University of Florida agricultural researchers working to solve the problems of Southwest Florida growers of fruits and vegetables held an open house in Immokalee this week to let folks know how they are working to solve major problems like citrus greening, poor soil, and pest management.
The open house was held at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. Students from a nearby elementary school enjoyed 45-minute rides on a tractor-pulled trailer with seats while learning some of the very basics of farming, displays inside the main building explained some of the latest technology being developed to help farmers, and professors and their students were eager to answer questions.
Artificial Intelligence helps Florida Growers
Yiannis Ampatzidis, an associate professor in agricultural engineering, showed off his drone technology that could assess almost every relevant condition in a grove in seconds as it flew over parcel after parcel.
“We want to increase production and make them more competitive in this global market,” he said. “Precision agricultural tries to increase yield and reduce operating costs.”
Ampatzidis was joined by colleagues who demonstrated the inter-relations between citrus varieties, the latest techniques in pest management, and a white mesh netting system over young citrus trees that is showing success in keeping a small flying pest from spreading the tree-killing “citrus greening” disease.
The discovery of the pest – the Asian citrus psyllid -- in Florida in 1998 set off a chain reaction that quickly spread to all citrus-producing counties. This pest, responsible for the spread of citrus greening, rendered the disease uncontrollable once it was detected in the state in 2005.
“Precision agricultural tries to increase yield and reduce operating costs. We want to increase production and make them more competitive in this global market.” — Yiannis Ampatzidis, a University of Florida associate professor in agricultural engineering
The consequences have included a drastic reduction in the acreage and fruit production of Florida's citrus industry, deeply impacting the state's agricultural economy.
The citrus industry has fought back hard against greening, even agreeing to a box tax to raise millions of dollars to fund worldwide research efforts to find a solution.
About 100 people came and went during the four-hour event, which included a free lunch. The open house is planned to be an annual event that will be offered again this time next year.
1 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
A group of Elementary students took the tour of the farm. They pass some young Orange trees. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
2 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Summer squash grow on the farm. Different fruits and vegetables are grown in different conditions at the research center. The students then The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
3 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Different size trees grow in a field at the research center. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
4 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Corn grows on the farm. Different fruits and vegetables are grown in different conditions at the research center. The students then The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
5 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Some of the citrus research is going the fruit in different conditions. This field is a mix of orange trees that are netted and wild flowers. One of the ideas here is to see what insects are attracted to the field because of the flowers and will they help take care of the insects that are harmful to the citrus trees. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
6 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Barry Kostyk, Researcher at Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, talked to the school kids about the different ground covers they use on the farm. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
7 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Citrus research is being conducted on the farm. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
8 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Citrus research is being conducted on the farm. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
9 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Citrus research is being conducted on the farm. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
10 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Citrus research is being conducted on the farm. Netting is applied to young trees to help keep greening and harmful insects away. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
11 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Some of the different citrus grown at the center. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
12 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Some of the different citrus grown at the center. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
13 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
14 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
AI is being used and taught at the education center. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
15 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
Yiannis Ampatzidis (Left) is an Associate Professor and leads a research and extension precision agriculture engineering program in the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. He is leading the research using AI. The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
16 of
— WGCUUF/IFASOpenHouse110923AM
The annual Open House for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, was held Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023. This gave a chance to show anyone interested in seeing the research being done with citrus and vegetables at the center in Immokalee. The research and best practices from the University of Florida research is then passed on to our local Florida farmers. Many of the scientists had their research on display as well as a tour of the research farm was given. You can also see how artificial intelligence technology helps growers detect pests and diseases faster and more accurately. A technology that is changing the farming industry.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
The Southwest Florida Research and Education Center supports thirteen research programs in citrus horticulture, vegetable horticulture, irrigation and water resource management, precision agricultural engineering, pest management, plant pathology, citrus pathology, agricultural and natural resource economics, soil microbiology, plant physiology, weed science, soil science, and agricultural economics.
Environmental reporting for WGCU is funded in part by VoLo Foundation, a non-profit with a mission to accelerate change and global impact by supporting science-based climate solutions, enhancing education, and improving health.
Sign up for WGCU's monthly environmental newsletter, the Green Flash, today.
WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.