Expanding Extension Support For Landowners Following Natural Disasters
Natural Resources/Aquaculture
Emily Beach
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
University of Florida
Mayo
Abstract
Lafayette County, Florida, faced devastating destruction when Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, and Helene impacted the region, severely damaging the agricultural sector. Producers and landowners experienced extensive losses, including damaged fences, livestock housing, crops, and timber. In response to numerous requests for assistance, this Extension agent joined the Lafayette County Emergency Response team, collaborating with agencies like the Florida State Emergency Response Team, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Farm Service Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Leveraging the crisis as an opportunity, Extension expanded its role by organizing a timber production meeting for landowners. The session focused on reforestation, sustainable management practices, and cost-share programs. The meeting quickly grew into a broader educational platform, addressing additional needs such as herbicide options, spray programs, variety selection, market outlook for timber and pine straw, and the use of drone technology in timber production. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents (n=32) reporting the meeting as highly informative and useful. The strong engagement demonstrated the program’s success in meeting immediate recovery needs and fostering long-term connections with the community. As a result, participants gained a better understanding of Extension’s role in disaster recovery and sustainable resource management, paving the way for ongoing educational support. An additional production meeting was held to address specific needs such as variety selection, herbicide timing, and planting recommendations. Of the 26 participants, 96% reported an increase in knowledge about herbicide options and timing, and 85% indicated they planned to modify their spray programs based on the knowledge gained. The program was disseminated through collaborative efforts, reaching a wide audience of timberland owners, producers, and stakeholders. These educational meetings played a vital role in providing actionable knowledge for post-disaster recovery and future sustainability. Given the universal challenges posed by natural disasters, this model is scalable and can be replicated in other regions facing similar agricultural impacts, making it a valuable resource for Extension services nationwide. The project addressed critical issues of immediate concern to the affected public, making it highly relevant and valuable to the community.
Authors: Emily Beach
-
Emily Beach Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32066