Citrus growers interested in partnering with the citrus FAST TRACK citrus trial program can attend one of several informational meetings in April.
The citrus FAST TRACK program utilizes citrus grower participation to test new fresh fruit citrus varieties in small field trials to determine which ones have commercial value. The program is meant to “reduce the amount of time necessary to evaluate and commercialize promising new citrus varieties,” according to a Citrus Industry article. Citrus growers interested in field testing Marathon, an early-season seedless mandarin, in partnership with the FAST TRACK program should attend one of four informational meetings in early April. See the details below.
Citrus FAST TRACK Informational Meetings
FAST TRACK is “an innovative program developed through the cooperative efforts of Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc. (FFSP), the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC),” according to the Citrus Industry article. The model has also recently been revised, giving growers increased flexibility and “immediate options for trial or commercial plantings.”
Four citrus FAST TRACK meetings are scheduled for early April. According to the Citrus Industry piece, representatives from either the UF/IFAS Plant Improvement Team or the FFSP team (or both) will also be in attendance. The meetings are:
April 4, 10:00 a.m. — Highlands County UF/IFAS Extension office (Room 2), 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL
April 8, 10:00 a.m. — Taylor County Extension Office, 203 Forest Park Dr., Perry, FL
April 9, 9:30 a.m. — Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Rd., Lake Alfred, FL
April 9, 2:00 p.m. — UF/IFAS Indian River Citrus Research and Education Center (Auditorium), 2199 S. Rock Rd., Fort Pierce, FL
Registration is required as seating in limited. Interested citrus growers should email Lucy.Nieves@ffva.com to RSVP.
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