Central Florida Citrus and Deciduous Fruit Crop Program

Central Florida Citrus Advisory Committee & Ryan Atwood

Central Florida Citrus and Deciduous Fruit Crop Program

• Serves seven counties in Central Florida: Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola Counties.

• Primarily focused on citrus production (~37,500 acres in Cent. Fl), although blueberries growing in acreage.

• Evaluation and promotion of alternative fruit crops for commercial production (i.e. peaches, nectarines, grapes).

Citrus Extension Activities

• Grower Field Visits• Grower Educational Programs• Citruslines newsletter and webpage• Statewide Citrus Extension Team member• 4-H Citrus Tree Project• Mid Florida Citrus Foundation and A.H.

Krezdorn research grove• Applied Research Projects

Related Programs

• Pesticide Applicator Training Team

• Certified Pile Burning Statewide Coordinator

• Weather Watch• Alternative fruit crops• Misc. –historical societies,

tropical fruit club, hort. camp, international travel, F.A.W.N

Grower field visits

• Consultations

• Relationship building

• Educational Opportunities

Grower Educational Programs

• Field Trips

• OJ Meetings

• Citrus Production managers meetings

• Statewide events-Citrus Expo, Indian River Seminar, etc.

Newsletter & Webpagehttp://cfextension.ifas.ufl.edu/

Statewide Citrus Extension Team

• Multi county agents website http://citrusagents.ifas.ufl.edu/

• Statewide programs –Greening identification and scouting, Greening Summit

• Citrus Extension Grant – Posters, greening symptom pictures, educational events.

4-H Citrus Tree Project

• Website http://cfextension.ifas.ufl.edu/4h/4h_tree.shtml

• 200 children participate.• Over $4500.00 donated annually by local citrus

growers

Mid Florida Citrus Foundation (MFCF)

• Coordinator for the MFCF.

• 100+ acre active research facility.

• USDA, UF IFAS, and private researchers.

• Field days and demonstration areas.

Applied Research Projects

• Ultra Low Volume pesticide application for psyllid control.

• Leaf freezing points data and model for F.A.W.N.

• Greening-Salicylic Acid Trial.

Pesticide Applicator Training Team

• Provides private applicator agricultural licenses training opportunities throughout Central Florida.

• Provides needed CORE continuing educational units to growers.

Certified Pile Burner Program

• Requested by Advisory Board to pursue.

• Collaboration between the Florida Division of Forestry and IFAS.

• Has become a statewide program.

Weather Watch

• Agricultural weather information for cold protection decisions

• Seventy-one subscribers

Alternative Fruit Crops

• Evaluation & Demonstration

• Keep up to date with industry developments

Miscellaneous

• Master Gardener Training -Ag Awareness Grant and Materials.

• Trade magazine articles.

• International travel.

Questions?