In partnership with the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, speakers, delegates, and exhibitors of The Fertilizer Show have been invited to attend a site visit to witness first-hand GCREC’s work in AI, smarter fertilizer use, and the future of agriculture.
Attendees will also receive an update on the progress and capabilities of the new Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture.
Located in Balm, approximately 25 miles from the Tampa Convention Center, GCREC spans 475 acres and houses state-of-the-art research facilities, serving as one of UF/IFAS’s premier research, education, and extension hubs.
The centre develops and disseminates science-based solutions and technologies to sustain agriculture, conserve natural resources, and support farming communities in Florida and beyond.
On 7 November 2025, University of Florida officials and state and industry representatives broke ground on the new Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, marking a major milestone in the university’s commitment to innovation in agricultural science.
Scott Angle, UF’s Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, leader of UF/IFAS, and Advisory Board Member of The Fertilizer Show, stated: “This will be the cradle for the next technological leaps forward made possible by a 150-year-old land-grant model of academia-industry-government partnership. UF’s historic investment in AI talent, the state legislature’s generous funding to create the space, and farmers’ and processors’ embrace of innovation will make Florida an even greater force for good in feeding the world.”