History: CREC Timeline

1917

• Legally established by action of the Florida Legislature

1919

• Site donated and planted from donations of Polk County growers

1920

• John H. Jeffries was appointed Superintendent of CES

1921

• Report to the Florida State Horticultural Society on CES (35:152-15)

1926

• The first permanent laboratory building. An insectary was built to rear Leis Sp. Lady Beetles for natural control of aphids.

1935

• Dr. A.F. Camp was appointed Horticulturist in charge of the CES

1945

• The Packinghouse Research Building was constructed

1948

• The Administrative building was occupied.

1957

• Dr. Herman J. Reitz appointed Horticulturist in charge of CES

1958

• Entomology building

1966

• Extension faculty appointed to CES

1969

• The Biochemistry building was dedicated

1982

• Dr. Walter J. Kender appointed Director of AREC
• Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Citrus Hall dedicated

1983

• The Laboratory/Administrative Building was occupied

1986

• Student dormitory constructed.

1997

• Dr. Harold Browning appointed Director of CREC
• The Environmental Quality Laboratory was built

1998

• The Asian citrus psyllid (the vector for HLB; citrus greening) is first reported in Florida

2000

• CREC hosts the International Society of Citriculture

2001

• Dr. Arnold Schumann began to measure and map water-related soil properties using a Geonics EM38 unit

2002

• Citrus canker education programs launched

2004

• Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeane ravaged Florida, leaving billions in damage and many changes to be made

2005

• On May 24, the sweet orange is designated as Florida's official state fruit
• In August, the first report of HLB-affected citrus trees confirmed in Miami-Dade County

2006

• USDA announces a halt to the citrus canker eradication program

2007

• Citrus Health Management Areas (CHMA) program is launched to help combat HLB

2009

• Dr. Jackie Burns becomes CREC interim Director after the retirement of Dr. Harold Browning
• CREC releases citrus cultivar, LB-89 (Sugar Belle®)

2010

• Citrus black spot first reported in Florida

2011

• Dr. Jackie Burns named CREC center director

2013

• Citrus Under Protected Structure (CUPS) was constructed
• FAST TRACK cultivar release program launches

2014

• Dr. Michael Rogers becomes interim Director after Dr. Jackie Burns is appointed Dean for Research in Gainesville

2015

• Dr. Michael Rogers appointed director

2017

• CREC celebrates 100 year anniversary
• Hurricane Irma devastates Florida citrus industry
• New student dorm completed and opened in October