(Editor’s Note: This month Dr. J. Scott Angle takes office as the Vice President of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Formerly a faculty member at the University of Maryland, he was most recently the Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. He is a soil scientist who has focused his studies on nutrient losses from agricultural systems. His answers to a series of FloridAgriculture interview questions are included in an edited form below. The complete questions and answers will be included in the August issue of FloridAgriculture e-News.)
Q What most attracted your interest in the position at UF/IFAS?
COMMITTED TO A FARM BUREAU
Partnership
A I was interested in leading an already-great organization and UF/IFAS, by various lists, ranks 1st to 5th among landgrant universities and agricultural colleges. But more importantly, I wanted to join an organization that was responsive to the citizens of the state. This is the essence of the land-grant mission and the reason President Abraham Lincoln created the system of universities to support all citizens.
J. Scott Angle
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FLORIDAGRICULTURE | JULY 2020
(PHOTOS COURTESY OF TYLER JONES, UF/IFAS)
A NEW UF/IFAS LEADER TAKES OFFICE
Q Given the continuous urban population growth in Florida, do you see unique challenges ahead for your leadership of UF/IFAS? A I have an unusual background for an agricultural leader, as much of my
