Legislative Budget Requests 2011-12
1. IFAS Research and Extension Delivery Workload $3,368,415
Provides funds for increased demand for IFAS research and extension
activities based on the delivery of research information to IFAS clientele
throughout Florida. Because IFAS does not benefit from tuition funds,
the workload substitutes for tuition increases for IFAS research and
extension programs.
2. Promoting Healthy, Sustainable Animal Systems $2,240,000
Animals and diverse animal agriculture provide significant economic,
environmental, and social benefits for Florida. However, there are
major challenges to sustaining beef cattle, dairy, and equine industries
in Florida’s subtropical environment. This program will generate data
specific to this setting and evaluate the impact on animal performance
and increases the sustainability of animal production systems.
3. Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources $ 1,450,000
Establish the capacity to conduct public opinion research, issues analysis,
and educational programs for citizens, stakeholders, and policy makers
on current and emerging public policy issues pertaining to water quality,
land use, food systems, and other areas of agriculture and natural resources,
with the ultimate goal of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the State
for its citizens and agriculturists.
4. Start up funds for the Cellulosic Ethanol Research and
Demonstration Plant at Perry, Florida (non-recurring request
for two years)
$2,000,000/yr
The construction of pilot cellulosic ethanol research and demonstration
plant was funded in FY 08-09. Land leases, operational and IP agreements,
design and construction contracts are complete and the plant is scheduled
for completion in the Fall of 2011. No operational funds to operate the
plant were provided with the initial appropriation. This request is to provide
start-up operational and research funds(non-recurring) for two years, until
such times as the facility can become self-sustaining.
