Terril A. Nell

Terril A. Nell

Professor & Chairman

  Environmental Horticulture Dept.
  University of Florida
  1549 Fifield Hall, PO Box 110670
  Gainesville FL 32611-0670
  Voice: 352.392.1831 x 377
  Fax: 352.392.3870
  Email:tanell@ufl.edu

Professional Background:

Education

Ph.D. Horticulture (Michigan State Univ.), 1977
M.S. Horticultural Science (N. Carolina State Univ.), 1973
B.S. Horticulture (Auburn Univ.), 1971

A member of the Environmental Horticulture Department since 1977, I have served as Chairman since 1992. As Chair, I have had responsibility for directing the statewide teaching, research and extension programs for 35 faculty in Gainesville and at seven Research and Education Centers throughout Florida. The program at the University of Florida is widely acknowledged to be one of the two preeminent environmental horticulture programs in the U.S. today. This position also involves coordination of the cooperative extension activities conducted by faculty statewide. Major areas of responsibility include:
  • working with administration, center directors, faculty and state and national industry associations to identify and set priorities for research
  • creating synergistic working relationships and avoiding duplication of research efforts among sites
  • directing extension programs for consumer and commercial horticulture statewide
  • delivering quality academic programs at all locations
  • encouraging scholarly activities in teaching, research and extension
  • cultivating public/private partnerships to generate financial support for teaching, research and extension programs
  • encouraging faculty and students to participate and organize international programs
New undergraduate teaching programs in Environmental Horticulture and Turfgrass Science have been established in Milton (West Florida Research and Education Center), Homestead (Tropical Research and Education Center), Apopka (Mid-Florida Research and Education Center) and Plant City (Hillsborough Community College) in the last 10 years.
Industry relations are an important and critical part of this position. My personal priority has been to develop a strong working relationship with the ornamental and turfgrass industries in Florida and the United States. I currently serve as university liaison with the Florida Nursery and Growers Association, Florida Turfgrass Association, Association of Floral Importers, Florida Sod Producers Cooperative, the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, Society of American Florists, American Nursery and Landscape Association and Colombian Association of Flower Exporters. Involvement with the horticulture staff at Walt Disney Word has resulted in a unique partnership during the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, with Florida county agents and Master Gardeners providing daily educational programs for visitors to this elaborate flower exhibit.
In research, I maintain overall responsibility for the floral post-harvest program and work with industry associations, foundations and individual companies to maintain direct funding and other in-kind resources for this program. The objectives of the post-harvest program are to develop production, transport and handling practices that will enhance flower and plant quality and extend flower longevity.

Research Program

My research program at the University of Florida includes physiological studies to enhance production and post-harvest quality of flowering potted plants and fresh cut flowers. The floriculture post-harvest program was established in 1983 and the laboratory is now the the largest lab serving this scientific area in the United States.

Click here for publication list