Abstract
Rapid urban development across Central Florida has resulted in significant farmland loss, with Seminole County alone experiencing a 52% reduction between 2017 and 2022. This mirrors global trends in which urban expansion threatens agricultural viability and local food systems. A 2024 regional needs assessment identified raising agricultural awareness as a top priority, emphasizing the need to reconnect communities with their food systems. In response, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County launched the Farm to Fork program to strengthen agricultural literacy, promote sustainable food behaviors, and foster cultural reconnection to food and land. The program helps participants understand where their food comes from, how to grow food at home, and how to make healthier dietary choices. Using an interdisciplinary extension model, the program brings together agents in agriculture, horticulture, and family and consumer sciences. Each month featured a webinar and a hands-on workshop covering topics such as vegetables, tropical fruits, honey bees, and native edibles. From January to October 2025, Farm to Fork reached over 519 participants through monthly webinars and workshops. In post-session surveys, 93.75% of respondents (n=336) increased their knowledge with an average gain of +1.65 on a 5-point scale. In 6-month follow-up surveys, 97.53% of respondents (n=100) adopted at least one learned practice since attending a session. Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, inspiring a second annual series in 2026. This program demonstrates how interdisciplinary extension education can address the environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions of sustainability, empowering individuals to become active stewards of their food systems and local ecosystems.
Presenters
Morgan PinkertonSustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Extension Agent, Extension Seminole County, University of Florida/IFAS, United States Kaydie Mc Cormick
Residential Horticulture Agent & Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, IFAS/Extension, University of Florida, Florida, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic, Social, and Cultural Context
KEYWORDS
Agricultural Literacy, Urbanization, Food Systems, Extension, Experiential Learning, Community Engagement
