I had the good fortune to visit UF-TREC in Homestead, Florida. “The University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center (UF-TREC) was established in 1929. UF-TREC is dedicated to research, extension and teaching in the areas of ornamental, vegetable, tropical-subtropical fruit and biofuel crops, and natural resources.
UF-TREC is the premier research, extension and teaching institution in Florida focusing on tropical fruits, vegetables, ornamental crops, and natural resources in the warm subtropics. .The core programs are divided into five main categories: 1) tropical fruit crops ,2) vegetable crops, 3) ornamental crops, 4) biofuel crops, and 5) natural resources.”
The IF-TREC mission statement is as follows. “The mission of the UF-TREC is to develop and disseminate science-based information about subtropical and tropical horticulture and natural resource through basic and applied research, extension and teaching to sustain and enhance the quality of human life and the natural environment.”
Not only was I able to visit the tropical fruit grounds, but I happened to be in the company of many tropical fruit experts. What a wonderful day of learning! Here are the few photos I was able to take- I was so overwhelmed with learning, ran out of time to take photos!
Roy Beckford at UF-TREC
Frank O’Neill and Roy Beckford at UF-TREC Guava
Mango at UF-TREC
Pani Varaka Jackfruit macro UF-TREC
Pani Varaka Jackfruit UF-TREC
I cannot remember what this one is- the flower is huge and stunning! UF-TREC
Velvet Apple UF-TREC
Velvet Apple UF-TREC
