Meanwhile, in light of the recent tomato scare, IFAS faculty members have worked hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Tomato Exchange to develop and institute a groundbreaking set of self-imposed safety standards among the state’s growers.<br /> <br /> We are helping to set the stage for a future of alternative fuel sources born from but not a burden to the land. A new cellulosic ethanol pilot plant on our Gainesville campus will help refi ne methods to turn nonfood biomass and wastes into a fuel that can help alleviate the nation’s reliance on oil. Meanwhile, new biofuel classes and educational programs offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences will help give a head start to tomorrow’s leaders in the fi eld.<br /> <br /> Recently I announced that I have accepted an offer to become chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, effective Feb. 1, 2009. It is with reluctance that I leave the University of Florida where I have served for more than 33 years. My wife Ileen and I are committed Gators and both our children earned their degrees here. However, I felt this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as the overall administrator of a great land-grant university would be the capstone to my career.<br /> <br /> I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given to IFAS and our programs in teaching, research and extension. Because you have made a difference, IFAS has made, and will continue to make a difference.
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