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Florida growers hope to hire vegetable specialist
A group of Southwest Florida growers have set out to thaw a state budget freeze by assessing themselves $1 an acre to raise enough money to hire a sorely needed vegetable researcher, according to the Naples News. The position has remained unfilled at the University of Florida/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center north of Immokalee since Kent Cushman, who joined the center in 2005, died unexpectedly more than a year ago. "It's really a critical position," said Gene McAvoy, a multi-county vegetable agent in Hendry County. "That position served over 200,000 acres of vegetables across Southwest Florida ." Growers believe it is important to have a vegetable specialist because of the constant challenges they face while raising their crops. "There is always something out there," said Cecil Howell, co-owner of H&R Farms, which grows tomatoes and peppers about 20 miles east of Immokalee "There are so many obstacles that we are running into anymore." The region also could lose out on research funds provided by the recently passed farm bill if the post is not filled. "If that position stays vacant it will be hard to get that money to Southwest Florida and help our growers," McAvoy said. "That would be the person that would apply for and use those dollars." E-mail Tom Burfield |