Resolution 2018-195 RESOLUTION NO. 2018 - 1 9 5
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY OF
FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER
STATE APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR IRRIGATION AND
DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS.
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
UF 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 resources needs; and
WHEREAS,the research, education, and extension activities at SWFREC continues to be
an economic engine for the region and the State; and
WHEREAS, the SWFREC serves the entire State, 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 the winter to U.S. markets; and
WHEREAS,the SWFREC is a valuable regional portal providing technology and science
regarding the management of water, environmental issues, and natural resources critical to the
economic development of the region and State; and
WHEREAS,outdated,manual irrigation and drainage system technology that is frequently
in disrepair cannot adequately control water during the low and high rainfall periods resulting in
the repeated loss of experimental data from drought and flooding conditions and leading to a
reduction in plant growth, yield, drop of fruit, and death of the study plants; and
WHEREAS, this outdated, manual irrigation and drainage system hampers agricultural
research and education and limits the goal of improved water quality and quantity in Southwest
Florida by preventing replication of environmental conditions of grower clientele that have
automated systems for water control.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA, to support an application by the
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center for up to$1,250,000 in State appropriations for
irrigation and drainage system improvements.
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THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion,second and majority vote on this the 23`'
day of October, 2018.
ATTEST:"' ',''.'.94- 4", BOARD OF CO . TY COMMISSIONERS
CRYSTAL K. KINiEL, CLERK COLLIER i FLO"OP
} � , /
B a 1. l C) C• B
Attest as to. it TY CLERK A DY SOLIS, CHAIRMAN
signature only;
Appro •d . 4 f,rm and legality:
Il,litt Al
Jeffrey '7 KO ow
County A o `►
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