From the Director
This short holiday newsletter’s purpose is to express gratitude for the many people that help make the WFREC great. I’m grateful for our many supporters including UF-IFAS upper administration, the WFREC Advisory Board, the companies and individuals that materially support our events, and the thousands of constituents that attend our events. I’m equally thankful for our productive faculty, our dedicated staff, our hardworking graduate students, and the undergraduate students that choose to seek a degree at the WFREC. I’m happy with the good crop harvest we had in 2025 – here are the per acre averages: corn – 131.4 bu/A, soybean – 62.6 bu/A, peanut – 4,420 lb/A, cotton – pending. 2025 was an outstanding year for the WFREC, and the outlook for 2026 is good.
I hope everyone that helps make the WFREC productive and a great place to work has a wonderful holiday season. If you’re traveling over the holidays, please be safe – we need you all. Moreover, I wish everyone a productive and safe 2026.
Until then – GO GATORS!
The University of Florida IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and Waterfront Rescue Mission were honored to help feed 1,000 families this Thanksgiving. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers whose support made this food distribution a tremendous success. Each family received a turkey, fresh locally grown produce, and a full assortment of holiday sides — including pies — to enjoy a warm and abundant Thanksgiving meal together. We are especially grateful to the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center and Echo Life Church for graciously providing the parking lot space used as our distribution site. We hope that every family who received a Thanksgiving box felt supported, nourished, and able to share a delicious holiday meal with their loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!
New Graduate Student Dorms
Honors and Awards