Who We Are

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is a nationwide network that was established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. It is a partnership between state land grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the county governments throughout the nation. All of these groups share in the planning, financing, and operation of extension programs. In Florida, the Cooperative Extension Service is administered by the University of Florida and Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University.

Leon County Commissioners provide support for local faculty, staff, and facilities. The Leon County Cooperative Extension Service conducts research-based educational programs in Agriculture, Horticulture, Family & Consumer Sciences, marine interest, and 4-H Youth Development. Locally based advisory committees ensure that programs are designed to meet community needs. Volunteer training is strongly emphasized in our programs to enable us to reach more of the county’s population.

Mission Statement

UF/IFAS Extension Leon County is a federal, state, and county partnership throughout Florida, with the mission to improve our lives by developing knowledge in agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The partnership includes Florida Cooperative Extension, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida (UF), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), and the Leon County Extension Service.

Equal Opportunity Institution

All programs and related activities sponsored for, or assisted by, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Services are open to all persons with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, and political opinions or affiliations.

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Marcus Boston (marcusb@ufl.edu, 850-606-5200) at least one week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.