Extension Success Stories

Extension provides non-biased, research-based information to America's citizens.  Pasco County Extension is an off-campus branch of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and serves as a bridge between the research labs of the university and the local community by providing educational materials and programs for adults and youth.  The Cooperative Extension Service is nationwide and was established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.  It is a partnership of state land-grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the county governments throughout the nation.   Pasco County Government provides support for local faculty, staff and facilities.

Pasco County residents can find "Solutions For Your Life"

Pasco County Poultry Judging team take third place overall at the National poultry contest in Louisville, Kentucky! 

Final results for Team Pasco: Team- 1st in market eggs, 3rd overall team. They did a Great job representing Florida and Pasco County! 

Individual results:

• Emily Jennings- 3rd overall, 1st in market eggs, 7th in production hens.
• Kaylee Cummings- 2nd in market eggs, 33rd overall.
• Bailey McKendree- 5th in market eggs, 23rd overall.
• Tierani Johnson- 26th overall.
• Nathalie Yoder( Jackson county) 11th olverall
• Deanna Brock also from Pasco County Places 3rd in the National Poultry BBQ contest.
UF/IFAS Pasco Extension is so proud of their 4-Hers!

Pasco County 4-H Students Win at Florida 4-H Tailgate Cookery Competition!

Pasco Heritage of Pasco County Florida 4-H students placed in several categories at the First Annual Florida 4-H Tailgating Contest sponsored by Sonny’s BBQ & Winn Dixie Supermarkets. The purpose of this new contest was to promote the use of animal protein in the diet by teaching the art and science of safely preparing beef, pork, poultry, and seafood in an outdoor setting. Investment in this activity provides 4-H youth with life skills, including decision making, healthy lifestyle choices, and communication. 

Congratulations to all winners! 

• Beef Grand Champion - Dalton Brock
• Pork Grand Champion - Montana Rose
• Poultry Grand Champion - Deanna Brock
• Shrimp Reserve Grand Champion - Colton Hambrick

Deanna Brock will be going to the National Poultry Competition in November.

Pasco 4-H Poultry Judging Team Wins State Competition!

On Saturday June 4, 2016, five Pasco County 4-H Youth claimed 1st place in the Florida State Poultry Judging Contest conducted on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville. The competition consists of grading whole egg exterior quality, interior egg grades by candling, interior egg quality in broken out eggs, evaluating and placing live laying hens, providing verbal justification for placing live hen classes, grading whole ready to cook chicken, and identifying ten retail chicken meat cuts. Team members pictured are Austin Dykas, a Junior at Land 'O Lakes High School, Bailey McKendree, a Sophomore at Pasco High School, Kaylee Cummings, a Sophomore at Pasco High School, Tierani Johnson, a Junior at Land 'O Lakes High School, and Emily Jennings a Freshman at Zephyrhills High School (left to right). Individually, the team members excelled with Emily placing 1st in the state, Kaylee 3rd, Austin 4th, Tierani 5th and Bailey 6th. The University of Florida/IFAS Pasco Extension Office is proud to have these students represent Pasco 4H at the National Competition.

Pasco Master Gardeners Hit the Road with New Mobile Plant Clinic

Expert plant advice can now be found at many festivals and special events

The University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Master Gardeners are proud to announce the addition of a new Mobile Plant Clinic. The Mobile Plant Clinic, funded by Pasco County Master Gardeners, the UF/IFAS South Central Extension District, UF/IFAS Communications, and sponsored by Local Wraps, Inc. of Pasco County, will be available at various festivals, special events, and activities held throughout the year. Pasco County Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist homeowners with plant and landscape related issues wherever the Mobile Plant Clinic is seen. Special thanks go to the sponsors and to Michele Wood, with UF/IFAS Communications, for designing wonderful graphics for all to see. Stop by the Mobile Plant Clinic for expert plant advice and to learn more about Florida Friendly Landscaping™.

UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Receives USDA Grant to Develop a Community Garden at the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee

Students attending the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee, in Pasco County, now have their own community garden and 4-H Club. Students are learning to grow their own veggies and enhancing their knowledge of food systems. Students are working with UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Agents Dr. Whitney Elmore (Urban Horticulture) and Jean Hink (4H and Youth Development) and Pasco Master Gardeners as well as Tabitha Villa and Linda Tesar (Program Assistants) from the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Food and Nutrition Program to enhance their knowledge of healthy eating and physical activities. Jim Moll, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Coordinator, is also teaching the students how to conserve and protect valuable water resources.