The National Association of County Agricultural Agents has awarded Jonael Bosques, agriculture agent and director of UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County, with the prestigious Distinguished Service Award. Bosques is one of only three recipients chosen for this esteemed recognition.
This award underscores Bosques’ outstanding dedication and significant contributions to agriculture, community service, cultural competence and Florida 4-H youth.
His commitment to these areas has advanced the field of agriculture and positively impacted the communities he serves, said Timothy Wilson, UF/IFAS Extension director for St. Johns County and a production agriculture agent.
“I’ve known Jonael for more than 12 years, and he is a true educator,” he said. “He goes out of his way to help his clientele and fellow agents understand the science, making it applicable to everyday life. His background in animal science and small farm management has made him a ‘go-to’ person when working on agriculture issues.”
NACAA is a nationwide professional Extension organization established for Extension educators, agents and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development and related disciplines. The Distinguished Service Award is one of the highest honors an agricultural Extension agent can receive.
Bosques lives by a powerful motto: “Invest in others to build strong collaborations that last.”
This guiding principle is evident in his daily interactions, whether he is engaged with growers and farmers, devoted to developing and presenting programming efforts on agriculture, small farms and livestock production, is dedicated to 4-H youth development in his county or leading his team as county Extension administrator.
When engaged in community service, you might find Bosques teaching hundreds of elementary and middle school students about beekeeping and bees’ vital role in our food system.
He collaborates with UF healthcare professionals throughout the year to ensure migrant farmworkers receive essential healthcare services.
He also works with UF/IFAS partners to instruct farmhands on safety and protective measures when they work with machinery and in the fields. He provides hands-on instruction on driving tractors, protecting against heat illness, pesticide safety and how to recognize harmful organisms that workers may encounter.
He also communicates science by blogging regularly.
On his time off, he is dedicated to enhancing the access and efficacy of information and programs for Spanish-speaking communities in the Sunshine State.
“More people make Florida their home every day, and our state has a growing need for science-based education,” Bosques said. “Our job in Extension can have lasting effects that, when applied, can improve the finances of farming operations, individual families and positively impact the future of youth.”
UF/IFAS agents are purposely positioned in communities to shine a light at the possibilities for sustainable growth, he said.
“I am a science communicator, storyteller and jack-of-all-trades, who thrives on those moments when a producer is convinced to implement a recommendation, or when a child begins to see how cool dairy cows really are,” Bosques said. “Without Extension agents, these pivotal moments wouldn’t happen.”
Since 2016, Bosques has served as the County Extension Director and agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County. His career also includes significant contributions as a small farms and alternative enterprises Extension agent in Marion County. Prior to joining UF/IFAS, he served in Extension at the University of Georgia in multiple capacities. Bosques served first as a livestock agent in Coffee County, followed by serving as an agriculture and natural resources agent and Extension coordinator at Green County.
Bosques is committed to educating farmers and ranchers, focusing on livestock, small farms and agriculture. Over the course of his career at UF/IFAS, he has compiled an impressive portfolio, including the development of 1,442 teaching tools — such as videos, lectures and classes, delivered at local, national and international levels.
Additionally, he has held various roles within the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents (FACAA), including the Search for Excellence Committee and Animal Science Chair.
Bosques is also a founder and active member of the Coalition of Florida Extension Educators for Latino Community (CAFÉ Latino) at the University of Florida. This grassroots organization, part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), serves the growing and underserved Spanish-speaking population by providing access to science-based educational materials and training. Their efforts have garnered national attention as a successful model for promoting equal information access to all Floridians across Extension programs.
Throughout his career, Bosques has been recognized with 14 awards for his contributions to Extension education and diversity in agriculture, most notably receiving the National Extension Diversity Award from the American Public Universities/Extension Committee on Organization and Policy in 2023.
His work in educational video recording earned him national finalist recognition by NACAA in 2023 and a state winner accolade by the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents in the same year.
Over the years, Bosques has consistently been honored for his excellence in various categories, including livestock production, international extension efforts and educational materials, solidifying his reputation as a leader in his field.
NACAA confers the Distinguished Service Award to members who have worked in Extension for at least 10 years, are held in high esteem by their fellow workers and have developed and implemented an outstanding Extension program.
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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) 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 brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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