When I began my position in the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences three years ago, I was struck by the success the center had already achieved but also by the potential I saw for its future. I knew supporting the PIE Center would be a wise decision.
For two years it was a top priority in IFAS to secure stable support through a state legislature budget request. In the short period of time since our funding achievement last year, the center has turned taxpayers’ investment into nearly $7 million of invaluable research, training and communications programs of a quality rarely delivered from a young center.
The PIE Center’s successful studies about Floridians’ opinions of water quality and quantity, public higher education and immigration reform provide a glimpse into the minds of those we need to engage.
The PIE Center team fearlessly explores these important, complex and sensitive issues critical to our state and especially to the future welfare of our agricultural and natural resources industries and assets.
In addition, the PIE Center is augmenting the UF/IFAS land-grant mission by explaining the science and policy influences behind challenging issues within agriculture and natural resources.
Clearly the PIE Center has become an indispensable member of the IFAS team.
Warm regards,
Jack Payne
Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources
