(UF/IFAS) — On Dec. 4, the South Florida community has an opportunity to engage in innovative, high-tech research at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) open house. The center, located at 18905 Southwest 280th Street in the heart of Homestead, is a hub of research and development that helps South Florida be one of the world’s leading agricultural and natural resources regions.
Participants can learn about research being conducted to address some of the challenges arising from increased pests and diseases, red tide, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion and climate change.
New agricultural products such as industrial hemp, vanilla and finger limes will be featured. Visitors to the center will also see cutting-edge methods being employed by UF/IFAS plant breeders and geneticists to develop new, improved varieties of crops that are resistant to invasive pests, can adjust to changing climate conditions and may also be tastier and more healthy for consumers.
Attendees who register for the free event will get to engage with scientists and students. Visitors will have a close-up look at the wide scope of current research taking place, including work with papayas, lychees, avocados, pumpkins, ornamental plants, entomology, water quality in agricultural and natural ecosystems, estuarine and coastal ecosystems restoration, pest management and much more.
The daylong event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature demonstrations, lab and field tours, and presentations about ornamental crops, vegetable crops, subtropical and tropical fruit crops, and natural resource conservation. The free event will include lunch sponsored by Outback Steakhouse for participants who register in advance of Dec. 4. To register, go to the following Eventbrite link, or visit https://trec-openhouse.eventbrite.com.
Jack Payne, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at UF/IFAS, will address participants during the opening ceremony.
Source: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences