FLORIDA 2000 AND BEYOND

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Florida has become a highly urbanized state, with a rich population diversity. Much of the urban development occurs in areas traditionally devoted agricultural production and is located around sensitive inland and coastal environmental areas. Over 75 percent of the state's population lives in 35 coastal counties which together constitute the second largest coastline in the United States. The profile of the American family now includes households with fewer children, increasing numbers of single parents, and persons who are living longer. Frequent career changes necessitate periodic retraining and continuing education, including life-long learning opportunities which are flexible in scheduling and do not require relocation.

Through the program initiatives of Florida 2000 and Beyond the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will provide the research and educational leadership required for the compatible use of agricultural, natural and human resource systems throughout the state.

UF/IFAS programs must address the rapidly changing and more broadly defined food and agricultural industry needs and the concerns of the public about a safe food supply and sustainable natural resource base. Conflicts and concerns over land use, water and the environment will also pose new challenges.

Preparing students for careers in the 21st century will require a full understanding of modern food systems, natural resource systems and products, food safety, development of urban and coastal communities, and agriculture's role in a global economy. Students must also learn about the interaction of production practices with the environment, management and marketing, computer technology, and personal communication skills. Educational programs must be changed, repackaged, and made available to citizens and industry through new technologies.

UF/IFAS must also assume a leadership role in developing and communicating scientific information to help guide the establishment of sound public policy in such diverse areas as urban horticulture, commercial agriculture, natural resources, wildlife and wetlands issues.

Florida 2000 and Beyond is a summary of the initial stages of a long-range planning effort involving UF/IFAS faculty, staff and customers throughout the state. It provides the framework for specific programs to meet Florida's needs.

Florida 2000 and Beyond demonstrates the UF/IFAS partnership with Florida to meet the global challenges of the next century.

PROTECTING and SUSTAINING natural resource and environmental systems.
ENHANCING the development of human resources.
IMPROVING the quality of human life.

FULFILL FLORIDA'S CHANGING NEEDS.

By 2005, Florida's population will approach 17 million, making it the third largest state in the United States. While many states must plan for stable or declining populations, Florida must accommodate 700 new residents each day. Most of the growth will occur in south Florida, with some areas of declining population in north Florida. The largest population increases will be in African-American and Hispanic populations.

Over 60 percent of Florida's population will live in six metropolitan areas by 2005. Currently, over 75 percent of Florida's population lives in the 35 coastal counties, and every major metropolitan area except Orlando is located on a major estuarine system at the mouth of a river. The fastest growth rate will occur among residents over 65, but the largest number of new residents will be in the prime employment years. Residents older than 85 will double to 350,000 by the year 2005.

Rapid and sustained growth produces both opportunities and challenges to meet needs caused by poverty as related to nutrition, health, housing, education and employment. Waste management, pesticides, safe drinking water and environmental contamination hazards including degradation of coastal and inland waters, require immediate and sustained attention.

The outlook for Florida's agriculture, forestry and other natural resource-based industries remains strong into the next century. But the changing number and diversity of Florida citizens requires an increasing need to balance environmental concerns with the needs of the food and agricultural industry.

OBJECTIVES

A. Enhancing quality educational experiences.

B. Sustaining competitive and compatible food, fiber and agricultural and natural resource based industries.

C. Assuring and protecting dynamic and natural resource and environmental systems.

D. Strengthening family, youth and community programs.

ENABLE FLORIDA TO BE A LEADER AND VIABLE ECONOMIC PARTNER IN THE CARIBBEAN, LATIN AMERICA AND OTHER RELATED REGIONS OF THE WORLD.

Florida's climate and resources create an ideal setting for programs in tropical and sub-tropical agriculture and natural resource issues. The state's economy is inextricably linked to the Caribbean/Latin American region, both in cooperation and competition. Many Florida businesses have subsidiaries or ventures in other countries today. Solutions to pest and disease problems facing Florida agriculture and natural resources may come from research and education activities outside the United States. Consumers, producers and scientific technology from other nations are important to the competitive success of Florida agricultural and natural resource industries. UF/IFAS must take a leadership role in maintaining positive, professional environmental and economic ties with the Caribbean and Latin America.

OBJECTIVES

A. Maintain leadership in tropical agriculture and marine industries.

B. Help assure world sustainability of natural resource systems.

MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE UF/IFAS ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRITY IN SUPPORT OF MEETING THE CHANGING NEEDS OF FLORIDA AND LEADING TROPICAL, AGRICULTURAL AND MARINE PROGRAMS.

Dynamic leadership, committed faculty and a clear vision of the UF/IFAS mission and goals are required for future success. UF/IFAS must continually seek to apply the land grant concept in new and innovative ways. Competition for public financial support will require alternative funding sources, including stronger partnerships with public and private agencies. UF/IFAS must also strive to make itself more understandable and user friendly to the customer base; public communications programs must be enhanced.

OBJECTIVES

A. Maintain a responsive organizational structure.

B. Identify alternative mechanisms for funding UF/IFAS programs and utilizing existing funds.

C. Expand and enhance public knowledge regarding UF/IFAS programs.

FLORIDA 2000 AND BEYOND ACTION INITIATIVES

Socio-economic, technological and environmental changes in Florida are profoundly impacting the state's sustainable development. Florida 2000 and Beyond advances flexible, accountable initiatives for meeting the needs of the people of Florida in agricultural, human and natural resources.

AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE POLICY

Research and education programs will inform policy makers on the economic impacts of agricultural and natural resources policies, regulations, and administrative rules affecting Florida businesses and citizens.

Decisions and rules regarding land-use rights, water availability, and natural resource use affect all citizens, including the food, agricultural and natural resource based industries; rural, urban and coastal homeowners; developers and tourism industry. The implicit message in any change in environmental policy is that the social benefits of that change should exceed the costs of implementation. Yet, little specific attention is given to what those costs actually are, the resulting effect on structure of the economy, or monetary estimates of benefit. In development of environmental, natural resource and agricultural policy there is a critical need for defining and measuring monetary and, when appropriate, nonmonetary costs and benefits associated with rule, regulation, or statutory changes.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

Cattle ranches, dairy farms, poultry plants and other food animal systems must continue to develop in a manner that provides sustainable programs in tropical and semi-tropical environments with finite water and land resources. Meanwhile, the public demand for a safe and wholesome food supply has never been greater. Microbial agents like E. coli and Salmonella have been found in food of animal origin and have caused numerous human foodborne illnesses. There is a widespread perception that chemical residues such as antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones may be present in food products that will lead to debilitating diseases such as cancer. Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) programs are being instituted at USDA-inspected food animal processing facilities. The preharvest food safety component of those programs must occur on the farms and ranches to make certain the animals are disease-and residue-free when marketed. Programs will provide on-farm training within animal production units in Florida and also help train the future generations of veterinarians practicing in the state in proven HACCP practices that will assure the best fit between environmental and food animal production requirements.

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES

Programs will assist rural communities in identifying and taking advantage of alternative development opportunities. Rural communities need assistance to develop alternative, sustainable sources of economic activity in order to reduce losses to local economies. The thrust is threefold -- community development, economic development, and developing community goals and action plans.

ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE PEST CONTROL

Integrated pest management (IPM) programs will be developed in response to new exotic pests and disease problems to reduce pesticide use, preserve a $5.5 billion agricultural industry through sustained profitability, and reduce environmental impacts. Non-chemical control of pests and diseases will reduce human, wildlife and water resource risks. Research and education programs will target crop protection systems, urban pest management, and the protection of natural areas.

EXPANDED QUALITY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

UF/IFAS must expand the opportunity for all Floridians to receive a high quality educational experience both on the Gainesville campus and at other UF locations throughout the state. Increased availability of formal and informal programs through distance learning technologies, increased traditional classroom situations throughout Florida; and expanded multi-cultural experiences, interdisciplinary curricula, and improved recruiting and instruction must be utilized in concert.

FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY

Research and education programs will identify critical issues in providing for the safe production, processing and marketing of high quality seafood and other meats and vegetables. The programs will also transfer food safety technology to the market-place to protect and enhance the economic viability of Florida food industries and provide for safety and satisfaction of consumers.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Growing food and fiber needs must be met with essentially the same resource base as now exists. Food and agricultural systems must also remain compatible with the environment. UF/IFAS programs must improve production efficiencies of farms and ranches while enabling them to contribute to the overall quality of life. Programs must emphasize multi-disciplinary approaches among production agriculture, businesses and human and natural resources.

SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES

The interaction of the agriculture enterprise and urban development places increased stress on the State's natural systems. The further development and adoption of ecosystem management approaches will be needed to insure the sustainable development of Florida and the protection of the state's water resources. This will require research programs which develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality protection, water conservation, urban and rural nutrient and pesticide management, exotic pest management, soil subsidence reduction and wetland restoration. The research effort will be complemented by aggressive environmental education programs, such as LAKEWATCH; urban water, pesticide, and nutrient conservation efforts; and agricultural BMP demonstrations. These programs, such as the Everglades restoration legislative initiative, the Governor's Commission for a sustainable south Florida, and DEP Ecosystem Management Plans.

YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Research and education programs will focus on parenting, resource management and nutrition, in an effort to reduce numbers of low birth weight infants, improve nutrition and health and reduce juvenile crime, school drop out rates and violent crime arrests and violent death rates among teenagers. These comprehensive, multi- disciplinary programs deal with children and youth and the context in which they are educated, nurtured and supported.