Resolution 2014-246 RESOLUTION NO. 2014 - 2 4 6
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING RECURRING FUNDING
FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESEARCH AND
EDUCATION CENTER.
WHEREAS, the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC), part of
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), was established as
a OF support facility in 1958 and became a OF/IFAS research and education center in 1986 after
the agricultural industry in southwest Florida convinced the state that the region needed its own
center to serve the region's unique agricultural and natural resource needs; and
WHEREAS, the research, education, and extension activities at SWFREC has been, and
will continue to be, an economic engine for the region and the state; and
WHEREAS, the SWFREC serves the entire State of Florida, focusing on Collier, Lee,
Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties, which produce almost 25% of Florida's citrus and
nearly 80% of the tomatoes and other fresh vegetables sold during winter to U.S. markets; and
WHEREAS, southwest Florida agricultural interests, including citrus, vegetables,
sugarcane, and ornamental growers, along with cattle ranches, collectively generate $1 billion in
farm sales annually, and are the core of an agribusiness and natural resource economy in
southwest Florida that contributes more than $6 billion of total annual economic activity
statewide; and
WHEREAS, the SWFREC is a valuable regional portal providing technology and
science regarding the management of water, environmental issues, and natural resources critical
and economic development to the region, state; and.
WHEREAS, in 2012, the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center ranked
second place among the 11 OF/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences research and
education centers for competitive grants received and third place for refereed scientific
publications, two important metrics of academic productivity; and,
WHEREAS, in recent years, the SWFREC has lost funding for staff, faculty, and
research programs, limiting and endangering the ability of the SWFREC to promote and protect
the health and productivity of southwest Florida and statewide agricultural interests; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, is in support of the South Florida Ag Council request
for $1.8 Million of the $5.5 Million UF/IFAS budget request for recurring funding to provide for
additional faculty positions, support staff, and research operations and programming funding at
the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center.
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THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the
18th day of November, 2014.
ATTESTS ' ,;., • BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DWIGHT E. BROC Clerk COLLIE' COU TY, FLORIDA
t. er .
BY:___ . L
A st as to Chairman'Peputy Clerk TOM HENNI G, C • IRMAN
signature o ly. I
Approved:sj o orgn and legality:
ilt I'
Jeffrey Al lati ow-
County Atty-nt
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