Information Systems

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, andAlicia Rihn

Brett W. Bultemeier andJoe Gasper
Other Contacts: Tyler Newberry andAmy Solis

Jonathan A. Watson, Allen F. Wysocki, Ray Bucklin, andRay A. Bucklin

This publication discusses various technologies and their applications in the food industry and shows how those technologies can impact supply-chain management.

Alicia Rihn, Laura A. Warner, Alicia Rihn, Amy Fulcher, Susan Schexnayder, Anthony V. LeBude, Lloyd Nackley, Margarita Velandia, andJames Altland

This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication presents research assessing how nursery growers perceive automated and mechanized nursery technologies (ANTs) and determine how these perceptions relate to adoption. This information could guide the development of Extension programs that help nursery operations make informed decisions about ANT adoption and identify ANT characteristics that are positively correlated with ANT adoption. This document was designed for Extension professionals and other practitioners who serve nursery grower clientele across the United States, including companies developing and marketing ANTs to nursery operations. Written by Laura A. Warner, Alicia L. Rihn, Amy Fulcher, Susan Schexnayder, Anthony V. LeBude, Lloyd Nackley, Margarita Velandia, and James Altland.

Lauri M. Baker, Cheryl R. Boyer, and Russell Boyer

Cyberattacks are a continued and growing threat for all businesses. Small businesses, like agricultural and rural businesses, should not think they are immune to this threat: obscurity is not security. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication includes some cybersecurity best practices and links to resources for further education. Written by Lauri M. Baker, Cheryl R. Boyer, and Russell Boyer.

Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, Chris Oswalt, andChris Oswalt

The Citrus under Protective Screen (CUPS) project is a novel approach to citrus production in protected agriculture environments. To support the CUPS community, including growers, researchers, and Extension agents, a specialized chatbot named CUPSchat has been developed. This article provides an overview of CUPSchat, its features, and ways it differs from mainstream chatbots. Written by Arnold Schumann, Laura Waldo, and Chris Oswalt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, January 2026.

Laura A. Warner

By identifying audience subgroups, cluster analysis (a quantitative technique) helps Extension agents tailor their education and communication programs to specific audiences. This publication falls under the Cluster Analysis for Extension and Other Behavior Change Practitioners series and discusses key information and terminology associated with cluster analysis. The publication thus builds upon “Cluster Analysis for Extension and Other Behavior Change Practitioners: Introduction,” which introduced cluster analysis as a technique for audience segmentation. This publication provides essential information for the publications which follow, “A Practical Example” and “Integrating the Results of Cluster Analysis into Meaningful Audience Engagement.”

Ryan W. Klein, Larsen McBride, and Howard Beck

The UF/IFAS Florida Trees website contains a database of detailed information on over 1000 trees. The website's Tree Recommendation Tool presented in this publication can help the user do a thorough site analysis, identify important characteristics of that site, and then recommend trees for that site based on those characteristics. Likewise, the website's Tree Search and Identification tools can help a user search the database for trees matching characteristics that the user specifies. Overall, the information found on the website can assist both homeowners and professionals with addressing species selection issues that may impact tree survivability and long-term performance.

Chris Demers

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Informed community decision-making