Welcome to the Mid-Florida Research & Education Center
The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center is one of 12 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Research and Education Centers. Located in the heart of Florida’s greenhouse and nursery industry in Apopka, Florida, MREC focuses on lifestyle horticulture: profitable yet environmentally responsible production and use of high-value horticulture plants and plant products to satisfy demand driven by consumer tastes, preferences, and wellness.
About MREC
Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Apopka, MREC 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 are 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.
To learn more about MREC and living in Central Florida, see our detailed brochure here: MREC Detailed Brochure