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UF/IFAS Plant Breeding

UF/IFAS Plant Breeding

About Us

UF/IFAS PLANT BREEDING IMPACTS TO DATE

  • Over 30 faculty strategically located throughout Florida are breeding 50 diverse species and have trained more than 60 plant breeders in the last 10 years.
  • UF varieties dominate the Florida blueberry, strawberry, forage, and other industries, and have grown in more than 60 countries worldwide.
  • Our plant varieties consistently garner annual royalty income in the realm of several millions - the majority of which was reinvested into UF/IFAS plant breeding efforts.

map of florida plant breeding efforts

 

UF/IFAS PLANT BREEDERS & THE FLORIDA
FOUNDATION SEED PRODUCERS (FFSP)

FFSP logo and plant breeding logoOur plant breeders work very closely with the Florida Foundation Seed Producers (FFSP) - a non-profit corporation and direct support organization of the University of Florida (UF). FFSP licenses all agronomic, horticultural, and ornamental varieties developed at UF which are then used by farmers, ranchers, and homeowners in Florida, the nation, and the world.

FFSP works closely with UF/IFAS, making sure that the best seed varieties adaptable to Florida’s climate and soils are available to farmers and producers at adequate quantities and reasonable prices. FFSP also manages intellectual property for new and improved plant varieties released by UF, and collects sales and usage royalties for all UF/IFAS varieties used in the U.S. and abroad. ​

UF/IFAS and FFSP have a unique royalty distribution policy, whereby 70 percent of all royalty revenue is reinvested directly into the respective breeding program responsible for the cultivar’s development. This policy is one of the most competitive in the nation, and augments UF’s mission to provide new plant varieties to the State of Florida and the world.

RECRUITING & EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PLANT BREEDERS

Investment in academic research at UF serves the dual purpose of advancing the basic science that drives innovations and technologies, and also training the next generation of agricultural professionals. These young leaders will help continued innovation and research to lead industries, start-up companies, and other institutions into the future. One of the most important ways that UF/IFAS plant breeding accomplishes its mission is by investing in plant graduate education programs that equip students with knowledge and experience in the latest molecular techniques, statistical analysis, and applied field breeding.

female student using a magnifying glass to inspect blueberries growing in a greenhouse

A NEW PLANT BREEDING GRADUATE PROGRAM

A new interdisciplinary graduate program offering a Plant Breeding Ph.D. just started in Fall 2021. This comprehensive and inter-departmental graduate program will train an increased number of highly-qualified plant breeders. Targeted infrastructure investments will also be made to increase the pace and impact of UF variety development. As a result, new plant breeding programs will be strategically established to improve Florida communities not yet in existence. Check our brand new graduate program here!  

orange tree - close up

grains in hand

strawberries in hands

blueberries - close up

 

SUPPORT NEW PLANT BREEDERS

UF/IFAS programs have long enjoyed a strong partnership with Florida’s agricultural and natural resources industries, but are now looking to strengthen that partnership by asking for your support.

Our goal is to enhance the FFSP Plant Breeding Endowment, which supports applied breeding research programs focused on plant cultivar development and release, and raise the principal up to $4 million.

Your gift can be made by check (made payable to the UF Foundation) or online by clicking the donate button. Thank you for your consideration of this special gift opportunity.

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Thank You!