West Florida Research & Education Center

Spring brings new beginnings to the natural world and this year it’s bringing exciting developments to the WFREC. The new graduate student dormitories at the Jay Research Facility are nearing completion and we will hold the ribbon cutting ceremony on 30 June 2026. We expect to begin housing graduate students in the dorms before fall semester begins. The farm crew at the Jay Research Facility is being restructured owing to vacancies created by job changes and the retirement of Greg Kimmons, our Farm Manager. Although we hate to see employees leave, it gives us a chance to realign the open positions in a manner that will improve farm and research operations. We are currently seeking good candidates for an Agricultural Assistant III and will soon be posting an announcement for the Farm Manager position. Please spread the word about these positions that are good paying jobs with good benefits at a great place to work. We also recently received word that we can start the hiring process to replace two professors (Drs. Miller and Thetford) who are retiring at the end of 2026. These hires will help ensure that the excellent WFREC undergraduate teaching program continues relatively uninterrupted. The search committees for these positions have been formed and it’s my hope that the new professors join us in January 2027. Speaking of retirements, I have let IFAS upper administration know that I will retire from my position as Professor and Center Director on 31 January 2027. It has been my honor to serve in this position for the last 13 years.   It wouldn’t be spring at the WFREC without our Spring Festival of Flowers. Robin Vickers has grown this event tremendously over the past few years, and it’s now a signature experience in NW Florida that is attended by thousands. This year the festival dates are Friday 4/10 through Sunday 4/12 and I hope to see you there.   Until then – GO GATORS!

The Award Selection Committee for the Professional Awards has selected Dr. Hardeep Singh as the recipient of the Early Career Professional Award in the Research category. A commemorative plaque will be presented to him during the Annual Southern Branch Agronomy Meeting. Congratulations Dr. Singh!

Kulpreet Singh, PhD student with the Cropping Systems team, placed 2nd in the PhD Student Poster Competition at the Southern Cover Crop Council Conference meeting held in Gainesville, FL on February 25-26. Congrats Kulpreet!