Introducing the UF/IFAS Brand to the Public

From being quoted in the national news to answering the phone at a local UF/IFAS Extension office, UF/IFAS faculty and staff interact with the public in many different situations each day. To present a consistent identity across the organization, we must refer to UF/IFAS similarly in each interaction. Remember, each public contact is an opportunity to be an ambassador for our brand and present UF/IFAS as accessible, friendly, knowledgeable, and practical.

Answering the phone

When answering the phone, let the person know you are with the University of Florida and IFAS. To do this, answer as follows:

“UF/IFAS [insert your department, program, or entity].”
For example: “Good morning. Thank you for calling the UF/IFAS Soil Testing Laboratory.”
UF/IFAS Extension offices should answer the phone with the following:
“UF/IFAS Extension [insert county name]”

For example: “Good afternoon. Thank you for calling UF/IFAS Extension Collier County.”

Introducing yourself and UF/IFAS

UF/IFAS has many program areas, which can create confusion when people in UF/IFAS introduce themselves. First, acknowledge that you are a part of UF/IFAS, and then you can add the program area or department to which you belong.

The same is true in Extension. If you are with UF/IFAS Extension, always introduce yourself as part of UF/IFAS Extension, and then add your program area — whether the Master Gardener program, 4-H, Sea Grant, etc. Because UF/IFAS Extension offices are a part of the county government, they should also acknowledge that they are affiliated with the county.

For example: “Hello, my name is Jane Jones, and I’m with UF/IFAS Extension Collier County, and I am a horticulture agent. Our Extension office is also a part of the Collier County Public Services Department,” or “Hello, my name is Joe Smith, I am a UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County family and consumer sciences agent.”

Promoting UF/IFAS in your email signature

Sample files generated by the UF/IFAS Email Signature Generator. — Sample email signatures.

Another way you can help to introduce yourself and promote UF/IFAS is by correctly using the UF/IFAS logo in your email signature. Use the email generator tool designed to create professional, consistent brand-aligned signatures that are customizable for different areas across UF/IFAS.

Learn more about the UF/IFAS Email Signature Generator here: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ifascomm/2026/02/05/uf-ifas-email-signature-generator/