Dr. Tim Spann Joins CREC Staff

LAKE ALFRED, Florida – Dr. Tim Spann has been selected as Assistant Professor of Horticulture at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC).

Dr. Spann received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UF where his research focused on environmental factors that influence flower bud initiation in southern highbush blueberry. He recently earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, where his work focused on understanding the causes of growth differences among pistachio trees on different rootstocks and led into developing new orchard management strategies based on understanding these differences. He continues to work on the development of a pistachio tree carbon budget model.

Spann’s job at CREC is a 70 percent extension and 30 percent research position in Citrus Production Horticulture. He will develop a comprehensive program with the existing Citrus Extension Team of multi-disciplinary Specialists and County Agents working on citrus production needs to accomplish positive changes. Extension programs could include nursery practices, new varieties, production efficiency, harvesting issues, horticultural practices related to management of citrus greening disease and its pest vectors, and citrus canker.

The research component will be in similar sorts of areas providing expertise and research leadership in areas complimentary to the extension program. Research areas could include horticultural Best Management Practices, disease management, mechanical harvesting, tree health or fruit quality.

Originally from Niagara Falls, New York, Spann now resides in Lake Alfred.

You may reach Dr. Spann at extension 1417 and his office is located in Building 7103.