Rationale behind the Center

Throughout the state of Florida, issues related to the management of agriculture, natural resources and environmental systems resources have become sources of great contention. Currently, Florida contains more than 40,000 commercial farm operations that co-exist with both ecosystems and centers of urban growth and development. Without an ability to resolve public policy issues to the satisfaction of all society segments, this contention threatens to reach crisis level that could impact industry sustainability.

Typically, agricultural and natural resource oriented public policy issues are addressed reactively by stakeholders, lobbyists, and the “expert system” comprised of the land grant university and its Extension arm. However, as the nature of these policy issues continues to intensify, a new approach is desperately needed. This approach must be focused on addressing national and statewide public policy education objectives in a more proactive, consistent, and systematic way.

The Center for Public Issues Education is housed in the University of Florida’s Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Agriculture Education and Communication Department.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the center is to enhance public understanding of issues in agriculture and natural resources through practical research in education, communication and leadership development.

The vision of the center is a public that is informed and engaged in the issues surrounding agriculture and natural resources.