The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), located on the shores of beautiful Lake Apopka, serves as a direct connection for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to Central Florida. MREC’s mission and vision is guided by lifestyle horticulture: improving Central Floridian’s quality of life with plants.

MREC has deep roots in Central Florida, created in 1999 after combining three separate University of Florida research centers. Our research and extension programs serve Central Floridian homeowners, commercial horticultural producers, and other stakeholders with up-to-date research updates and news. Be sure to see the latest MREC updates on our MREC in the News page. We also have our 2021 annual report available online.

To learn more about MREC and living in Central Florida, see our detailed brochure here: MREC Detailed Brochure