UF IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department

We are spotlighting Horticultural Sciences Ph.D graduate, Dr. Ellen Garcia, now working as a postdoctoral research associate at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

As part of the Advanced Plant Imaging team, her research uses hyperspectral imaging and molecular data to understand how plants respond to stress in space. Her work could eventually help scientists monitor plant health remotely and reduce the time astronauts need to spend tending crops during future missions.

Dr. Garcia offers advice to future space biologists and shares how her experiences at UF helped prepare her for this career!

Read the full story: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hosdept/2026/08/24/uf-ifas-alumni-growing-plants-in-space-nasa/

Did you grow the largest pumpkin or watermelon you think you’ve ever seen? It may just be!

For almost 40 years, our UF/IFAS Extension team has maintained a list of Florida’s largest fruits and vegetables grown across the state. If you’ve grown a contender, let us know.

We’ll send a local Extension agent to verify it.

https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/floridas-largest-vegetables/

Through his research, Extension work, and mentorship, Dr. Jeffrey Williamson helped generations of growers, students, and industry professionals. His focus was on helping growers succeed with blueberries in the field, translating research into practical solutions that strengthened Florida blueberry production for decades.

After nearly 40 years with UF/IFAS, Jeff is retiring. Please join us in congratulating him on an extraordinary career and read more about his lasting impact:

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/hosdept/2026/07/29/jeffrey-williamson-florida-blueberries/

In a recent study published in Plant Phenomics, UF/IFAS, USDA and NASA researchers used hyperspectral imaging to detect stress in lettuce plants well before visible signs, allowing growing conditions to be adjusted sooner.

Learn more on the UF News website 👇
https://news.ufl.edu/2026/06/detecting-drought-stress/

Could broccoli, cabbage, and kale get even better for you?

Researchers in UF IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department discovered a way to boost health-promoting compounds in broccoli, kale, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables—advancing the promise of .

Tap the link to learn more🔗 tr.ee/HggsVL4oIF

The first newsletter of 2026 is now live! Read the Spring/Summer Edition here: bit.ly/UFHort26News

Thank you for being part of our community. We're proud to share a look into the top research, achievements, and partnerships advancing horticultural science on campus and beyond UF.

Scientists can now detect drought stress in plants days before any visible signs appear!

Using advanced light-scanning technology, researchers at UF IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration are spotting subtle changes in leaves—without harming the plant.

The result? Faster decisions, better water use and less crop loss.
It could even play a role in growing food for future space missions!

Curious how it works and why it matters? Read more: tr.ee/XKhNAYK0CP

Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Horticultural Sciences tenure and promotion recipients! We're proud to recognize these faculty members for their innovative work and well-earned career milestones.

To make a successful return on their investment, growers need to accurately predict how much crop they might grow in a given season.

UF Gulf Coast Research & Education Center is developing web-based tools that incorporate to help farmers predict yields faster, more accurately.

So far, the results from our research plots and two commercial growers’ farms are encouraging!

More on this new tool 🔗 tr.ee/45ecUoEhi7

Did you know Florida is the only state in the country where hops can be harvested twice a year?

At this year’s UF/IFAS Hops Field Day, Dr. Shinsuke Agehara and his team at the UF Gulf Coast Research & Education Center showcased how researchers are working to maximize the potential of locally grown Florida hops through breeding, production, and industry partnerships.

While more than 90% of U.S. hops are grown in the Pacific Northwest, researchers have spent the last decade developing production practices that make hops possible in Florida. By using supplemental LED lighting to mimic longer summer days, researchers can control flowering and produce both spring and fall harvests.

A brewer panel discussion and tasting featuring beers from Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. brewed with Florida-grown hops and local honey as part of the Fresh From Florida program.

Learn more about the UF/IFAS Hops Program: UF IFAS GCREC Hops