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March 2026: New faculty and strong extension work start the year!Discover the latest research advancing crop resilience, nutrition, and sustainable production, featuring stories on early drought stress detection, coffee breeding innovation, pollinator protection, and Florida strawberry research. This issue also celebrates faculty, student, and alumni achievements while showcasing Extension programs, field days, and partnerships connecting science with growers, industry, and communities. |
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Spring/Summer 2026: Expanding the Frontier of Horticultural ScienceDiscover the latest happenings across UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences, including progress from the Millennium Block citrus trials, innovative organic strawberry research, award-winning caladium breeding, international recognition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and Extension events connecting research directly with Florida growers and communities. The issue also recognizes the outstanding faculty and student accomplishments driving our department forward. |
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Fall/Winter 2025: Growing a Stronger, More Connected Plant Science CommunityThis issue marks an important moment in the history of UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences. The integration of Environmental Horticulture into a single, expanded department represents a rare opportunity to build one of the most comprehensive plant science communities in the world. Our collective expertise now represents a deeply integrated and expansive foundation in horticultural science. This broader foundation strengthens collaboration, enhances student training, and deepens connections across Florida’s research centers, teaching farms, and Extension programs. The emerging “1Hort” identity reflects a unified department as we enter the new year. |
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September 2025: Faculty Recognition and Impact at Fifield and BeyondExplore the latest from UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences in our department digest. This edition highlights faculty awards that showcase the impact of our team — at Fifield Hall, across Florida, and beyond. We also take a moment to remember the impact some of our faculty have had during their time with us, honoring their contributions and legacy. Take a look back at recent accomplishments, celebrate the incredible work driving our field forward, and discover exciting upcoming events. |
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Spring/Summer 2025: Alumni and FriendsOver the past 18 months, the University of Florida’s Horticultural Sciences faculty have led innovative research projects that push the boundaries of plant science. Notably, Dr. Rob Ferl, Director of the Astraeus Space Institute, became the first NASA-funded university researcher to personally conduct a plant biology experiment in space, flying aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. His mission examined how the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana senses and responds to microgravity, capturing gene expression changes at multiple stages of the suborbital flight. This groundbreaking work advanced our understanding of plant adaptation to space environments and set a precedent for future researcher-tended experiments in commercial spaceflight. |
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June 2025: Commencement and BeyondAs we close out another academic year, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2025. Their dedication and achievements reflect the strength and spirit of our department. |
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March 2025 Newsletter: A Message from the ChairWelcome to our department newsletter! It gives me the opportunity to write a little about the department, where we have come, and where we are heading in the future. Our department, by any metric, is one of the best horticulture departments globally and certainly the best in the country. That isn't because we chase metrics and drive numbers forward. It's because we maintain trueness to our mission to advance and extend basic and applied knowledge in fruit and vegetable sciences to benefit people and the environment. That mission is guided by our vision to lead fruit and vegetable science and discovery. |
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November 2024: The First EditionWelcome to our new monthly digest—your source for departmental updates, upcoming events, and highlights from Fifield Hall and our statewide extension offices. Whether you’re faculty, student, or collaborator, this newsletter is here to keep our community connected and informed. Let’s dig in. |