Dr. Ute Albrecht

Dr. Albrecht is located at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL with statewide extension responsibility for citrus and vegetable production. Her program focuses on the characterization and use of citrus rootstocks for improved citrus production in the Huanglongbing (HLB) era and other methods to increase citrus tree health. She also investigates the effects of alternative crop production materials, such as beneficial soil bacteria and fungi on citrus and vegetable crops and the use of PGRs to address physiological problems that are of concern to growers. Dr. Albrecht interacts closely with the industry and has many ongoing collaborative field trials.

Dr. Joshua Freeman

Dr. Freeman’s program focuses on vegetable and melon cropping systems important to the state and region and is located at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL. Much of his research and extension efforts are focused in the area of soil fumigants and fumigant alternatives for soil-borne pest and weed management. Many of the vegetable crops in Florida are produced using the plasticulture production system. For decades growers have relied on the soil fumigant methyl bromide for pest management. This chemistry is no longer available and Dr. Freeman’s program is addressing this issue.

Dr. Tong Geon Lee

Dr. Lee has statewide responsibility for tomato production and is located at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, FL. His program focuses on the study of tomato genetics and on its application in solving challenging problems in tomato production. Dr. Lee coordinates an extension program that assists with the training of extension agents, growers, and breeders and industry representatives through participation in extension programs, informal outreach, and the development of extension materials.

Dr. Guodong "David" Liu

Dr. Liu is a state extension specialist in plant nutrition and is based in the Horticultural Sciences Department in Gainesville, FL. Serving county faculty and crop producers is his top priority. His extension program focuses on improving nutrient and water use efficiency of vegetable and fruit crops including water and nutrient management, fertilization practices and new fertilizer development. He participates in planning and conducting statewide and regional seminars, workshops, conferences, and field demonstrations for county extension agents and vegetable and fruit producers.

Dr. Germán Sandoya-Miranda

Dr. Sandoya-Miranda is a state extension specialist on breeding lettuce and other leafy vegetables; his program includes interaction with stakeholders of the leafy vegetables in the state of Florida to determine breeding objectives. He is located at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, FL. His program main goal is to develop cos, crisphead, leaf and other type of lettuce cultivars adapted to Florida environmental conditions and with resistances to pest and diseases that are a threat to the lettuce industry in the state; in addition he will be improving postharvest quality of lettuce cultivars for a longer shelf-life; identifying nutrient efficiency cultivars. He is also working with growers in non-traditional settings and how Florida lettuce improved in the state can be used in hydroponics, greenhouses and other structures. He actively interacts with stakeholders of the lettuce industry: grower's associations, Lettuce Advisory Committee and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Dr. Danielle Treadwell

Dr. Treadwell has been conducting research and extension programs on vegetable and cover crop management in organic systems for over 25 years and is located in the Horticultural Sciences Department in Gainesville, FL. She provides statewide extension leadership for food systems, food safety, farm to school, small farms, and alternative enterprises. She supports state and county faculty, farmers, and consumers by developing training, educational materials, and information networks. Her research is focused on the improvement of farming practices that conserve natural resources including cover crop, nutrient and soil management practices, and this work contributes to her extension program.

Dr. Lincoln Zotarelli

Dr. Zotarelli is an extension specialist for vegetable production with emphasis on production, irrigation and nutrient management of potato, crucifers, and other vegetables and is located in the Horticultural Sciences Department in Gainesville, FL. His program focuses on improvement of irrigation and fertilization techniques to increase irrigation water savings and nutrient efficiency. He also participates in the eastern U.S. Potato breeding and variety development program by testing, evaluating and selecting new potato varieties with outstanding performance for Florida conditions.

Dr. Nathan Boyd

Dr. Nathan Boyd is located at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, FL and his research and extension programs are focused on the development of AI-based precision pest management technologies and integrated weed management plans for vegetable, strawberry, and ornamental crops. This includes conventional and organic approaches with an emphasis on the integration of biological knowledge with technology. He collaborates with researchers from a wide range of disciplines to develop pest-management options that are effective and economically viable. He works closely with industry and grower groups to address current and future weed management issues.

Dr. Peter Dittmar

Dr. Dittmar is an extension specialist for weed management programs in deciduous fruit, vegetable, and nut crops and is located in the Horticultural Sciences Department in Gainesville, FL. His program focuses on weed/crop relationships, weed ecology, and weed management strategies. He participates in The IR4 Project for registration of pesticides in minor use crops.

Dr. Ramdas Kanissery

Dr. Kanissery is a state specialist for weed management in citrus and vegetables and is located at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL. His program covers different aspects of weed management including herbicide efficacy, herbicide residue analysis, and phytotoxicity diagnosis. His extension program provides educational information on weed management in citrus and vegetable crops and includes field demonstrations and evaluation of integrated management strategies for dealing with weed problems. Dr. Kanissery also provides a statewide service for weed identification and diagnosis of herbicide phytotoxicity in conjunction with the SWFREC Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic.