A Message from our Center Director

Dr. Samira Daroub

I am very proud of all the accomplishments EREC faculty, staff, and students have achieved in 2024. I thank each one for their hard work and dedication. I am delighted and highly impressed with our graduate students and postdocs for their achievements winning multiple national and local awards in 2024. Our faculty has done a tremendous job in their scholarly achievements as well as their extension activities. Our relationship and reach to our local south Florida community and beyond is highlighted with the many extension activities we host. The last few months have been busy, including hosting a delegation from IHARA, Brazil, hosting newly elected District 94 representative, Meg Weinberger, and facilitating a round table discussion for South Florida Ag youth leaders with IFAS leadership. In addition, I and other faculty members and staff had the privilege of representing UF IFAS and EREC at various local functions including Farm City luncheon during Farm City week in West Palm Beach, City of Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, and Western Palm Beach Farm Bureau annual dinner.

We welcome Dr. Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, Assistant Professor in Crop Nutrient Management with the Agronomy department, who started at the center on November 8. He will also be serving as the Director of the Everglades Soil Testing Lab. Dr. Monica Navia-Urrutia will start January 1st, 2025 as an Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology. We look forward to announcing another faculty hire in 2025.

Hope you enjoy reading about EREC news and accomplishments in this Fall 2024 Newsletter!

I wish everyone a much deserved Happy Holiday Break, and a Peaceful Prosperous 2025!

Happy Holidays to All