Dr. Pete Vergot – District Extension Director, UF

Monica Brinkley – County Extension Director, Liberty County, UF

Alex Bolques - Gadsden County Extension, Horticulture and Small Farms Agent, FAMU

VI June 9th, 2004

Why Internationalize Extension?

Land Grant Universities are partners ….Partners participate on issuesGlobalization affects the local citizens we represent, educate and serveInternationalizing Extension provides the professional development needed to meet the new challenges of today and the future

National Initiative to Internationalize Extension

 http://www.msue.msu.edu/intext/natinit.htm

The program, over a 30 month period, will encourage state extension systems to explore administrative and operational strategies to enhance and sustain their capacity to provide educational services within their states and regions concerning international issues and challenges.

Partners Sharing from USDA

GlobalizationRaising awareness and preparing for a global economyNegative connotation (passive) inevitable…

Holistic view of the impacts of your actions: environmentally, politically, social, etc..

Practicing of expanded relationships across borders Access to information; enables us to see commonalities 

University of Florida Extension Mission

To provide scientifically based agricultural, human and natural resources knowledge that citizens use in making decisions which contributes to an improved life.

Local OwnershipLocally Derived Programs

Local Accountability

How does Extension in Florida work?

The agent of the government does not come to clientele with a program or plan all worked out in advance.

He or she and the people, working as partners, develop the plan together and carry it out together.

UF/IFAS ExtensionStatewide Goals and Focus Areas for 2004-2007

I. To Enhance and Maintain Agricultural and Food Systems

II. To Maintain and Enhance Florida’s Environment

III. To Develop Responsible and Productive Youth Through 4-H and Other Youth Programs

IV. To Create and Maintain Florida Friendly Landscapes: The Smart Way to Grow

UF/IFAS ExtensionStatewide Goals and Focus Areas for 2004-2007

V. To Assist Individuals and Families Achieve Economic Well-Being and Life Quality

VI. To Achieve Economic Prosperity and Community Vitality in Florida’s Urban and Rural Communities

VII. To Promote Professional Development Activities Designed to Enhance Organizational Efficiency and Effectiveness

Ms. Monica Brinkley,

Liberty County

Family, Youth and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences

Designed to empower individuals, families and communities to solve problems and address issues related to quality of life in Florida

Family and Consumer Sciences

FCS County faculty represent 22% of all Florida County faculty

State specialist with FCS background represent 7% of the state specialists

FCS - Focus Goal AreasEconomic Well-Being and Life Quality

Personal and Family Well-BeingFinancial Management and Economic Well-BeingNutrition, Food Safety and HealthHousing and EnvironmentLeadership Education and Volunteer Development

Florida 4-H Youth Development

The mission of the UF/IFAS Florida 4-H program is to create supportive environments for diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential

4H involved 271,077 young people from ages 5 to 18

23,244 - community clubs4,004 - camping programs42,876 - special interest groups295,798 - school enrichment660 - individual projects study242 - school-age child care

Youth Development / 4-H

Focus Goal AreasYouth Development

Organizational Strategies & Learning EnvironmentVolunteerismYouth Education/Life skills

Florida Cooperative Extension:Agriculture (Horticulture) and Natural Resources

Program Areas

Alex BolquesGadsden County ExtensionHorticulture and Small Farms Agent

Agriculture and Home Horticulture

Agriculture & HorticultureTo disseminate scientifically based knowledge and information necessary to support the agricultural and horticultural industries of the state and nationTo promote and enhance the production and utilization of commodities for the benefit of the industry, state, nation and societyTo educate citizens with regards to urban horticultural issues

Florida Commercial Agriculture & Horticultureproduces > 250 commodities

approx. 44,000 commercial farms5,000 with sales exceeding $100,000ave farm size just under 232 acres

Nationally:9th in total cash receipts1st in citrus, snap beans, cucumbers, sweet corn, radishes, and sugarcane2nd in greenhouse and nursery production, tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelon, squash, avocados, and strawberries

Florida Commercial Agriculture & Horticulture

producers utilizes ~ 30% of the state’s 35 million acres for agricultural production

Commercial forest accounts for 37%National and State forest, 10%Urban/suburban/industrial development, 22%

FL and USVI are great places to live!Increasing population size usually means:

– Expansion of urban areas– Loss of agricultural and forest lands– Stress of natural resources

Urban Horticultural Programs

Master Gardener ProgramsTrained volunteer teachers

Providing garden research-based infoEmphasizing environmental stewardship

Florida Yards and NeighborhoodsAddresses urban pollution problems and disappearing habitats

Target homeowners by providing them with educational and outreach activitiesFocus is on nine basic principles

Natural Resources

Extension faculty address natural resource issues through 4 State Major Programs:

• Florida Water Conservation• Florida Comprehensive Water Quality

Program• Management and Ecology of Aquatic,

Wetland and Invasive Exotic Plants in Florida

• Conserving Natural Resources in Florida

Florida A&M University(1890) Extension

ProgramsSmall Animal and -Scale Farm Profitability and Sustainability in FloridaNutrition, Diet and Health in FloridaImproving Profitability of Small-Scale Crop Production in FloridaFinancial Management and Decision-Making in FloridaWater Quality and Environmental Programs in North FLCommunity Resource DevelopmentAdult and Child Health and Wellness ProgramsHerd Health and Food SafetySmall Farms 

Sea Grant Marine

Energy Conservation

The People of Extension

379 County Faculty in 67 Counties135 State Faculty equivalents on Campus and at Research and Extension Centers

Partners of Extension

Funding of ExtensionExtension has an annual budget of approximately 68 million dollars

County: $30,021,082 (67 counties)*

State: $26,857,165Federal: $6,788,175 Grants/Contracts: $1,634,821Private Donations: $ 500,000 Fees $2,427,931

*not including facilities

St Croix, VI - June 9th, 2004