On April 5, growers gathered in Avon Park at South Florida State College for the Florida Citrus Growers’ Institute. The event was organized by regional citrus Extension agents with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and aimed to provide timely research that can be applied in groves today. It also was an opportunity for growers to get updates on research projects dedicated to defeating HLB.
Rick Dantzler, chief operating officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), gave an update on projects being funded by the organization. He said CRDF has changed the way its conducts its approval and funding process.
The concept, called “directed research,” starts by defining problems that need solutions. From there, CRDF seeks out scientists believed to be best equipped to answer those questions. Dantzler said the idea is to speed up the proposal approval and funding process. He added it keeps projects focused on the most immediate needs.
Read the full article at citrusindustry.net.