Everglades Research and Education Center

Extension Events Spring 2024

January 12-28: South Florida Fair

This year the South Florida Fair was held from January 12-28, lasting for 17 days, and included three full weekends. One of the greatest aspects of the annual fair is its agricultural and livestock exhibits which clearly provide the greatest variety of such exhibits anywhere within Palm Beach County. The annual fair attracts over 500,000 people through its turnstiles. With the aid of other EREC faculty members, students, staff, and IFAS extension agents, upwards of 120 children daily get a chance to learn about farming practices in South Florida as part of the guided school tours. “I think it is a great way for kids to see, touch, and feel the different components of farming; ask questions, and learn concepts of sustainable agriculture from a young age. We hope to continue this tradition every year as part of public outreach efforts”, says Dr. Bhadha.

February 27: Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Tour

May 7: Special Visit

Ross Chastian,

NASCAR Driver

"The corn breeding program at EREC plants and grows disease trials in cooperation with several sweet corn seed companies. The purpose is to evaluate their new test, current hybrids and competitor hybrids under high Florida disease conditions. There are usually corn breeders, sales personnel, and other interested parties that visit these trials. This year we had a special guest, which was completely unexpected. Ross Chastian, driver of the NASCAR number 1 Chevrolet, stopped by the EREC station. One of his sponsors needed a place to shoot videos with field corn ears in background. We let them use one of our silage trials as a backdrop. While this was unusual, we are always willing to show the results of our work with interested parties."