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Florida's First Artichoke Field Day

Extension Education

Madelyn Greathouse
Bushnell

Abstract

Florida’s horticultural industry is undergoing rapid change as traditional commodities decline and agricultural land is lost to urbanization. Citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB) has dramatically reduced Florida’s role in United Sates citrus production, once accounting for more than 50% of national production and now representing less than 15% (USDA, 2024). This shift has created an urgent need for viable alternative crops that allow growers to remain productive and profitable.

Artichokes (Cynara scolymus) have been evaluated in Florida for nearly a decade at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in west-central Florida and are emerging as a promising winter crop. Research has shown that artificial bud induction using gibberellic acid can overcome the lack of winter chilling required for bud formation, enabling reliable production under Florida’s subtropical conditions. With a production cycle of approximately 20-22 weeks, relatively few documented pests, and high market value as a specialty vegetable, artichokes present a potential diversification opportunity for Florida producers.

To introduce this emerging crop to growers and consumers, researchers at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center collaborated with UF/IFAS Extension Agents to host Florida’s first Artichoke Field Day. The four-hour program featured a tour of field trials and presentations on recommended varieties, production practices, nutritional quality and shelf life, and pest management strategies. The event concluded with an educational cookout demonstrating preparation techniques and recipes designed to increase consumer familiarity with fresh artichokes.

The field day was designed to engage growers, researchers, and consumers simultaneously, providing a comprehensive overview of Florida’s developing artichoke industry. Evaluation results indicated strong program impact. Ninety-seven percent (n = 33) of participants reported increased knowledge of artichoke production, pest management, and preparation methods. Additionally, 88% reported an intention to incorporate artichokes into their cooking, and 24% expressed interest in expanding artichoke production in Florida.

This program demonstrated strong consumer receptivity and highlighted artichokes as a promising high-value winter crop that may provide diversification opportunities for Florida growers.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Madelyn Greathouse, Madelyn Greathouse, Shinsuke Agehara, Avninder Kaur, Weining Wang, Wael Elwakil, Tie Liu, Gary Vallad, Hugh Smith, Johan Desaeger
  1. Greathouse, M. Commercial Horticulture & IPM Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 33513
  2. Greathouse, M. Commercial Horticulture & IPM Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 33513
  3. Agehara, S. Associate Professor of Horticulture, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Florida, 33598
  4. Kaur, A. Graduate Student, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Florida, 33598
  5. Wang, W. Biological Scientist, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Florida, 33598
  6. Elwakil, W. Fruit & Vegetable Production Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 33584
  7. Liu, T. Associate Professor of Horticulture, University of Florida, Florida, 32611
  8. Vallad, G. Associate Center Director and Professor of Plant Pathology, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Florida, 33598
  9. Smith, H. Professor of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Florida, 33598
  10. Desaeger, J. Associate Professor of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Florida, 33598