History: CREC Timeline
1917
- Legally established by action of the Florida Legislature
1919
- Site donated and planted from donations of Polk County growers
1920
- John H. Jeffries was appointed Superintendent of CES
1921
1926
- The first permanent laboratory building. An insectary was built to rear Leis Sp. Lady Beetles for natural control of aphids.
1935
- Dr. A.F. Camp was appointed Horticulturist in charge of the CES
1945
- The Packinghouse Research Building was constructed
1948
- The Administrative building was occupied.
1957
- Dr. Herman J. Reitz appointed Horticulturist in charge of CES
1958
- Entomology building
1966
- Extension faculty appointed to CES
1969
- The Biochemistry building was dedicated
1982
- Dr. Walter J. Kender appointed Director of AREC
- Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. Citrus Hall dedicated
1983
- The Laboratory/Administrative Building was occupied
1986
- Student dormitory constructed.
1997
- Dr. Harold Browning appointed Director of CREC
- The Environmental Quality Laboratory was built
1998
- The Asian citrus psyllid (the vector for HLB; citrus greening) is first reported in Florida
2000
- CREC hosts the International Society of Citriculture
2001
- Dr. Arnold Schumann began to measure and map water-related soil properties using a Geonics EM38 unit
2002
- Citrus canker education programs launched
2004
- Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeane ravaged Florida, leaving billions in damage and many changes to be made
2005
- On May 24, the sweet orange is designated as Florida's official state fruit
- In August, the first report of HLB-affected citrus trees confirmed in Miami-Dade County
2006
- USDA announces a halt to the citrus canker eradication program
2007
- Citrus Health Management Areas (CHMA) program is launched to help combat HLB
2009
- Dr. Jackie Burns becomes CREC interim Director after the retirement of Dr. Harold Browning
- CREC releases citrus cultivar, LB-89 (Sugar Belle®)
2010
- Citrus black spot first reported in Florida
2011
- Dr. Jackie Burns named CREC center director
2013
- Citrus Under Protected Structure (CUPS) was constructed
- FAST TRACK cultivar release program launches
2014
- Dr. Michael Rogers becomes interim Director after Dr. Jackie Burns is appointed Dean for Research in Gainesville
2015
- Dr. Michael Rogers appointed director
2017
- CREC celebrates 100 year anniversary
- Hurricane Irma devastates Florida citrus industry
- New student dorm completed and opened in October