University of Florida Archives - Land-Grant Impacts

Institution

Vegetables for sale at a farmers market stand.

Research and Extension ensure everyone has ample access to affordable, safe, nutritious food

Invasive pests damage crops, costing U.S. agriculture an estimated $30 billion annually. Pest management research and Extension are stabilizing the food supply chain. Efforts have led to: Cost-effective alternatives to glyphosate for herbicide-resistant Russian thistle control in Oregon, protecting more than 30,000 acres of wheat and preventing over $1 million in yield losses so far.Oregon State University Extension Service; Other [...]

Food Security, Summary 1890, 2026, Alabama, Auburn University, Central State University, Connecticut, Cornell University, Extension, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, Massachusetts, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Montana, Montana State University, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Northeast, Ohio, Oregon, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania, Purdue University, Research, Rhode Island, Rutgers University, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada Reno, University of Rhode Island, Washington, Washington State University, West Virginia, West Virginia University, Western

A river bisects a field and forested riparian area

Research and Extension support resilient ecosystems

Recent studies and programs are conserving and protecting water used for drinking, fishing, irrigation and recreation. Washington research helped establish 25 anaerobic digesters across the Pacific Northwest, turning dairy manure from more than 143,000 cows into biogas that provides more than 126 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy per year. Digesters decrease water quality risks associated with nutrient runoff from manure [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 1890, 2026, Arkansas, California, Central State University, Colorado, Colorado State University, Connecticut, Extension, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, Kentucky, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Missouri, Montana, Montana State University, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Pennsylvania, Purdue University, Research, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, The University of Georgia, University of Arkansas, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Guam, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada Reno, University of New Hampshire, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin, Utah, Utah State University, Vermont, Washington, Washington State University, Western, Wisconsin

A drone flies over a field.

Research and Extension make agricultural systems more efficient, profitable and resilient

Strategies and tools for managing crop pests and diseases have increased productivity and profitability. For example: Extension units across the nation offer plant and pest diagnostic clinics. In New Mexico, free diagnoses saved producers an estimated $36,000 in testing fees in 2025, while also supporting biosecurity and export compliance. In Indiana, lab results and recommendations saved clients $890,000 in reduced [...]

Agricultural Systems, Summary 1890, 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Alabama, Alaska, Animal Health/Management/Performance/Welfare, Arizona, Arkansas, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Auburn University, California, Clemson University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Crop Management, Economic Development, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Florida, Food Security, Food Systems, Georgia, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State University, Kansas, Kansas State University, Kentucky, Langston University, Lincoln University, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State University, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Missouri, Montana, Montana State University, National Security, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, North Central, North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Northeast, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oregon, Oregon State University, Organic Agriculture, Pest Management, Precision Agriculture, Profitability/Competitiveness, Puerto Rico, Purdue University, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Soil Health, South Carolina, South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern, Specialty Crops, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M University, The University of Georgia, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Maine, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri, University of Nevada Reno, University of New Hampshire, University of Puerto Rico, University of Tennessee, University of Vermont, Urban Agriculture, Vermont, Virginia, Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State University, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife, Workforce Development and Readiness, Zoonotic Diseases/Avian Influenza

an instructor tutors an adult student

Reducing barriers to strengthen community resilience across Florida

Nearly half of Pasco County households (more than 109,000) struggle to meet basic needs. Of the county’s 230,060 households, 28,079 live below the federal poverty line, while 80,928 fall under the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. East Pasco communities face the greatest hardship, with 62% of Zephyrhills residents, 58% of Lacoochee residents and 52% of Dade City [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2026, Child and Family Resilience, Economic Development, Extension, Florida, Food Security, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Rural Communities/Health, Southern, University of Florida

Farmer spreading feed for cattle

Confronting farm stress through research, Extension

Across the Land-grant University System, outreach and research-based work are critical to strengthening the health, safety and well-being of agricultural communities. By pairing scientific evidence with trusted Extension networks, land-grant universities address urgent challenges while improving quality of life nationwide. Here are a few examples of that work: Researchers in Pennsylvania held discussion groups with 68 farm women in Ohio, Vermont [...]

Summary, Youth, Family, and Communities 2026, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Florida, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Illinois, Missouri, North Central, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Public Health, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Florida, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Missouri

Extension agent at a table plans to talk to people about how Sarasota County is helping mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Mitigating urban heat island effects

Extreme heat is a concern in Sarasota County, Florida. In 2023, the county experienced 63 consecutive days with a heat index above 100°F and a full week exceeding 110°F. Projections indicate there may be as many as 131 extremely hot days expected annually by mid‑century. Because extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, understanding who [...]

Nutrition and Health, Story 2026, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Extension, Florida, Public Health, Southern, University of Florida

Braham Dhillon, a molecular plant pathologist at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, demonstrates Robigus from his desktop.

New Robigus app allows viewers to track invasives, crop diseases worldwide

Plant diseases pose a global threat to food security, yet critical data on outbreaks are scattered across thousands of journals and reports. This fragmentation makes it difficult to access timely information about the disease, delaying the search for treatments and potential best management control practices. The new app Robigus, developed by a researcher at the University of Florida Institute of [...]

Food Security, Story 2026, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Extension, Florida, Food Security, Invasive Species, Pest Management, Research, Southern, University of Florida

grapes on the vine

Disease-resistant wine grape reduces losses in Florida

Pierce’s disease devastates grapevines in warm, humid regions like Florida, making wine grape production nearly impossible without costly interventions. This disease forces growers to rely on chemical treatments and limits the viability of vineyards in the Southeast. Plant breeders there successfully grew a new wine grape variety with genetic resistance to Pierce’s disease while maintaining desirable wine-making qualities. They used [...]

Food Security, Story 2026, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Florida, Food Systems, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), Southern, Specialty Crops, University of Florida

The top of a Pheonix canariensis palm tree due to Thielaviopsis trunk rot.

Florida researchers find a speedier way to screen palms for disease resistance

Florida’s iconic palms are under attack by Thielaviopsis trunk rot, a fungal disease that causes plants to collapse and die suddenly. With little information known about disease resistance in palms, homeowners and landscapers were left without guidance on which species are more resilient in the face of the new threat. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Crop Management, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Florida, Forest Protection and Management, Invasive Species, Pest Management, Research, Southern, University of Florida

aerial view of an agent planting seagrass

Fighting coastal erosion with nature-based shoreline solutions

More than half of Florida’s waterfront property owners have constructed seawalls and bulkheads to protect against erosion and flooding. These armored shorelines provide some protection but are known to fail during extreme weather events and can disrupt waterflow as well as interfere with marine life. Extension agents with the University of Florida and the Florida Sea Grant developed two multi-day [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2026, Community Development/Engagement, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Fisheries/Aquaculture, Florida, Southern, University of Florida, Water Resilience/Management, Wildlife

a group of children smile around a science experiment

Land-grant universities support youths, build stronger communities

The Land-grant University System plays a crucial role in equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and leadership abilities they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Here are a few examples of that work: In North Carolina, the Bertie DigiCon provided residents with tools and resources to overcome digital barriers. The event raised funds for youth development and [...]

Summary, Youth, Family, and Communities 1890, 2025, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Broadband Access/Digital Literacy, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Delaware, Extension, Florida, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Central, Northeast, Purdue University, Rural Communities/Health, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), Southern, Tennessee, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, University of Vermont, Vermont, Western, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

two people sawing a tree

Volunteers help protect and restore local environments

Land-grant universities across the United States are finding ways to engage the public in science and stewardship that address real-world problems in their communities. With training and tools, volunteers are able to collect important data that help scientists, natural resource organizations, community members and the government protect and restore land, air and water resources — and the ecosystem services [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2025, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, California, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Florida, Forest Protection and Management, Invasive Species, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist, Michigan, Michigan State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Soil Health, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin, Urban Agriculture, Vermont, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife, Wisconsin

a 4-h leader helps a participant with a planting

Breaking barriers: Expanding 4-H opportunities in Florida

Orange Park, Florida, traditionally had low youth involvement in 4-H due to misconceptions and lack of local clubs. Since 2021, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has worked to increase engagement. A breakthrough came when a St. Johns Country Day School student won the 4-H in Space program, sparking interest in STEM opportunities. In spring 2023, [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2025, Extension, Florida, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), Southern, University of Florida, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

a downed tree across a road

Evaluating forest hurricane damage with AI and lasers

As hurricanes continue to increase in intensity and frequency in the Gulf of Mexico, the risk of damage to homes and businesses continues to rise. Hurricanes can also destroy forests and timber farms, impacting local and regional economies. Getting an accurate assessment of how much timber is damaged by hurricanes is essential for environmental management decisions, salvaging logging operations, [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2025, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Florida, Forest Protection and Management, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Southern, University of Florida

researcher Pam Roberts standing in experimental tomato crops

Multistate project studies solutions to bacterial spot in tomatoes, peppers

Tomatoes are big business for Florida farmers, contributing $500 million annually. Bell and chili peppers are also popular crops among consumers with production value of more than $536 million. However, bacterial spot is a threat to yields and harvest revenue. University of Florida researchers are working to solve this major issue along with scientists at the University of Georgia, North [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Alabama, Auburn University, Crop Management, Florida, Food Systems, Georgia, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Ohio, Pest Management, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, The Ohio State University, The University of Georgia, University of Florida

a person spraying pesticide on a plant

Restricted-use pesticide training boosts wages and saves local farmers money on pesticide management costs

Most farmers need to pay a contractor to spray restricted-use pesticides on their farms if they don’t have a license to do so. At $8 per acre, applied three times each growing season, the cost can really add up. On average, a farmer in Jackson County, Florida, can expect to spend more than $2,400 on pest control each season. A [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Crop Management, Extension, Florida, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, University of Florida, Workforce Development and Readiness

two teens prepare food for a charcuterie board

Florida 4-H Extension leverages charcuterie trend to teach youths about food safety, financial planning

Charcuterie boards have been all the rage in recent years. These artfully arranged spreads of cured meals, cheeses, fruits and preserves combine creativity with delicious flavors. University of Florida 4-H Extension leaders have leveraged the charcuterie trend to teach youth about food and kitchen safety and financial planning, among other topics. A contest called Charcuterie Masters allows 4-H members to [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Economic Development, Extension, Florida, Southern, University of Florida, Youth Development/4-H

Aerial view of a field mapped out with drone technology

Emerging technologies aid conservation and management

Climate change and biodiversity losses pose extraordinary challenges for the sustainability of natural ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Land-grant universities are developing and applying emerging technologies that can help to more efficiently, accurately and safely monitor, measure, and precisely manage these systems with minimal environmental impact. Here are a few examples of that work: In New Hampshire, researchers found [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 1890, 2024, Arkansas, Connecticut, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of New Hampshire, Washington, Washington State University, Western

Poinsettias in a greenhouse

Plant diagnostics saves Florida poinsettia producers

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences helped save a grower $350,000 crop thanks to a weekly plant diagnostic clinic. In 2019, a new commercial grower came to the free weekly plant clinic for the second time. Just five weeks away from delivering 28,000 poinsettias to retail customers, it was initially thought the crop suffered from a [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Extension, Florida, Southern, Specialty Crops, University of Florida

sweet potato root galls

Land-grant universities nationwide work together to sustainably manage nematodes

Nematodes are tiny, usually microscopic, roundworms that are incredibly common and widespread. They account for 80% of all individual animals on Earth. Some nematode species are beneficial to agriculture, while others have major detrimental impacts. Plant-parasitic nematodes can lead to poor soil and low crop yields. In the United States, annual economic losses due to nematode infection of crops [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story California, Connecticut, Cornell University, Florida, Hawaiʻi, Michigan, Michigan State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Research, Soil Health, Southern, Tennessee, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Tennessee, Western