What UF/IFAS Extension Does
UF/IFAS Extension is the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences taking its research out to the counties. The statewide office finder says there are offices in all 67 Florida counties, serving farmers, growers, home and business owners, youth and families with science-based programs and expertise. If you grow it, raise it, show it or just killed it in the backyard, there is probably an agent for that.
Who Pays for It and Who Runs It
Cooperative Extension was created by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. As the Sarasota County office explains, it is a partnership among state land-grant universities, the USDA and county governments, which share in planning, financing and running the programs. In Florida the University of Florida administers it. That is why your county office often sits in a county building or agricultural center, yet its agents carry university credentials.
The Core Program Areas
County pages describe their work in a handful of areas. Sarasota County, for example, lists six:
- 4-H youth development
- Agriculture
- Gardening and landscaping
- Natural resources
- Nutrition and healthy living
- Sustainability
Not every county office offers the same mix. Staffing differs from county to county, so a citrus county, a cattle county and a coastal urban county will each lean on different agents. Call before you drive.
Regions Across the State
UF/IFAS groups its county offices into districts. The district directory lists these four with counties named:
- Northwest (16 counties): including Escambia, Okaloosa, Leon, Jackson and Walton
- Northeast (17 counties): including Alachua, Duval, Suwannee, Columbia and Levy
- Southwest (11 counties): including Hillsborough, Polk, Lee, Collier and Sarasota
- Southeast (12 counties): including Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Highlands and Monroe
The directory also shows a Central district heading but does not list its counties on that page, so use the office finder to confirm which district your county sits in.
4-H and Youth Programs
4-H is the youth side of Extension, and it is the doorway into many county fair projects, from market hogs to sewing. County offices run enrollment, and Sarasota County's site, for one, offers an enrollment guide. Livestock exhibitors should note that most Florida youth shows ask for active 4-H, FFA or YLPA membership. Our county fairs guide covers the show rules, but your 4-H agent is the person who tells you which forms are due and when.
Master Gardeners and Plant Clinics
The Master Gardener Volunteer program extends UF/IFAS knowledge to the public through trained volunteers. The county coordinator is usually the county's horticulture Extension agent, and each county office decides whether to participate. Many offices run a plant clinic. Sarasota County's clinic, for instance, is open in person Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hours differ by county, so check yours.
Help for Farms and Ranches
For producers, the UF/IFAS Small Farms diagnostic page points to several lab services, each for a fee:
- Soil testing and fertility recommendations from the UF/IFAS Soil Testing Laboratory, plus the Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory in Belle Glade
- Plant disease identification from the UF/IFAS Plant Diagnostic Center, with plant clinics at research and education centers in Wimauma, Apopka, Immokalee, Quincy and Homestead
- Nematode identification and management advice from the Nematode Assay Lab
- Forage evaluation labs and a livestock waste testing lab
The page says you can reach these through your local Extension office, the nearest research and education center, or by shipping a sample to the on-campus labs. Ask your agent how to collect the sample before you send it, since a bad sample gets you a very expensive wrong answer. Sarasota County also lists soil and irrigation water testing and home irrigation checks among its services.
How to Find Your County Office
- Open the find your local office page.
- Pick your county from the dropdown or the alphabetical lists. The page also has a Seminole Tribe entry.
- Use the county page for address, hours, staff and local programs.
- If you are unsure who to ask, the page links an Ask An Expert referral form. The statewide Extension line listed there is (352) 392-1761.
Tips for Getting Useful Answers
- Bring a sample, a photo or a map. Agents work from evidence, not vibes.
- Say what you are trying to do: grow, show, sell, cut costs or save the oak tree.
- Ask about local programs, since each county builds its own class and event calendar.
- Volunteer. Master Gardeners and 4-H leaders are how the system stretches across 67 counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Florida county have an Extension office?
Yes. The statewide office finder says UF/IFAS Extension has offices in all 67 Florida counties.
Is Extension only for farmers?
No. It serves farmers and growers, but also homeowners, businesses, youth and families.
Does it cost money?
Lab tests such as soil, plant and nematode analysis carry fees, per the Small Farms diagnostic page. Ask your county office about the cost of other programs.
Who do I call if I cannot find my office?
The statewide line on the office finder is (352) 392-1761, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 110210, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Start with the UF/IFAS office finder, then call your county office to confirm hours and services.
Florida Listings Covered by This Guide
- Florida 4-H Day at the Capitol
Young 4-H members meet legislators or aides, tour the Capitol and watch lawmakers at work. The next Day at the Capitol is March 24, 2027.
- Florida 4-H State Dairy Show
State 4-H dairy cattle show for youth in the dairy project, free to enter, with registration open February 1 to March 18, 2027. The next show is April 1-3, 2027.
- Florida 4-H Legislature
Senior 4-H members aged 14-18 play senators, lobbyists and governor in a model legislative session. Participants stay in FSU dorms; the next event is June 21-25, 2027.
- UF/IFAS Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference
Eleventh annual one-day policy outlook conference at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida center in Apopka, also streamed by Zoom. Held each year; the most recent date was April 16, 2026.
- 4-H Public Speaking Contest
Held each year; the most recent contest was April 27, 2026, with fourth through sixth graders from public, private and home schools competing before county commissioners and administrators as judges.
FL | Organizer: UF/IFAS Extension St. Johns County 4-H Official event details - Pasco County 4-H Open House
Held each year; the most recent open house was Thursday, August 27, 2026. Families can drop in to learn about 4-H clubs for ages 5 to 18, covering animal science, gardening, shooting sports and more.
36702 County Road 52, Dade City, FL 33525 | Organizer: UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Official event details - Florida 4-H
Statewide 4-H youth program run from Gainesville, offering livestock judging, shooting sports, camps and the State Fair contests.
Gainesville, FL - Hastings Agricultural Extension Center
UF/IFAS demonstration site in Hastings, the northeast Florida potato growing area.
595 E. St. Johns Avenue, Hastings, FL 32145 | 904-692-4673 Website - Highlands County 4-H Barns
Two 4-H barns behind the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center in Sebring, one for swine and one for cattle, with stalls leased to 4-H members who complete a barn orientation before county fair season.
4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875 | (863) 402-6540 Website - Highlands County Youth Citrus Project
Youth citrus program for ages 8 to 18 in Highlands County; members buy $20 tree kits, keep a record book and may enter one tree in the Highlands County Fair.
4509 George Blvd., Sebring, FL 33875 | (863) 402-6540 Website - Manatee County Extension Service (UF/IFAS)
Palmetto-based Manatee County Extension offering agriculture and natural resources help, 4-H youth development, nutrition classes and landscape professional and pesticide license training on the fairgrounds campus.
1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL 34221 | (941) 722-4524 Website - Miami-Dade County 4-H Youth Development Program
Hialeah office of the Miami-Dade 4-H youth development program run by UF/IFAS Extension, separate from the main Homestead Extension headquarters.
401 E 65 Street, Hialeah, FL 33013 | (305) 769-4050 Website - Sumter County Premier Exhibitor Contest
A long-running skill-a-thon contest for market livestock exhibitors at the Sumter County Fair, with posters, record book tests and a seminar; the 2025 fair drew over 60 participants.
FL Website - UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County
UF/IFAS Extension office for Alachua County in Newberry, serving residents with agriculture, horticulture, natural resources and 4-H youth programs; it also supports the county youth fair.
22712 W Newberry Road, Newberry, FL 32669 | (352) 955-2402 - UF/IFAS Extension Baker County
Macclenny office offering livestock and crop recommendations, soil and pond water testing, restricted-use pesticide training, a Master Gardener program, an arboretum and 4-H clubs including a livestock club.
1025 West Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, FL 32063 | (904) 259-3520 - UF/IFAS Extension Bay County
Panama City Extension office for Bay County, the local contact point for UF/IFAS agriculture, horticulture, natural resources and 4-H youth development programming.
2728 E 14th St, Panama City, FL 32401 | (850) 248-8091 - UF/IFAS Extension Bradford County
Starke office of UF/IFAS Extension where Bradford County residents get help with agriculture, small farms, natural resources, lawn and garden, family resources and 4-H.
2266 N Temple Ave, Starke, FL 32091 | (904) 966-6224 - UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County
Cocoa home of Brevard County 4-H, which runs the county 4-H fair and its market poultry auction, plus rabbit, goat, horticulture and cooking projects for youth.
3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL 32926 | (321) 633-1702 - UF/IFAS Extension Calhoun County
Blountstown Extension office for Calhoun County offering UF/IFAS education in agriculture, horticulture and 4-H youth development in the Panhandle.
20816 East Central Avenue, Blountstown, FL 32424 | (850) 674-8323 - UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County
Port Charlotte Extension office with Master Gardener, Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Sea Grant programs for Charlotte County residents and growers.
1120 Centennial Boulevard, Port Charlotte, FL 33953 | (941) 764-4340 - UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County
Lecanto Extension office for Citrus County, home of 4-H programs that run the county goat show, horse show and fair exhibits.
3650 W Sovereign Path, Ste 1, Lecanto, FL 34461 | (352) 527-5700 - UF/IFAS Extension Clay County
UF/IFAS Extension in Green Cove Springs, on the same State Road 16 site as the Clay County fairgrounds, with agriculture, horticulture and 4-H resources.
2463 State Road 16 West, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 | (904) 284-6355 - UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County
Lake City Extension office for Columbia County, with row crop and horticulture education and a 4-H program that includes public speaking and fair-booth projects.
437 NW Hall of Fame Drive, Lake City, FL 32055 | (386) 752-5384 - UF/IFAS Extension DeSoto County
Arcadia Extension office serving DeSoto County ranchers, citrus growers and 4-H families with UF/IFAS agriculture, natural resources and youth programs.
2150 NE Roan Street, Arcadia, FL 34266 | (863) 993-4846 - UF/IFAS Extension Dixie County
Cross City Extension office for Dixie County with agriculture, natural resources, lawn and garden, family resources and 4-H programs for the Big Bend area.
99 NE 121st Street, Cross City, FL 32628 | (352) 498-1237 - UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County
Cantonment Extension office for Escambia County, organizer of 4-H county events, summer day camps and ties to the spring livestock show at Molino.
3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533 - UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County
Bunnell Extension office for Flagler County, with vegetable crop blogs and agriculture support, located on the same road as the county fairgrounds.
150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell, FL 32110 | (386) 437-7464 - UF/IFAS Extension Franklin County
Apalachicola Extension office for Franklin County, a coastal county where UF/IFAS staff also cover Sea Grant and seafood-related education.
261 Dr. Frederick S. Humphries Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320 | (850) 653-9337 - UF/IFAS Extension Gadsden County
Quincy office of UF/IFAS Extension for Gadsden County offering agriculture, small farms, Master Gardeners and 4-H youth development.
2140 W. Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351 | (850) 875-7255 - UF/IFAS Extension Gilchrist County
Trenton Extension office for Gilchrist County, a member of the North Florida livestock agents group supporting cattle, forage and 4-H livestock projects.
125 East Wade Street, Trenton, FL 32693 | (352) 463-3174 - UF/IFAS Extension Glades County
Moore Haven Extension office for Glades County, home of a 4-H program whose members keep project journals and prepare animals for the county show.
900 US Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471 | (863) 946-0244 - UF/IFAS Extension Gulf County
Port St. Joe Extension office for Gulf County with a 4-H program, horticulture help and natural resources education for Panhandle coastal residents.
502 E. 4th Street, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 | (850) 639-3200 - UF/IFAS Extension Hamilton County
Jasper Extension office for Hamilton County providing agriculture, natural resources, lawn and garden, family resources and 4-H youth development.
1143 NW US Highway 41, Jasper, FL 32052 | (386) 792-1276 - UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County
Hardee County office of UF/IFAS Extension at the county Agri-Civic Center in Wauchula, offering agriculture, natural resources, 4-H youth development, lawn and garden and family resources programs.
507 Civic Center Drive, Wauchula, FL 33873 | (863) 773-2164 Website - UF/IFAS Extension Hendry County
Hendry County Extension office in LaBelle that runs agriculture education, 4-H youth development, natural resources, lawn and garden and family resources programs for local growers, ranchers and families.
1085 Pratt Boulevard, LaBelle, FL 33935 | (863) 674-4092 Website - UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County
Brooksville office of UF/IFAS Extension in Hernando County, providing agriculture, natural resources, Sea Grant marine science, 4-H and home landscape programs to residents and producers.
16110 Aviation Loop Drive, Brooksville, FL 34604 | (352) 754-4433 Website - UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Extension office in Seffner offering 4-H, agriculture, professional horticulture, urban forestry and family nutrition education for one of Florida's largest farm counties.
5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584 | (813) 744-5519 Website - UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County
Extension office in Bonifay serving Holmes County farmers and youth with agriculture, natural resources, 4-H, lawn and garden and family resources programs in the Panhandle.
1169 E. Highway 90, Bonifay, FL 32425 | (850) 547-1108 Website - UF/IFAS Extension Indian River County
Vero Beach Extension office for Indian River County covering agriculture, natural resources, 4-H youth development, environmental horticulture and pesticide and fertilizer licensing training.
7961 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32967 | (772) 226-4330 Website - UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County
Jefferson County Extension office in Monticello offering agriculture and natural resources help, 4-H summer camps, pesticide education and nutrition classes for North Florida residents.
2729 W. Washington Highway, Monticello, FL 32344 | (850) 342-0187 Website
Plus 17 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Florida directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.