Our Roots: Evolution of Florida's Cooperative Extension Services by Dana Stephens

Our Roots: Evolution of Florida's Cooperative Extension Services

Our Foundation (1862-1905)

     The Morrill Act of 1862, also known as the Land Grant Act, granted federal land to states to fund agriculture and mechanical colleges. Signed by President Abraham Lincoln, the Morrill Act laid the groundwork for land-grant universities across the United States. The Florida Agricultural College was established in Lake City in 1884, becoming Florida’s first Land-Grant institution.
     The second Morrill Act of 1891 provided federal funds for agriculture and mechanical arts, adding another Land-Grant institution in Florida, the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students.
     Under the Buckman Act, in 1905, the Florida Agricultural College and the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students became institutions of higher education. The Florida Agriculture College was renamed the University of the State of Florida (in Gainesville) in 1905 and then the University of Florida (UF) in 1909. The State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students was renamed the Florida Agriculture and Mechanical College for Negros in 1909 and then the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1953. 

Our Community Connection (1887-1920s)

The Hatch Act of 1887 funded agricultural experiment stations affiliated with Land-Grant institutions, and by 1888, the Florida Agriculture Experiment Station was established in Lake City. Farmers’ Institutes, Florida’s first in 1899, provided community-based demonstrations of agricultural techniques. In the early 1900s, there was a rapid expansion of rural community-based educational programming to home demonstrations (e.g., canning), 4-H youth development (e.g., 4-H Corn Clubs for youth in 1909), and horticulture.

Our Cooperative Extension (1914-1915)

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the Cooperative Extension System, officially linking Land-Grant institutions, like UF and FAMU, to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for public education. The Florida Agriculture Extension Division was created in May 1915 and located at UF.

Our Continued Growth (1964- today)

In 1964, UF’s higher education board formed the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The College of Agriculture, Experiment Station, School of Forestry, and Cooperative Extension consolidated to UF/IFAS. Today, UF/IFAS Extension is administered jointly by UF and FAMU collectively uniting federal, state, and county resources to deliver science-based educational programming in agriculture, coastal sciences, family and consumer sciences, horticulture, natural resources, youth development, and more.

Our Continued Impact (2026- forward)

From roots in 19th-century land grants and experiment stations to its century-long mission of outreach and education, Florida’s Extension Services consistently bridged research and real-world impact. Today, UF/IFAS Extension remains a vital resource that makes Floridians’ lives better through community-centric, science-driven solutions.

COLD WEATHER by Jennifer Bearden

Ice in buckets and frost on the ground at Jennifer's barn

Looks like we have some cold weather in the forecast.  It’s typical of North Florida winter temps.  Nothing out of the ordinary, but it’s a good time to remind folks about USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and why they exist.

On average, our temperatures in Okaloosa for January are highs in the 60s and lows near 40.  We commonly experience temperatures in the 20s since January is our coldest month of the year.    I’ve seen us dip into the teens during January cold snaps.  We did last year during that historic snowstorm.

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones exist to tell us what plants will thrive based on our average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.  In Okaloosa County, we have 3 zones - 8b in the rural, north areas, 9a in the interior, and 9b along the coast.

So how do we apply this knowledge?  Orange trees thrive in zones 9-11.  They can grow in 8, but they need protection from the north winds.  Even then, we sometimes see them die, and the rootstock citrus grows back.  Like oranges, bananas are also 9-11 but can grow in 8 with protection from the cold.

On the opposite side of this are plants that require the cold to set fruit.  Peaches, apples, and raspberries all require chill hours to set fruit.  We have developed low chill hour varieties of these that will grow here, but will only set fruit if we have an average winter, since they still need chill hours.  So, if we have a warm winter, they will not set fruit as well.

So, before you plant, check the hardiness zone and find plants and varieties of the plants that will thrive in your zone.  USDA has a hardiness zone map so you can find your zone.  Know your zone and choose the right plants.  This will save you money and aggravation.

4-H by Hartley Spaulding

We are gearing up for the spring and all of competition season! Before long, Okaloosa County 4-H will be competing in a variety of competitions, including archery, shotgun, forest ecology, tailgate, and more. Before we know it, we will be congratulating our members on their successes. And preparing for summer. It's never too soon to start inquiring about our summer day camp opportunities. Watch our website and social media for announcements of contact the 4-H Agent at hartleyspaulding@ufl.edu.

Phytoplankton of the Month
January's Phytoplankton of the Month is the Spiny Architect of the Sea by Dana Stephens

Chaetoceros is a marine diatom and a spiny architect of the sea. Phytoplankton are microscopic plants found in water. There are diverse types of phytoplankton. Diatoms look like glass, make their own food, and release oxygen into the environment. Diatoms are the only organisms on Earth with cell walls composed of transparent, opaline silica that form intricate patterns, which is why they appear to look like glass. Diatoms are important food sources for entire food webs and can serve as indicators of ecosystem health.

Quick Facts- Chaetoceros
Type: Marine
Size: 5-50 um
Shape: Chain-forming diatom with spine setae
Color: Golden brown (due to fucoxanthin pigment)
Role: Primary producer, oxygen generator, food source, carbon sink

Meet Chaetoceros

Chaetoceros is one of the most abundant and ecologically important diatoms in marine ecosystems worldwide, including Florida’s coastal waters. These microscopic algae form chains connected by long, bristle-like spines called setae, which help them stay afloat and deter predators. Their silica cell walls give them a glass-like appearance under the microscope. Chaetoceros thrive in nutrient-rich coastal waters and estuaries, often blooming during upwelling events or seasonal nutrient changes. Chaetoceros are ecologically important as they form the foundation of the food web and are consumed by zooplankton (microscopic animals in the water), fish larvae, and higher trophic levels.

Fun Fact

Those spiny projections, setae, are not just for show. They reduce sinking rates and help Chaetoceros to stay in the surface waters, allowing them to catch sunlight to make their own food and produce oxygen (photosynthesis).

Stinkhorns are Wild and Smelly Fungi by Larry Williams

Mushrooms are creating a stink in Northwest Florida lately. A foul-smelling mushroom from the stinkhorn fungus is popping up in many of our landscapes. It is their odor that normally gets the attention of a homeowner out in their landscape. The homeowner then tries to find what has died nearby and discovers the culprit: brightly colored, odd-shaped mushrooms, which are usually growing in wood mulch. 

Stinkhorns, which belong to an order of fungi that includes puffballs, earthstars, and the bird's nest fungi, produce mushrooms that smell like rotted meat. Their putrid odor motivates people to seek advice on control measures. Apart from the objectionable smell, stinkhorns are not a problem. 

There are hundreds of different types of mushrooms in Florida. Even though many of the mushrooms are very visible, they are only the reproductive parts of a fungus. The mushrooms grow from fine thread-like or root-like structures called mycelia (singular mycelium), which normally go unseen. Mycelia can live for years in wood, living tissue, or the soil. 

The stinkhorn fungus is a decomposer. From this viewpoint, it is considered beneficial because it helps break down decaying plant material. Dr. Gary Simone, former UF/IFAS Extension Plant Pathologist, said, "Their ecological niche is one of composting grass, straw, wood chips, or similar organic matter on the soil surface." 

The wet, warm environment of the southeastern United States provides a perfect home for these mushroom-producing fungi. Mushrooms are natural residents of Florida. Northwest Florida receives 60 to 65 inches of rain per year, we have high humidity and warm, mild temperatures most of the year, plus we have a wealth of decaying plant material. This all adds up to fungi heaven. 

Stinkhorn fungi start as white, egglike structures that are anchored to the soil by a root-like network (Mycelia). Only the top portion of the egg-like structure can be seen. Most of the "egg" is underground. 

Simone said, "The egg-like structure contains a fully formed, miniature adult that is ready to expand to adult size upon availability of water." It may only take an hour or so from the egg-rupturing stage to the mature stinkhorn mushroom. 

Based on the type of stinkhorn, the fruiting structure (mushroom) will be either column, stalk-like, globular, or lattice-like in shape. The mature mushroom varies in color, but most are pink to orange. They also vary from two to a little over six inches in height and from one-half to three inches in width. 

Various insects, including flies, are attracted to the scent of stinkhorn mushrooms. Flies feed on the spore slime. After dining, they depart and transport spores for this fungus to other locations.

Simone said, "Stinkhorn fungi do not cause disease, despite their occurrence near declining trees and shrubs." He said that their colonies may extend in all directions around the visible mushroom and that they persist for several years until their food source is exhausted. Most people I talk to about stinkhorns tell me the mushrooms are growing in an area where they have wood mulch. This fungus helps decompose the wood mulch.

The following are stinkhorn management options offered by Simone.

Tolerance: Learn to live with them, as they do represent beneficial organisms to the soil ecology in Florida. Keep windows closed during periods of mushroom production to minimize the odor problem indoors.

Eradication: Hand-pick the "egg" stage before it ruptures and put it in a zipper bag in the garbage. Inverting the bag over your hand, like a glove, allows picking the mushroom without touching it. Then, simply fold the bag over the mushroom and close the bag. Small or new colonies may be eradicated through the complete removal of an area of mulch to the depth of the native soil. No guarantees with this method, though.

Environment alteration: Use of ground covers, such as ivy, jasmine, liriope, mondo grass, etc., will serve to reduce stinkhorn incidence in a landscape. Distance large, mulched areas away from the house.

A Fresh Start for 2026 by Jill Breslawski

As we move into 2026, we’re left with a fresh set of possibilities and a chance to write the next chapter of our lives. A new year feels like a clean page, inviting us to sketch out the goals that will guide us for the months ahead. If you haven’t yet pinned down a resolution for this year, here are a few ideas to help you get started. It’s not too late!

1.  Set a realistic budget for 2026.
Drafting a budget means cataloguing every source of income and every expense you expect to pay. Outline how you’ll divide money for essentials, savings, and even fun. Seeing all your finances in one place can feel a little overwhelming, but it actually frees you to plan “fun” without the nagging worry of overspending. Review the budget each month to adjust as life changes.

2.  Make a small, sustainable change to your diet.
While many aim for big weight-loss goals at the start of a year, gradual tweaks often prove more successful. Try small changes like trimming the salt or oil in your nightly stir?fry, adding an extra vegetable side, or taking a brief walk after lunch. These modest daily adjustments can bring long-term benefits—lower blood pressure, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and a lighter, more energetic you.

3.   Prioritize family and friends on your calendar.
Time flies faster each year: kids grow, loved ones age, and unplanned obligations crowd our schedules. Treat family or friend time like a non-negotiable appointment—mark it on your calendar and honor it. It’s a simple but impactful way to preserve those precious moments that otherwise slip through the cracks.

4.  Explore a new hobby or join a community.
New pursuits stimulate the brain and ward off boredom, anxiety, and burnout. Consider joining a local adult sports league (disc golf, kickball, softball), a book club, volunteering as a Master Gardener, learning to cook elaborate dishes, participating in faith-based activities, dabbling in woodworking, or even picking up that guitar you’ve been wanting to play. The key is to challenge yourself in a way that feels joyful and engaging.

Remember, doubts or off?days do not signal failure; they’re part of the journey. If you feel tempted to abandon a goal, lean into the challenge even harder, keep pace with your plan, and see how far you can go by 2027. The act of setting and pursuing a goal, in itself, shapes the story you’ll be proud to share as the next year begins.

UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Pond Management Workshop Series (11 AM – 12 PM)

Understanding Aquatic Macrophytes (aka plants you can see)- Friday, February 6, 2026 Understanding Wildlife and Pond Balance- Friday, March 6, 2026

Understanding Fisheries and Fish Stocking- Friday, April 3, 2026

Understanding Stormwater and Erosion- Friday, May 1, 2026

GREEN INDUSTRIES BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES COURSE ON MARCH 12TH FROM 8:30 AM TO 4:00 PM

LOCATION: ESCAMBIA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE, 3740 STEFANI ROAD, CANTONMENT, FL 32533

REGISTER AT https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-industries-best-management-practices-course-tickets-1981038176514