UF/IFAS Extension Orange County welcomed Kevin Camm as the new county Extension director earlier this month. Camm will focus on sustainable agriculture and community resource development as well as leading the county’s team of agents.

Camm grew up on St. Moor Farm, a century family farm in Amherst, Virginia, and worked for Virginia Cooperative Extension for more than 13 years. Camm brings a wealth of experience and passion to Florida with a specific interest in developing innovative programming that reaches urban audiences.

“I want UF/IFAS to be essential in the urban and rural areas and reach every single person we possibly can,” he said. “UF/IFAS should be the go-to organization for answers to common problems. We have the answers, they are research-based and we need to get them in people’s hands.”

Camm is dedicated to strengthening current partnerships, create new ones and innovate programs in a way that will increase exposure of UF/IFAS Extension across Orange County.

“That is what we are here to do, improve and change the lives of many,” he said. “I have always lived by the 4-H motto to make the best, better. This office is great now. I wonder, how can we make it better?”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Orange County is Florida’s fifth-most populous county with more than 1.3 million residents. Camm and UF/IFAS Extension Orange County agents have the opportunity for wide-reaching impacts.

“Florida has an excellent Extension program and UF/IFAS seemed like the next best step to help people and do good work with Extension,” Camm said. “We have family here and I always thought Florida would eventually be my home.”

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