About Us

Extension is part of a nationwide network of community educational centers. It is based on the Federal Land-Grant concept established in the early 1900's as a means of "extending" university resources to our nation's citizens.

Every state has at least one land-grant university. Florida has two, the University of Florida and A&M University. At the University of Florida, Extension is located in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). Every county has an extension service. Our local Extension Service is a cooperative partnership between the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida.

Extension provides non-biased, research-based information in agriculture, human and natural resources, and life sciences. Extension provides this information in a number of ways, including classes, seminars, printed and electronic materials, and consultations. Extension's educational programs are directed at broad national and state concerns, as well as issues specific to local needs.

Marion County's Extension program areas share significant common goals in helping citizens to conserve resources, protect the natural and home environments, and improve the quality of lives.

Programs vary from county to county, based on different needs. Marion County's Extension Service provides education in:

An Extension agent acts as a liaison between the land-grant University and their county's citizens to provide educational information within the agent's assigned program area.