Despite some having their own homes without power or damaged in the wake of Hurricane Helene, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) faculty and staff across North Florida readied themselves as an Incident Command Post was established at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds.
“Our Extension agents got to work quickly, helping farmers put up fences, clear debris and assess damages across their property,” said Angela Lindsey, UF/IFAS associate professor within the Center for Public Issues Education (PIE Center). “They care about their communities because they are a part of their communities, and they want to see these areas return to a healthy, thriving state.”
UF/IFAS Extension agents from various counties assisted with mission requests with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Emergency Support Function 17 (FDACS ESF 17), which addresses animal and agricultural issues across Florida. These mission requests address needs and gaps after a crisis, including pet shelter and animal evacuations, food donations and search and rescue missions…