Hernando County Extension is a partnership between: University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture, and Hernando County Board of County Commissioners to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. Operating as part of the University's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Extension serves each of the state's sixty-seven counties by providing information and conducting educational programs on issues such as sustainable agriculture, competitiveness in world markets, natural resource conservation, energy conservation, food safety, child and family development, consumer credit counseling, and youth development.



Meet the Extension Agents and Staff

Dr. Stacy Strickland
County Extension Director and Regional Specialized Extension Agent for Agriculture/Small Farms

Stacy holds a B.S. in Biology from Valdosta State University (GA) and a Doctorate of Plant Medicine from the University of Florida. He has been an extension agent since 2004 and county extension director since 2009. He lives in northern Hernando County with his wife, Keri.


Email Stacy if you have questions about farming, bugs, or diseases of plants in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, and Sumter Counties.

 

 

Nancy Moores
4-H Agent

Nancy holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Eckerd College and a Masters of Education from National Luis University. She has been the Hernando County 4-H Agent since January 1999. Her husband Jeffrey and daughters Jodi and Sara were 4-H members even before her. In 2010, she was honored to represent Florida as a National Distinguished Service award winner at the NAE4-HA national meeting.

Email Ms. Nancy if you would like to enroll your youth in one of the many diverse 4-H clubs in Hernando County.

 

Scott Taylor
Family and Consumer Science Agent

Scott is a native Floridian, born and raised on a dairy farm in Sumter County. He is an Air Force Veteran, and has a Bachelor's degree in Financial Management, and a Master's degree in Aeronautical Science. He has worked in Hernando County Extension for 4 years, teaching financial management and energy/sustainability matters. Scott and his wife, Julie live in eastern Hernando County.


Email Scott if you have questions about money management or housing questions.

 

 

Sylvia Durell
Florida-Friendly Landscapingâ„¢ Program Coordinator

Originally from Pennsylvaina, Sylvia has been living in Florida for 12 years. She attended The  University of Akron and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. As project manager for funding for Florida-Friendly Landscaping from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Sylvia worked with FFL programs in nine counties. She also helped develop numerous educational resources during that time.

Email Sylvia with your questions about water-efficient landscaping.

 

 

 

 

Multi-County Agents

Dr. Joan Bradshaw - Natural Resources - Citrus County
Ed Jennings - Commercial Livestock - Pasco County

Donna Beairsto is the administrative assistant.

Donna has worked for Hernando County Extension Service for 22 years. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley area of New York State, Donna has made Florida her home for 27 years. Donna manages the financial affairs of the Extension Office and various other duties supporting all the Extension Agents. She is a proud grandmother of 3 and lives in Brooksville with her mom Phyllis and faithful dog...Rosie the boxer. 






Our Mission

The Extension provides scientifically-based agricultural, human and natural resources knowledge that citizens use in making decisions which contribute to an improved life.

Our Services

The Extension Service is an educational program which exists to serve the educational needs of the local people. Extension Agents extend the resources of the University of Florida (our land grant university) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the following program areas: agriculture, horticulture, family and consumer sciences and 4-H. Educational programs reach out to people through meetings, seminars, educational materials, consultations, demonstrations, field days and computer networking.

Local advisory committees help Extension agents to identify needs and determine how best to address them.