REACHING OUT TO THE WORLD WITHOUT LEAVING THE COUNTY
Agricultural Issues
Libbie Johnson
EXT AGT III, AGRICULTURE
UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County
Jay
Abstract
Stevenson,* C.T.1, Johnson,* L.1, Allen, P.H.1, Lee, D.C.1, Hinkle, A.1, Bolles, E.1, Brown, K.D.1, Meharg, A.1, Mahan, W. 2, Donahoe, M.C., 3, Atkins, J.D. 3\r\n\r\n1. Extension Agent, UF IFAS Escambia County Extension Cantonment, FL 32533\r\n2. Extension Agent, UF IFAS Franklin County Extension, Apalachicola FL 32320\r\n3. Extension Agent, UF IFAS Santa Rosa Extension, Milton, FL 32570 \r\n\r\nThe Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to work with the US Department of State to create and encourage collaboration between like-minded community stakeholders to share our community with the rest of the world. This organization brings in international visitors regularly to learn about the Gulf Coast. Escambia County Extension has hosted six delegations interested in agriculture, horticulture, food safety and the Extension model for delivering informal educational programs to citizens. From 2010-2011, the following delegations visited our office and demonstration garden and learned about the practical, "how to" education offered to adults and youth related to agriculture, nutrition, water resources, 4-H, and the relationship with the University of Florida/Land Grant Mission. Several groups took field trips out in the community to view various aspects of agriculture. \r\n• Kazakstan (4 delegates): “Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture,” introduced visitors to IFAS Extension concept and led tour of demonstration garden. Agriculture agent led them on tours to Ag Inspection Stations, a farm, and beekeeping operation.\r\n• Botsawna, Lesotho, Mozambique, Sudan, Swaziland (5 delegates): “African Women Entrepreneurship Program,” discussed small business development, agriculture, food safety, and environmental issues. Led tour of windstorm building and demonstration garden.\r\n• Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia (5 delegates) “Project on U.S. Foreign Policy Challenges,” visited row crop farming operations and discussed commodity trading, governmental regulations, and farm bills.\r\n• Saudi Arabia (6 Delegates): “Municipal Administration,” discussed use of drought tolerant vegetation with mayors interested in planned community beautification efforts.\r\n• Kyrgyzstan (10 Delegates): “U.S. Higher Education System,” elaborated on the county’s relationship to the University of Florida and how practical “how to” education is offered for adults based on university research.\r\n• Thailand, Laos, & Vietnam (4 Delegates): Women’s Roles in Sustainability,” discussion highlighted seafood safety and business development, included Polycom conference with Bill Mahan, CED from Franklin County. \r\n\r\n\r\nFeedback from the Diplomacy Council organizers routinely mention that the visitors’ time with Extension has been very helpful and exposed the visitors to new methods of teaching clientele that are applicable to clientele in their home countries.
Authors: Stevenson, C.T., Johnson, L.
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Stevenson, C.T. Coastal Sustainability Agent, UF IFAS Escambia County Extension, Florida, 32533
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Johnson, L. Ext Agt II, Agriculture, UF IFAS Escambia County Extension, Florida, 32533