Vegetable Proposals Sought

LABELLE, FL. -- The Southwest Florida Vegetable Research Investment Fund is
seeking research proposals from qualified agricultural research
institutions, consultants, and other organizations. The Southwest Florida
Vegetable Research Investment Fund is a member funded group composed of
growers and industry partners involved in vegetable production in
Southwest Florida.

The committee will consider other worthwhile project proposals in areas of
vegetable production. Topics of interest could include, use of cover
crops in vegetable production systems, bacterial leaf spot control on
pepper and tomato, frost/freeze protection, powdery mildew control in
pepper and downy mildew control in cucumber and other cucurbits.

Projects should be production oriented and practical in nature and have
immediate application to the commercial vegetable industry in southwest
Florida. Preference will be awarded to on-farm studies. In addition to
cash awards, grower members are willing to participate in on-farm studies
and are willing to contribute in-kind contributions including land, labor
and materials to successful applicants.

Since it's formation in 2000, the SW Florida Vegetable Research Investment
Fund has awarded 15 grants with cash awards ranging $5000 and $15,000
dollars.

Proposals should be submitted to the SW Florida Vegetable Research
Investment Fund, c/o Hendry County Extension Office, PO Box 68, LaBelle,
Florida 33975 no later than July 15, 2005 or via email to
gmcavoy@ifas.ufl.edu