UF/IFAS Honors Imogene Yarborough with Extension Advocate Award

APOPKA, Fla. – When Imogene Yarborough and her husband Ed started ranching in Seminole County in 1954, they foresaw a legacy of agriculture for their future generations.

“We raised our four children with the guiding principle that this is all God’s country, and we’ve been blessed to be the caregivers,” Imogene Yarborough said. The Yarboroughs would extend that vision by partnering with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension with field days on the ranch.

Recently, UF/IFAS awarded the 2018 Extension Advocate Award at its annual Dinner of Distinction. The award is given to a person or family that exemplifies commitment to agriculture and partners with UF/IFAS Extension.

Though Ed passed in 2000, Imogene continued the mission of hosting educational presentations and hands-on demonstrations for fellow ranchers and Florida residents. This past March, she hosted the 20th Spring Ranchers Forum.

“Imogene has been one of agriculture’s most effective ambassadors, actively involved at the local, state and national levels to educate others about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives,” said Barbara Hughes, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County director. “The work she has done for the past 60 years has had a huge impact on the county and the state.”

In 2007, the Yarboroughs were inducted into the Florida Ag Hall of Fame, and Imogene was named the 2012 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. “Her involvement spans agricultural associations and boards, her church and youth programs such as Girl Scouts, FFA, Ag in the Classroom and 4-H,” Hughes said. “Imogene has managed to touch every area of agriculture and has provided unwavering support to UF/IFAS Extension.”

 

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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.

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Posted: November 13, 2018


Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Livestock, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agriculture, Award, Extension, Extension Advocate, News, UF/IFAS


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