New senior VP for agriculture and natural resources at UF named

Please join me in welcoming Jack Payne as the new senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida/IFAS.

Payne currently serves as the vice president for extension and outreach at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, a post he has held since 2006. He worked in a similar position at Utah State University prior to joining ISU. He begins his new role at UF on June 1.

Payne succeeds Larry Arrington, who was appointed interim senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources last year when Jimmy Cheek left to become chancellor of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Earlier this month the Florida Farm Bureau hosted a series of receptions to meet the candidates. I enjoyed meeting Dr. Payne and look forward to working with him.