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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?.
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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 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 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.
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 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
Family, Youth and Consumer Sciences Ms. Monica Brinkley, Liberty County
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 • 660 - individual projects study • 242 - school-age child care
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 & 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: • 9th in total cash receipts • 1st in citrus, snap beans, cucumbers, sweet corn, radishes, and sugarcane • 2nd 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
The People of Extension • 379 County Faculty in 67 Counties • 135 State Faculty equivalents on Campus and at Research and Extension Centers
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