1. Northwest Extension District
Okaloosa County
Northwest Extension District
Gerald Edmondson Elaine Courtney June 30, 2003

2. Who We Are Faculty Members Gerald R. Edmondson, Director
Elaine Courtney, Family & Consumer Sciences
Larry Williams, Horticulture
Scott Jackson, Marine Science
Sheila Dunning, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods
Jennifer Heady, 4-H Coordinator
Carolyn Thomae, Family Nutrition Program

3. Staff Members Linette Jerkins, Office Supervisor
Ann Moss, Office Specialist
Linda Meyers, 4-H Program Assistant
Linda Boutwell, Administrative Aide
Ashley Craft, University of Florida Ag Intern

4. Total 2002 Extension Budget - $283,845
Total 2002 County Budget - $208,955,000

5. Facilities Crestview Extension Office
Fort Walton Beach Extension Office

6. What Else Makes Okaloosa Who We Are!
Population
3rd in Northwest District
24th in Florida – 189 People Per Square Mile
995 Square Miles – 637,043 acres
342 Farms - 80,822 Acres of Farm Land
55,100 Acres of Timber Company Land
107,000 Acres of Private Timber Land
301,676 Acres of State & Federal Land
38,125 Acres of Water
54,320 Acres of Other Private Land
and Municipalities

7. Okaloosa County Profile
176,971 - Total Population
68,886 - Number of Households
(Average size is 2.49 people per household)
42,978 - Youth Population (17 & Younger)

8. Okaloosa County Profile
Major Industries:
TOURISM

10. Okaloosa County Profile
Major Industries:
MILITARY/DEFENSE

12. Okaloosa County Profile
Major Industries:
Service

14. Listening Sessions Results presented to the program area
advisory committees to review and
incorporate into long range plan.
Several topics do not fall within the scope of
Extension, such as:
* Military Issues/BRAC
* Health Care Facilities
* School Overcrowding
* Traffic

15. Okaloosa County Plan by Program Area
Family & Consumer
Sciences
Marine Science
Agriculture
Horticulture
Florida Yards &
Neighborhoods

16. Family & Consumer Sciences Program Summary
Major Priority Areas
Family Nutrition Program
Volunteer Management
Financial Security
Nutrition & Health
Target Audiences
Food stamp eligible clientele (adults and children)
Adults
Lower to upper middle income adults
Adults, with risk factors for diabetes and other health problems; parents

17. Family & Consumer Sciences Program Summary
Long Range Goals
To develop skills and knowledge to manage food resources and promote good health.
To recruit, train, motivate and maintain FCE membership.
To increase wealth and financial security---today and in retirement.
To promote lifelong healthy decisions (ex. managing diabetes - including food selection, monitoring and physical activity).

18. Family & Consumer Sciences Program Summary
Outcome Indicators
Number of participants who change/improve food selection and safety behavior.
Number of members; number who increase leadership skills.
Number who increase savings, reduce debt, plan for retirement.
Number who improve health status (ex. maintain glucose control, decrease glucose and A1C levels).

19. 4-H/Youth Development Program Summary
Major Priority Areas
Environmental Education
Individual and Family Resources
Organizational Development
Target Audiences
Youth ages 5-18, 4-H club members, school enrichment participants, volunteer leaders and community members

20. 4-H/Youth Development Program Summary
Long Range Goals
Increase awareness of the importance of water and natural resources conservation.
Increase knowledge of money management, health, safety and nutrition.
Increase 4-H/Youth activities through increasing club activities and school enrichment programs.

21. 4-H/Youth Development Program Summary
Outcome Indicators
Number of members who complete activities pertaining to water and natural resources conservation.
Number of members who increase skills in money management, health, safety and nutrition.
Number of members who increase leadership skills and involvement.

22. Marine Science Program Summary
Major Priority Areas
Conservation and Protection of Aquatic Resources
Domestic Water Sources and Conservation
Stewardship of County Natural Resources
Target Audience
Industries
Schools
County Residents
Local Government
Real Estate Developers
Tourists

23. Marine Science Program Summary
Long Range Goals
Increase number of and support training opportunities for volunteers who monitor coastal aquatic resources.
Citizens and decision makers will make informed decisions when evaluating water sources using research based information.
To increase awareness, appreciation and responsibility for local natural resources.

24. Marine Science Program Summary
Outcome Indicators
Number of community volunteers collecting water samples and the change in the number of samples submitted.
Decisions regarding source of water are made based on sound information and community discussion, limiting politics. (hard to measure)
Number of participants in marine science programs; number that increase knowledge; number who report behavior change.

25. Agricultural Program Summary
Major Priority Areas
Sustainable Agronomic Crop Production
Increasing Beef and Forage Production Efficiency
Conserving Natural Resources in Okaloosa County
Commercial Vegetable Production
Target Audiences
Traditional crop and livestock producers
Part-time farmers and ranchers – new and established
USDA agencies, regulatory agencies and public officials
Non-industrial private forestry land owners

26. Agricultural Program Summary
Long Range Goals
Teach producers how to implement and develop sustainable, efficient and environmentally sound production technology.
Introduce a more integrated production system for crops and livestock. A system that captures the advantages of complimenting and compatible enterprises.
Develop and deliver more on farm “show me how to” programs to increase agricultural profitability. (Including new and emerging crops and value added farm commodities.)
Develop programs that increase awareness of the opportunities for Agro and Eco Tourism. Assist with development of a combination of educational and recreational activities that enhance the economic opportunities of natural resource areas.
Ensure that land use and development are compatible with long term community needs, allowing for growth while protecting agriculture and natural resources.

27. Agricultural Program Summary
Outcome Indicators
Number of producers implementing and adopting sustainable, environmentally sound production practices – basically BMP’s as they are developed.
Producers attending programs, field days, seminars and adopting recommended changes.
Number of landowners, producers and businesses involved with Agro, Eco and Natural Resources tourist activities.
Number of producers who adopt a more integrated production system for crops and livestock.
Number of producers who develop and produce value added commodities to increase diversification and financial stability for their operation.

28. Horticulture Program Summary
Major Priority Areas
Landscape/Turfgrass Water Management
Turfgrass Best Management Practices
Landscape/Turfgrass Pest Management
Target Audiences
Commercial Horticulture Personnel
Homeowners
Master Gardener Volunteers

29. Horticulture Program Summary
Long Range Goals
To reduce landscape water overuse.
To encourage adoption of Turfgrass BMPs.
To encourage adoption of ELM & FYN Principles.

30. Horticulture Program Summary
Outcome Indicators
Number who reduce landscape water use.
Number who adopt turfgrass BMP’s.
Number who adopt ELM and FYN Principles.

31. Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Summary
Major Priority Areas
Pesticide, Fertilizer and Potable Water Use in the Landscape
Storm Water Runoff
Landscape Maintenance Practices
Target Audiences
Nursery/Garden Center Employees
Landscape Maintenance Personnel

32. Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Summary
Long Range Goals
Educate industry about the impact landscape practices have on Florida’s natural resources.
To increase the adoption of environmentally sound landscape maintenance practices.
Train retail outlet employees to make conscientious decisions regarding product selection and recommendation.

33. Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Summary
Outcome Indicators
Number of individuals trained and adopting environmentally friendly landscape information.
Number of landscape maintenance businesses trained who apply and promote FYN principles.
Number of nurseries/garden centers who increase use of native plants and low toxicity pesticides.

34. Multi-State Program Summary
FCS
Financial Security
Nutrition & Health
Parenting & Family Relations
Agriculture
Forestry
Natural Resources
Goat Management
Livestock/Forages
Marine Science
Invasive Plant Workshops
Fish Pond Management

35. Needs to Accomplish Plans
Adequate staffing in county offices.
Success depends on knowing your customers.
A quick response to needs is expected.
The county office connects the client to our system.
Support for Information Technology Delivering System.
Polycom for interactive meetings between administrators and staff in the field.

36. Needs to Accomplish Plans
Control Guides made available each year in a timely manner at no cost to county offices.
Specialists who have their minds on what they are doing. If their major responsibility is extension, they should be doing extension work.
Adaptive responsive in-service training and publications that are driven by quick response to important changes and challenges.
Weed specialist at Quincy. (move Ducar’s position there)
Extension specialists aware of emerging trends and issues in Florida, and “at the table” when discussion occurs and/or decisions are made.

37. Summary Okaloosa County is a diverse and booming county.
Local advisory committees work.
Thirty years ago four full-time agents, today 4.5 agents.

38. Northwest Extension District
Thank You!
Okaloosa County
Northwest Extension District
Gerald Edmondson Elaine Courtney June 30, 2003