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 9 th, 2004

Why Internationalize Extension? Land Grant Universities are partners ….Partners participate on issues Globalization affects the local citizens we represent, educate and serve Internationalizing Extension provides the professional development needed to meet the new challenges of today and the future

National Initiative to Internationalize Extension 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

Globalization Raising awareness and preparing for a global economy Negative 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 Ownership Locally 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 Extension Statewide Goals and Focus Areas for 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 Extension Statewide Goals and Focus Areas for 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 Areas Economic Well-Being and Life Quality Personal and Family Well-Being Financial Management and Economic Well- Being Nutrition, Food Safety and Health Housing and Environment Leadership 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 clubs 4,004 - camping programs 42,876 - special interest groups 295,798 - school enrichment individual projects study school-age child care

Youth Development / 4-H

Focus Goal Areas Youth Development Organizational Strategies & Learning Environment Volunteerism Youth Education/Life skills

Florida Cooperative Extension: Agriculture (Horticulture) and Natural Resources Program Areas Alex Bolques Gadsden County Extension Horticulture and Small Farms Agent

Agriculture and Home Horticulture

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

Florida Commercial Agriculture & Horticulture produces > 250 commodities approx. 44,000 commercial farms 5,000 with sales exceeding $100,000 ave farm size just under 232 acres Nationally: 9 th in total cash receipts 1 st in citrus, snap beans, cucumbers, sweet corn, radishes, and sugarcane 2 nd 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 Programs Trained volunteer teachers Providing garden research-based info Emphasizing environmental stewardship Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Addresses urban pollution problems and disappearing habitats Target homeowners by providing them with educational and outreach activities Focus 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 Programs Small Animal and -Scale Farm Profitability and Sustainability in Florida Nutrition, Diet and Health in Florida Improving Profitability of Small-Scale Crop Production in Florida Financial Management and Decision-Making in Florida Water Quality and Environmental Programs in North FL Community Resource Development Adult and Child Health and Wellness Programs Herd Health and Food Safety Small Farms

Sea Grant Marine

Energy Conservation

The People of Extension 379 County Faculty in 67 Counties 135 State Faculty equivalents on Campus and at Research and Extension Centers

Partners of Extension

Funding of Extension Extension has an annual budget of approximately 68 million dollars County: $30,021,082 (67 counties)* State:$26,857,165 Federal:$6,788,175 Grants/Contracts: $1,634,821 Private Donations: $ 500,000 Fees$2,427,931 *not including facilities

St Croix, VI - June 9th, 2004