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It’s been said that the University Extension Service is one of the County’s best kept secrets. As an Extension agent, this isn’t exactly something to brag about. Officially, the University Extension Service is described as a partnership between state, federal, and county governments dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources and life sciences, and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of life. More simply put Extension helps people find practical solutions to problems that are specific to their community. Therefore, it’s a shame if our services are kept secret from anyone.

The Florida Extension Service is based out of the University of Florida’s the Institute of Food and Agriculture Services (IFAS) in Gainesville, Florida. However, extension offices are found in every county within the state. This arrangement allows the University to extend its knowledge base in each community. Locally, the Extension Service is collaboration between UF/IFAS and the Public Services Division of Collier County.

The Collier Extension office is made up of a diverse group of professionals dedicated to serving the citizens of Collier County. Agents bring an array of expertise within their disciplines and serve as an excellent resource to help address important issues in the county.

Agents deliver programs based on priority issues determined by local stakeholders. Information is delivered through consultations, workshops, presentations, and online and written publications. As a result, citizens use this information in their businesses, homes, and personal lives.

Robert Halman is the county Extension director and agriculture agent. Robert’s outreach programs provide information on agriculture industry issues and how they impact our community. In addition, Robert provides consultations on educational, technical and research-based information in the areas of general disaster and emergency management, and animal disaster planning. Examples of Robert’s programs include the annual Collier County Agriculture Tour and workshops that educate homeowners on protecting their pets from wildlife.

Cathy Feser is the County’s Urban Horticulture Extension agent. Her work focuses on educating homeowners on creating and maintaining attractive landscapes to enhance their community while protecting the natural environment. She manages the Florida Master Gardner and Florida Yards and Neighbors programs, which are statewide programs focused on training and educating citizens on best landscaping practices. Cathy also teaches a landscaping short course, writes gardening articles for the Naples Daily News, and organizes the annual Extension Yard and Garden Show.

Doug Caldwell is the County’s Commercial Landscape Horticulture Extension agent. He holds a Ph.D. in entomology, is a certified arborist, and is a Florida certified horticulture professional (FCHP). He is the primary contact for horticulture professionals, homeowners associations, golf course personnel, and retail and wholesale nurseries. He offers training for various pesticide license exams as well as workshops on topics such as proper pruning, landscape fertilizing, and diagnosing plant problems. He also teaches sections of the best management practices-training that is required by the City of Naples. In addition, Doug helps diagnose the Palm Lethal Yellowing Disease in the County and writes articles for the Naples Daily News.

Bryan Fluech is the County’s Sea Grant Extension agent. Florida Sea Grant’s mission is to enhance the practical use and conservation of the state’s marine and coastal resources to create a sustainable environment and economy. Bryan’s programs focus on sustainable fisheries, marine resource protection and marine education. His outreach efforts include educating and training anglers on proper catch and release techniques and minimizing impacts on marine life such as pelicans and dolphins. He oversees the County’s Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program, assists the county with enhancing its artificial reef program, and collaborates with Rookery Bay in teaching the Florida Master Naturalist Program. Bryan is also active in youth sport fishing programs and educating school and 4-H youth about numerous marine-related topics. Bryan’s main office is located at Rookery Bay Reserve.

Anni Galdames is the County’s 4-H Youth Extension Agent. 4-H is the Cooperative Extension Service’s informal, practical educational program for youth ages 5-18. It uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to become competent, caring, and contributing citizens. Despite the belief that 4-H only deals with livestock and other agriculture, Collier’s 4-H program reaches out to youth from all backgrounds and interests. Currently, youth are learning about topics such as marine ecology, fitness and nutrition education, GIS mapping, money management, public speaking, and photography to name a few. The main foundation for these programs is the 4-H Club, which is a group of at least five youth guided by one or more adult volunteer leaders. Clubs chose the topics they wish to learn about, and Anni helps oversee and provides guidance to the clubs. Another important aspect of 4-H is its community outreach programs, which are coordinated by Trisha Aldridge. Trisha goes out into the community, and delivers afterschool, library, and weekend programs on a number of topics of interest to youth.

Even if the agents’ disciplines do not align with your specific needs, they can still serve as a valuable resource. They are part of a statewide network of faculty with expertise on a variety of topics ranging from green-friendly community development to elderly nutrition needs. As an added resource, the “Solutions for Your Life” Web site (http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/) was developed to help citizens solve problems on a variety of Florida-relevant topics.

The Collier County Extension office is located eleven miles east of I-75 on Immokalee Road near the County Fair Grounds. The facility includes education gardens that are open to the public as well as the Extension Plant Clinic, which is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic is staffed by master gardeners who give free advice on a number of landscaping topics.

To find out how you County Extension Service can help you, visit http://collier.ifas.ufl.edu/ or contact them at (239) 353-4244.

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Bryan Fluech is the Collier County Sea Grant Extension Agent with the University of Florida Extension Service. He can be reached at (239) 417-6310, ext. 225, or Fluech@ufl.edu.