While the history of UF and IFAS is deeply intertwined with milestones such as the establishment of the state-funded Florida Seminary in 1853, the Morrill Act of 1862, and even the early days when the University of Florida nearly settled in Lake City—home to the Florida Agricultural College founded in 1884—our story begins later.
On July 18, 1925, Mary A. Roth and her husband, H.C. Roth, sold 320 acres of land to the State Board of Education for $22,400. This property would become the foundation for numerous IFAS buildings, including our own, and features one of UF’s most iconic landmarks: Lake Alice. Mary Roth hailed from Ohio, while Henry Roth was from Pennsylvania. Both are laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery here in Gainesville.
From that pivotal land sale in 1925 through January 1, 1948, construction of our facilities and surrounding buildings took place. While the exact date of our current structures in the aerial photograph remains uncertain, this era marked the physical beginnings of what we know today.
A major turning point came in April 1964, when the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) was officially formed. This new entity unified the College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Stations, and Cooperative Extension Services into one comprehensive organization. As IFAS founder E.T. York reflected in his book A Wonderful Journey, “They pointed out that the university’s agricultural programs were poorly organized and badly fractured.” That fragmentation ultimately led to the creation of IFAS as we know it.
The roots of our department trace back to 1976, when we were established under the name IFAS Facilities Operations. At the helm was George R. Freeman, our first director—a man whose life story embodies dedication and service. Before joining IFAS, Freeman served as a bombardier aboard a B-29 “Superfortress” during World War II and later as a bombardier training instructor in the Pacific. His leadership set the tone for a department committed to excellence.
In the early years, our Administrative Team operated out of Building 106, a location that also housed the office of E.T. York, making it a fitting start for a group devoted to supporting the IFAS mission. Meanwhile, our Maintenance Team worked across the street in several buildings, including 680, 805, and 808—a tradition of hands-on service that continues today.
As we grew, so did our footprint. Our Administrative Team eventually relocated to Building 124, joining our Maintenance Team within the same compound. This move strengthened collaboration and reaffirmed our commitment to providing outstanding support for IFAS facilities and operations.
Today, our mission is clear: to provide innovative, safe, and efficient facilities services through effective maintenance, technology, project execution, and fiscal responsibility that enhance the research, teaching, and extension missions of IFAS. This guiding principle reflects our dedication to excellence and our role in advancing the work that impacts communities across Florida and beyond.
"Chapel Hall" Early view of UF's Agriculture College (Lake City, FL)
Zoning From Mary Roth's Sale in 1925
1948 Aerial Photo of the Current IFAS Facilities Planning and Operations location