Who We Are

The Cooperative Extension Service is nationwide and 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.

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. Pasco County Government provides support for local faculty, staff and facilities.

Meet our Team!

Dr. Whitney Elmore
Extension Agent & County Extension Director
Horticulture

Caitlyn Porter
Administrative Assistant

Michelle Jedych
Receptionist

Jillian Meek
Manager
Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Program

Kate Kaste
Program Manager
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

Jim Moll
Program Coordinator
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program

Aimee Schlitt
Program Manager
One Stop Shop, Commercial Kitchen, and Luggage of Love Program

Christina Brantley
One Stop Shop Receptionist

Laura Bennett
Tri-County Livestock Extension Agent
Agriculture & Livestock

Vacant
Tri-County Sustainable Ag Extension Agent
Commercial Horticulture

Shayla Reighter
4H Agent
Extension Pasco County 4H

Shari Bresin
FCS Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)

Chris Carreiro
Program Manager
Community Gardens Program

Jody Moore
Program Assistant (West Side)
Community Gardens Program

Isabella Olsen
Program Assistant (East Side)
Community Gardens Program

Pasco County residents can find "solutions for your life":

• Call our office for answers to your questions
• Bring plant/insect specimens to our offices for diagnoses/identification
• Schedule a seminar for your group
• Subscribe 5-18 in 4-H programs
• Become a Master Gardener
• Attend programs presented by Extension faculty, program assistants and county volunteers
• Have questions about cattle or livestock and pasture management? Call us for solutions!
• Need to know about how to start a community garden? We've got answers!
• What is Florida Friendly Landscaping? Call us to find out!