Agriculture & Horticulture

Biography

Biography: E. Vanessa Campoverde

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: United States land grant universities have a third mission in addition to research and teaching, called Extension. At the University of Florida (UF) Extension is located within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and is called UF/IFAS Extension. Extension agents/educators provide research-based, practical information to agricultural producers and other clients. South Florida’s subtropical climate allows for production of a variety of crops, however, the same favorable environmental conditions are also ideal for many production challenges year-round.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: UF/IFAS Extension faculty developed, implemented and evaluated educational programs outcomes and impacts in commercial agriculture production for five years in south Florida. Programs delivered included classroom workshops, one–on-one consultations and site visits to nurseries.

Findings: The UF/IFAS Commercial Agriculture/Ornamental Extension Agent trained 2,245 participants in 64 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) workshops conducted in English and Spanish.  652 participants out of 1,165 (55.9%) answered a survey and reported an average class satisfaction of 4.4 out of 5.0 Likert scale (Where 1= least, 5= greatest value) and knowledge gain of 4.0 out of 5.0 in identification of pests threatening south Florida agriculture. Training covered such pests as Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF) and Giant African Land Snail (GALS), including their management.

Conclusion & Significance: To date UF/IFAS Extension continues to provide timely and relevant tropical agricultural education on a variety of topics to producers who rely on unbiased and research-based educational trainings. It is estimated than for every $1 invested in agricultural research and Extension, there is a return of $20 to the community.