Research

Research has always been a primary pursuit of the Florida citrus industry, however, with the spread of canker and greening research has taken on even more importance.

There are now more than 100 research projects underway designed to provide short and long-term solutions to each disease. Scientists are confident that intensive and sustained research can solve the greening and canker puzzles once and for all.

Much of the country’s citrus research takes place at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). CREC, which recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary, is one of the world’s pre-eminent citrus research
institutions. CREC’s website address is http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/

In addition to CREC, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service operates research facilities in Ft. Pierce and Winter Haven, Fl. that also conduct in-depth citrus research. ARS’ homepage is at http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/main.htm

Two other important entities involved in Florida citrus research are the Florida Citrus Production Research Advisory Council (FCPRAC) and the Florida Citrus Industry Research Coordinating Council (FCIRCC).

FCPRAC serves as one source of funding for the various citrus research projects. FCPRAC is funded through an annual box tax on citrus growers.

The Council is an industry program that operates under the Florida Citrus Production Marketing order approved in a referendum of Florida citrus growers in 1991 and renewed again in 1997 and 2004. The Council’s 14-member board determines which proposals will receive grower box tax funding. For more information visit http://www.fcprac.com

Click Here To view a List of FCPRAC Research Projects

The FCIRCC was established to make sure research efforts are not duplicated and that essential research is funded. The Council, made up of a diverse group of industry representatives, establishes research priorities based on input from all segments of Florida citrus. Priority areas that lack adequate resources are identified as “gaps” and documented for further investigation. A final review with the directors at each research agency and industry organizations verifies the research gaps and the resources needed to alleviate them The FCIRCC annual report is available at http://www.fcircc.org/

Research

2008-09 Florida Citrus Mutual Research Funding Strategic Plan