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.

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

Jim Moll
Horticulture Agent

Jim holds a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin. Jim has been the Urban Horticulture Agent in Hernando County since November of 1999. Prior to that, Jim worked at Bok Tower Gardens in Polk County. He also has practiced horticulture in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Hawaii. Jim currently lives in Brooksville.

Email Jim if you have questions about how to care for your lawn, garden, landscape plants, or the master gardener  program.

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 3 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.

Multi-County Agents

Dr. Joan Bradshaw - Natural Resources - Citrus County
Gary England - Commercial Horticulture - Sumter County
Ed Jennings - Commercial Livestock - Pasco County




John Korycki is the FYN coordinator

John is a native Floridian and a former Hernando County 4-H member. John held the distinction of being the youngest Florida Master Gardener at age 13. He holds an Associate's Degree in Horticulture and has been the Hernando County Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Coordinator since 2005. John lives in Inverness.

For questions about Florida-Friendly Landscaping, email John.

Flossie Raines is the Cannery Center Operator.

Flossie is a native Hernando Countian. She has served at the Hernando County Cannery for over 15 years. She lives in rural northern Hernando County with her husband, Chuck.

Donna Beairsto is the administrative assistant. 

Donna has worked for Hernando County Extension Service for 20 years. A native of the Hudson Valley of New York, Donna has made Florida her home for 25 years. Donna manages the financial affairs of the Extension Office. She lives in central Hernando County.

Lilly Browning is the administrative secretary.

Lilly has lived in Hernando County for 33 years. She has worked for Hernando County Extension Service for 11 years. She lives in north western Hernando County with her husband, Henry.

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.