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New staff means new community resources

Charlotte Woodham
Posted 10/19/16

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – More agriculture agents mean more resources for the community in Clay County.

Since June 1, three new agents have joined the staff at the UF/IFAS Extension program in Green …

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New staff means new community resources


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – More agriculture agents mean more resources for the community in Clay County.

Since June 1, three new agents have joined the staff at the UF/IFAS Extension program in Green Cove Springs.

Wayne Hobbs was hired to replace Amy Morrie as the new environmental horticulture agent. Hobbs comes to Clay County from Felton, Del.

“I taught Agriculture to high school students in Delaware,” he said.

In Clay, he advises agriculture programs at high schools in Orange Park, Middleburg, Keystone Heights and Clay Hill. “I’m also in charge of the Master Gardener program here in Clay County,” he said.

Hobbs has a bachelor of science degree in landscape horticulture from the University of Delaware in Newark. “And I currently working on my master’s degree in Extension Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville.”

Annie Sheldon replaced Jackie Schrader as family and consumer sciences agent on Sept. 7. She has worked in this capacity for the past seven years in Orange County and on campus at the University of Florida.

“My focus covers several areas including nutrition and wellness, financial management, weight management, basic food preparation and budget management,” Sheldon said.

Kat Estrada was recently hired to assist Sheldon in nutrition education for low income audiences, she said. Sheldon has a bachelor of science degree in dietetics from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Luke Harlow is the most recent new hire. He replaced David Nistler as agriculture and natural resources agent on Sept. 9. Before coming to Clay County, Harlow worked in the same capacity at the Nassau County Extension office.

“I mainly focus on agriculture, livestock and crop management,” he said.

Livestock includes cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, swine and any other farm animals raised in Clay County, he said.

“And it also includes beekeeping,” he said.

In crop management, Harlow said he is most frequently asked for advice on vegetable crops, “But I’m also asked for help on alternative enterprises such as olive growing.”

Harlow, who comes to Clay County form Amherst, Mass., has a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of Massachusetts and is currently working on a master’s degree in soil and water conservation at the University of North Florida.

Authorized by the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, the Extension programs extends expertise found as land-grant universities knowledge base into communities. In Florida, Extension is connected to the University of Florida. Extension agents are UF employees who are paid, in part, by funds from Clay County government as well. Extension develops and delivers educational programs to assist people in economic and community development, leadership, family issues, agriculture and environment. Another program area provided by extension agents is the worldwide youth development 4-H Clubs, which teach youth leadership skills.

All three agents hold workshops and summer camps for Clay County youth, as well as teaching courses in the Extension office and at Clay County schools. They are available to answer questions and offer advice in their area of expertise by telephone at (904) 269-6355 or in the office at the County Extension office at 2463 State Road 16 West in Green Cove Springs, next to the Clay County fairgrounds.