Dr. Manners wanted me to post this, so I will make it sticky. Anyone who is interested in a degree in citrus should really check it out.

Quote:

Do you know of a current or recent high school student who has a horticultural interest and is looking for a great, challenging career? If so, I’d like to suggest the concept of getting a college degree in citrus, and becoming a part of that industry. In Florida, citrus remains our largest horticultural product, and will likely remain so for many years. Yet we have the currently huge challenge of greening (huanglongbing) disease, citrus canker, and other large challenges. And this is at a time when many of our best researchers, of the baby-boomer generation, are preparing for retirement. So there are numerous great opportunities for a student, including going into citrus production directly, with the Bachelor of Science degree, entering the agri-chemical industry, also with the B.S. degree, or using the undergraduate training as preparation for graduate school, leading to a Ph.D., with which he/she could then go on to do the research we need to solve these problems and maintain citrus as a large and profitable industry. What our industry needs is highly trained people to continue these efforts, for the next generation. We at Florida Southern College offer the only Bachelor of Science degree in citrus in the United States (perhaps anywhere?). Additionally, other colleges and universities (the University of Florida, University of California at Riverside, CalPoly at San Luis Obispo, and Texas A&M) offer horticulture or plant science degrees, in which one could specialize in citrus production. Florida Southern also offers degrees in Landscape Horticulture and Recreational Turfgrass Management. I would be very interested in talking with potential students about the possibilities. Please feel free to refer them to me! Malcolm M. Manners, Ph.D. John and Ruth Tyndall Professor of Citrus Science Florida Southern College 111 Lake Hollingsworth DR Lakeland FL 33801 863-680-4337 mmanners@flsouthern.edu

If it's alright I'd like to post it on my web site and the Arizona Farm Bureau

Fine with me, Turtleman. thanks.

I'd love to switch careers, I wish I had considered this when I was younger, I'm 34 now. Growing is my favorite activity and really my passion now in life. Are there any ways to get involved for an older guy like myself?

I'm a great believer in doing what you're passionate about. We've had numerous students come back in their 30s, 40s, and occasionally 50s to retool for a second career.

I am a little past the point of starting a new career, but there is a young lady who is a member of this forum that very well could be a potential student. Study hard Emily.

Ned

Thinking of switching occupation myself, I got one agricultural science degree back in Russia (5 years). Will post it on Russian citrus forum if you don't mind. Who knows... Knowing is a half of battle.

For anyone in the central Florida area and interested, we plan to offer these courses this fall at FSC:

CIT 3301 INTRODUCTION TO CITRUS
Four hours. Pre- or corequisite: HRT 2100 or permission of the instructor. This is the introductory course in citrus production. It discusses the botany of citrus, its varieties, and rootstocks, soils suitable for citrus and development of a young citrus grove, as well as Florida hydrology and meteorology and their effects on water availability for citrus production.

CIT 3313 CITRUS POSTHARVEST PRACTICES
Four hours. Prerequisite: CIT 3301 or permission of the instructor. This course is an examination of the operations and technology involved in citrus processing (juice) plants and citrus by-products. It also includes the physiology of citrus fruits, packinghouse operations for fresh fruit varieties, postharvest diseases and disorders, and legal maturity tests and standards.

CIT 4999 CITRUS PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS PRACTICES
Four hours. Prerequisites: CIT 3302 and 4303 and HRT 3302, or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This is the capstone course for the Citrus major. The objective will be to develop a full production plan for a commercial citrus operation in Florida, using knowledge from all of the other courses offered in the departmental curriculum. Gen Ed: EC-C

For non-degree-seeking folks, we're willing to discuss waiving prerequisites (depending on your knowledge and experience).

Any distance-learning opportunities?

Sorry to say that no, we don't currently have any distance-learning courses in citrus. It's such a hands-on subject, and FSC so encourages "engaged" learning, that we think the student must be physically present.

Malcolm