Hall of Fame: Gene McAvoy
Hall of Fame
Eugene McAvoy
UF/IFAS
LaBelle
Essay
Eugene (Gene) McAvoy has provided an exemplary role model during his 25-year career with the UF IFAS Extension service beginning in 1997 when he joined the Hendry County Extension Office as the Vegetable/Horticulture Agent providing direction and leadership to the Vegetable Horticulture Program.
In 2004, Gene became one of University of Florida IFAS’ first Regional Specialized Extension Agents (one of 2) in which role he continued to provide direction and leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of Extension educational programs for vegetable producers in the five-county area of Southwest Florida in the following areas: crop production efficiency and sustainability, farm safety and regulatory compliance, integrated pest management, post-harvest quality, and food safety, and vegetable nutrition and irrigation management as well as planning and implementing the Environmental Horticulture program in Hendry County where he delivered Extension programming to area homeowners, civic groups, and 4-H youth.
McAvoy became the County Extension Director for Hendry County in 2005 and continued to serve in that role as well as Regional Specialized Vegetable/Horticulture Extension Agent IV until he retired in 2019.
Gene did not stay retired long and after 19 days he was invited back to join UF IFAS as the Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations at the UF IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center a position in which he continues to serve the agricultural community of Southwest Florida and beyond.
During his Extension career, McAvoy served as President of the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents and was President when Florida hosted the NACAA annual meeting in 2004. His dedication to agriculture and penchant for professionalism and service did not stop there, Gene went on to become President of NACAA in 2019 and was influential in helping steer the association through the Covid 19 pandemic helping transition the 2020 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference to the first-ever virtual AMPIC attended by nearly 1500 county agents from across the Country. As NACAA President, McAvoy welcomed Guam into the association.
He currently serves as the President of the Joint Council of Extension Professionals.
McAvoy was a late comer to Extension and in some ways an unlikely candidate to achieve all that he has during his career. Born in Orange, New Jersey, McAvoy spent his formative years in East Orange, New Jersey, just a few blocks from Newark, NJ. From his first part-time summer high school job on a farm, where he picked strawberries, peppers, and tomatoes, McAvoy developed a love for his lifelong passion - agriculture.
Gene received his BS (Plant Science) and MS (Horticulture) from Rutgers University.
After graduating from Rutgers, McAvoy joined the Peace Corps, serving in Niger. This led to 12 years with the US Agency for International Development, working with vegetable growers in Niger, South Africa, and Jamaica before moving his family north to Florida to join UF.
Gene has received multiple awards during his years of service and has spent over 50 years supporting and advocating for the agriculture industry in Florida and beyond.
Years of CES Service: 25
Upload Testimonials, Letters of Support and a photo here
Year DSA Awarded: 2008
Letter of State Support
see attached for State Presidents letter.
Bio - Summary
Peace Corps- Peace Corps Volunter in Niger, West Africa 1974-1976
Windswept Farms - Greenhouse Manager, Chesterfield, NJ -1976 - 1977
US Agency for International Development, Agronomist, Niger, West Africa - 1977 - 1979
Rutgers University - Horticulture Department, Instructor, New Brunswick, NJ - 1979 - 1983
Care International, Project Director/ Horticulturist, Jamaica - 1986 - 1989
St. Catherine Vegetable Producers Association, General Manager Jamaica - 1989
Florida Department of Health, Environmental Specialist - 1990 - 1994
Chemonics International, Marketing/Farmer Organization Specialist, Swaziland, South Africa - 1994 - 1996
Florida Department of Health Environmental Specialist 1996 - 1997
University of Florida, IFAS, Hendry County Extension, Vegetable/Horticulture Extension Agent II - 1997 - 2003
University of Florida, IFAS, Hendry County Extension, Regional Specialized Vegetable/Horticulture Extension Agent II - 2003 - 2004
University of Florida, IFAS Hendry County Extension, County Extension Director, Regional Specialized Vegetable/Horticulture Extension Agent III - 2004 - 2008
University of Florida, IFAS, Hendry County Extension, County Extension Director, Regional Specialized Vegetable/Horticulture Extension Agent IV - 2008 - 2019
University of Florida, IFAS, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations – 2019 -present.
Awards
2002 - Farm Credit and Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents Young Professional Award
2005 – NACAA Achievement Award
2008 – NACAA Distinguished Service Award
2016 -University of Florida IFAS Internationalizing Extension Award
2016 - University of Florida International Center International Educator of the Year
2018 – Rutgers University Dennis M Fenton Distinguished Alumni Award
Bio - Association
Extension Activities
Regional Specialized Vegetable Horticulture Extension agent is a 100% extension position with responsibilities for pest management for commercial vegetables, all aspects of production of specialty vegetables, and pesticide certification for restricted use pesticide applicators in SW Florida.
The major responsibilities of this position are to provide direction and leadership to the Vegetable Horticulture Program in SW Florida. This agent is committed to providing direction and leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of Extension educational programs for vegetable producers in the five-county area of Southwest Florida (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee) in the following areas: crop production efficiency and sustainability, farm safety and regulatory compliance, integrated pest management, post-harvest quality, and food safety, and vegetable nutrition and irrigation management.
As County Extension Director, this agent provides leadership to extension staff enabling them to interpret and deliver relevant educational information to the residents of the county and Southwest Florida, with specific emphasis placed on empowering agents and fostering personal growth.
This agent plays an active role in educating the general public, policymakers, and visitors about the importance of the agricultural industry for the county and state economy and the role extension service plays in preserving and improving the agricultural industry in Southwest Florida. This agent works closely with Southwest Florida County Vegetable Advisory Committee, the Hendry County Cattleman’s Association, the Gulf Citrus Association, agricultural industry personnel, University of Florida IFAS extension specialists, and other researchers, as well as USDA NRCS and USDA ARS.
FACAA/NACAA involvement
Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents
- Co-Chair, Policy and Resolution Committee 2014 – present
- Member, Professional Excellence Committee 2014 – present
- Member, Recognition and Awards Committee 2009 – present
- Member, Scholarship Committee 2014 – present
- Member, Constitution & By-Laws Committee
- Member, Educational Foundation Committee 2014 – 2015
- Member, Constitution & By-Laws Committee 2010 - 2012
- Member, Officer Nominations Committee, 2009 -2011
- Member, Policy and Resolution Committee 2009 – 2012
- Member, New Member Relations Committee - 2012
- Chair, Recognition and Awards Committee 2009 – 2010
- Member, Scholarship Committee 2009 – 2010
- Member, County Commission Liaison Committee 2009 – 2010
- Board Member – District 5 rep – 2008 -2009
- Member, Nominating Committee, 2006 – 2007
- Past President, 2005 – 2006
- President, 2004 - 2005
- President Elect, 2003 - 2004
- Vice President, 2002 -2003
- Secretary, 2001 – 2002
- Chair of the Professional Excellence Committee, 2005.
- Member of the FACAA Board of Directors representing District V, 1998 -2001.
- Chair, FACAA Horticulture Committee, 2000 – 2001
- Member of the FACAA Executive Committee for the 2004 NACAA AM/PIC in Orlando, 2002-2004.
- Member of the FACAA Fund Raising Committee for the 2004 NACAA AM/PIC in Orlando, 2002-2004.
- Member, Florida Association of Counties Country Store Committee, 2000 – 2002
- Member, Mid-Year Meeting Committee, 2000 – 2001
- Chair, Publicity Committee, 1999 - 2000
- County Commission Liaison-FACAA Country Store, 2001-present.
- FACAA AMPIC Life Member Chair. 2022
Epsilon Sigma Phi Alpha Delta Chapter
- Member 2006 - present
- Southern District Director, Florida, 2009 - 2015
National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)
- Active Member 1997 – present
- Policy Committee, 2021 - present
- NACAA Foundation Board representative, 2020-2021
- Past President 2020-2021
- President 2019 -2020
- President-Elect 2018-2019
- Vice President 2017-2018
- Regional Committee Vice-Chair Professional Excellence Committee 2014 - 2017
- Board of Directors – 2012 - 2014
- Southern Region Director –2012 - 2014
- Communication Award Winner – Best Bound Book Category, 2014
- NACAA Professional Excellence Poster Competition - Applied Research Regional Finalist, 2013
- Southern Region Vice Director, 2010 - 2012
- NACAA voting delegate representing Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents, 2001-2006
- Chair of the VIP Committee for the 2004 NACAA Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference, Orlando, FL
Joint Council of Extension Professionals
- Board of Directors 2018 - present
- President 2020 – 2021
- President-elect 2020
Bio - Humanitarian
Peace Corps, Peace Corps Volunteer, Village Gardening Project, Niger, West
US Agency for International Development, Agronomist, Niger Cereals Project, Niger, West Africa - 1977 - 1979
Rutgers University - Horticulture Department, Instructor, New Brunswick, NJ - 1979 - 1983
Care International, Small Farmer Production/Marketing Project, Project Director/ Horticulturist, Jamaica - 1986 - 1989
Chemonics International, Marketing/Farmer Organization Specialist, Commercial Agriculture Production and Marketing Project (CAPM) Swaziland, South Africa - 1994 – 1996
International Pepper Association - 1998 - present
- Organizer – 24th International Pepper Conference, Fort Myers Florida, 2018,
- Organizer – 21st International Pepper Conference, Naples Florida, 2012,
- Organizer – 17th International Pepper Conference, Naples Florida, 2004
Cucurbitaceae 2002 Organizing Committee, member 2001 to 2002.
Cucurbitaceae 2022 Organizing Committee, member 2021 to 2022.
Pesticide Certification Training for Government of Antigua and Barbuda Evaluation, member of an interdisciplinary team to conduct weeklong training and certification program, 2009.
Joint Meeting with University of Florida IFAS and EMATER - Empresa de Assistencia Tecnica e Extensao Rural (Brazilian Extension Service), Brasilia, Brazil, member of an interdisciplinary team on 10-day extension exchange program, 2007
Vegetable Production and Marketing Workshop, Nicaragua, member of an interdisciplinary team to conduct weeklong training and certification program for host country Extension agents, 2000.
Farm Credit of Florida, Advisory Committee member, 2017 - present
Florida Certified Crop Advisors Board of Directors
- Elected Board member, 2014 -present
- Chairman 2021- present
Florida Seed Association, elected member of Board of Directors, Educational Program Chair, 2009 – Present
- Florida Seed Association supports the seed industry through educational programming and conducts fundraisers to provide scholarships for scholarships to young men and women seeking to pursue a career in agriculture
Hendry County Cattlemen’s Association, Board Member and Secretary, 2005 – present
- Hendry County Cattlemen’s Association promotes the beef industry and cooks approximately 10,000 16 oz ribeye steak per year for fundraisers which provide scholarships to young men and women seeking to pursue a career in agriculture.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hunter Safety Instructor, 2007 – present
American Legion Post 130, LaBelle Florida, volunteer delivering Christmas dinners, 2015 - present
Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) Active member, served in elected position, presented several papers, 1998 - present
- Chairman of the Board, 2020
- President, 2019
- President Elect, 2017-2018
- Chair, Sponsorship Committee,
- Vice President – Vegetable Section, 2008 – 2009
- Vice President Elect – Vegetable Section, 2007 – 2008
- Member, 1997 – present
Florida Farm Bureau, Vegetable Advisory Committee, 1997 – present
- Florida Farm Bureau Professional of the Year, 2019
UF/IFAS Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program Advisory Committee, 2009 – 2014
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association 2005 – present
- Active member
- Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Critical Use Exemption Working Group, 2005 – 2015
- Production Management Committee, 2010 to present
- Water and Land Use Committee , 2010 – present
Syngenta Resistance Fighter Leadership Program, Inducted into Syngenta Resistance Fighter Leadership Program – Class of 2015.
University of Florida/IFAS 4-H, Certified Firearm Safety Instructor (rifle, shotgun), 2004 – 2019.
- Shooting Sports Planning Committee 2008 – 2019
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Farmworkers Advisory Council, 2021 – present.
Hendry Glades County Farm Bureau, Board member and Treasurer, 2000- present.
Collier County Farm Bureau, Board member and secretary, 2020 to present
Florida Tomato Committee, Tomato Researcher of the Year, 2019.
Caribbean Food Crops Society, Member, 2018 – present
Produce Safety Alliance Lead Trainer, 2017 – present
University of Florida IFAs Natural Resource Leadership Institute Class XIV, 2014-2015
Hurricane Irma Response Team– Hurricane Irma slammed into Florida as a category 4 hurricane on September 10, 2018 coming ashore on Marco Island and traveling up the center of the state causing over 6 billion dollars in damage statewide including over 2.5 billion dollars in agricultural losses. SW Florida took the brunt of the storm and was disproportionally impacted compared to other areas of the state. This agent was highly involved with storm-related response activities over a 30-day period following the hurricane.
- Worked as ESF-17 Coordinator in the Hendry County Emergency Operations Center before during and after the storm.
- Conducted assessments of agricultural impacts from the hurricane in the days and weeks after the storm and provided information on the extent of losses to local state and federal officials.
- Conducted damage assessment tours with state representatives Byron Donalds, Rick Roth, and Bob Rommel.
- Meet with USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, Florida Senator Denise Grimsley and other elected officials and ag industry representatives regarding the impact of the hurricane on agriculture in SW Florida.
- Conducted interviews and site visits to hurricane-impacted farms and groves with television, radio and print media representatives including NPR (2x), CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, RFD-TV, USA Today, Fort Myers News Press, Naples News, Growing Produce, The Packer and many others.
- Assisted with and coordinated relief efforts and emergency supply distribution of food, water, tarps, ice and clothing, and more from the Hendry County Extension Office for ten days following the hurricane.
- Coordinated multi-county ag agents’ response and activities in SW Florida
- Arranged for and coordinated emergence supplies of hay through FDACs and SART for livestock owners affected by flooding.
- Traveled to Tallahassee with a delegation from UF/IFAS including Mary Ann Hook, Jeanna Mastrodicasa, and Laurie Hurner along with industry reps to testify before the Florida Senate Ag Committee regarding the impact of Hurricane Irma on agriculture.
- Took numerous (>150) photos documenting storm damage which were used widely by media and others
- Communicated extent of flooding and need for mosquito control post-hurricane to local and state officials resulting in county-wide aerial spraying (2x) to mitigate the problem.
Organized and hosted 1-day South Florida Agriculture Tour for 54 French vegetable growers sponsored by HM Clause. 2015
Organized and hosted 3-day South Florida Agriculture Tour and Citrus Greening Workshop and Fact-Finding Tour for 54 Spanish citrus producers and citrus industry representatives sponsored by NuFarm Spain. 2017
IFAS Global member of an interdisciplinary team which visited Haiti evaluate and make suggestions for strengthening the Haitian Extension System, 2017
Organized and hosted 1-day South Florida Agriculture tour for 50 Polish Vegetable sponsored by Syngenta. 2017
Release to media?: No