GREEN COVE SPRINGS – In the short 4½ years as the UF/IFAS Clay County Extension Director, Brad Burbaugh did more than figure crop reports and plant beans.
He was an integral part of the …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – In the short 4½ years as the UF/IFAS Clay County Extension Director, Brad Burbaugh did more than figure crop reports and plant beans.
He was an integral part of the preparation and recovery from hurricanes Matthew and Irma. He helped with the overhaul of the Clay County Fairgrounds, worked to provide useful information on nutrition and safety, set up summer camps and classes for children and provided information to help farmers and residents lead healthier, more productive lives.
“You have to have the passion to help people,” Burbaugh said a day after leaving Clay County for the same post in Volusia. “That’s what we do. We insure the (agriculture) industry strives. We create new leaders through 4-H. We promote nutrition and wellness by working with our farmers to use less fertilizers and insecticides.”
Burbaugh was recognized by the Board of County Commissioners at last week’s Farm-City Week Luncheon at the fairgrounds. The annual luncheon has swelled into such a success, it had to be moved from the extension office to one of the exhibition halls – a facility made possible by Burbaugh’s connections with the University of Florida to use school resources for much of the architecture and construction to save the county thousands of dollars.
Burbaugh grew up in New Smyrna Beach, and his family still lives in Volusia County.
“Clay County has a special place in my heart,” Burbaugh told more than 300 people at the luncheon, “but my family has a bigger place in my heart. It’s time for me to go home.”
Annie Shelton, the family and consumer sciences director, has been appointed as the interim director.
“Our greatest challenge is to protect the community with data-driven decisions,” Burbaugh said.
The mission of the extension office is to offer solutions with science-based facts. The office answers questions on a variety of issues, from how often to water plants to protecting livestock during a hurricane.
“We solve problems,” Burbaugh said.