[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 187 (Friday, November 7, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1048-E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UF/IFAS GULF COAST RESEARCH 
                          AND EDUCATION CENTER

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SCOTT FRANKLIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 2025

  Mr. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
100th anniversary of the University of Florida's IFAS Gulf Coast 
Research and Education Center, a cornerstone of Florida agriculture 
supporting our growers and research community for generations.
  Founded in 1925 in Palmetto as the Tomato Disease Laboratory, the 
Center was created to combat a devastating fungal disease threatening 
Florida's tomato production. Over the decades, its mission expanded as 
Florida agriculture grew and diversified, adding work in breeding, 
plant health and soil and water research to strengthen crop quality and 
sustainable production. In 2005, the Center relocated to Wimauma to 
support broader research and collaboration benefiting producers across 
our state.
  For a century, this Center has delivered practical, science-based 
solutions to strengthen Florida agriculture. Its research has improved 
crop quality, enhanced resilience against disease and pests, and 
supported the development of new crops that sustain local economies and 
help specialty producers thrive. It works hand in hand with producers 
and industry partners to support new opportunities, including work on 
caladiums, hops and berry production that expands Florida's 
agricultural footprint and helps specialty crops thrive in our region.
  Now, a new chapter is taking shape. The UF/IFAS Center for Applied 
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture is integrating automation, data 
and machine learning to help producers work more efficiently and 
address labor needs. With federal support championed in Congress, the 
Center is acquiring new equipment and technology to accelerate this 
work and strengthen hands-on research capacity at the site. This 
investment will bring cutting-edge innovation directly to the farm, 
improving productivity and competitiveness across the industry.
  As we mark this milestone, we honor the scientists, staff and growers 
who make this progress possible. Their dedication supports rural 
communities and strengthens American food security. I congratulate the 
UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center on a century of 
extraordinary service and look forward to its continued leadership in 
the years ahead.

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