Agenda 11/18/2014 Item # 10C11/18/2014 10.C.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve a Resolution in support of the budget request made by the
South Florida Ag Council to the Florida Legislature for continued funding of the
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, and to distribute resolution in the
manner set forth below.
OBJECTIVE: To support the South Florida Ag Council's $1.8 million recurring funding for
the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Southwest Florida Research and Education Center is a component
of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. It was established as the
university's support facility in 1958 and became a research and education center in 1986 after the
southwest Florida agricultural industry convinced the state that the region needed its own center
to serve the region's unique agricultural and natural resource needs.
The research, education, and extension activities at SWFREC have been, and will continue to be,
an economic engine for the region and the state. While the SWFREC serves the entire State of
Florida, it focuses 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 to
U.S. markets during the winter months. Southwest Florida's agricultural interests, including
cattle ranches, citrus, vegetables, sugarcane, and ornamental growers, collectively generate $1
billion in sales annually, and are the core of an agribusiness and natural resource economy in
southwest Florida by contributing more than $6 billion of compound economic activity statewide
annually. The SWFREC is a valuable educational portal to both the University of Florida and
the wider national Land Grant university system, providing science and technology applicable to
the management of water, environmental issues, and natural resources critical to the region, state,
and nation.
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. During the recession, however, the SWFREC lost funding for faculty,
staff, and research programs, which severely limited its ability to promote and protect the health
and productivity of southwest Florida and statewide agricultural interests.
In 2014, the Florida Legislature granted a budget amendment of $2.0 million to restore funding
for the Research and Education Center in order to provide for the hiring of a center director, and
to provide for the construction of new facilities to accommodate increased faculty, staff, and
students.
As a follow -up to last year's advancement, the South Florida Ag Council is requesting $1.8
million of the $5.5 million UFAFAS budget request for recurring funds for additional faculty
positions, support staff, and research operations and programming.
Packet Page -490-
11/18/2014 10.C.
Approval of the proposed Resolution will memorialize the Board of County Commissioners
support for the OF /IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center and the South
Florida Ag Council's $1.8 million request for recurring funding.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: The proposed Resolution has been reviewed by the County
Attorney, is approved as to form and legality, and requires majority support for Board approval.
- JAK
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners approves the attached
Resolution in support of the $1.8 million recurring funding budget amendment request made by
the South Florida Ag Council to the Florida Legislature to fund the Southwest Florida Research
and Education Center, and upon approval by the Board and subsequent execution, distribute the
Resolution through our legislative lobbyist as follows:
Florida Gov. Rick Scott
Florida Senate President- Designate Andy Gardiner
Senator Bill Galvano — Senate Majority Leader
Florida House Speaker - Designate Steve Crisafulli
Representative Dana Young— House Majority Leader
Members of the Collier County Legislative Dele (Tation, which includes
Senator Garrett Richter
Senator Dwight Bullard
Representative Matt Hudson (chair) House Speaker pro tempore
Representative Kathleen Passidomo
Representative Carlos Trujillo
and other members of the Florida Legislature
The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities.
PREPARED BY: Tim Nance, County Commissioner, District 5
Attachments:
- (UF /IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center Industry- Critical Staffing
Need
- Economic Impacts from Agriculture on SW Florida
- South Florida Agricultural Council Membership Meeting List
Packet Page -491-
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 10.10.C.
11/18/2014 10.C.
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve a Resolution in support of the budget
request made by the South Florida Ag Council to the Florida Legislature for continued funding
of the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, and to distribute resolution in the
manner set forth below. (Commissioner Nance)
Meeting Date: 11/18/2014
Prepared By
Name: FlanaganJim
Title: Executive Coordinator to Commissioner,
11/10/2014 4:54:54 PM
Submitted by
Title: Executive Coordinator to Commissioner,
Name: FlanaganJim
I 1/] 0/2014 4:54:56 PM
Approved By
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: I 1/] 2/2014 8:18:59 AM
Name: OchsLeo
Title: County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: l 1/] 2/2014 8:43:46 AM
Packet Page -492-
11/18/2014 10.C.
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -
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 UFAFAS 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 l l 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 OF /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.
Packet Page -493-
11/18/2014 10.C.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second and majority vote on this the
1 8th day of November, 2014.
ATTEST:
DWIGHT E. BROCK, Clerk
IN
, Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legality:
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow
County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
TOM HENNING, CHAIRMAN
Packet Page -494-
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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER (UF /IFAS)
INDUSTRY CRITICAL STAFFING NEEDS
ADDITIONAL FACULTY POSITIONS NEEDED:
1. Soil Microbiologist---- - - - - -- -There is a priority need for a soil microbiologist to conduct research
and extension programs related to citrus and vegetables. Presently, SWFREC has a lack of
expertise in soil microbes. Issues related to soil health have surfaced as a high priority in the
development of therapies to combat the citrus greening disease (HLB).
2. Citrus Plant Pathologist - - -- -The number of serious diseases confronting the citrus industry
justifies the addition of a full -time plant pathologist at SWFREC dedicated solely to citrus. Not
only is HLB a major concern but Southwest Florida is the epicenter for Citrus Black Spot in
Florida. With this addition, the current plant pathologist would be able to focus exclusively on
vegetable diseases and management the plant disease diagnostic lab.
3. Agricultural Economist- - - - - -- Numerous research projects have a priority need for economic
analyzes of treatment responses so growers can determine the feasibility of adopting
modification of production practices. The current SWFREC agricultural economist is assumes an
expanded statewide role for OF /IFAS related to labor issues.
4. Plant Physiologist------- - - - - -- -Most problems that hamper profitable vegetable and citrus
production are associated with pathogens, insects or physiological disorders. Presently, SWFREC
has no plant physiologist to conduct research and extension programs to solve physiological
disorders.
5. Agricultural Engineer /Precision Agriculture - -- -Key stakeholders in Southwest Florida are large
agricultural producers who are continually seeking ways to increase efficiency with resulting
economic and environmental benefits. An engineer is needed to conduct extension and research
programs in areas as GIS, drones, lasers, infrared imaging, etc.
6. Weed Scientist--------- - - - - -- -Weeds remain a dominant pest requiring costly management
strategies with heavy reliance on chemical herbicides. There is a critical need to develop
alternative weed management methods and to better understand the relationship between soil
microbes and herbicides.
Note: This list was compiled based on input from the South Florida Agricultural Council, SWFREC
Vegetable Advisory Committee, and the SWFREC Citrus Advisory Committee.
October 22, 2014
Packet Page -498-