By Mary Ann Hooks and Christopher Hodge
This year, the total Florida state budget climbed to $116.5 billion, the largest in the state’s history. There are historic investments in Florida’s higher education system, environment, healthcare, rainy day funds, and just about every other silo as we shine bright into the future.
Here are some of the highlights of how the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) did in the fiscal year 2023–24 budget:
- $3,862,872 recurring funding for UF/IFAS workload
- $6,200,000 for the nutrient rate study (best management practices)
- $10,965,880 for the Center for Artificial Intelligence
- $2,750,000 for the main campus microbiology teaching laboratory expansion
- $1,435,000 for expansion of the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center
- $1,992,650 for the animal sciences horse teaching unit
- $1,997,280 for the Millhopper campus Lakewatch building
UF/IFAS is thrilled and exceptionally grateful to have had so many of its initiatives included in this year’s budget. UF/IFAS is also delighted to report that the legislature invested in the University of Florida as a whole, adopting remarkable investments to enhance overall operational support funding, construction efforts across campus and throughout the state.
None of this would be possible without the tremendous support and work of our legislative champions and staff, UF leadership and stakeholders. This year’s investment in UF is a true testament to the incredible impacts of the Gator Nation throughout the state of Florida, the United States and the world.
UF/IFAS was fortunate to avoid the veto pen this year when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the budget on June 15. The budget became effective on July 1.
Overall, UF/IFAS is sincerely grateful for the support and input provided for this this year’s session.
Mary Ann Hooks is UF/IFAS director of governmental affairs, and Christopher Hodge is UF/IFAS assistant director of governmental affairs.
