Steve Cordle
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Oct. 28 Monticello Kiwanis Club luncheon featured a program from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Office. Danielle Sprague gave an update on events and programs at the extension office. Sprague reported that Dr. Scott Angle is the new vice president for UF/IFAS. Dr. Angle comes to the institute from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), where he was the director. Dr. Nick Place is leaving UF/IFAS and they will soon be searching for a new Dean of Extension.
The UF/IFAS Peanut butter challenge is continuing through Nov. 25. Last year Kiwanis collected 292 pounds of peanut butter. The 4-H program continues to be active with the Chick Chain Project, which teaches youth how to raise and care for chickens using research-based methods. 4-H also supports a school public speaking contest and is in the process of hiring a new 4-H programming assistant, due to the recent retirement of Gladys Neely. The AG program is still doing field visits as needed. The cool-season forage will be planted in the next few weeks.
Spague briefly addressed the issue of Invasive Species Awareness week, which is the week of Feb. 22, 2021. Spague closed out her presentation by discussing some of the challenges faced by American farmers and ranchers and encouraging attendees to support local farmers and jobs by buying locally produced agricultural products.
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