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UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center News, Holiday Edition, 2022 A special major gift announcement for our 75th Anniversary from UF/IFAS-Indian River Research and Education Center Director, Dr. Ronald D. Cave. Cover image credit: Dr. Lorenzo Rossi

From the Director's Desk

Dr. Ronald D. Cave, IRREC Professor and Director

A Happy Holiday season 2022 is at UF/IFAS-IRREC!! In this newsletter, we share the joy a generous gift brings to move forward with our research, Extension, and education programs. With this gift, we will continue to serve local agricultural and natural resources industries with scientific findings, education for the next generation, and Extension to transfer new knowledge to growers rapidly.

I write with jubilation as we close 2022, IRREC’s 75th Anniversary. In this newsletter, we announce our single largest donation in history, the John T. Moose Endowment, named in honor of the donor. John T. Moose (1926-2008) was a local heritage citrus manager and grower with a demonstrated gift for developing collaborative efforts to increase grapefruit varieties in the Indian River District. Moose’s colleagues credit him with leadership in developing and disseminating multiple grapefruit varieties in the 1950s and 1960s, which led to the recognition of the Indian River District as the world’s finest production region for unsurpassed quality in fresh grapefruit.

Moose gifted to IRREC over $260,000 to continue our work to prioritize research projects and move them forward. With his thoughtfulness, we will capture scientific findings for our local citrus growers and education programs to advance the industry.

In the past decade, the center has been fortunate to have received other generous gifts from prominent local agriculturalists. Those donors are Michael Minton, who provided funds for the O.R. and Shirley Minton Endowment for the Indian River Research and Education Center, and the Varn family, in memory of Robert Stewart "Bob" Varn, for the Robert S. Varn IRREC Enhancement Endowment. Both donors represent prominent local families with a rich history in Indian River agricultural production. We are grateful and humbled by the generosity of the community we serve. We put their gifts to use in on-going programs to assist the Indian River industries that sustain the region’s agricultural production and economy.

As 2022 comes to a close, I recount the year’s highlights in our countdown, “IRREC’s Top 10 for 2022,” each associated with people. Of course, John T. Moose is our top highlight. Please peruse the newsletter and read about people like Dr. Carey Minteer. She was recognized this year by UF/IFAS officials with a Superior Accomplishment Award. Please find the link to a post about her truly superior accomplishments last year. She performs at a high level every year.

Other reasons to celebrate our faculty and staff in “IRREC’s Top 10” include prestigious awards and Ph.D. graduations. IFAS Dean of Research Robert Gilbert recognized Dr. Cano for exceeding 10,000 career citations in her Google Scholar profile. And Dr. Cortney Ohs and his laboratory team distributed copperband butterflyfish to public and private aquaria and zoos. The pretty fish was cultivated in captivity for the first time in Dr. Ohs’ Aquaculture Research and Demonstration Facility.

On behalf of everyone at IRREC, we would like to wish you and your families a Happy Holiday 2022 Season and a productive, safe 2023.---Dr. Ronald D. Cave

The UF/IFAS-IRREC

JOHN T. MOOSE ENDOWMENT

FORT PIERCE, Fla.---A heritage citrus grower who saw local fruit production rise in the world’s premier grapefruit region has willed a legacy gift to sustain the fruit industry he so loved.

John T. Moose left the largest individual gift that the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce has ever received. The $260,000 contribution comes in the same year as the center’s 75th anniversary and contributes to serving local agriculture and natural resources protection with research, Extension, and education.

Mr. John T. and Mrs. Shirley Moose, image courtesy of Moose Family

"John Moose built a legacy for collaboration in Florida citrus production best practices. With this exceedingly generous gift to our programs, Mr. Moose extends that endeavor into the 21st century," said Ronald D. Cave, Director of the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). "We are grateful for the bequest and will use it with Mr. Moose's mission in mind."

In recognition of the gift, the donation is named the “John T. Moose Endowment.” The endowment will be managed by the UF Foundation in Gainesville, with disbursements from interest gained on the principal. Funds will support local agriculture, especially research for the citrus industry, which has declined in recent years in the citrus greening era, said Cave.

“The Moose Endowment will advance the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s global mission to support high-value crops by improving crops grown near Fort Pierce,” said Cave. “Our scientists work tirelessly to sustain the region’s renowned grapefruit and oranges for fresh fruit.”

Cave said Indian River District grapefruit is an export commodity, a delicacy in Europe and Asia. The Indian River District is a region along the Indian River Lagoon, from Mims, in Brevard County, to northern Palm Beach County.

In Moose’s time, he came to know the district and citrus production as an expert. A native of Tennessee, Moose moved to the Treasure Coast region in 1948, following completion of a bachelor's degree in agriculture and citrus production from UF.

Moose and the late Alto “Bud” Adams became close friends during Moose’s employment as citrus production manager at Adams Ranch in Fort Pierce, one of America’s most prominent and historical ranches.

Moose began his career in citrus production for the Michaels family in Indian River County’s coastal Orchid Island groves. From there, Moose gained expertise in the crop as his knowledge and best practices grew with increasing roles of responsibility, according to Robert Adams.

“I spent a lot of time with Johnny Moose on long drives all over Florida,” said Robert Adams. “We attended production manager meetings in places like Winter Haven to talk about production.”

Adams said Moose designed a citrus grove on a square mile of land at his ranch. Moose knew a lot about grove architecture—irrigation, bedding, how deep, and at what position to plant individual trees.

“Johnny Moose would visit about 15 groves a week in the ‘grapefruit belt,’ a common practice at the time, and make recommendations for herbicide, pesticides, and fertilizer treatments,” said Adams. “He would pluck a leaf off a tree and tell you what the tree needed in nutrients.”

“He also knew a lot about packing and finding buyers—Johnny had good judgment for markets,” Adams said.

Moose’s long and successful career included positions with Deerfield Groves, W.R. Grace Co., Fort Pierce Cooperative, Adams Ranch, and Diamond R Fertilizer. Moose was a founding member of Diamond R Fertilizer Co. He served on the boards of the Farm Bureau, Farm Credit, the Soil Conservation Service, and Ocean Spray Co., and was an alternate board member for the Indian River Citrus League.

Along with members of the Scott family, Moose grew lemons and tomatoes in the Devil’s Garden, Florida. The area is a fertile production area that was, in the early 19th century, a Seminole fruit and vegetable garden.

Moose was involved with white grapefruit exports to Japan during his tenure as president and manager of Hobe Groves in Hobe Sound, Martin County. And it was from this grove operation that John T. Moose retired in 1984.

Red grapefruit, UF/IFAS file
"Citrus growers had only two varieties of grapefruit when "Johnny" (Moose) started in the citrus business--white or pink grapefruit," said Robert Adams. "Working with UF/IFAS Extension, growers and Florida nurseries, Johnny Moose promoted Ruby Red, Flame, and Star Ruby grapefruit in Florida." Adams points to the introduction of the new varieties as a 'monumental leap for the industry to provide sweet grapefruit.'"

"Citrus growers had only two varieties of grapefruit when Johnny (Moose) started in the citrus business--white or pink grapefruit," said Robert Adams. "Working with UF/IFAS Extension, growers, and Florida nurseries, Johnny Moose promoted Ruby Red, Flame, and Star Ruby grapefruit in Florida." Adams points to the introduction of the new varieties as a 'monumental leap for the industry to provide sweet grapefruit."

Like Alto and Robert Adams, Moose was an avid hunter. He joined the Adams on hunting trips in Fort Pierce and on Moose’s 500-acre cattle and citrus ranch in Kenansville, near the famous Heartbreak Hotel.

“Moose had charisma and was a likable guy,” said Robert Adams. “He was known for his passion and innovations in citrus production—and he was also an artist and craftsman.”

Johnny Moose artisan carving on the gunstock of a rifle, image courtesy of Robert Adams

Robert Adams owns a gun into which Moose carved an art relief on “the gunstock,” or the wide handle shooters use to fire a weapon.

Moose’s daughter, Caroline Moose Bingham, recounts days spent on the Kenansville family ranch. “The ranch was magical—unusual stands of native trees, horse rides, and family and friends were always a part of our lives then.”

The former Moose Family home in Port St. Lucie, image courtesy of Moose Family

Another fond memory Bingham shares is about a ‘house on stilts’ off a canal bank in Port St. Lucie. John Moose designed and built a 3-story Moose family home with salvaged bridge pilings he planted in the ground.

The former Moose Family home in Port St. Lucie, image courtesy of Moose Family

“Our house was in the middle of our private 40-acre orange grove and could only be reached by a dirt jeep trail,” said Bingham. “It had crank-out windows and French doors that opened onto a wrap-around porch.”

Robert Adams notes Moose’s ongoing interest in new citrus cultivars and plant breeding to advance the region’s grapefruit production.

“Johnny was always seeking ways for everyone who grew citrus in our area to make more money and reach new markets,” said Adams. “Moose believed rootstock and scion breeding was our answer to disease resistance.”

In 2008, at 82, Moose passed away at the Treasure Coast Hospice in Fort Pierce.

“It’s good that Johnny Moose isn’t around to see how the local industry struggles today in the era of citrus greening,” said Robert Adams. “But the Moose Endowment will help all of us do what he would have done if he were here today,” said Adams.

The Robert S.Varn

IRREC Enhancement Endowment

Robert S. Varn, image from TCPalm

The Robert S. Varn IRREC Enhancement Endowment was established following the 2012 untimely departure of Robert "Bob" Varn. Bob Varn was a lifelong resident of Fort Pierce and a partner for Varn Citrus, Inc., his family's prominent citrus production business. Bob Varn graduated the Indian River Academy and Florida Southern College, with a BSc in Horticulture. Bob Varn leaves an impressive legacy as an active serviceman who devoted his time to local charities and volunteer religious work.

We are grateful for the Varn family's commitment in supporting UF/IFAS-IRREC research, Extension, and education programs. We also share gratitude for IRREC gifts Bob Varn's brother and sister-in-law gave to support the IRREC mission.

The Myron "Mac" Varn

Graduate Student Housing Gift

Myron "Mac" Varn, a generous IRREC benefactor. Image: UF/IFAS-IRREC file photo
UF/IFAS Myron "Mac" Varn Graduate Housing, image by Jaya "Jay" Nepal

Robert S. "Bob" Varn's brother, Myron "Mac" Varn, was a longtime friend of IRREC. Mac Varn passed away in 2003 and left a gift to construct a much-needed dormitory for IRREC students. Mac and his wife, Suzanne Varn, provided funds for an 8-student dormitory that is in continuous use by national and international students, visiting scientists, and scholars. Construction and completion of the facility came in 2005, in recognition of the gift, was named for Mac. The Myron "Mac" Varn Graduate Housing (facility). The facility allows graduate students to reside on the IRREC campus for their studies.

IRREC graduate students travel to IRREC from international and national locations to work 1-on-1 with our research professors. The professors and students are team members of global research collaborations that work to solve specific issues in crop production and protection.

For a moment, let's relax on Mac Varn's deck at his former family home, called "Lost River."

Image used with permission from Indian River Magazine. Image credit: Rob Downey

The O.R. and Shirley Minton

UF/IFAS-IRREC Endowment

Oma Richard "Dick" and Shirley Minton, generous IRREC benefactors and Florida agricultural pioneers, images: Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and TCPalm

O.R. and Shirley Minton were local agricultural pioneers. Each was from a Florida pioneer family who shared agricultural heritage and leadership. O.R.'s full name is Oma Richard "Dick" Minton. Among his many achievements were his posthumous induction into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, in 2003. Dick Minton's leadership in Florida's Soil and Water Conservation Program was vital to the development of agriculture throughout Florida. In 1963, Dick Minton built Minton Sun in Fort Pierce, the world's largest packinghouse in its time. Dick Minton was also an active community serviceman, serving as leader on local boards. He was honored with the 1986 Outstanding Conservationist of the Year award by St. Lucie Soil and Conservation District. He was honored with a Florida Citrus Packers Outstanding Service Award, and with an Appreciation for Dedicated Service to Florida Agriculture from the University of Florida/IFAS.

Shirley Minton was born in Daytona Beach and came to Fort Pierce from Bradenton, where her family was involved in agriculture. Devoted to her family and four sons, Shirley served the arts and gardening for several Fort Pierce organizations and was an original member and board member of Heathcote Botanical Garden. Shirley Minton was past president of the St. Lucie Cowbelles, today known as the St. Lucie County Cattlewomen's Association.

Dick Minton earned a BSc in Agriculture in 1968 from the University of Florida and continued to work for the advancement of UF's capabilities to serve one of the state's most prominent industries. Dick Minton's direct involvement in the initiation of the UF SHARE (Special Help for Agricultural Research and Education) continues today.

O.R. "Dick" Minton passed away in 1996; Shirley Minton lived until 2011.

Oma Richard "Dick" and Shirley Minton Image: Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame

CONTRIBUTIONS TO IRREC BY

O.C. MINTON

Mr. O.C. Minton, IRREC's first benefactor, Image courtesy of Minton family.

O.C. (Oma Carl) Minton spearheaded the establishment of the then-UF Indian River Field Laboratory. The nascent experimental location was the beginning of IRREC 75 years ago this year, in 1947. In 1950, O.C. Minton led efforts to expand the early agricultural research program at IRREC. During this time of leadership, an additional 720 acres were given to the university by the North St. Lucie River Drainage District.

O.C. Minton served on the Citrus Commission for eight years. While leading the organization's advertising committee he led the effort to brand all of the state's fresh fruit products with "Florida" labels. O.C. Minton's accomplishments were recognized in 1982 when he was inducted into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame.

Image of O.C. Minton Hall, image: Dr. Lorenzo Rossi

Join us for the IRREC Family for IRREC Holiday Luncheon 2022

Welcome to the IRREC Holiday Luncheon, 2022

Welcome from IRREC staff members Audrey Beany, Velma Spencer, Emily Duren, and Georgia Martinez

Dr. Lorenzo Rossi and Dr. Sandra Guzmán

Dr. Mark Ritenour and wife, Laura

Husband of Dr. Nicole Quinn

Director Dr. Ronald D. Cave and Dr. Mark Ritenour serve the holiday meal

Dr. Carey Minteer serves the IRREC Holiday Lunch

IRREC Director presents a gift to the family of IRREC Professor Emeritus Dr. Charles Powell

Biological Scientist Cuifeng Hu and Intern You's Kertye Myrtil

Team members of the IRREC Entomopathogenic Fungi Research Laboratory, from left to right, are: Dr. Pasco Avery, Lizbeth Ayala, and Emily Duren

Biological Scientist, Edinson Diaz Benitez, and Dr. Liliana Cano

The IRREC Rossi Plant Root Biology Laboratory Team

Minteer Laboratory Biological Scientists, Emily Le Falchier, and Kassandra Coulsey

J.P., son of IRREC Senior Fiscal Assistant Georgia Martinez

Brad, husband of Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Dr. Xiaoping Xin

Albert Fleming, IRREC Custodian, and Clarence King, Agricultural Assistant

Special Projects Assistant, Melissa Velazquez, and Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Flavia Zambon

Minteer Lab Intern Eloise Lamie, and Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Telma Telmadarrehei

Visiting Scientist, Dr. Shohag, and his wife

IT Manager Marvin Newman and Biological Scientist Audrey Beany

Happy Holidays to all from the UF/IFAS-IRREC Family

IRREC's Best Picks for 2022

IRREC's Top 10 Achievements for 2022

#10: Dr. Ohs and his aquaculture laboratory team distribute the first collection of copperband butterflyfish to public aquariums and distributors. The Ohs aquaculture team was the first to cultivate the beautiful ornamental fish in captivity.

Dr. Cortney Ohs works with larvae in the Aquaculture Hatchery Facility, image: UF/IFAS File

Image of copperband butterflyfish: Dr. Cortney Ohs

#9: IRREC researchers begin to collect first fruit harvest data from the Millennium Block, the largest citrus rootstock and scion trial in Florida.

Some of the more than 5,500 citrus trees in the IRREC Millennium Block tolerate citrus greening. Data are being collected now, with results expected in late January. The active, experimental research grove was planted in 2019.

#8: Recent IRREC graduate, Dr. Kelly Carruthers, won two awards.

Dr. Kelly Carruthers was honored with the "2022 IOBC-NRS Robert O'Neil Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student in Biological Control" at the International Congress of Entomology in Vancouver. A member of The International Organization for Biological Control Nearctic Region Section presented the award.

A second honor for Dr. Carruthers was the selective "Friends of IPM Ph.D. Graduate Student Award for 2022," presented to Carruthers by The Southern IPM Center.

Dr. Kelly Carruthers, image, IRREC file

#7: IRREC Ph.D. Candidate Jaya "Jay" Nepal is named a "Bayer Crop Science Encompass Fellow, 2022-2023"

IRREC Ph.D. Candidate Jaya "Jay" Nepal was named a prestigious “Bayer Crop Science Encompass Fellow, 2022-2023” by members of the Agronomy, Crop Science, and Soil Science Society of America (ASA-CSSA-SSSA). Nepal was chosen for his work with carbon nanoparticle crop nutrients, his aim to protect soils and water resources, and his leadership role in society and the scientific community.

#6: Dr. Pasco Avery was selected as one of the first scientists to be inducted into the Friends of IPM Hall of Fame

Dr. Pasco Avery was selected as one of the first scientists to be inducted into the Friends of IPM Hall of Fame with the Southern IPM Center. Membership in the IPM Hall of Fame is a new recognition for scientists and food producers who have made career-long contributions to the study and practice of integrated pest management, or IPM.

Dr. Avery’s expertise is specific to entomopathogenic fungi, natural organisms present in all ecosystems. These fungi regulate harmful insects by attaching spores to their bodies, germination and penetration of the insect’s exoskeleton, eventually killing the pest. Dr. Avery leads the Entomopathogenic Fungi Research Laboratory at IRREC.

Image by UF/IFAS

#5: Dr. Daniela Cárdenas and Dr. Egem Özbudak both complete Ph.D.'s and international Chateaubriand Fellowships

Ph.D. candidates Daniela Cárdenas and Egem Özbudak become Dr. Cárdenas and Dr. Özbudak at UF in Gainesville as they graduate. Both Dr. Cádenas and Dr. Özbudak completed Chateuaubriand Fellowships in France, where they worked along with world leaders in crop plant pathology research.

Images: Dr. Lorenzo Rossi

#4: Dr. Nicole Quinn joins IRREC

Dr. Nicole Quinn was recently selected from a pool of accomplished scientists to serve as the new University of Florida/IFAS assistant professor of entomology at the Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory in Fort Pierce.

“Dr. Nicole Quinn is an exceptional entomologist owing to her expertise with classical biological control, parasitoids, novel research design techniques and teaching capabilities,” said Ronald D. Cave, director of the UF/IFAS-IRREC.

Dr. Nicole Quinn, image: Velma Spencer

#3: Dr. Liliana Cano was recognized by IFAS Dean of Research Robert Gilbert for exceeding 10,000 career citations in her Google Scholar profile

Dr. Cano's citation number of 10,171 (5,829 since 2017) is revealing. The average number of citations for assistant professors who have worked for six years is 400-500. Her work is consistently published in high-profile scientific journals.

Dr. Liliana Cano, image: Velma Spencer

#2: Dr. Carey Minteer wins a

UF/IFAS Superior Accomplishment Award

Dr. Carey Minteer, Assistant Professor of Entomology, is one of two research scientists who work in the IRREC Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory. Last year, she garnered an international award, received the largest grant from a state agency, and significantly extended a public outreach program.

Despite the pandemic, Dr. Minteer increased her extension program by 300% with increased online participation for an educational program that teaches children and their instructors about entomology. Recently, University of Florida/IFAS officials recognized Minteer with a Superior Accomplishment Award.

Dr. Carey Minteer, IRREC Assistant Professor of Entomology, image: Velma Spencer

#1: The John T. Moose Endowment!!

Dr. Ronald D. Cave announced this year that UF/IFAS-IRREC has received its largest-ever gift donation from a local legacy citrus grower. With exceeding joy and gratitude, we present the John T. Moose Endowment.

Please Scroll up to "From the Director's Desk" and the feature after his column to read all about the John T. Moose Endowment

John T. and Shirley Moose, Image courtesy of the Moose Family

Credits:

Jaya "Jay" Nepal, Velma Spencer, UF/IFAS file photos, Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame and TCPalm.