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Edsel Redden, County Extension Director
Phone: (386) 329-0318
What is the Putnam County Cooperative Extension Service?
We are an off-campus branch of the University of
Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). We provide
scientific and problem-solving information to Putnam County residents. We offer
educational programs in agriculture, homeowner horticulture, family and consumer sciences,
community resource development, and 4-H youth development.
We are supported by the
Putnam County Board of County Commissioners, University of Florida, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
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What are the educational and technical assistance programs we provide?
Commercial Agriculture:
 | crop and livestock recommendations
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| soil testing information
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| pest and plant disease identification
and recommendations |
| weed control recommendations
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| restricted use pesticide
training/testing and CEU credits |
| newsletters for major commodities
(fern/cut foliage, forestry, livestock,vegetable) |
Homeowner Horticulture:
| gardening advice |
| fruit/orchard advice |
| soil test information |
| pest and plant disease recommendations |
| landscape advice (lawn, ornamentals, etc.) |
Family and Consumer Science:
| financial and resource management
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| nutrition and health education |
| parenting education |
| Family and Community Education Volunteer
Leadership Development |
| newsletters for FCS clientele |
4-H Youth:
| leadership/citizenship development
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| 4-H club/council support |
| county/district/state events |
| youth livestock/projects - Putnam County Fair
support |
| volunteer leadership training |
| newsletters for 4-H members/volunteers
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How can Putnam County residents use Cooperative Extension programs?
| call us with your questions, or visit the
Extension office at the Agricultural Center
in East Palatka, FL. |
| order printed material from us |
| attend Extension sponsored workshops/programs
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| schedule a speaker/seminar for your group or
organization |
| subscribe to a newsletter |
| become a volunteer (advisory committees, 4-H,
FCE, Master Gardeners) |
| enroll your children (ages 5-18) in 4-H
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| access us by computer using World-Wide-Web
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How can you reach us?
| office hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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| address: 111 Yelvington Road, Suite #1, East
Palatka Fl 32131 |
| telephone: 386/329-0318 |
| FAX: 386/329-1262 |
| toll free: 1-800-826-1437, ext 0318
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| e-mail: putnam@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu |
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Do you want additional information by
World-Wide-Web? If you do, select any of the following topics:
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences,
University of Florida - gateway to many programs and units, and their individual home
pages.
Florida Agricultural Information Retrieval
System (FAIRS) - gateway to numerous handbooks and guides covering commercial and home
horticulture, animal science, environmental science, pest management, 4-H and related
topics.
Putnam County’s WWW home page- a good
source of information about the county and its government.
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Most frequently asked questions...
Agriculture:
Q - When can I take the restricted use
pesticide test?
A - Training and testing are given four times
each year. You will need to study prior to the testing. Call our office for an order blank
to get the necessary manuals from IFAS publications and to receive the schedule of
trainings/programs for Continuing Educational Units (CEU’s).
Q- Where can I get the soil tested for
my cropland?
A- Come to the Agricultural Center for a soil
testing kit. Mail your sample to the University of Florida Soils Lab -- Cost $7 per
sample.
Q- My roses have black spots, what can I do?
A- We have a well informed Horticulture Agent
and many Master Gardeners to help you with homeowner questions. Give us a call.
Horticulture:
Q - How do I become a Master Gardener?
A - Call our office and we will mail MG
information directly to you.
Q - Where do I take and soil sample for
analysis?
A - We do soil testing for pH in our local soil
lab at no cost. You may bring your sample to the Agricultural Center in East Palatka or
drop it off at any of the following places of business in Putnam County:
Producers Ace Hardware - Crescent City
Fruitland Ace Hardware - Crescent City
Bryans Ace Hardware - Interlachen
Queen’s Building Supply - Interlachen
Weldon’s Nursery -
San Mateo
Scotty's -
Palatka
Big Chief Farm Supply -
Palatka
Family and Consumer Sciences:
Q- Can you provide me with information on food
safety?
A- Family and Consumer Science Agents are able
to provide residents with information on the safe handling and preservation of foods. This
includes the recommended storage times for fresh and frozen foods. Several publication are
available on canning and freezing foods. Food safety workshops are offered for food
handlers and child care workers.
Q- I’ve just been to
the doctor and he told me I need to go on a low-fat, low cholesterol diet. Can you help me
figure out what I can eat?
A- While unable to prescribe specific diets for
people, the Extension service does have publications and classes on choosing a healthy
diet. This includes learning to read food lables, using the Food Guide Pyramid in menu
planning, increasing fiber in the diet, etc.
4-H Youth:
Q- How do I join 4-H?
A- Joining a 4-H club is a great way to have
fun, learn new things and meet people. Clubs meet in schools, community centers or at 4-H
volunteer’s homes. Call us, "it’s more than you ever imagined!"
Q- How do I become a 4-H leader?
A- Nearly 20,000 caring, well-trained volunteers
throughout Florida make 4-H happen. These parents, teachers, and others share their time
and talents to help 4-H members grow and learn. Call us for interviews and training to
become a leader/volunteer.
Q- What does 4-H have to offer?
A- Florida 4-H offers many different projects in
the following areas:
-Animal and Plant Sciences
- Environmental Education
-Individual and Family Resources
-Science and Technology
-Citizenship and Leadership
-Communication Arts and Career Exploration
Visitor  Since 5/11/98
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