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2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES

Provide horticulture related educational programs for homeowners, businesses, community organizations, schools, and governmental agencies.

Manage and evaluate the Master Gardener Volunteer program and the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program.

Assist retail nurseries and landscape maintenance businesses. Conduct exams for certain pesticide trainings.

Specific duties by percentage: Promoting Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Practices 45% Enhancing the Capacity of Master Gardener Volunteers 35% Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta 15% Life Skills Developed in Youth through Subject matter Experiences 5%

100% 3. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Environmental Horticulture Volunteer Development

4. ASSIGNED ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST PROMOTION (NOT TO EXCEED TEN YEARS), OR SINCE UF EMPLOYMENT, whichever is more recent. 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 Teaching 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Research 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Service 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Extension 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% TOTAL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 5. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND University of Arizona Agricultural Education MS 1989 University of Arizona Anthropology BA 1984 Harrisburg Area Comm. Coll. Liberal Studies AA 1980

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6. EMPLOYMENT University of Florida Extension Monroe County 2001 – Present Extension Agent II, (permanent status accruing) Gainesville Regional Utilities 1994 - 2001 Utility Forester Rodale Institute 1993 - 1994 Legume Research Intern U.S. Peace Corps (Central African Republic) 1990 - 1992 Agroforester Food for the Hungry 1988 - 1988 International Agriculture Intern Harlow's Nursery 1987 - 1988 Plant Nursery Sales Representative 7. YEAR TENURE/PERMANENT STATUS WAS AWARDED BY UNIVERISTY OF FLORIDA 8. TEACHING, ADVISING AND/OR INSTRUCTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS - N/A 9. TEACHING EVALUATIONS - N/A 10. GRADUATE FACULTY STATUS - N/A 11. GRADUATE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES - N/A 12. RESEARCH NARRATIVE (ALL FACULTY) - N/A 13. CREATIVE WORKS OR ACTIVITIES Audio/Visual Materials (176 total) Radio Shows (Agent, n=82; Horticulture Program Assistants, n=15) Gabel, Kim. 2005. National Public Radio. All Things Considered. “Days of the Iguana in the Florida Keys” (Ten-minute interview; 26 million listeners). Gabel, Kim. 2005. Conch FM, 98.7 Cruzin’ with Gruzin. “Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta” (15-minute interview; 7,500 listeners). Gabel, Kim. 2004. WFTL, 850 AM, West Palm Beach. “Poinsettias” (Ten-minute interview; One million listeners). Gabel, Kim. 2003. WFKZ Sun 103.1 Florida Roundtable. “Monroe County Horticulture Extension program” (Two one-hour interviews; 1,000 listeners).

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Gabel Kim. 2003 – 2006. WGMX 94.3 FM Morning Show. “Monroe County Master Gardener program”, “Bedbugs”, “Removing Mold”, “Tropical Fruit Fiesta” (Four 15-minute interviews; 25,000 listeners). *Keeler, Gail. 2003. WAVK 94.3FM Morning Show. “Tropical Fruit Fiesta” (Two 15-minute interviews; 2,500 listeners). Gabel, Kim. 2001-2006. US 1, 104.1 FM Morning Magazine. “Current horticultural topics” (73 five-minute interviews; 7,500 listeners). *Stotts, Jeff. 2001-2003. US 1, 104 FM Morning Magazine. “Current Horticultural topics” (13 five-minute interviews; 7500 listeners). * Horticulture Program Assistant Television Shows (Agent, n=4; Horticulture Program Assistants, n=9) Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Planting Native Trees” aired on FKAA Today a Monroe County local government channel. (30-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Xeriscape Landscaping” aired six times on FKAA Today a Monroe County local government channel. (30-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Tropical Fruit Fiesta” aired on Julio Avael Show a Monroe County government channel. (15-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Tropical Fruit Fiesta” aired on Keynoter Talk Show a Monroe County government channel. (30-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). *Keeler, Gail. 2001 – 2004. “Tropical Fruit Fiesta” aired on Julio Avael Show a Monroe County government channel. (15-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). *Keeler, Gail. 2001 – 2004. “Tropical Fruit Fiesta” aired on Keynoter Talk Show a Monroe County government channel. (15-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). *Stotts, Jeff. 2001. “Florida Yards and Neighborhood program” aired on Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s show Waterways (15-minute interview; reaches 38,000 households). *Horticulture Program Assistant Computer generated Presentations (PowerPoint) (total 53 slide sets) (Agent, n=46; Horticulture Program Assistant, n= 2; Master Gardener volunteers, n=5) Gabel, Kim. 2006.

“Planting a Signature Xeriscape Landscape” (99 slides). “Helpful, Harmful and Harmless Insects: What’s Bugging Me?” (51 slides). “Florida Keys Green Thumb Nursery Certification” (196 slides). “Palm Nutrition and Management” (revised from 2005--117 slides). “Palm Reading 101” (82 slides). “Salt Tolerant Plants” (12 slides).

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Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Growing a Healthy Native Landscape” (68 slides). “Secrets of Keys Friendly Master Gardener” (138 slides). “Florida Keys Soils and Fertilizers” (66 slides). “Watering Efficiently in the Florida Keys” (37 slides). “Monroe County Plant Clinics” (revised from 2004--12 slides). “Water Smart Landscaping” (67 slides). “Palm Nutrition and Management” (85 slides). “How Trees Grow in the Urban Environment” (36 slides). “Iguana Be Gonna” (27 slides). “Plant Pathology Guidelines for Master Gardeners” (59 slides).

**Master Gardener Volunteers. 2005.

“Composting” (35 slides). “Fertilizing in the Keys” (37 slides). “Pain of the Pest Plants” (42 slides). “Native plants in the Florida Keys” (54 slides).

Gabel, Kim. 2004.

“Monroe County Plant Clinics” (revised from 2003--12 slides). “Look Out New Pests Entering the Keys” (54 slides). “Attracting Wildlife with Keys Native Plants” (28 slides). “Creating a Monroe County Florida Yard” (74 slides). “Plant Taxonomy” (13 slides). “Basic Botany” (67 slides). “Sense of Place” (39 slides). “Citrus Care and Problems” (84 slides).

**Master Gardeners Volunteers. 2004.

“Native Plant Primer” (29 slides). Gabel, Kim. 2003.

“Monroe County Plant Clinics” (12 slides). “Native Plants of the Keys”. (52 slides). “Helpful and Harmful Insects” (75 slides). “Monroe County Master Gardener Preview” (revised from 2002--19 slides). “Horticultural Events” (5 slides). “Channel 16 PSA Extension Horticulture Information” (revised from 2002--3 slides). “Good Bug, Bad Bug” (52 slides). “Florida Yards & Neighborhoods: Yard Advisors” (8 slides). “Right Plant, Right Place” (28 slides). “Gardening in the Keys” (60 slides). “Why Monroe County Landscapes Fail” (69 slides). “Attracting Wildlife in the Florida Keys” (38 slides).

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Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Introduction to Tropical Fruit Trees” (44 slides). “Turf Selection” (48 slides). “Pruning” (19 slides). “Gardening in the Keys” (60 slides). “Channel 16 PSA Extension Horticulture information” (3 slides). “Monroe County Master Gardener Program” (14 slides). “Insects and Diseases of Tropical Fruit Trees” (62 slides). “Tropical Fruit Tree Selection and Care” (54 slides). “Native Plants of the Keys” (54 slides). “Cultivating Tropical Fruits” (49 slides).

*Stotts, Jeff. 2001.

“Lethal Yellowing and Environmentally Friendly Care of Palms” (25 slides). ”Butterflies of the Florida Keys” (40 slides).

*Horticulture Program Assistant **Master Gardeners Volunteers Exhibits (Agent, n=5; Master Gardener Volunteers, n=2) Gabel, Kim. 2005-2006. “Poisonous Plant Bouquet” educational display, U.S. Navy Health Fair. Gabel, Kim. 2004-2006. “Good Bug/Bad Bug” quiz, hands-on activity, Windley Key Native Plant Day. Gabel, Kim. 2003. “Plant a Piney” hands-on activity, Coast Guard Day. **Hock, Howard. 2003. “Tropical Fruit History of the Florida Keys” educational display, Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta. **Sharples, Linda. 2003. “Recycling in the Florida Keys” educational display, Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta. Gabel, Kim. 2003. “What’s up with my Palm?” educational display, Key West Garden Club. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Controlling Pest Responsibly" educational exhibit, Marathon Garden Club. **Master Gardener Volunteers Other (Agent, n=3; Horticulture Program Assistant, n=2; Master Gardener Volunteers, n=1) Gabel, Kim. 2004. UF/IFAS/Monroe County Extension Horticulture Bookmark. Gabel, Kim and Stotts, Jeff*. 2003 – present. Gato Landscape Demonstration. The Agent and Horticulture Program Assistant designed a Florida Keys Friendly Environmental Demonstration landscape for the Key West Gato Building, Monroe County’s Government Center. The Agent received a $2,000 Florida Yards and Neighborhood Grant to cover the cost of the demonstration landscape. The Agent, Horticulture Program Assistant and ten Master Gardeners installed and maintain the demonstration landscape.

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**Ellis, Carol and Gabel, Kim. 2003-present. Gulfstream Shores Living Fence. The Agent and Master Gardener worked with the State Park Biologist from John Pennekamp State Park to design a native plant demonstration landscape for the Upper Keys. The Agent and ten Master Gardeners and six local residents installed and maintain the native landscape. Master Gardener who designed the landscape submitted a packet for the 2003 Florida Master Gardener Demonstration/Educational Garden Award. Gabel, Kim and Stotts, Jeff*. 2001. Compost Demonstration. MARC House Plant Store, Key West. Gabel, Kim and Stotts, Jeff*. 2001 - present. Monroe County Florida Yards Neighborhood Web Site. This web page provides visitors with information regarding the FYN program in Monroe County. Two hundred visits a month on average. Gabel, Kim and Wishe, Lisa***. 2001 – present. Monroe County Horticulture Web Site. This web page provides visitors information regarding common horticultural questions. Two hundred and twenty-five visits a month on average. Gabel, Kim and Wishe, Lisa***. 2001 – present. Monroe County Master Gardener Web Site. This web page provides visitors information regarding the Master Gardener volunteer program. Thirty-five visits a month on average. An upper Keys Master Gardener has developed a website for informing the upper keys Master Gardeners on upcoming activities. * Horticulture Program Assistant ** Master Gardener Volunteers *** Monroe County Extension staff 14. PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS - None 15. PUBLICATIONS A. Books, Sole Author - None B. Books, Co-authored - None C. Books, Edited - None D. Books, Contributor of Chapter(s) - None E. Monographs - None F. Refereed Publications - None G. Non-Refereed Publications (n=238) Proceedings (n=2) Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Iguana Be Gonna” Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, Vol. 118 pages 326-327.

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*Stotts, Jeff and Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Florida Keys Yards: Bridging Landscapes with Natural Habitats” Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, Vol. 115: pages 138-140. *Horticulture Program Assistant Extension Publications on Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS) (n=1) *Keeler, Gail, Gabel, Kim and Schoelhorn, Rick. 2003. Ixoras for South Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP164 *Horticulture Program Assistant Newspaper Articles (Agent, n=58; Horticulture Program Assistant, n=25; Master Gardener Volunteers, n=6) Gabel, Kim. 2001-2006. Fifty-eight news articles, (average word length 500) pertaining to the horticulture program have been published in one or more of the following newspapers: Circulation The Key West Citizen 14,000 daily The Keynoter 14,000 bi-weekly Free Press 13,000 bi-weekly Key West Magazine (The Breeze) 7,000 monthly Upper Keys Reporter 7,200 weekly Lower Keys Barometer 7,500 weekly Sample Article Titles: Gabel, Kim.

Before you spray identify. Invasive Exotics: Not in My Backyard! What is killing my grass? Make sure your trees can weather the Hurricane Season. How to build your soil. Protect your Trees from Construction Damage. Frangipani.

Horticulture Program Assistants.

Waterfronts are part of the landscape. Composting in the Keys. Use least toxic options first for ant control. Celebrate Wildlife Diversity. Use Native Palms for carefree beauty. Millipede Invasion. Released Iguana becoming a nuisance.

Master Gardener Volunteers.

Where water is scarce, native plants adapt and learn to survive. Plant Communities comprise Key’s Habitat. Gardening for birds and butterflies in the Florida Keys.

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Fact Sheets (Agent, n=67) Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Bahama Senna”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Beautyberry”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Blackbead”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Black Ironwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Cat’s Claw”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Coreopsis”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Fiddlewood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Firebush”, Monroe county Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Jamaican Caper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Locustberry”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Pale Lid Flower”, Monroe county Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Pigeon Plum”, Monroe county Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Red Stopper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Rougeberry”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Sea Oxeye Daisy”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Silver Buttonwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Simpson Stopper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “White Indigo Berry”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Wild Coffee”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Florida Thatch Palm”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Green Buttonwood”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Lignumvitae”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Mahogany”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Myrtle of the River”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Orange Geiger”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Princewood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Seagrape”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Soapberry”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2005. “Spider Lily”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2004. “Blue Porterweed”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2004. “Willow Bustic”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2004. “Pink Hibiscus Mealybug may be on a plant near you!” Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2003. “Black Torch”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2003. “Lobate Lac Scale”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Bahama Strongback”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Bay Cedar”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Beach Creeper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Beach Sunflower”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Black Ironwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Blolly”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Cocoplum”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Crabwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Fiddlewood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Florida Gama Grass”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Jamaican Dogwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Marlberry”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Milkbark”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Necklace Pod”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page.

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Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Paradise Tree”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Poeppig’s Wild Hibiscus”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Red Ironwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Rough Velvetseed”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Sweet Acacia”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Wax Myrtle”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Wild Cotton”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. *Keeler, Gail. 2002. “Sooty Mold”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Gumbo Limbo”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Jamaican Caper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Lancewood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Pigeon Plum”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001 “Satin Leaf”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001 “Silver Buttonwood”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Spanish Stopper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “White Stopper”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Wild Cinnamon”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Wild Tamarind”, Monroe County Extension, 1 page. Gabel, Kim. 2001. “Turf Grass Home Site Visit form”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. *Horticulture Program Assistant Brochures (Agent, n=3; Horticultural Program Assistant, n=1) Gabel, Kim. 2006. “Green Thumb Nurseries Keys Landscaping Tips”, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2003. “Monroe County Master Gardener”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. *Keeler, Gail. 2003. “How to Compost”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. Gabel, Kim. 2002. “Monroe County Plant Clinic”, Monroe County Extension, 2 pages. * Horticulture Program Assistant Newsletters (Agent, n=53; Master Gardener Volunteers, n=9) Gabel, Kim. 2001-2006. Mangrove News (53 issues), published monthly, Monroe County Extension. The Agent wrote articles and calendar of events. 2 pages each issue. Mangrove News sample articles:

Citrus Greening. Iguana Be Gonna. Lessons Learned from Hurricane Season 2005. Tomato Diseases. Tomato Growing Problems.

Gabel, Kim; and **Jolly, Midge. 2001-2003. Keyscaper (nine issues) published quarterly, Monroe County Extension. Agent and Master Gardener wrote articles and calendar of events. 4 pages each issue. **Master Gardener Volunteers

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Keyscaper sample articles: Why Not Hurricane Prune Palms? Build your own soil. Citrus Canker found on Big Pine Key. Hurricane Proof your Landscape Now. Use your County Extension Service for Horticulture Education.

H. Bibliographies/Catalogs - None I. Abstracts (Agent, n=3; Horticulture Program Assistant, n=1) Gabel, Kim. 2006. Submitted. Florida Keys Green Thumb Nursery Certification Program. 20th Annual meeting of the Extension Professional Associations of Florida, Marco Island, Florida. Gabel, Kim. 2005. Presented. Iguana be Gonna. Florida State Horticultural Society, Tampa Florida. Gabel, Kim. 2004. Presented. Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta. 18th Annual meeting of the Florida Association of Extension Professionals, Cocoa Beach, Florida. *Stotts, Jeff; and Gabel, Kim. 2002. Presented. Florida Keys Yards: Bridging Landscapes with Natural Habitats. Florida State Horticulture Society, Tampa, Florida. *Horticulture Program Assistant J. Reviews - None K. Miscellaneous (Agent, n=148) Media Releases (Newspaper articles written by Agent, n=129) Gabel, Kim. 2004. Citrus Canker. (Published in the Reporter, circulation number: 7,200; Key Largo Times, circulation number: 7,000) Monroe County Extension, Monroe County. Gabel, Kim. 2004. Lobate Lac Scale. (Published in the Free Press, circulation number: 13,000 bi-weekly; Resource Link, circulation number: 530) Monroe County Extension, Monroe County. Gabel, Kim. 2002. Pink Hibiscus Mealybug. (Published in the Keynoter, circulation number: 14,000 bi-weekly; Free Press, circulation number: 13,000 bi-weekly) Monroe County Extension, Monroe County. Gabel, Kim. 2002 – 2006. 123 Regional Plant Clinics. (123 releases published in Key West Citizen, circulation number: 14,000 daily; Keynoter, circulation number: 14,000 bi-weekly; Free Press, circulation number: 13,000 bi-weekly; News Barometer, circulation number: 7,000 weekly; and Reporter, circulation number: 7,200 weekly) Monroe County Extension, Monroe County.

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Gabel, Kim. 2002 – 2005. Master Gardener Preview Sessions scheduled. (Three releases published in Key West Citizen, circulation number: 14,000 daily; Free Press, circulation number: 13,000 bi-weekly; Keynoter, circulation number: 14,000 bi-weekly; News Barometer, circulation number: 7,000 weekly) Monroe County Extension, Monroe County. Media Releases (Newspaper articles, Agent interviewed and quoted, n=19) Sanoski, Steve. 2006. “Old Idea reborn: rain barrels.” Reporter (circulation 10,000 weekly). Welber, Michael. 2006. “Green thumbs mean more in the Keys.” Keynoter and Reporter (circulation 13,000 and 10,000 weekly). Sanoski, Steve. 2006. “Locals swarm over citrus trees.” Keys Sunday (circulation 13,000 weekly). Sanoski, Steve. 2006. “Old tires come back as mulch.” Keys Sunday (circulation 13,000 weekly). Sanoski, Steve. 2006. “Rain barrel Giveaway.” Keys Sunday (circulation 13,000 weekly). Sanoski, Steve. 2006. “Citrus trees go fast.” Keynoter (circulation 13,000 weekly). Quist, Karen. 2005. “Your trees can be saved if you act now.” Keys Sunday (circulation 13,000 weekly). Matley, Alyson. 2005. “Trees take a hit from hurricanes.” Keynoter (circulation 13,000 weekly). Matley, Alyson. 2005. “Pesky Mealybugs bugging out.” Key West Citizen (circulation 14,000 daily). Babson, Jennifer. 2005. “Iguana infestation has Keys officials seeking solution.” Miami Herald. (circulation 500,000 daily). Article published throughout Florida and picked up by other Knight-Ridder newspapers throughout United States. Welber, Michael. 2005. “Store’s plants bug out in Middle Keys.” Keynoter (circulation 13,000 weekly). Solmo, Chelsea. 2005. “Black Olives turn white houses green and yellow.” Key West Citizen (circulation 14,000 daily). Ball, David. 2005. “Canker crews returning.” Keynoter (circulation 13,000 weekly). Boyle, Robin. 2005. “Many trees are gone with the wind after Dennis.” Free Press (circulation 12,000 weekly). Bolen, Mandy. 2004. “State Crews to look for more canker.” Key West Citizen (circulation 14,000 daily) O’Hara Timothy. 2004. “Five palm weavers fined.” Key West Citizen (circulation 14,000 daily).

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Hyatt, Valari. 2004. “Plant Clinic series starts on Saturday.” Peoria Illinois Journal Star (circulation 70,000 daily). An Illinois Master Gardener (part time resident of the Florida Keys) started Plant Clinics in Illinois after volunteering at the Monroe County Master Gardener Plant Clinics. Babson, Jennifer. 2003. “Scaling new frights: Iguanas invade Keys.” Miami Herald (circulation 500,000 daily). Henson, Ann. 2001. “Big, hungry eastern lubbers call Keys home.” The Reporter (10,000 circulation weekly). Magazine Interviews - None 16. LECTURES, SPEECHES OR POSTERS PRESENTED AT PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES/MEETINGS International - None National - None State Gabel, Kim. 2005. Iguana be Gonna. Florida State Horticultural Society, Tampa Florida. Gabel, Kim. 2004. Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta. 18th Annual meeting of the Florida Association of Extension Professionals, Cocoa Beach, Florida. *Stotts, Jeff; and Gabel, Kim. 2002. Florida Keys Yards: Bridging Landscapes with Natural Habitats. Florida State Horticulture Society, Tampa, Florida. *Horticulture Program Assistant Regional - None 17. CONTRACTS AND GRANTS SINCE THE LAST PROMOTION (NOT TO EXCEED TEN YEARS) OR DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS FOR TENURE NOMINEES, whichever is more recent. a. Funded Externally South Florida Water Management District $15,000 Green Living and Energy Expo (GLEE) Kim Gabel, P.I. 2005

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Florida Department of Environmental Protection - $92,684 Florida Yards & Neighborhoods (FYN) grant to fund the FYN program. C. Kelly-Begazo, Kim Gabel and Jeff Stotts, Co-P.I. 2001-2003 Oversees the funding and program development for the FYN program. SHARE (total, $6,400) Ambrosia House Kim Gabel, P.I., 2005 $50 Dot Palm Kim Gabel, P.I., 2004 $100 D’Asign Source Kim Gabel, P.I., 2004 $250 Other Monetary Contributions (total, $4559.69) Environmental Horticulture Program generated money $4,599.69 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2001-2006 In-Kind (total $30,406) Items & Services donated to the Tropical Fruit Fiesta (2001-2006) Kim Gabel, P.I. 2006 $4,827 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2005 $4,915 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2004 $5,285 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2003 $7,055 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2002 $4,500 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2001 $3,824 $30,406

Summary of External Grant Funding Received, 2001 – present Summary of Grant Funding

Role Total Direct Costs Indirect Costs Principal Investigator $107,684 $92,843 $14,841 Co-Principal Investigator $ $ 0 Cooperator 0 0 0 Total $107,684 $92,843 $14,841 b. Funded internally Master Gardeners – volunteer time donated to Extension. 3181 hours @$17.54 $55,794 Kim Gabel, P.I. 2001-2006 Grants/Contracts (grants total $13,337) Southern Plant Diagnostic Network & University of Florida/IFAS $1,000 Money for establishing a Soybean Rust Monitoring station Kim Gabel, P.I. 2006 University of Florida IFAS IPM Grant $5,000 Grant to fund South Florida Exotic and Invasive Insect Pests Fact Sheets Kim Gabel, Adrian Hunsberger, Catharine Mannion, Eileen Buss and Lyle Buss Co-P.I. Writing publications, oversees the funding of the IPM and purchasing materials. 2005

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University of Florida IFAS IPM Grant $5,337 Grant to fund South Florida Exotic and Invasive Insect Pests Reference Tools Kim Gabel, Adrian Hunsberger, Catharine Mannion, Eileen Buss and Lyle Buss Co-P.I. Writing publications, oversees the funding of the IPM and purchasing materials. 2004 FYN Mini Grant $2,000 UF/IFAS/Florida Yards and Neighborhood program Grant to fund a demonstration landscape at the Gato Building, Key West Kim Gabel P.I. 2003 c. Submitted But Not Funded or Pending - None 18. UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE Home Horticulture Radio Series Committee, “Gardening in a Minute”, Member--2006 Master Gardener District V Advanced Training Planning Committee, Member--2006 Master Gardener State Conference Planning Committee, Member--2005 to present South District Meeting Planning Committee, Member--2004 District V Green Team, Member--2001 to present 19. CONSULTATIONS OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY - None 20. EDITOR OF A SCHOLARLY JOURNAL, SERVICE ON AN EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD OR REVIEWER FOR A SCHOLARLY JOURNAL - None 21. INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS International Activities 2004. The Agent was selected to attend a two day workshop for the Caribbean Basin on “Capacity Building and Partnering for Strengthening Internationalization Efforts” in St. Croix Virgin Islands. The original Extension workshop was cancelled at the last minute, therefore attended a two day meeting with University of Virgin Islands Extension Agents and Specialists on St. Croix and St. Thomas. 2001-2006. The Agent occasionally receives requests for horticulture information from the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Russia. 22. EXTENSION PROGRAM (for IFAS only) The major program activities carried out between 2001 – 2006: I Enhancing the Capacity of Master Gardener Volunteers II Promoting Environmentally Sound Landscaping Practices III Improving the Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta IV Life Skills Developed in Youth through Subject matter Experiences

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I. Enhancing the Capacity of the Master Gardener Program SITUATION Monroe County, better known as the “Florida Keys” is a low lying limestone island chain which extends about 120 miles southwest of the Florida mainland. According to the 2000 census the Monroe County population consists of 79,589 permanent residents and 73,000 part time residents. Although population size is stable due to a state mandated “Rate of Growth Ordinance”, there is a steady turnover of permanent (year-round) and part time (seasonal) residents due to the vulnerability to hurricanes, high cost of living and the lack of living wage jobs. The majority of this transient population does not know how to properly select and maintain their landscape plants in a subtropical climate. Instead, they try to apply their familiar northern landscaping practices involving improper fertilizer selection and application, overwatering new and established landscape plants and misuse of pesticides for pest insect control. The goal of the Monroe County Master Gardener Program is to recruit, train, retain, recognize accomplishments and manage a cadre of highly motivated volunteers willing to help provide university research-based environmentally sound horticultural information to the Florida Keys residents. Due to the linear geography of Monroe County the Master Gardeners are divided into three regional groups: Upper Keys (Key Largo to Islamorada), Middle Keys (Layton to Marathon) and Lower Keys (Big Pine Key to Key West). Trained Master Gardener volunteers assist in solving Monroe County residents’ plant problems, through regional plant clinics, demonstration landscapes, answering telephone and email questions, by assisting homeowners with plant selections and distributing relevant horticultural information at educational horticultural booths. Monroe County has only one Horticulture Agent responsible for providing all facets of horticulture educational programming (residential, commercial and governmental landscapers and retail nurseries). The Master Gardener program allows the Extension Service to help far more people within the county than can be reached with the one county Agent. In addition, the added assistance enables the Agent to develop other educational programs that would not otherwise be conducted. Annually, our office receives over 1,400 phone calls, and 700 emails and 500 walk-in clientele. The Master Gardeners can potentially provide the needed support to help answer these information requests. Thus, the Monroe County Master Gardener program has allowed the Agent to spend more time on proactive programming and less on reactive responses to daily homeowner requests. Before this Agent became the UF/IFAS Monroe County Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent the existing Master Gardener program was not well organized and largely ineffective as a community volunteer organization. There were no interactions among different graduating Master Gardener classes, limited commitment by Master Gardeners to contribute volunteer hours to the Extension Service, no effective continuing education, and no mechanism to reward outstanding achievements by Master Gardeners. The preferred situation is to select and teach the Master Gardeners horticultural concepts based on the scientific standards of the Monroe County Extension Environmental Horticulture program. The Master Gardener intern training includes not only an initial 12 week course but, the completion of the first 50 volunteer hours in order to become a certified Master Gardener. By doing this the interns who complete the 50 volunteer hours are motivated volunteers that will remain active Master Gardeners. For maintaining a dynamic Master Gardener program the Agent offers ongoing training (one-on-one and group), coordinates the volunteer activities,

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provides constant nurturing, encourages the inactive Master Gardeners to become active, and rewards both volunteer efforts and their unique accomplishments. TARGET AUDIENCE Monroe County permanent and seasonal residents with an interest in home horticulture and in community volunteer service. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Objective A: The Monroe County Master Gardener program will develop into an effective community volunteer program by increasing the number of volunteers from 30 to 60, the annual total volunteer hours from 250 to 500, and the number of clientele contacts each year from 750 to 1,500. This will be measured by a comparing the annual number of volunteers, the number of volunteer hours and the number of clientele contacts served from 2001 to 2005. Objective B: At least ten Master Gardener interns in each class will complete the 12 week training and pass the final exam. At least 50% of the new Master Gardener intern will complete the required 50 volunteer hours to become a certified Master Gardener. This objective will be measured by reviewing exam results, the intern rosters and how many hours they have volunteered. Objective C: At least 75% of the active Master Gardeners will obtain horticulture-based information through Extension educational activities (newsletters, meetings, volunteering at horticulture events) and 25% will state that these activities will make them more effective volunteers. Survey results and tracking volunteer activities will be used to measure this objective. Objective D: To encourage Monroe County Master Gardeners to not only attend state and regional Master Gardener conferences and events, but also to have Master Gardeners projects submitted for awards at the state Master Gardener conference. This will be measured by the number of Master Gardeners who attend the regional and state Master Gardener events and participation for state awards. EDUCATIONAL ACTVITIES Developed, delivered and managed the Monroe County Master Gardener program. 2001 – 2006. Educational activities related to this major program included volunteer meetings/brainstorming sessions; initial Master Gardener intern training (12 weeks, initiated in 2002); advanced Master Gardener training; continuing education; newsletters; and individual consultations with Master Gardeners. These educational activities include recent insect/disease updates, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Yard certification trainings, Master Gardener home garden tours and field trips in the Florida Keys and to mainland Florida. Master Gardener Preview Sessions Each class is recruited from the public at large through mass media advertisements. Master Gardener intern selection process began by candidates attending a regional preview session held at three regional locations (Upper, Middle and Lower Keys). The hour and half workshop informed the potential candidates what the Master Gardener intern training involves: the fifty

Kim E. Gabel 17

hour volunteer commitment to change their status from an intern to a certified active Master Gardener; and the annual twenty-five volunteer hours to maintain an active Master Gardener status.

2002. Master Gardener preview sessions, 37 participants (17 selected for Master Gardener intern training), 55.5 teaching hours

2003. Master Gardener preview sessions, 35 participants (21 selected for Master Gardener intern training), 52.5 teaching hours.

2005. Master Gardener preview sessions, 34 participants (10 selected for Master Gardener intern training), 51 teaching hours.

At the end of the preview session interested candidates signed up for a regional interview. The Agent selection criteria for the Master Gardener program was based on the candidate’s desire to help others, to learn about horticulture, and their personal commitment to perform volunteer service hours. The Agent limited the Master Gardener class size for a several reasons: 1) the training room can only accommodate 24 people comfortably; 2) smaller groups versus larger groups allow for better interaction amongst trainees and therefore the potential of more effective collaborations. Master Gardener Intern Training The Agent held preview sessions and Master Gardener intern training at different times of the year; thereby attracting both year round residents that work full time jobs, and retired part-time winter residents. The Agent coordinated and conducted the 12 week (72 total educational hours) Master Gardener intern training by inviting guest lecturers, procuring training materials, arranging tours of local Environmental Education centers and Tropical Research and Education Center, in Homestead. The Agent contributed 2,296 teaching hours or about, half of the total teaching hours in the three Master Gardener intern training courses in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Examples of the types of classes taught include:

Master Gardener Intern orientation Florida Keys: A Sense of Place Botany and plant identification Soils and fertilizers Vegetable gardening Florida Yards and Neighborhood certification Composting Turf grass Pruning trees and shrubs Attracting wildlife Diagnosing Landscape Problems Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS) Palm care and maintenance Citrus care and problems

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During the Master Gardener training the interns’ activities include: Individual activities:

o visiting local plant nurseries to identify what native plants, pesticides and fertilizers

o development of plant and insect fact sheets o development of individual presentations

Group activities: o Group presentations o Horticultural scavenger hunt o Horticultural shield

Master Gardener interns receive a 100 question take home final exam. The intern had to score a 90% or better to obtain a Master Gardener intern certificate. When the intern starts their training they can begin fulfilling their volunteer hours commitment and have up to one year from the last day of the intern training to complete the initial fifty volunteer hours. Upon completing the first 50 volunteer hours the Master Gardener intern then becomes a certified active Master Gardener. Active Master Gardener Classes, Workshops, Horticultural Tours, and Meetings A total of 42 active Master Gardener regional meetings have been conducted where the Agent presented a topic for evaluation and discussion, for example: “How to make a rain barrel”, “Citrus Canker”, “Lobate Lac Scale”, “Why Monroe County Landscapes Fail”, “Distance Diagnostic and Identification System”. (176 participants, 264 teaching hours). Horticultural tours and fieldtrips were arranged to various south Florida locations, such as; Lignumvitae State Park, No Name Key, John Pennekamp State Park native plant nursery, field trip to Homestead to visit Plant Creations, and Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead and two times to the Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead. (92 participants, 134 teaching hours). The Agent and Horticulture Program Assistant held a classroom training for the Florida Yards and Neighborhood Yard Advisors that included the 2002 Master Gardener graduation class of twenty-one interns and five active Master Gardeners. The Yard Advisor trainees toured three landscapes to learn the protocol and procedures for performing a yard certification. (28 participants, 106 teaching hours). Four annual volunteer recognition ceremonies were conducted for the Master Gardeners. (50 participants, 100 teaching hours). Advanced Master Gardener training The Agent in cooperation with two other South Florida Master Gardener Coordinators organized and hosted a one day South Florida Master Gardener District Five conference in 2006. The Agent was involved in determining the training location; how many Master Gardeners the facilities could accommodate comfortably; developed the schedule of events; contacted speakers; and taught one session. Ten Monroe County Master Gardeners attended, along with 70 others from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.

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Materials Developed The Agent created a total of thirty-seven materials for the Master Gardener trainings: nine fact sheets, one exam, fourteen PowerPoint presentations, two press releases, and ten other materials were developed for the Master Gardener trainings class and one website: Http://Monroe.ifas.ufl.edu/MCES6_master%20gardener.HTM Wrote 51 newsletters distributed to 71 Master Gardeners. The newsletters keep the Master Gardener volunteer informed about the latest IFAS recommendations, volunteer opportunities and local horticulture programs. In 2004 an Upper Keys Master Gardener developed and maintained an Upper Keys Master Gardener website that currently has obtained 928 hits. In addition, a database was developed to track volunteer hours and efforts. The Agent provided a total of 9,238 teachable moments through phone consultations, office visits, emails, site visits, and letters to the Master Gardeners interns and active Master Gardeners.

Summary table of educational activities by the Agent

Educational Activity Number

of Events

Number of participants

Teaching hours (hours teaching x number of participants

Classes, Horticulture tours, & lectures

53 507 984

Master Gardener Intern Classes 36 45 2,296 Individual contacts (phone, email, office visits, letters, etc)

9,238

ACCOMPLISHMENTS/IMPACTS Extension educational programs resulted in the following accomplishments: Objective A: The Monroe County Master Gardener program would develop into an effective community volunteer program by increasing the number of volunteers from 30 to 60, the annual total of volunteer hours from 250 to 500, and the number of clientele contacts each year from 750 to 1,500. This was measured by comparing the annual number of volunteer, number of volunteer hours and the number of clientele contacts served from 2001 to 2005.

Years

Number of Active Master

Gardeners and

Interns

Reported Master

Gardener volunteer

hours

Reported number of clientele contacts

2001 33 250 750 2002 47 595 1458 2003 45 367 1446 2004 63 1005 2498 2005 71 964 2157

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Number of active Master Gardeners and Interns increased from 33 to 71. Nearly doubling the number by including the Master Gardener interns, the active Master Gardeners and culling out the inactive Master Gardeners.

The annual total of reported volunteer hours increased from 250 to 964. Nearly tripled

the number of reported hours that include the Master Gardener interns and the active Master Gardeners. Note that in the dip in 2005 numbers was due to four hurricanes in that season.

Reported clientele contacts by the Master Gardeners nearly tripled from 750 to 2157.

Master Gardeners volunteered reported a total of 3181 hours valued at $55,794

($16.05 changed to $17.54/hr, National figure). This averages to 454 hours per year. Their activities and volunteer efforts were reported under Extension Program II “Promoting Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Practices”.

Objective B: At least ten Master Gardener interns in each class would complete the 12 week training and pass the final exam. At least 50% of the new Master Gardener intern will complete the required 50 volunteer hours to become a certified Master Gardener. This objective will be measured by reviewing exam results, the intern rosters and how many hours they have volunteered.

A total of 45 Master Gardeners successfully completed the course (an average of 15 per training). 2002-2005

100% (45) passed the final exam. A passing grade is 90% or higher on a

comprehensive, 100 question take home final exam.

86% (18 out of 21 students) exceeded the required 50 volunteer hours. The average number of volunteer hours was 50 for their first year. The class of 2005 is completing their initial volunteer hours in 2006.

The pre-test average was 43% and the final average was 90%. Results show an

increase in knowledge of 47 points in all subject areas.

New Master Gardener interns evaluated how the Master Gardener training program prepared them to become a Monroe County Master Gardener intern. A written survey was conducted (20 surveys completed, 95% return rate). The results (averages) of the surveys were, on a scale of one to five (one = Not sure and five = Very Confident):

o How to complete my Master Gardener internship - 95% mostly and very

confident o How to find approved volunteer opportunities – 100% mostly and very confident o How to maintain Master Gardener active status – 100% mostly and very

confident o Regarded as a valued Master Gardener – 100% mostly and very confident o Three or more new gardening practices learn -100% o Three or more new practices you will adopt – 85%

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A post survey (six months after the training) was sent to the Master Gardener interns to determine if the Master Gardener program influenced their gardening practices. A total of 21 surveys were conducted (15 surveys completed, 71.4% return rate). The results of the surveys were on a scale of one to three (one = Almost never and three = often):

o How often did you use these nine practices before you enrolled in the program?

Eleven out of fifteen Master Gardeners responded that before the Master Gardener training, they almost never used horticultural oils/insecticidal soaps as the first insect control measure.

o How often do you use these nine practices after the program?

After the training 12 out 15 often used the oils and soaps and 3 out of 15 sometimes used the oils and soaps.

o Master Gardener interns taught the following gardening practices to in their

island community. These practices include: planting native species, installing landscape plants properly, mulching, using horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps, and recycle organic materials.

As a result of their classes, all Master Gardeners indicated that they have improved their

landscape practices (decreased inappropriate fertilizer and water use, increased the use of least toxic pesticides, decreased toxic pesticide use, and choose appropriate plants for the Florida Keys).

Objective C: At least 75% of the active Master Gardeners would obtain horticulture-based information through Extension educational activities (newsletters, meetings, volunteering at horticulture events) and 25% would state that training and information have made them more effective volunteers.

Sources if Information

No. (%) of active MGs

More effective volunteer Yes

Newsletter 36 34 Meetings 36 33

Volunteering at Horticultural

events 36 36

100% (60) of the active Master Gardeners obtained current horticulture information

through educational activities.

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Thirty-six out of sixty active Master Gardeners responded to a brief questionnaire about if the information provided at the Master Gardener newsletter, meetings and volunteering at horticulture events made them more effective at answering home owner horticultural questions.

34 out of 36 (94%) Master Gardeners found the newsletter to be informative 33 out of 36 (91%) Master Gardeners found the meetings to be informative 36 out of 36 (100%) Master Gardeners found volunteering at events to be informative

Before 2001, Master Gardeners kept poor records of their volunteer hours, driving time

and clientele contacts. The records that were handed in did not adhere to program guidelines. By discussing the importance of recording Master Gardener volunteer hours at regional meetings and monthly newsletter, this resulted in a 75% increased in the active Master Gardeners filling in correctly and submitting quarterly volunteer hours forms.

• Master Gardeners who volunteer at the regional plant clinics feel more confident in

accurately answering the horticultural questions (based on personal observations and conversations with individual Master Gardeners).

Objective D To encourage Monroe County Master Gardeners to not only attend state and regional Master Gardener conferences and events, but also to have Master Gardeners’ projects submitted for awards at the state Master Gardener conference. This was measured by the number of Master Gardeners who attend the regional and state Master Gardener events and participation for state awards.

Master Gardeners

Number of MGs attending Regional Advanced MG training

Number of MGs attending State MG conference

Number of MGs groups entering projects for state MG awards

2001 No regional training 0 0 2002 No regional training 6 1 2003 No regional training 4 1 2004 No regional training 0 0 2005 No regional training 4 1 2006 10 N/A N/A

The number of Monroe County Master Gardeners that attended the regional advanced

Master Gardener training was ten. The number of Monroe County Master Gardeners that attended the State Master

Gardener conference was 14.

The number of Monroe County Master Gardeners groups that submitted projects for state awards was three.

The number of Monroe County Master Gardeners that received state awards was one.

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For the South Florida District Advanced Master Gardener training written questionnaires were provided to the 80 participants to evaluate the training, 68 (85%) were returned.

o 99% agreed that the training programs would make them more effective in their volunteer work.

o 94% stated were very satisfied to satisfied with the training content Example of successful results of the Master Gardener Volunteer Extension program area: In 2002, 2003 and 2005 three groups of Monroe County Master Gardeners submitted packets for Florida Master Gardener Demonstration/Educational Garden Award. For the volunteers who applied for State Master Gardeners awards the Monroe County Extension Service paid for their registration to attend that year’s Master Gardener conference through Monroe County funds. This served three purposes: 1) a thank you for their hard work in going above the normal requests of being a Master Gardener; 2) the recipient could see their project being judged and see the quality of other Master Gardeners; and 3) to meet other Master Gardeners and to attend a horticultural conference. The 2005 applicant “The Wonder Garden” at the Marathon Garden Club was designed by two Master Gardeners to demonstrate the use of native plants in landscape design, to provide wildlife habitat and to serve as the location for educational courses. The purpose of the “Keys Friendly Wonder Gardening” classes were to promote environmental awareness based on the Wonder Garden to provide a tangible experience for the public in the restoration of habitat through the use of natives plantings and to provide a demonstration of the Florida Yard and Neighborhood principles. The Wonder Garden classes were attended by 225 people and an estimated 6,000 people visited the garden in 2005. The Wonder Garden won the prestigious 2005 Florida Master Gardener Demonstration/Educational Garden Award. II. Promoting Environmentally Sound Landscaping Practices SITUATION Monroe County is an archipelago of islands located within the boundaries of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Great White Heron and Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge. In 1974, the Florida Keys were designated an Area of Critical State Concern that is overseen by the Florida Governor and the State Cabinet to provide for protection from adverse impacts to the wildlife refuges, state parks, aquatic preserves, coral reef system, and wetlands. The Florida Keys’ soil is composed of porous coral rock that has a high pH of 7.2 to 8.5; with almost no organic matter. Landfills are virtually non-existent with all waste being hauled to Broward County (approximately 200 miles away) for disposal. Currently, all curbside trash collection combines home and yard waste and is hauled out of county for incineration and disposal. This is unfortunate because Monroe County residents need to be spreading wood mulches instead of the ubiquitous pea rock mulch around their landscape plants. Wood mulches add organic matter to the soil and lower the soil pH level, whereas the pea rock mulches does not add organic matter and keeps the soil pH high. Florida Keys rainfall is approximately 39 inches per year and the majority falls in the rainy season, between June and October. The only fresh potable water source is located in Miami-Dade County, from Florida City (on the mainland) and is piped over 130 miles down to Key West, at $4.35 per 1,000 gallons (about 4 cents a gallon). Monroe County residents need to conserve the piped water by planting drought tolerant or native plants and to water established

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plants on a “as need basis”. During the rainy season homeowners need to collect rainwater in rain barrels or cisterns for future plant needs. Inappropriate pesticide and fertilizer products applied by homeowners and commercial landscapers eventually become sources of non-point source pollution in the Keys near shore waters. Negative impacts on water quality could be reduced if Monroe County residents adopted two landscaping practices: controlling pests responsibly and applying appropriate fertilizers at recommended rates. For homeowners to control pests responsibly the first step is to identify the insect, or weed, and then apply the least toxic control measures. By Monroe County residents applying fertilizers that are formulated for the Keys alkaline soils in a correct manner; then the perpetual state of plants expressing nutritional deficiencies will be decreased and the excess amounts of inappropriate fertilizers will not pollute the nearshore waters. The Agent provides horticultural educational information to both new and existing residents (79,589 residents in approximately 14,104 single family households and 73,000 part-time residents), 150 commercially licensed landscapers and 30 retail nurseries. The Agent with the guidance of the Horticultural Advisory committee developed a horticultural program for Monroe County residents based on promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices to be adopted by homeowners, landscapers (commercial, resort and governmental) and retail nurseries. The primary program focus is using the best management practices of water conservation, applying wood mulches, and reduces fertilizer and pesticide usage. TARGET AUDIENCE Fulltime residents and part-time residents, commercially licensed landscapers, retail nurseries, and local governmental agencies PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Objective A: At least 5,000 homeowners each year will be reached with horticulture information through individual outreach methods such as e-mails, phone, regional plant clinics, site visits and web hits. This objective will be measured by counting the clientele contacts numbers. Objective B: At least 50 residents yearly will learn about the environmentally sound landscaping principles and adopt at least one. Pre-, post-tests and surveys will report these changes. Objective C: At least 25% of the Monroe County commercial landscapers and city, and county groundskeepers will attend a regional best management practices workshop and will learn about the environmentally sound landscaping principles and adopt at least one. Pre-, Post-tests and surveys will report these changes. Objective D: Beginning in 2006 at least three Monroe County retail nurseries will annually complete the Green Thumb Nursery Certification program.

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Residential landscaping EDUCATIONAL ACTVITIES Mass Media Print Media (2001-2006) A total of 89 articles for the local newspapers and a monthly magazine column for the “Key West Journal”. Forty-five of these articles were printed in 10 Florida Keys newspapers and magazines. These emphasized promoting environmentally friendly landscaping practices, such as: non-chemical control of insects, using wood mulches, water conservation, appropriate fertilization and plant usage, and other local environmentally friendly landscaping practices. In addition, reporters interviewed the Agent as a horticultural expert and quotes or acknowledgements occurred in 19 articles in local, regional and out-of-state newspapers. About 40 separate press releases announcing regional Plant Clinics were sent to Monroe County media. Radio (2001-2006) A National Public Radio show, All Things Considered interview resulted in a 10 minute segment “Days of the Iguana in the Florida Keys” in their Saturday Edition show. The Agent was interviewed 73 times by five local radio stations that reached the listening audiences from Key West to Key Largo and one radio interview for the Palm Beach radio station, WFTL. The horticulture program assistant was interviewed on 13 occasions for the Key West and Lower Keys radio audience. Television (2001-2006) The Agent was interviewed on two 30-minute local shows that aired multiple times and the horticulture program assistant was interviewed once for a 15-minute segment of “Waterways”. Five PowerPoint presentations have been shown at various times but with at least one showing at all times on the local government television channel about the Monroe County Horticulture Extension program and announcing regional plant clinics. Web Pages (2001-2006) The Agent and the horticulture program assistant and Monroe County Extension staff developed three horticultural informative websites that have drawn 19,324 hits.

Kim E. Gabel 26

Summary of Mass Media educational activities

Media Number

written/created by Agent

Number written/created

by *PA & **MGs

Number of Agent

interviews

Number of *PA

& **MGs

Contacts

Printed Media 58 31 19 0 618,309

Radio 0 75 13 27,012,000Television 0 0 2 1 27,000 Web pages 3 web pages 19,324 The Agent provided horticultural assistance to three target groups: residential landscaping, commercial landscapers and retail plant nurseries. The educational activities are categorized by target group: residential landscaping, commercial landscaping and retail nurseries. Workshops (2001-2006) The Agent organized (including advertising, procuring donations and developing support materials) and taught 41 residential landscape workshops. Residential landscape workshops had 913 participants, providing 913 teaching hours. The horticulture program assistant taught seven residential landscape workshops to 184 participants providing 184 teaching hours. Four trained Master Gardeners taught six residential landscape workshops to 110 participants providing 110 teaching hours. Demonstration Landscapes (2003-2006) The Agent, horticulture program assistant and 15 Master Gardeners developed, planted and maintained a Florida Yards and Neighborhood $2,000 grant funded landscape demonstration area at the Gato Building (Monroe County Government building) in Key West. This landscape demonstration features a butterfly garden, and native plants for coastal and upland areas. The Agent, 12 Master Gardeners, Park Biologist (John Pennekamp State Park) and local residents developed a native plant demonstration landscape at the right of way entrance into the Gulf Stream Shores residential homes at Mile Marker 106 in the Upper Keys. This landscape demonstration features a variety of native plants (trees and shrubs) that are adapted to growing in the Keys that are an asset to local landscapes and attract a wide variety of wildlife. Educational Booths (2001-2006) The Agent coordinated and/or staffed 31 events participating as an exhibitor, using displays that promote environmentally friendly landscaping practices, such as: Good Bad Bug insect identification, What’s up with my palm?, Native Plants for the Florida Keys, Attracting Wildlife, How to make a rain barrel. Approximately 2,700 participants resulted in 350 teaching hours. Individual contacts (2001-2006) The Agent, horticultural program assistant and trained Master Gardeners answered 13,052 phone calls and emails providing 3263 teaching hours

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Regional Plant Clinics (2002-2006) The Agent trained Master Gardeners to conduct Regional Plant Clinic locations at four locations in the Key West, Big Pine Key, Marathon and Key Largo. These 124 regional Plant Clinics assisted 603 clients with their horticultural questions regarding plant and insect identification, abiotic and biotic plant problems and proper plant management practices providing 90 teaching hours. Distance Diagnostic Identification System Samples (2002-2006) The Agent and trained Master Gardeners submitted 100 digital samples of plant and insect samples through the web-based Distance Diagnostic and Identification System (DDIS) to obtain rapid diagnosis and identification for Monroe County clientele by University of Florida Extension specialists providing 50 teaching hours. Site Visits (2001-2006) The Agent, met with 263 homeowners, condominiums or homeowners associations, and trailer parks to answer a wide array of landscaping issues. Examples of site visit purposes included reviewing current landscaping practices and problems, suggesting appropriate landscape designs, and aiding in insect and plant identifications as well as environmentally friendly solutions providing about 150 teaching hours. Tree Day Advisors (2001-2006) The Agent compiled information for 64 tree fact sheets. The fact sheets provided information for the Master Gardeners to use in answering home owner questions on selecting appropriate trees. The annual tree day events are sponsored by Keys Energy Services. The Keys Energy Service Tree Day provided 3,000 trees to 1,500 customers per year to their customers living in the lower Keys and Key West. The Nature Conservancy provided 2,000 ground covers, shrubs and trees to 1,000 participants per year to all Monroe County residents by annually rotating their location from the Lower, Middle to Upper Keys. The Agent and Master Gardeners helped 11,500 participants providing 2,875 teaching hours. Florida Yards and Neighborhood Yard Certifications (2002-2005) The Agent trained 18 Master Gardeners throughout the Keys conduct yard certifications. Fifteen yards were reviewed to determine if the homeowners applied the Florida Friendly Yard principles in their landscape planning and maintenance. Eleven out of fifteen inspected yards received the Florida Yards and Neighborhood Yard certification providing 23 teaching hours. The Agent, horticulture program assistant and Master Gardeners helped 29,458 residential clientele by providing over 5,005 teachable moments occurred through workshops, educational booths, individual contacts, regional plant clinics, and site visits. Commercial Landscapers EDUCATIONAL ACTVITIES Workshops (2001-2006) The Agent organized (including advertising, procuring donations and developing support materials) and taught or co-taught with Miami-Dade Extension Agents or University of Florida Extension Specialists at six commercial landscaper workshops offered throughout Monroe County. The commercial landscaper workshops had 187 participants, providing 576 teaching hours.

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Pesticide Exams (2001-2006) The Agent co-taught with a Miami-Dade Extension Agent a two day Limited Commercial Landscape Maintenance Training & Exam. The workshop was attended by 25 commercial landscapers, with 5 taking the exam. Individual Contacts (2001-2006) The Agent, horticultural program assistant answered 52 phone calls and emails providing 13 teaching hours. Site Visits (2001-2006) The Agent met 27 landscapers at residential, condominiums, hotels, golf courses and governmental properties to answer a wide array of landscaping issues. Examples of site visit purposes included reviewing current landscaping practices and problems, suggesting appropriate landscape designs, and aiding in insect and plant identifications as well as environmentally friendly solutions providing 27 teaching hours. Newsletter (2001-2003) The Agent and Master Gardener Midge Jolly wrote nine quarterly newsletters, Keyscaper for the commercially licensed 150 landscapers in Monroe County. The Agent provided helped 266 landscapers by providing over 616 teachable moments occurred through workshops, individual contacts, site visits and newsletter. Retail Plant Nurseries (2001-2006) EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES Workshop (2005-2006) Florida Keys Green Thumb Nursery Certification The Agent collaborated with two Florida Keys Invasive Exotic Task Force members to write a proposal for a $1,000 grant from Florida Exotic Pest Council. The grants’ purpose is for the retail nurseries to become “GreenThumb” Certified” Nurseries. Qualified nurseries educate their clientele about the “Keys Friendly” landscaping principles, such as: right plant, right place; remove invasive exotics; attracting wildlife; fertilize appropriately; mulching and controlling pests responsibly. Four retail nurseries workshops were offered throughout Monroe County. Retail nurseries had 20 participants, providing 36 teaching hours. Individual Contacts (2001-2006) The Agent answered 25 phone calls providing eight teaching hours. The Agent provided over 45 retail nursery personnel with 44 teachable moments occurred through workshops, and individual contacts. Materials Developed (2001-2006) The Agent, program assistants, and Master Gardeners developed a total of 230 materials to promote “Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Practices” for residential landscapes, commercial landscapers and retail nurseries. Developed educational materials included 39 PowerPoint presentations, 33 newspaper articles, three television interviews, 54 radio interviews, 23 educational displays, 67 fact sheets, four brochures, two landscape demonstrations and four other forms.

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Assisting Other Agents (2005-2006) The Agent presented two talks for the landscape and the ornamental nursery at the Miami-Dade Horticulture certification workshops. Workshop topic: Palm Care and Maintenance for 100 participants providing 150 teaching hours. ACCOMPLISHMENTS/IMPACTS Extension educational programs resulted in the following accomplishments: Objective A: At least 5,000 homeowners each year will be reached with horticulture information through individual outreach methods such as e-mails, phone, regional plant clinics, site visits and web hits. This objective was measured by counting the number of clientele contacts.

Educational Activity Number of events Number of participants

Teaching hours (hours teaching x

number of participants)

Individual contacts (phone, email,) 13,052 3,26

Regional Plant Clinics 124 603 90 Site visits (by Agent) 263 263 131.5

Web Hits 18,192

An average of 6,422 individual contacts per year (32,110 total) were given horticulture information through outreach efforts.

An average of five clientele attended each regional plant clinic. Plant clinic

samples that could not be determined were sent to the Extension Diagnostic Services. Total savings to homeowners for using the free diagnostic service was $2,000 (100 samples, valued at $20.00 per sample).

The Agent completed 263 site visits, valued at $75.00 per visit. This free service

provided the homeowner with a total savings of $19,725.

Web Hits. An average of 3,638 hits per year by the worldwide web internet community.

A survey was conducted by mail and by phone of 60 randomly selected individual contacts regarding the Monroe County Extension horticultural information and assistance.

o All respondents rated the information they received as current, accurate, and relevant to their situation and easy to understand. o About 97% of the respondents said the information was delivered in a timely manner o All 100% of our clients were very satisfied with services provided o About 75% of the respondents shared the information they received with someone else

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o About 29% of our respondents had been using Extension for problem-solving for 15 years or more; 33% using Extension Services between 4 to 15 years

Objective B: At least 50 residents yearly will learn about the environmentally sound

landscaping principles and 25% would adopt at least one principle. Pre-, post-tests and surveys reported these changes.

Homeowner Research Questionnaires Adopting Environmental Friendly Horticultural Practices

Horticultural Practice n Adopted practice

% adopted practices

Proper planting techniques 18 14 77% Use least-toxic pesticides 28 21 75%

Using slow release fertilizers, micronutrient foliar sprays

chelated iron 30 22 73%

Mulching 16 15 93% Water conservation 95 95 100%

One hundred and eighty-seven people responded to post survey questionnaires

regarding what practices were adopted.

Low response rate occurred on proper planting techniques, using least-toxic pesticides, slow release fertilizer, and mulching due to the post surveys being sent a year after the program.

High response and adoption rate occurred on water conservation due to the quick turn

around of the survey and the clientele using the rain barrel received at the workshop. Objective C: Twenty-five% of the Monroe County commercial landscapers and city, and county groundskeepers will attend a regional best management practices workshop and will learn about the environmentally sound landscaping principles and adopt at least one. Pre-, post-tests and clientele surveys reported these changes.

Educational Event Attendance Pre-test average

Post-test average

Best Management Practices 18 68.4 80.7 Limited Commercial Pesticide License 25

Tree Pruning 45 10 45 How do Urban Trees Grow 8 5 8

Palm Care and Maintenance (Miami-Dade Extension) 101

Native Plant ID workshop 6 0 6

The post-test results show that the landscapers did obtain new knowledge by attending the workshops.

Knowledge gained could have been increased by having a native Spanish speaker and

Spanish language tests.

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Adoption practices could not be ascertained due to: 1)a transitory landscape workers

population due to the high cost of living in the Florida Keys; and 2) a significant portion of the landscape workers are native Spanish speakers.

Objective D: Beginning 2006 at least three retail nurseries will annually complete a Florida Keys Green Thumb Nursery Certification program.

All 30 retail nurseries were informed about the Florida Keys Green Thumb Nursery certification program.

Three retail nurseries (10%) attended and completed the Florida Keys Green Thumb

Nursery certification program.

Starting in the fall 2006 another three other retail nurseries want to go through the certification program resulting in 20% of the county’s nurseries participating in the new and innovative program this first year.

Example of successful results of the promoting environmentally sound landscaping program areas: The Florida Keys Green Thumb Nursery certification program http://www.keysgreenthumb.net/index.htm brought together the following agencies: the Monroe County Extension Service, The Nature Conservancy and the South Florida Water Management District. Through our partnership a new certification program to educate the local retail nurseries about environmentally sound landscaping practices and in turn the nurseries will educate their clientele about the “Keys Friendly” landscaping principles, such as: right plant, right place; remove invasive exotics; attracting wildlife; fertilize appropriately; mulching and controlling pests responsibly. The South Florida Water Management District provided the funds to provide 115 free rain barrels. The two hour rain barrel workshops were held at the throughout the Keys at the recently certified Green Thumb Nurseries. The 115 rain barrel participants has the opportunity to be visit a new nursery, learn about water conservation and take home a rain barrel they constructed themselves. The three certified nurseries obtained new environmentally sound landscaping information through attending a three hour workshop, passing a nursery inspection of plant and products and passing an exam. The Monroe County Extension Service has an opportunity to promote the environmentally sound landscaping message to a wider audience. III. Improving the Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta SITUATION Historically, the earliest settlers from the Bahamas and Cuba brought their favorite tropical fruits to the Florida Keys as an essential nutritional food source. Today, many of these residential fruit trees are being lost due to new homeowners not providing the fruit trees with appropriate fertilization and watering or because the trees are damaged by hurricane winds or storm surge. However, some, long-time residents and new residents still want to grow a mango, banana, citrus or avocado tree in their backyard. Growing a tropical fruit tree is not the same as growing a fruit tree in other areas of the United States. Therefore, new fruit tree owners need instruction about growing tropical fruits in the Florida Keys. Tropical fruit trees can grow in the Keys’

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alkaline soils and salty air, if it is planted at the proper depth or in a raised bed; and if regular applications of slow release fertilizers, foliar nutrient sprays and chelated iron are applied. By following these practices a tropical fruit tree will thrive, grow and produce lots of fruit. The Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta was developed by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/Monroe County Extension horticultural program. It is a one day event modeled after the old County Agricultural Fair that educates local residents and visitors all about tropical fruit trees. The Monroe County Extension horticulture program brings together a wide array of events from: the Homegrown Fruit contest; a tropical fruit display; plant clinic staffed by University of Florida specialists; tropical fruit experts lecture series; tropical fruit tasting; and youth education. Residents and visitors who attend come away with the latest recommended best management practices for growing healthy, productive fruit trees in our environmentally sensitive area. Also, residents have the opportunity to purchase fruit trees to plant in their backyards. The first five Fiestas were held in Key West. The sixth Tropical Fruit Fiesta was held in Marathon starting the regional rotation of the event. In 2006, the Fiesta traveled to Key Largo for the first time. Moving the Fiesta to various regions throughout the Keys provides more opportunities to market the Monroe County Extension to all Monroe County residents and to educate homeowners about growing productive backyard tropical fruit trees. The success of the Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta has been inviting the local community to be part of the event. Non-profits, churches, local chamber of commerce, banks and retail stores are asked to set up informational food booth at the event. The Agent also advertised in the local English and Spanish newspapers, TV and radio stations about the Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta. TARGET AUDIENCE: all Monroe County residents PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Objective A: Increase attendance to the Tropical Fruit Fiesta & developing a rotation plan for the Tropical Fruit Fiesta from the lower Keys, Middle Keys to the Upper Keys. This objective will be measured by using two head count methods: each attendee receives a Tropical Fruit sticker (1000 per roll) and head count with counters at gate entrances. Objective B: At least 50% of Florida Keys residents who are first time attendees of the Florida Tropical Fruit will increase their general knowledge about growing tropical fruit trees by attending the event. This objective will be measured from survey results. Objective C: At least 30% of Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta multiple year attendees will have incorporated at least two recommended fruit tree cultural practices since attending a previous Tropical Fruit Fiesta. This objective will be measured from survey results.

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EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta lecture series During each of the annual tropical Fruit Fiesta two to three lectures were given by Tropical Fruit Tree specialists. A total of 18 lectures were organized by the Agent for the Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta for the event.

Some examples of lectures include: Ian Maguire, UF/IFAS/Tropical Research and Education Center “Photographing Tropical Fruits Dr. Jorge Pena, UF/IFAS/Tropical Research and Education Center “Insects that attack Tropical Fruit Trees” Dr. Richard Campbell, Tropical Fruit Curator, Fairchild Tropical Garden “Tough love for better Mangos”

Bi-lingual Plant Clinic & Fruit Display The Bi-lingual plant clinic and fruit display has been organized and run by Carlos Balerdi, UF/IFAS/Miami-Dade Extension, Commercial Tropical Fruit Agent, Dr. Robert McMillan and Aaron Palmateer, Plant Pathologist with the UF/Tropical Research Center and Dr. Jonathan Crane, Tropical Fruit Specialist with UF/Tropical Research and Education Center. The fruit display attracts hundreds of attendees who can view a wide variety of mangos and avocados and other seasonal tropical fruits learning what type will grow in their yard. The bi-lingual plant clinic provides homeowners an opportunity to discuss with the Plant Pathologist what is ailing their fruit tree and how to correct the problem. Tropical Fruit lectures presented by Agent During 2002 the Agent developed three Power Point presentations: “Introduction of Tropical Fruit Trees”, had 32 participants, providing 32 teaching hours. “Tropical Fruit Tree Selection and Care” had 37 participants, providing 37 teaching hours. “Insects and Diseases of Tropical Fruit Trees” had 18 participants, providing 18 teaching hours. Each lecture was given in the Lower, Middle and Upper Keys. A total of 85 people attended the regional workshops. The lecture series was discontinued due to the difficulty in obtaining consistent attendance at the lectures. Instead the Agent continued doing Tropical Fruit tree presentations as an invited guest speaker to local community groups, such as: Discovery Keys lecture series had 35 participants, providing 35 teaching hours; and three Senior Citizen groups had 75 participants and 75 teaching hours. For those who attended the Tropical Fruit Lecture Series, the attendees responded that:

63% of attendees to “Introduction to Tropical Fruit Trees” increased their general knowledge about tropical fruit trees

75% of attendees “Tropical fruit tree selection and care” increased their knowledge about best management practices for growing fruit trees

85% of attendees “Insects and diseases of tropical fruit trees” increased their knowledge about pest problems and proper control measures.

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Individual Contacts During 2001 to 2006 the Agent answered numerous tropical fruit for Monroe County residents. Below is a summary of the individual contacts:

Educational Activity Number of events Number of participants

Teaching hours (hours teaching x

number of participants)

Individual contacts (phone, email, office

visits) 3177 794.25

Site visits (by agent) 65 65 32.5 Web Hits 3398

ACCOMPLISHMENTS/IMPACTS Objective A was to increase attendance to the Tropical Fruit Fiesta and developing a rotation plan for the Tropical Fruit Fiesta from the Lower Keys, Middle Keys to the Upper Keys.

Year Attendance Fiesta location 2001 2,000 Key West 2002 2,100 Key West 2003 2,500 Key West 2004 2,347 Marathon 2005 2,500 Key West 2006 1,500 Key Largo

Tropical Fruit Fiesta attendance has increased from the 2001 records through the 2005

Fiesta. In 2006 it was the first time in Key Largo and local residents thoroughly enjoyed the event but it did not draw as many people as did the Key West and Marathon events. We suspect the close proximity of Key Largo to the South Florida (Homestead/Redlands) tropical fruit tree nurseries lowered the overall demand for trees, which is the biggest attraction of the event.

A three year rotation plan has been implemented and well received throughout the

county.

Objective B: At least 50% of Florida Keys residents who are first time attendees of the Florida Tropical Fruit will increase their general knowledge about growing tropical fruit trees after attending the event. This objective will be measured from survey results. Surveys results of Tropical Fruit Fiesta attendees:

105 out of the 131 first time attendees (80%) increased their general fruit tree knowledge by at least one level.

Objective C At least 30% of Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta multiple year attendees will have incorporated at least two recommended fruit tree cultural practices since attending a previous Tropical Fruit Fiesta.

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During the 2004 survey, 20 repeat tropical fruit attendees were asked: “Have they incorporated any of the following horticultural practices in caring for your tropical fruit trees?”

o 17 out of 20 (85%) used the recommended planting techniques. o 16 out of 20 (80%) applied the recommended fertilizers appropriately. o 16 out of 20 (80%) mulched their tropical fruit trees, except citrus. o 17 out of 20 (85%) used the least toxic pest control measures. o 16 out of 20 (80%) stated these practices help them in growing their tropical fruit

tree. IV Life Skills Developed in Youth through Subject matter Experiences SITUATION 4-H utilizes a variety of project and subject matter skills to engage youth in areas of interest. Subject matter programs and projects, additionally, become the “vehicle” through which youth engage with other adults, become self-directed learners, set goals, makes independent choices and decisions, and gain mastery and accomplishment from their experiences. Florida 4-H programs target youth development “life skills” as outcomes for young people through the outreach education of subject matter educational programs and projects of the land grant university. Youth will be able to:

Effectively communicate with others;

Develop and maintain positive relationships with others;

Process information to make effective decisions and positive choices;

Lead and contribute to others (peers, family, community);

Demonstrate marketable/productive skills for work and family life.

To develop marketable/productive skills for work and family life has been sited by Connell, Gambone, and Smith (2000) as a major outcome for positive youth development. Learning to be productive: do well in school; develop positive outside interests and acquire basic life skills for work and family life is a basic transition from youth to adulthood. These skills transcend into economic self-sufficiency, positive family and social relationships and community involvement in adulthood.

Research studies indicate that the more internal assets and life skills/competencies youth build the more likely they are to grow up healthy, confident, responsible and are less likely to become engaged in risky behaviors. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES The Horticulture Agent and Monroe County Master Gardeners worked with the 4-H Agent in the following educational activities:

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2006. 4-H Agent and two Master Gardeners educated 30 youth at the Junior Master Gardener classes of Composting and Plant Propagation in Key West. 2006. 4-H Agent and two Master Gardeners educated five Coral Shores High School teenagers about proper landscaping techniques at the Tree Memorial Gardens in Tavernier. 2005. 4-H Agent and two Master Gardeners educated five Coral Shores High School teenagers about proper landscaping techniques at the Tree Memorial Gardens in Tavernier. 23. CLINICAL SERVICE OR CLINICAL ACTIVITIES - N/A 24. SERVICE TO SCHOOLS Taught 15 8th graders about planning a butterfly garden at the Marathon Middle School. 2005 Taught 30 2nd graders about butterflies and butterfly gardening at the Key Largo Elementary. 2004 Taught 12 preschoolers and one adult raised bed gardening and Pizza Garden at the Peace Covenant Church Pre-School, Key West. 2002-2003 Taught six youth (after school gardening project) at the Samba Center, Key West. 2002. Taught 15 youth (after school gardening project) at YMCA. 2002 Taught 20 3rd graders a six week gardening program at Key West Montessori School. 2002. Judged a school wide (100 students) Butterfly Garden contest at the Upper Keys Montessori School. 2002 25. MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PROFESSION Epsilon Sigma Phi, member, 2006 to present National Association of County Agricultural Agents, member, 2001 to present. Floral design and retire agents committee member for the 2004 NACAA conference, Orlando, Florida Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents (FACAA), member, 2001 to present. Policies and Resolutions committee member, 2005 to present New Member Relations committee member, 2005 to present Horticulture committee member, 2001 to present Florida State Horticultural Society, member, 2001 to present Florida Nursery Growers and Landscapers Association, member, 2001 to present

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Florida Urban Forestry Council, member, 2001 to present Landscape Maintenance Association, member, 2001 to present International Society of Tropical Horticulture, member, 2001 to present 26. HONORS UF/IFAS Gold Image Award in Marketing & Communications - Special Event “Florida Keys Tropical Fruit Fiesta” (team member) 2004. UF/IFAS Gold Image Award in Marketing & Communications – “Web-based Products” (team member) 2004.

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29. BIO-SKETCHES OF INDIVIDUALS WRITING SOLICITED LETTERS OF EVALUATION Dr. Gary Gao County Extension Co-Director, Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Horticulture Ohio State University Extension in Clermont County 1000 Locust Street P.O. Box 670 Owensville, OH 45160-0670 Phone: (513) 732-7070 Dr. Gao is the County Extension Co-Director, Associate Professor, and Horticulture Extension Educator with Ohio State University Extension in Clermont County for 12 years. He served as the national Chair of the Horticulture and Turfgrass Committee in the national Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) in 2001. He also leads a four-county horticultural crop production program for both commercial fruit and vegetable growers and backyard gardeners. He is also a specialist in landscape management and he manages a Master Gardener Program. Dr. Gao served as the National Vice Chair of the Communications Committee for NACAA. In addition, he represented NACAA on the Board of Directors for the Journal of Extension for four years and has published many refereed articles in the Journal of Extension and other professional journals. He is a board member of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society. He has authored and co-authored numerous Extension Publications as well as write a weekly gardening column in Clermont Sun. He produced a gardening DVD that is entitled "Pathways to Successful Perennial Gardens" in 2005. Currently, Dr. Gao co-chairs the Facilities Committee for the 2006 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Mr. Douglas Gregory CED & Extension Agent IV, Sea Grant University of Florida/IFAS/Monroe County Extension 1100 Simonton Street, Suite 2-260 Key West, Fl 33040 Phone: (305) 292-4501 Mr. Douglas Gregory, Monroe County Extension Director and Extension Agent IV, has been working in Extension since 1991. His areas of responsibilities are the include managing the Extension office and, as the Sea Grant Marine Agent, helping the marine community in various capacities. His main area of Extension activity is with marine fisheries issues as Monroe County is one of the most productive fishing areas in the Southeastern United States. He currently serves as scientific advisor to both the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. He is the Vice-Chair of the Gulf Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.

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Dr. Jonathan Crane Professor, Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist, and Associate Center Director UF/IFAS/Tropical Research and Education Center 18905 S.W. 280th Street Homestead, Fl 33031 Phone: (305)-246-7001 Ext. 290 Dr. Jonathan Crane is a Professor, Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist, and Associate Center Director at the UF/IFAS/Tropical Research and Education Center since 1989. Dr. Crane develops educational and extension programs in tropical fruit production for producers, industry representatives, and extension agents. He teaches a summer course on tropical fruit production and research course that is offered to graduate and advanced undergraduates. From 1987 to 1989, Dr. Crane was the Multi County Tropical Fruit Agent. Mr. William Schall Horticulture Extension Agent IV, Nursery Production, Management and Marketing Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent University of Florida Extension, Palm Beach County 559 N. Military Trail West Palm Beach, Fl 33415-1311 Phone: (561)-233-1725 Since 1997, Mr. Schall has been the Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent and Environmental Horticulture Program Leader in Palm Beach County, supervising three Agents. He develops and implements educational programs for Palm Beach’s nursery industry, focusing on integrated pest management, nursery business management and marketing, and sustainable nursery production. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Schall was the County Extension Director in Broward County. Ms. Adrian Hunsberger Extension Agent III, Urban Horticulture Master Gardener Coordinator University of Florida/IFAS Miami-Dade County Extension 18710 SW 288th Street Homestead, FL 33030 Ms. Adrian Hunsberger, Extension Agent III, has been working in Extension since 1999. Her areas of responsibilities are the Master Gardener program, urban horticulture (non-commercial), and entomology. Ms. Hunsberger has served as Vice-President of the Florida State Horticultural Society and as a committee chair for the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents.

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Mr. Tom Wichman Florida Master Gardener Coordinator University of Florida/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department PO Box 110675 107 Mehrhoff Hall Gainesville, FL 32611-0675 Mr. Wichman is the Florida State Master Gardener Coordinator since 1999. His responsibilities include coordination of the statewide Master Gardener programs and providing support and educational materials for the 52 County Agents with Master Gardener programs. He is coordinator for the annual Florida Master Gardener Conference, the 2001 International Master Gardener Conference and Master Gardener Tours in Europe and Central America. Mrs. Lynne Tejeda Keys Energy Services P.O. Box 6100 1001 James Street Key West, FL 33040 Mrs. Lynne E. Tejeda, General Manager & CEO, has been employed by the utility since January 1989, most recently as Assistant General Manager & COO, prior to being appointed General Manager & CEO in December 2005. Mrs. Tejeda is responsible for the day-to-day management of the utility, implementing the decisions of the Utility Board with respect to utility operations, and keeping the Board informed of the status of the utility. Ms. Cecelia Weaver South Florida Water Management District Florida Keys office 10 High Point Road, Suite B Plantation Key, FL 33070 Ms. Cecelia Weaver is the Director of the Florida Keys Service Center for the South Florida Water Management District on Plantation Key (MM 88.8). Previously, Cecelia was a Senior Environmental Scientist managing the district’s Water Quality and Seagrass Monitoring Programs in South Florida that extend from Charlotte Harbor south through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary up to northern Biscayne Bay. Cecelia’s background includes over 19 years in the public sector where she has worked as a marine biologist in local, state, and regional government, as well as academia.

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Mrs. Lynda Berrigan Conservation Chair, Marathon Garden Club 5270 Overseas Highway Marathon, Fl, 33050 Phone: (305) 743-4971 Ms. Berrigan is the Conservation Chair for the Marathon Garden Club. She has been a Monroe County Master Gardener volunteer since 2000. Ms. Berrigan spearheaded the Wonder Garden landscape and lecture series that won the prestigious 2005 Florida Master Gardener Demonstration/Educational Garden Award.

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31. COPIES OF LAST FIVE ANNUAL LETTERS OF EVALUATION

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32. THEFURTHER INFORMATION SECTION – None