Hi my name is Trevor Ackerman and I am working at the UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County office as their Sustainability Intern for the summer. I am a senior sustainability studies major with minors in history and wildlife ecology and conservation at the University of Florida. My goal this summer is to revitalize the Green Business Partnership program here in Pinellas. The program was started several years ago but did not gain much traction. So far, I have been able to recertify most of the businesses that originally joined as well as update all of the marketing tools. I have also recreated the application by streamlining it and making it is easier for businesses to complete. I plan on not only revitalizing this program in a way that will be sustainable, but on recruiting several new businesses in new market areas to increase awareness as well.
As part of my internship, I have been shadowing other agents in the office in order to see what all the Extension Office does other than sustainability. So far I have worked with 4-H, Farm to School, and our Family Nutrition Program. I had the opportunity to teach low income families how to shop healthy and cheap at the grocery store. It
has been very rewarding because most of the work has been hands on and the people are always incredibly appreciative. It is refreshing to see some good change going on in the world. Overall, I am very happy with my progress so far and am looking forward to my remaining few weeks here at the Extension office!
Green Business Partnership Resources:
(Contributed by Trevor Ackerman, UF/IFAS Extension Intern)
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