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Cooperative Extension Update & Exploration
Gardens
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
October 8, 2013
Background
• Overview
• Exploration Gardens
• Action Requested
Cooperative Extension UpdatePresentation Outline
Background
• Overview
• Exploration Gardens
• Action Requested
Cooperative Extension UpdatePresentation Outline
Background
•Smith Lever Act 1914 – Established Cooperative Extension Service.
•Extension is a federal, state, and county partnership formed to extend the knowledge at land grant universities to help solve local needs in the counties. •First Orange County Extension Agent, Charles Baker, was hired February 14, 1914.
Cooperative Extension-Overview
Extension Partners (FY ꞌ12-ꞌ13)
• Orange County BCC$1,141,961
• University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences$1,217,885
• United States Department of Agriculture – FNP Grant$242,499
Cooperative Extension-Overview
Major Program Areas
•Agriculture / Horticulture/ Natural Resources
•Family and Consumer Sciences
•4-H Youth Development
Orange County Extension has access to hundreds of University of Florida specialists to help address local needs.
Cooperative Extension-Overview
2012 Highlights
• 1,985 educational events attended by 69,540 adults and youth.
• 571 volunteers contributed 45,998 hours worth $838,083 of service to the County.
• 488,991 television, newspaper, radio, website & magazine contacts per month.
• Exploration Gardens Grand Opening!
Cooperative Extension-Overview
Background
• Overview
• Exploration Gardens
• Action Requested
Cooperative Extension UpdatePresentation Outline
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Background•Garden design began in 2007 in conjunction with construction of the new Extension Center on Conway Road.
•2009 construction began with an $800k budget.
•Recession necessitated cost savings.
•In 2010, basic shell of garden completed – no electricity, irrigation or teaching pavilions.
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Purpose• Commercial and residential clientele learn
techniques for conserving water, fertilizer, and reducing pesticide use while growing food and ornamental crops.
• This education supports the County’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.
• Research shows “Learning by Experience” and “Hands On” activities increases knowledge and retention of classroom teaching.
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Since 2010 • Eight themed gardens built.
• Industry, County, City partners & volunteers.
• Tree Trust Fund money was used to build greenhouse in 2012 at a cost of $75,000
• Official Grand Opening in Spring of 2012.
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Grand Opening
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
• Master Gardener volunteers contributed 3,000 dollars and sweat equity to build this theme garden.
• Raised beds, square foot gardens, floating hydroponic and solar powered vertical systems, permiculture plots.
• Used to teach urban farming techniques to small farmers, market and urban gardeners.
•
Small Farm & Vegetable Garden
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
• Teaching the importance of Florida Friendly Landscaping – right plant, right place!
• Landscapes that attract bees, butterflies and native pollinators for fruit and vegetable cross pollination.
Eco & Butterfly Gardens
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Events Garden
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Bog Garden
Right Plant Right Place
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Garden Utilization (2013) • Over 116 Self Guided Tours per week
• Group tours averaging 4 per week
• Small group and individual agent consultations averaging 4 per week
• 4-H Clubs and 4-H Explorers Camps have “hands on” activities throughout the year
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Background
Benefits of Teaching Gazebo• Research shows “Learning by Experience” and
“Hands On” activities increases knowledge and retention of classroom teaching.
• Having a location to get out of the weather, rest, and continue teaching in the garden extends the time frame for “Learning by Doing”, thus increasing knowledge gained.
• This is especially important with youth and elder programs and tours during the hot months of the year.
•
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens - Design
• Tree Replacement Trust Fund allows funding for “educational programs which promote the objectives” of the County’s landscape code.
• Since 2002, over $700k has been expended from the Fund.
• $75,000 was spent from the Fund for the Greenhouse Learning Center in 2011.
• Presently, the Fund has a balance of $1.5 Million.
• Cost to construct gazebo and ancillary amenities is less than $120k.
Teaching Gazebo Funding
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Background
• Overview
• Exploration Gardens
• Action Requested
Cooperative Extension UpdatePresentation Outline
• Board approval to spend up to $120,000 from the Tree Replacement Trust Fund to construct a teaching gazebo in the center of the Exploration Garden, including plans, a connecting boardwalk and bringing electricity to the building.
Action Requested
Cooperative Extension Exploration Gardens
Cooperative Extension Update & Exploration
Gardens
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
October 8, 2013
