While researching this feature story, Alachua County learned of IFAS Extension Director Cindy Sanders' appointment as the extension director of county logistics for Florida’s 67 counties. This article highlights the accomplishments she and her team have achieved and the legacy of service she leaves behind as she steps into her new statewide leadership role.
Before sunrise each morning, Kevin Lussier walks the pastures of Hawthorne Creek Creamery, checking on some of the 300 cattle that make him the last remaining dairy farmer in Alachua County. Every decision that follows, from when to plant forage to how deep to sow seed and manage invasive weeds, is informed by decades of guidance from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Alachua County Extension Office. For Lussier, who has spent his life farming, that expertise has helped sustain a family tradition while building a successful business producing locally made cheese. Without it, it’s hard to say where his operation would be. “We are constantly evaluating the land we own to ensure we're doing it the right way while maximizing the farm's potential,” he said. “That's where IFAS' research is unmatched, and it has allowed us to operate at a high level.”
Most residents may never know the challenges farmers face or the intricacies of their work, but they benefit from it, nonetheless.
Behind the scenes, the extension office serves as one of the county's most valuable — and often overlooked — resources, helping residents make informed decisions every day. While agriculture remains at its core, the office also provides education and assistance on a wide range of topics, including home gardening, nutrition, food safety, youth development and many other topics that can help families for years to come.
“Our mission is to provide research-based information from the University of Florida directly to the citizens of Alachua County,” said Extension Director Cindy Sanders. “Whether someone wants to improve their landscape, start a small agricultural business, or help a child develop leadership skills through 4-H, we're here to provide trusted, science-based education.”
Extension offices exist in all 67 Florida counties through longstanding partnerships between UF and local governments. Established nationally in 1914 and in Alachua County shortly thereafter, the local extension office has served residents for more than a century. Alachua County's contribution to the partnership is funded primarily with property taxes. The office is located on City of Newberry property in western Alachua County and is supported by a 100-year lease with the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. The facility reflects a unique partnership: Alachua County provides the building, additional staffing support, program coordinators, and public outreach, while UF faculty work alongside extension employees to deliver educational programs throughout the community.
The facility neighbors the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, an $11 million investment that is home to several agriculture shows and educational programs, including the annual Youth Fair and Livestock Show.
The Impact of Agriculture
The impact agriculture has on Alachua County cannot be overstated. It has a $255 million impact and is the third largest employer.
Last year, the extension office delivered more than 25,000 agricultural service interactions, providing site visits, plant disease diagnosis, fertilization recommendations, soil testing, animal health guidance and financial management assistance. In addition to her serving as the extension director, Sanders also serves as the office's livestock agent, working with cattle, goats, sheep, horses and poultry producers on animal nutrition and production management.
Alachua County ranks 12th in Florida for beef cattle production, with nearly 48,000 heads. The county also ranks eighth in goat meat production and ninth in horses, making livestock education an important component of the office's work.
With nearly 178,000 acres of agricultural land in production, the average farm size is approximately 111 acres.
“Every time someone chooses locally grown food, they're supporting more than a farm,” Sanders said. "They're investing in their neighbors, strengthening the local economy and helping preserve the working lands that define Alachua County.”
4-H Programs
The extension office in Alachua County is home to one of Florida's oldest and most visible 4-H programs, led by Agent Mary Lee Sale. As the nation's largest youth development organization, 4-H provides hands-on learning opportunities that help young people build leadership, citizenship and life skills. Approximately 500 active 4-H members participate in Alachua County programs, while the extension office reaches nearly 4,000 students annually through school-based educational programming. Students participate in STEM activities, school gardening projects, hydroponic lessons and the popular embryology program, where they observe eggs hatching and learn firsthand about animal life cycles.
Horticulture
One of the extension's largest program areas is horticulture, led by Environmental Horticulture Agent Cynthia Nazario-Leary. Her work focuses on helping residents create sustainable landscapes, establish school and community gardens, and adopt Florida-friendly landscaping practices that reduce water use. Supporting these efforts is a dedicated team of approximately 160 Master Gardener volunteers. After completing an intensive 12-week training course, volunteers commit at least 75 hours of service to the program, with many continuing to volunteer for years. Last year alone, Master Gardener volunteers contributed more than 15,000 hours of community service. “They are truly one of our greatest assets," Nazario-Leary said. "They answer gardening questions from the public, assist with educational events, support school and community gardens, and help with our popular plant sales.”
Commercial Horticulture Agent Tatiana Sanchez works closely with vegetable growers, nursery operators and watermelon producers, helping them implement best management practices and stay informed on the latest research. She also provides educational programs for landscape professionals through the Green Industries Best Management Practices program, which helps landscapers maintain required state certifications covering fertilizer use, irrigation, water conservation, pesticide safety and environmental stewardship.
Home to approximately 2,500 acres of fruit crops, Alachua County ranks 13th in Florida for fruit production. Blueberries, strawberries, grapes, persimmons and pecans generate approximately $24 million in annual sales.
Vegetables account for another 10,000 acres, ranking 19th statewide, with watermelon, green beans, leafy greens and cantaloupe among the primary crops. The county's nursery and landscaping industry generates approximately $29 million in annual sales, ranking 16th in Florida.
Family & Consumer Science
The extension office also helps residents improve their health and quality of life through Family and Consumer Sciences programs led by Agent Ebony Griffin. Her classes cover nutrition, healthy cooking, food preservation, food entrepreneurship, and food safety. "Food is medicine" is a central focus of Griffin's work, helping residents make healthier choices while improving access to nutritious foods. She also teaches canning classes and provides educational outreach at farmers markets and community events.
Griffin regularly teaches ServSafe food safety certification courses, which are required for many employees working in health department-inspected restaurants and food service establishments. Participants learn proper food handling, storage, sanitation and safety practices that help protect public health.
Row Crops
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Kevin Korus works closely with producers of row crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton and peanuts. His programs focus on production practices, pesticide training and testing, weed management and best management practices that help farmers remain productive while protecting natural resources. Those efforts contribute to Alachua County ranking ninth in Florida for grains and oilseeds and 21st for hay production.
Throughout his career with UF/IFAS Extension, Korus has visited Hawthorne Creek Creamery numerous times, providing recommendations on seed selection, planting depth and weed management. That ongoing, hands-on relationship has helped the farm expand into cheese production while improving the production of forage (oats, rye and Bermuda grass) for the farm animals to support a productive and financially sustainable operation. It’s a service that Lussier said his family has utilized for over 30 years.
“We're extremely lucky to have the extension services that we have, not just in Alachua County but throughout the state,” Lussier said. “There has been tremendous research in the dairy industry, including cow comfort, animal welfare, best practices and milking techniques. The relationship has been extremely beneficial for our operation.”
Throughout the year, extension agents continue finding new ways to connect with residents while promoting the importance of local food systems. The office produces the "Extension Cord" podcast, creates educational videos on seasonal topics, such as holiday cooking, and offers workshops that address emerging community needs. Whether helping a homeowner choose the right plant for the right place, teaching a restaurant manager proper food safety practices, supporting local farmers or guiding a young person through a first science project, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County remains committed to its mission of making university research accessible, practical and useful for everyone.
All photos provided by IFAS Communications, Alachua County, and Hawthorne Creek Creamery.