Paul and Shari Willis CALS Ambassadors Fund

Support a Professorship in research and outreach dedicated to the future of the Florida citrus industry at UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred as outlined in Schedule A. Schedule A Shared vision of a faculty position that is interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature concentrating broadly on the integration of academic teaching and research focused on opportunities to strengthen the future of Florida's citrus industry in areas including but not limited to advanced citrus production systems, sustainable agricultural processes and practices, efficient water and resource input use, protection of natural diversity, and socio-economic outreach. Examples of this faculty member's research may include but are not limited to the following: - Develop and maintain a long term, sustainable vision for a future of the citrus industry in Florida from the nursery to the consumer. - Increase root and canopy system performance and cropping potential - Improve water application and utilization in different soil profiles - Promote ecosystem diversification - Optimize nutrition and improve nutrient recycling - Improve strategies for intensively managed citrus groves - Develop and promote precision agriculture techniques - Accelerate discovery of new sustainable citrus cropping systems under stress - Develop information system tools for sustainable citrus production - Ensure food safety and security in the sustainable production environment - Promote regulatory environment that encourages adoption of new technology - Support research of cultivar development to increase knowledge abut issues including but not limited to biodiversity, disease-resistance, pest-resistance and improvement in juice quality

Support scholarships to students pursuing degrees in Ag & Ext Education, Teacher Ed Option demonstrating academic achievement, need, professional potential & leadership.

Support IFAS general use.