Caribbean Food Crops Society
44th Annual Meeting
July 13th - 17th, 2008  Miami, Florida, USA 
Hosted by:

44th Meeting Home    Registration    Program    Field Trips    Hotel Information    Abstract Submission    CFCS Main

Field Trip 1
Scroll down or click the various stops to learn more:  Stop #1, Stop #2, Stop #3

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Exploring, Explaining, and Conserving the World of Tropical Plants

Stop #1:  Fairchild Botanical Garden,
Thursday July 17, 2008
(Morning)

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of the world's preeminent botanic gardens, with extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines.  Established in 1938, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden encompasses 83 acres and is among the region's most popular visitor attractions.  A variety of programs in environmental education, conservation and horticulture are offered.  An international leader in tropical plant research, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden plays an important part in preserving the biodiversity of the tropical environment.  

Accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1981, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an active member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the Center for Plant Conservation, the American Public Gardens Association, and many other botanical, horticultural and conservation organizations. Their mission is to save tropical plant diversity by exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. Fundamental to this task is inspiring a greater knowledge and love for plants and gardening so that all can enjoy the beauty and bounty of the tropical world.  See details at: http:/www.fairchildgarden.org

 

Stop #2:  Schnebly Redland's Winery,
Thursday July 17, 2008
(Lunch)

With a unique harmony of South Florida's tropical fruit and old world sophistication, Schnebly wines bring a totally new experience to your taste buds. They have crafted the only tropical wines produced in the U.S. that are made with absolutely no grapes. They currently offer five varieties; Carambola, Mango, Lychee, Guava and Passion Fruit. Each has its own style and personality. It's something you must taste yourself. Their winery and tasting room is located halfway between Miami and the Florida Keys, in the Redland tropical countryside. Whether you want to sip wine outdoors near their 120 foot long waterfalls or sample their wines in the tasting room full of gift baskets and wine gadgets, they have it all. Wine tastings are available seven days a week. If you are interested in how the winery works and how wine is made, visit them on the weekends when they offer tours of the winery every hour, on the hour. Take a closer look at: http://www.schneblywinery.com

 

 

Stop #3:  Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
Thursday July 17, 2008
(Afternoon)
The Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) is part of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).  The TREC is located in Homestead, Florida about 30 miles south of Miami. The Center was established in 1929 by an act of the state legislature in what is now Miami-Dade County on land donated by the Krome family and Mr. Charles E. Schaff.

TREC's research, teaching, and extension programs focus on tropical and subtropical fruit crops, tropical and temperate vegetable crops, and ornamental crops of southern Florida. The agricultural industry served by the center has an annual farm gate value of $834 million.  Multiplier effects make agriculture's impact on the local economy worth over $1 billion annually. 

Due to the region's humid subtropical climate, TREC is the only state university research center in the continental U.S. focusing on a large number of tropical and subtropical crops. Also, the area's oolitic limestone soil is unique to extreme southern Florida.  In addition, the Center addresses water and environmental issues that impact crop production over a shallow aquifer and in proximity to Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Marine Park, Florida Bay, and major well fields which provide drinking water to several million people in neighboring urban areas.

The center's 160 acres consist of offices, laboratories, greenhouses, vegetable fields, and fruit orchards. There are sixteen faculty members and about 45 support staff.  For more information visit: http://trec.ifas.ufl.edu