Kati Lawson, County Extension Director and Extension Agent II
The Cooperative Extension Service is a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), state land grant institution(s) and local county government. The University of Florida (UF) along with Florida A&M University (FAMU) work together to provide Extension programs in the state.
Extension is a part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), and the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.
The Extension Office is where experts relate research findings to daily life. Extension staff provide information to agricultural and livestock producers, as well as the general public. Information is always research-based, current and free.
The Highlands County Extension Office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office follows the University of Florida operational schedules for holidays and closures.
Master Gardeners are available for consultation from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Extension Programs include:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources - Programs include Commercial Crop Production, Integrated Pest Management, Ag Safety, Green Industry Best Management Practices (GI-BMPs), and Natural Resources. Lourdes Pérez Cordero is the Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- 4-H Youth Development – 4-H is a non-profit organization. This youth development program provides youth ages 5 to 18 with critical life skills such as citizenship, leadership, communication, and responsibility. Through this hands-on program, youth throughout the state can explore interests in a variety of areas such as agriculture, healthy living, STEAM, environmental education, financial management, and so much more. Programs are delivered through community clubs, school-based clubs, SPIN (special interest) clubs, school enrichment, short-term projects, workshops, and day and residential camping programs. Programs are taught by 4-H staff and trained volunteers. All volunteers are required to be level 2 background checked and complete extensive training to provide a safe and inclusive environment for 4-H youth to thrive. Ashley H.K. Gill is the 4-H Agent and Alexis Cooper is the 4-H Education/Training Specialist.
- Livestock - The Livestock Agent works with livestock producers and industry professionals to provide them with research-based information and resources to make sustainable and profitable decisions. Programs include Herd Health, Pasture Management, Forages, Reproduction, and Ag Awareness. Kalan Royal is the Livestock Agent.
- Residential Horticulture – Programs include Florida Friendly Landscaping, Plant Propagation, Vegetable Gardening, Edible Landscapes, Beekeeping and Pollinators, Lawn Irrigation, Soil Testing, and Horticultural Weather Protection. Our Residential Horticulture Agent also oversees the local Master Gardener Program, which is made up of University of Florida trained volunteers, promotes environmentally sound horticulture practices to manage plants in the landscape, gardens and/or home. David Austin is the Residential Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator.
