In April 2009, the National Academies of Science, at the request of the Florida Department of Citrus, formed the National Research Committee on Strategic Planning for the Florida Citrus Industry: Addressing the Citrus Greening Disease (Huanglongbing). At the same time, the forward-looking citrus industry in Florida initiated the Citrus Research and Development Foundation. When the National Research Council’s report was published in March, 2010 it included a recommendation that one organization be identified and empowered to have oversight responsibility over HLB research and development efforts.
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized under Florida State laws as a Direct Service Organization of the University of Florida.
The Mission of the Foundation is to “Advance disease and production research and product development activities to insure the survival and competitiveness of Florida’s citrus growers through innovation”.
The organization is headed by a 13-member Board of Directors that includes individuals from industry, academia and government. The COO handles the day-to-day management of business affairs, and Program Manager oversees the research portfolio.
2012 Board of Directors:
Walter T. (Tom) Jerkins, President
Ricke A. Kress, Vice President
Hugh W. Thompson III, Treasurer
Jerome H. (Jerry) Newlin, Secretary
Dr. Mary L. Duryea
Shannon R. Shepp
COO:
Dr. Harold W. Browning
Program Manager:
Dr. Thomas H. Turpen
The Foundation’s research management process works like this:
- The Research Management Committee of the Foundation identifies the research gaps based on the existing knowledge of the problem, and any new findings from on-going research activities.
- The Board issues a Request for Proposals in specific areas based on perceived gaps in knowledge.
- The Research Management Committee requests a review of the research proposals from the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
- The SAB reviews the research progress reports as well as the research proposals and makes recommendations on which projects to fund.
The funded research projects range from those looking for ways to interrupt the breeding/feeding of psyllids to those looking to provide disease resistant plants produced through traditional breeding methods or through genetic engineering.