About Us
Welcome to UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension. Sumter County Extension is a federal, state and local partnership that provides research-based information from the University of Florida to the citizens of Sumter County. Our county government generously supplies us with a place to work and the funding to carry out our programs, which are mostly free to the public. We hope that you will contact us for solutions to any questions you may have in the areas of agriculture, lawns and gardens, nutrition and wellness, financial management, natural resources, livestock and dairy, and youth development (4-H). We also have opportunities for volunteers to get involved in extension as Master Gardeners or 4-H Volunteers. Come see us and visit our publications room and our water conservation garden!
Interim County Extension Director
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Dr. Stacy Strickland |
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Extension Agents
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Martha Maddox - Family & Consumer SciencesMartha Maddox's background includes a B.S. in Agricultural Education and a M.S. in Home Economic. Martha has worked with UF/IFAS for 8 years and and as a County Extension Agent in Arkansas for 13 years. |
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Jim Davis - Residential Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator and Florida Master Naturalist CoordinatorJim Davis is a native of Central Florida and has been serving as the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Extension Agent since May of 2006. Jim received his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Florida majoring in Environmental Horticulture and minoring in Entomology and Nematology. Jim interned at Universal Studios Orlando in the Landscaping division and was also the Lead Gardener for The Breakers Golf and Hotel Resort in Palm Beach. |
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Lloyd Singleton - Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Urban HorticultureLloyd's primary focus is on equipping the commercial landscape maintenance and installation industry of our county with the latest research and best methods of sustainable landscape management practices. His position is partially funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District in partnership with Sumter County Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida. Lloyd comes to us from Palm Beach County where he served as the landscape manager for the world-famous historic oceanfront resort The Breakers Palm Beach. Prior to that position, he held the same title in central Florida for the theme park Universal Orlando which gives him 13 years of experience in the landscape profession. |
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Sarah Hensley - 4-H Youth Development
Sarah Hensley is the 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent. She has her B.S. in Youth Development and a minor in Extension Education, she also has a M.S. in Extension Education both from the University of Florida, GO GATORS!!! Sarah worked in the state 4-H office and then started her Extension Career in Calhoun County as an Agriculture/4-H Agent, she then transferred to Lake County for three years. Sarah is happy to be here in Sumter County where she lives with her husband Cody Hensley. Cody and Sarah attend Wahoo Baptist Church and have a great love for the outdoors and raising beef cattle.
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Multi County Extension Agents
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Dr. Camille (Cami) Esmel McAvoy - Multi County Commercial Horticulture Dr. Camille (Cami) Esmel has been serving as the multi-county commercial horticulture extension agent for Sumter and Pasco counties since March 2012. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida in 2011 and 2005, respectively. Her research focus was in the areas of crop production and nutrient managment for vegetables. She completed her B.S. in Evironmental Horticulture at the University of New Hampshire in 2002, where she specialized in greenhouse, fruit and vegetable production . While at UNH, Cami was involved in floriculture research under the direction for Dr. Paul Fisher. She was also a NH State FFA Officer, Academic Affairs Chair for UNH Student Senate, and a dormitory resident assistant while attending UNH. She has received awards from the Florida Weed Science Society and the Florida State Horticulture Society for her presentations and publications about Florida agriculture. Cami is a member of the Coastal Springs FNGLA Chapter, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association, the Florida State Horticulture Society and the American Society for Horticulture Science. |
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Ed Jennings - LivestockEd Jennings has worked with UF IFAS for over 22 years. Ed has a BS in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida and his Master's in Science Education from the University of South Florida. |
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Extension Staff
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Donna Lester - Horticulture Program AssistantDonna Lester is the Horticultural program assistant. She assists the Horticulture Agents in their various fields and helps to organize and tend to the needs of volunteers within the Master Gardener Program. She has worked for Sumter County Extension for 11 years and completed certifications for the Master Gardener Program and Best Management Practices. Donna’s past work experience has been as a retail merchandiser and has held various positions at the Hernando County Health Department. Her passions are Family, Environment and serving the residents of our Community and honoring our Military Heroes. |
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Kimber Sarver - 4H Youth Development Program AssistantKimber Sarver comes to us as a native Texan, more recently from Orlando. Kimber's job responsibilities includes school enrichment, 4H enrollment, support of club leaders and youth and educational programming in youth development. Her past experiences include teaching at a private school, and her Sunday school class as well as a veterinarian assistant. She is married to her high school sweetheart Rob and has two beautiful girls Sarah and Hannah. |
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Dale Wallace - Coleman Federal Prison Project - Program Assistant After many years in the landscape industry, Dale is helping the Federal Prison system train inmates for future careers. |
Susan League - Coleman Federal Prison Project - Program Assistant
Susan became a Master Gardener Volunteer this year and works part time assisting with curriculum
preparation for the Coleman project.
DarLinda Duteau - Office Manager
DarLinda is a native to Bushnell and became the Office Manager in November 2011. Her past experiences come from 19 years with Probation and Parole Services as a Parole and Probation Specialist and Office Manager in Dade City. She has two successful daughters, Jessica and Julia and two beautiful granddaughters, whom call her "Mawzey", Jillian and Jelcee.