Cooperative Extension Education Center

1. Cooperative ExtensionEducation Center 6021 South Conway Road Orlando, Florida 32817

2. Overview • Our History • Our Mission • Our Areas of Expertise • Our Educational Programs • Our Results • The Future

3. History • The Cooperative Extension system was established by Congress in 1914 • Orange County was one of the first counties in the nation to implement the County Agent concept of providing research based information to local residents

4. History Orange County Board of County Commissioners $1,037,735 University of Florida – Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences $1,179,521 United States Department of Agriculture

5. Our MissionCooperative Extension = Education • We provide current research-based non-biased information to residents, communities and businesses • Orange County is our classroom • Orange County’s goals are our priorities • We have the ability to react quickly with education to address current issues and needs • We bring state and federal dollars to the county

6. Areas of Educational Expertise • Family and Consumer Sciences • Sustainable housing and environment • Financial management • Food safety and nutrition • 4-H Youth Development • Adult and youth leadership • Healthy lifestyles • Environmental education • School enrichment

7. Areas of Educational Expertise • Agriculture and Natural Resources • Livestock and forage • Natural resources/environment • Nurseries and greenhouse crops • Vegetables • Citrus • Environmental Horticulture • Residential horticulture • Commercial landscape management • Florida Yards and Neighborhoods

8. Educational Programs Cooperative Extension is education that creates an opportunity for change Our Goals: • Sustaining natural resources • Enhancing the sustainability of agriculture • Promoting individual, family and community well-being

9. Sustaining Natural Resources Orange County Saves: Economic Living Expo

10. Topics: Save money Conserve water Sustainable landscapes Improve health Save energy Goal: To empower individuals and families with information on how to develop and/or expand on an Eco-Friendly lifestyle Sustaining Natural Resources

11. Collaborations with County BCC and departments Recruited 4-H & adult volunteers Effective publicity campaign 12-concurrent workshops taught by Extension faculty “Green” product vendors and exhibits Nationally recognized keynote speakers Sustaining Natural Resources

12. Community Partnerships Two year success 175 attendees 2008 152 attendees 2009 State-Regional-National Awards Sustaining Natural Resources

13. Enhancing the Sustainability of Agriculture

14. Enhancing the Sustainability of Agriculture Orange County Economy depends on Tourism  Agriculture Construction Research-based education benefits farmers, food costs and sustainability of agriculture

15. Enhancing the Sustainability of Agriculture Orange County Acreage Urbanization Agriculture 8,220 Jobs Overall economic impact of $472 Million Dollars.

16. Enhancing the Sustainability of Agriculture Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Best Management Practices Integrated Pest Management Equine Disease Forum Composting & Rain Barrel Workshop Florida Master Naturalist Program Greenhouse & Nursery Financials Banker Plant & Biological Control Field Day Best Management Practices for Greenhouses Integrated Pest Management Update Certified Controlled Burner’s Training Master Gardener Program Landscape Design Know Your Irrigation Clock Florida Cattlemen’s Institute & Allied Trade Show Urban and Wildlife Interface Spring Ranchers’ Forum Central Florida Fair Small Farm Conference Agricultural Land Preservationist Training Beef Cattle Reproduction Management School Equine Institute & Allied Trade Show Fall Forage Field Day Poisonous Plants in the Pasture

17. Promoting Individual, Family and Community Well-Being Raising Kids , Eating Right, Spending Smart , Living Well

18. Promoting Individual, Family and Community Well-Being Post Purchase Workshop • 339 first time homebuyers who receive down payment assistance • Objective: to understand the requirements needed to protect their investment • Increased knowledge • Developing a spending plan to avoid default • Manage credit and debt • Protecting and maintaining the home

19. Promoting Individual, Family and Community Well-Being • Food Safety Certification Program • Small Steps to Health and Wealth • Maximizing Home Energy Savings • Disaster Preparation and Recovery • Healthy Homes • Taking Charge of Family Finances • Today’s Youth Tomorrow’s Leaders • Community Gardening

20. Promoting Individual, Family and Community Well-Being

21. Results: 2008 Educational Contacts 12,500 questions answered by phone 3,500 visitors helped with plant problems 900 educational opportunities attended by 35,000 adults and youth 2,700,000 visitors to our web sites 2,000,000 television, newspapers, radio and magazines contacts per month

22. Results:Volunteer Involvement 1,300 Volunteers 32,900 Volunteer hours $718,000 Value of volunteer time • 4-H adults and youth • Master Gardeners • Home and Community Educators • Advisory Committees • Lake Watch • Master Naturalist *Based on $16.07 per hour

23. Results:Recognition • Environmental Education Award (State, Regional and National) • Program Marketing Campaign Award (State and Regional) • Community Partnership Award (State) • Search for Excellence in Crop Production (State and Regional) • PRIDE Award - Ag Production (State) • Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change

24. Results:Major Grants Family Nutrition Program $76,500 Expanded Foods & Nutrition $56,000 Professional Enhancement - Costa Rica $3,000 Toxic Plant Garden for child and animal safety (pending) - $145,000

25. The Future

26. Cooperative ExtensionEducation Center 6021 South Conway Road Orlando, Florida 32817