2018 Central District Symposium Abstracts and Posters, from faculty in multiple programmatic areas. These include: 4-H Youth Development (7), Agriculture (6), Community Development (1), Family and Consumer Sciences (3), Horticulture (7), and Natural Resources (2).
OSCEOLA COUNTY WEED WRANGLES REMOVE INVASIVE PLANTS AND SUPPORT BIOLOGICAL CONTROL DEVELOPMENT (4/16/2023) - 2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium - Natural Resources K. Stump, UF/IFAS Extension, Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL D. Sussmann, Florida Forest Service, Orlando District, FL Situation: Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause damage to the environment, economy and/or human health. Invasive plant control is costly and complicated, requiring multi-agency management efforts and significant funding.… 1
IRRIGATION EDUCATION FOR HOBBY FARMERS TO ENCOURAGE WATER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS (4/16/2023) - 2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium - Natural Resources G. Vicari, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County. 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL. Situation: In Marion County, about 60% of our water is used for irrigation. Agriculture uses about 20% for food production, while industry and golf courses make up the rest. During Covid, the county had… 1
TALK TRASH AND TAKE ACTION: PROVIDING VIRTUAL EDUCATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BEACH CLEANUPS (4/16/2023) - 2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium - Natural Resources Kovacs, C.J., UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County, 150 Sawgrass Rd Bunnell FL 32110 Situation and objectives: Plastic pollution is one of the most detrimental environmental issues worldwide, with ocean-based pollution being of particular concern in coastal Florida counties. Each September, individuals and organizations participate in a large-scale… 1 ADDRESSING BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTORS OF HEART DISEASE THROUGH A COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM. (4/16/2023) - 2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium - Family and Consumer Sciences W. Lynch, , UF/IFAS Extension, St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL, A. Anderson, Orange County, Orlando, FL, R. Elliott, Marion County, Ocala, FL, L. Duncan, Sumter County, Bushnell, FL, L. Johnson, Lake County, Tavares, FL, M. Thomas, UF/IFAS Extension, Flagler County, Palm Coast, FL.… 1
PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE: UTULIZING FOOD PRESERVATION TO TEACH FOOD SAFETY AND WASTE REDUCTION PRACTICES (4/16/2023) - 2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium - Family and Consumer Sciences Lori Johnson, UF/IFAS Extension, Lake County, Tavares, FL. Situation: A rise in home food preservation resulted from the pandemic and food costs. Food safety is of concern due to 29% of botulism cases between 2001 and 2017 were from foods preserved at home (Luquez… 1
ALL THINGS HOUSING IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT. (4/16/2023) - 2023 Central District All Faculty Symposium - Family and Consumer Sciences L. Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, Deland, FL, J. Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Anderson, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, H. Ayers, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, J. Gomez, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL, L. Duncan, UF/IFAS Extension… 1 WATER WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP: A MULTI-COUNTY COLLABORATION TO ENHANCE WATER CONSERVATION IN CENTRAL FLORIDA (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Horticulture, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Jamie Daugherty, UF/IFAS Lake County Extension. Yilin Zhuang, UF/IFAS MREC, Gabriel Vicari, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension, Amanda Marek, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Tia Silvasy, UF/IFAS Hillsborough County Extension, Tina McIntire, UF/IFAS Seminole County Extension, Krista Stump, UF/IFAS Osceola County… 1
EDUCATING INDUSTRY PARTNERS ON IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING PRACTICES (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Horticulture, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Florida Friendly Landscaping™ B. Moffis, UF/IFAS Extension Lake County, Tavares, FL, P. Jones, UF/IFAS Program for Resource Efficient Communities, Gainesville, FL, J. Kipp, Program for Resource Efficient Communities, P. Bohlen, University of Central Florida Biological Sciences, Orlando, FL, and B. Iannone, UF/IFAS… 1 ADDING ACCESSIBILITY TO THE MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Horticulture, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Florida Friendly Landscaping™ C. Chairez, UF/IFAS Extension, Orange County, Orlando, FL and E. Pabon, UF/IFAS Extension, Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL. Situation: The Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) training program is designed for able-bodied residents and is limited in accessibility. The traditional structure of… 1 UTILIZING DIGITAL PLATFORMS TO INCREASE PROGRAM OUTREACH IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Horticulture, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Florida Friendly Landscaping™ C. Gardner, UF/IFAS Extension, Orange County, Orlando, FL. Situation: The population of Orange County is over 1.4 million people, with a size of over 1,000 square miles. Therefore, proximity to the local UF/IFAS facilities can be challenging to a… 1 VIRTUAL PLANT CLINIC CELEBRATES THREE YEARS OF SUCCESS (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Horticulture, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, Florida Friendly Landscaping™ W. Lester, UF/IFAS Extension, Hernando County, Brooksville, FL Situation: When COVID-19 made it difficult for clients to visit their local Extension offices or Ask the Master Gardener Plant Clinics to have their questions answered, a variety of options were… 1 TRAINING FLORIDA FIRST DETECTORS WITH STATE-WIDE MONTHLY WEBINAR SERIES (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Agriculture M. Pinkerton, UF/IFAS Extension, Seminole County, Sanford, FL and Amanda Hodges, University of Florida, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Gainesville, FL Situation: Invasive species pose significant threats including economic losses in agriculture, human and animal health hazards, disruption of native ecosystems and more. A recent study… 1 EXPANDING PASSION FRUIT PRODUCTION IN FLORIDA (4/15/2023) - 2023 - Central District All Faculty Symposium - Agriculture M. Bailey, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County, Ocala, FL Situation: In 2022 agricultural production costs, particularly fertilizer costs, increased the most on record. The USDA forecasts a decrease in net farm income for 2023 by 18.2%. This creates significant challenges for new farms to begin and existing… 1ORANGE COUNTY EXTENSION LIVING WELL TEAM BUILDER (4/20/2018) - J. Griffin, UF/IFAS Extension, Orange County, Orlando, FL LuAnn Duncan, UF/IFAS Extension, Orange County Orlando, FL Jenny Rodriguez, UF/IFAS Extension, Orange County Orlando, FL Situation: Extension employees can work long hours on sedentary jobs that require self- focused tasks on computers with limited time for socialization. Most employees have busy schedules and familial commitments making… 1
MAKING MOOLA: A 4-H FAIR BOOTCAMP (4/20/2018) - Dallas Daniels, Megan Mann, and Mia Wilchcombe, UF/ IFAS Extension Lake County, Tavares, FL Situation: Each year youth sell their market animals at the Lake County Fair, making a profit which provides an opportunity to teach them about finances. Many parents and teachers lack the skills to instruct their children in personal finance. According to… 1
FLORIDA ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEAWAY: A POST HURRICANE TREE CANOPY RESTORATION INITIATIVE (4/20/2018) - Terra Freeman, UF/IFAS Extension, St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL. Situation: The Florida Arbor Day Tree Giveaway program aims to ameliorate the loss of urban tree canopy St. Johns County experienced due to Hurricanes Matthew and Irma by distributing free bareroot trees to county residents while educating about proper planting methods and species selection. Objective… 1
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPARENCY IN VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT (4/20/2018) - Maxine Hunter, UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Residential Horticulture Agent. Ocala, FL. Situation: Extension education provides a valuable public service by positively impacting complex social needs and issues within communities through educational programming. Extension volunteers can greatly expand the reach of these programs, however maintaining a successful volunteer workforce takes time and strong leadership. Transparency is… 1
EXTENDING EXTENSION; THE “URBAN OASIS” PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UF/IFAS AND FLORIDA HOSPITAL/FISH MEMORIAL (4/20/2018) - Joe Sewards, UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County, Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator, DeLand, Fl. Situation: Forming partnerships with non-profit organizations has always been an important component of Extension programming. These days, it is critical to further enhance and "extend" the Extension mission throughout the communities they serve. Finding partners for meaningful projects isn't always… 1
PALM SCHOOL (4/20/2018) - J.E. Davis, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Bushnell, Florida, W.J. Lester, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County, Brooksville, Florida and M. L. Elliott, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. Situation: The objective of Palm School was to educate extension clientele on how to engage in proper palm management. Knowing how to manage and diagnose problems can help… 1
CREATING & FOSTERING CONFIDENCE OF VOLUNTEER MIDDLE MANAGERS (4/20/2018) - K. G. McCormick, UF/IFAS Extension, Seminole County, Sanford, FL Situation: Master Gardener Volunteers require a substantial amount of time to train. Volunteer retention is a large concern once they are trained. Volunteers leaving the program after a single year cite a lack of connection with other volunteers, projects, and/or time as their reason for leaving.… 1
COLLABORATING WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO INCREASE CLASS PARTICIPATION AND GREATER IMPACTS (4/20/2018) - Ricketts G., Pabon E., UF/IFAS Extension in Osceola County Situation: The UF/IFAS Extension/Osceola County horticulture department was facing challenges in getting clientele to attend horticulture training programs. Methods: The agents conducted 2 meetings with Osceola County Natural Resources Department to discuss the impact of excess nutrients on lakes and how to reach more landscapers. Agents… 1
CREATING A SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (4/20/2018) - Felter L., Osborne L., Wooten H., Ricketts G., Marble C., Ali G. UF/IFAS Extension in Orange, Osceola & Seminole Counties, FL. Objectives: There are 900 nurseries in Central Florida representing over 5500 acres. Many nurseries practice calendar spraying for insects and disease control without the use of scouting. This practice wastes time and money. A… 1
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – CREATING A CULTURE THAT CELEBRATES AND SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS (4/20/2018) - Kelly Greer, Amy Vu, LuAnn Duncan & Richard Tyson UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL Situation: Orange County is rapidly urbanizing while the once robust agricultural economy is struggling. The current culture among planners is for continued rapid development into rural areas with little concern for effects on agriculture. Three million people live within a… 1
FROM BLAH TO BLOOMING: REVAMPING A WATER AND ENERGY EXTENSION PROGRAM WITH FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™ (4/20/2018) - Y. Zhuang, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County, Ocala, FL and A. Marek, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County, Ocala, FL. Situation: Nearly 1,000 people move to Florida every day. A large portion of them are unaware of the different environmental features of Florida and are using out of state practices in their homes and landscapes. These practices contribute… 1
CHANGING THE LOCAL SCENERY BY RESTORING THE COAST (4/20/2018) - B.J. Hall-Scharf, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County, Brooksville, Florida and W.J. Lester, UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County, Brooksville, Florida. Situation: In 2015, Hernando County updated its Noxious Plant Control ordinance to require removal of lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala) and Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolia) within the county. These invasive species can be detrimental to native vegetation. To… 1
Helping Dreams Come True: UF/IFAS Extension First Time Home Buyer Programs (4/20/2018) - L. Hamilton., UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, DeLand, Florida, J. G. Ramirez, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, Florida, and S. Preston, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County, Sanford, Florida. Situation: Home ownership is fundamental to the American Dream and successful home ownership is a primary method of building wealth. In 2013, Neighborworks found that 89% of respondents agreed… 1
COMPARING SERIES-BASED VERSUS SINGLE INSTRUCTION INMATE EDUCATION (4/20/2018) - G. Murza. UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL. Situation: In 2012, the rate of jail admissions in Florida was just under 6,000/100,000, slightly higher than the national figures (Vera Institute of Justice). The average length of stay in Osceola County was 30.6 days, and has not changed much since then (Osceola County Corrections Volunteer Orientation).… 1
PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS (4/20/2018) - Sullivan, J.1, Boughton, R.2, Demers, C.3, Pienaar, E. F.4 1 Agriculture Agent, University of Florida IFAS Extension-Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL 34744 2 Assistant Professor, University of Florida IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, 33865 3 Forest Stewardship Coordinator, University of Florida IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Gainesville, FL, 32611 4… 1
Using an Ensiling System with Cull Potatoes to Upcycle Bahiagrass. (4/20/2018) - Tim Wilson, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL, Matt Hersom, UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, Gainesville, FL, Mark Warren, UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County, Bunnell, FL, Gary England, UF/IFAS Extension, Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Hastings, FL, David Baggett, UF/IFAS Extension, Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Hastings, FL Situation: A proof of concept demonstration was designed… 1
FROM FARM TO MARKET – GROWING FOR HEALTH AND PROSPERITY (4/20/2018) - M. Bailey, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County, Ocala, FL. Situation: Marion County features seven established farmers markets where vendors sell a variety of agricultural products that are locally grown as well as non-locally grown. Locally grown agricultural products are the cornerstone of a local food system. Current and prospective local producers face the challenge of out… 1
DRIVING CHANGE: 2018 CENTRAL FLORIDA FOOD SYSTEM TOUR (4/20/2018) - H. Wooten, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County, Sanford, FL, L. Felter, UF/IFAS Extension, Regional Specialized Agent, Apopka, FL, R. Tyson, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL, and C. Glatting, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Orlando, FL Situation: The global population is expected to increase from 7 to 9.5 billion by 2050. Agriculture uses 38% of Earth’s surface.… 1
Large Animal Handling Training for First Responders (4/20/2018) - J.K. Yarborough, UF/IFAS Extension, Seminole County, Sanford, FL, C. Woodard, UF/IFAS Extension, Seminole County, Sanford, FL and B. Hughes, UF/IFAS Extension, Seminole County, Sanford, FL Situation: Seminole County’s Emergency Management Team recognized a need for Large Animal Handling Training for First Responders. This training was developed to give first responders and 4-Hers hands on learning… 1
THE TREATMENT WINDOW APPROACH FOR MANAGING DIAMONDBACK MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA: PLUTELLIDAE) IN BRASSICA CROPS IN FLORIDA (4/20/2018) - B.C. Wells, DPM, UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL, H.A. Smith, PhD, UF/IFAS GREC, Wimauma, FL, G.K. England, UF/IFAS HAEC, Hastings, FL, and S.D. Chambers, UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Hastings, FL. Situation: The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is one of the most damaging pests of brassica crops worldwide and is… 1
FARM TO TABLE, BARNYARD AND ZOO, AGRISCIENCE SAMPLER CAMP IS FOR YOU! (4/20/2018) - M.Carden, UF/IFAS Extension, Marion County, Ocala FL. Situation: Today’s youth face a widening gap in their understanding of agricultural products, specifically, how food comes from the farm to the table. Over 200 years ago, 90 percent of the U.S. population lived on farms and produced their own food to eat. Currently, only two percent of… 1
DISTRICT VIII CITRUS TREE PROJECT – HOW SWEET IT IS! (4/20/2018) - L. Cash, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, DeLand, FL and C. Woodard, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County, Sanford, FL. Situation and Objectives: Florida’s $8.6 billion citrus industry significantly impacts its economy and is part of Florida’s unique history and culture (http://flcitrusmutual.com/citrus-101/citrusstatistics.aspx). The District VIII Citrus Tree Project connects this valuable industry with National and Florida 4-H mandated… 1
MISSION NUTRITION: INTRODUCING HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS TO YOUTH CENTERS (4/20/2018) - Kalan Taylor, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County; Bushnell, FL Situation/Objectives: According to the American Heart Association, approximately one in three children and teens are overweight/obese. Childhood obesity is now the number one health concern among parents in the United States. So what is your 4-H program doing to help with this crisis? The Mission Nutrition program… 1
MENTORING: CHANGING THE LIVES OF YOUTH IN OSCEOLA COUNTY (4/20/2018) - J. Sprain, UF/IFAS Extension, Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL. Situation: More than 2,000 students in Osceola County are homeless, 25% are English Language Learners (Education Foundation, Osceola County), and more than a quarter of school children are on their own after the school day ends (Afterschool Alliance). The factors of homelessness, poverty, language barriers and a… 1
FITTING 4-H INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE (4/20/2018) - FITTING 4-H INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE Julia S. Kelly, UF/IFAS Extension-St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL Situation: In an article published in the journal Perspectives on Labour and Income, 16% of teens identified themselves as workaholics and 39% felt they were under constant pressure to get more done than they could and 64% decreased the… 1
4-H MARKET ANIMAL SKILL-A-THON (4/20/2018) - B. Justesen UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL and J. Sprain UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL Situation: The 4-H Market Animal Skill-a-thon is a great way for 4-H and FFA members to test the skills and knowledge they have gained during the program. In 2017, Osceola County 4-H had a strong market animal program… 1