After Hurricane Michael left the panhandle Wednesday, University of Florida student Ryan Krammes began reaching out to friends to see how he could help their families in the aftermath.

Krammes learned his roommate’s family in Tallahassee and another family connection had fallen trees on their homes and in their yards. As president of the UF International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Krammes assembled six additional students in the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation to join him in helping Tallahassee residents with tree damage from the hurricane.

“Tree damage can be financially exhausting,” Krammes said. “ISA at UF does not charge for any community services.”

Krammes invites any students’ or faculty families who need a hand to contact him at 302-690-0200. The UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students are available to help in Tallahassee on Saturday, and Krammes will stay through Sunday to provide assistance. Service will occur on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the last five years, Krammes has worked as a climbing arborist hired by contractors to cut and remove hazardous trees. The forest resources and conservation major owns all his own chainsaws, tree equipment, and truck. After working in the tree industry for several years, Krammes knows he wants to work as a climbing arborist for a living.

“I really love trees and helping people,” Krammes said. “It’s always been a part of my life. I was a firefighter before the tree industry. It’s part of who I am; I help others.”

Krammes continues to aid the public as a wildfire firefighter.

“Service is a core value of our college,” said CALS Dean Elaine Turner. “It’s encouraging to see our students eager to help others in need and utilize their skills during this time of distress for our friends in the panhandle.”

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The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. The college has received more total (national and regional combined) USDA teaching awards than any other institution. Visit the CALS website at cals.ufl.edu, and follow CALS on social media platforms at @ufcals.

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