Southern Region SARE Professional Development Program 2026-2027 Model State Program – Program Assistant – University of Florida

Commodities

Practices

Florida activities for 2026-2027 will build upon the basic framework for the model state program. Planned activities include integrating results of SARE funded research and Extension activities, and other relevant research, and using this information as resources for educational programs. We also plan to continue to strengthen our focus on targeted training for state and county Extension faculty, representatives of non-profit organizations, representatives of state and federal government agencies, and farmer representatives. To fulfill the priorities and objectives of our program, our training funds will be used to address programs in three subject matter areas: (1) new and emerging solutions for Florida agricultural production, (2) advancing Extension capacity in sustainable agriculture, and (3) entrepreneurial innovation in sustainable agriculture. Our expected outcomes are: (1) Extension faculty will participate in SARE in-service training programs and use this information in their own programming; (2) Extension faculty will participate in regional and national training programs in sustainable agriculture and apply the lessons learned in their own programming; (3) at least two of the statewide Extension priority teams will include information and resources about sustainable agriculture and SARE in their professional development training programs and Extension programming; (4) through SARE, Extension agents and farmers will identify opportunities for the development, outreach, and research of alternative crops and enterprises; (5) regional and local county agents will develop new collaborations with organizations, agencies, and groups working in sustainable agriculture; and (6) Extension faculty and agents will make increased use of resources to support programming in sustainable agriculture.

1. Similar to the previous year, we will continue to maintain existing and establish new collaborative Extension trainings and programs with faculty members and county agents at the University of Florida and Florida A&M University whose work addresses sustainability in production agriculture.
2. Continue to extend collaboration with organizations that are active in post-production components of food systems, particularly non-profit, state, and governmental organizations whose work fosters development of food and agricultural businesses.
3. Continue to support the development of existing programs in food systems, including regional and specialized Extension agents whose work includes both on-farm production and post-farm gate aspects of food system development.