Adcock, C.W.1, Bolles, E.R.2, Beck, H.3, Bolques, A.4,Brasher, C.L.5, Dunning, S.O.6, Friday,T.L.7, Marshall, D.W. 8, Mullins, D.E. 9, Powell,E. 10, Rosenthal,S. 11, Rudisill, K.R.12, Stevenson,C. 13, Williams,L.L.14, P. Vergot15 1. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Washington County, Chipley, Fl. 32428 2.Faculty, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida 3. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Escambia County, Cantonment, Florida 32533; 4.Extension Faculty, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University Extension, Gadsden County, Quincy, Florida 32351, 5.Extension Faculty, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University Extension, Jackson County, Marianna, Florida 32448; 6. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Okaloosa County, Crestview, Florida 32536 ; 7.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Santa Rosa County, Milton, Florida 32570; 8.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Leon County, Tallahassee, Florida 32301;9. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Santa Rosa County, Milton, Florida 32570;10.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Walton County, DeFuniakSprings, Florida, 32433;11.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Leon County, Tallahassee, Florida 32301;12.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Bay County, Panama City, Florida 32401;13.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Escambia County, Cantonment, Florida 32533;14.Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Okaloosa County, Crestview, Florida 32536 , 15District Extension Director, Northwest Florida District, Qunicy, Florida

1. “GARDENING IN THE PANHANDLE”
A DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL
HORTICULTURE NEWSLETTER
Authors
Adcock, C.W.1, Bolles, E.R.2, Beck, H.3, Bolques, A.4, Brasher, C.L.5, Dunning, S.O.6, Friday,T.L.7, Marshall, D.W. 8,
Mullins, D.E. 9, Powell,E. 10, Rosenthal,S. 11, Rudisill, K.R.12, Stevenson,C. 13, Williams,L.L. 14 , P. Vergot15
1. ExtensionFaculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Washington County, Chipley, Fl. 32428 2. Faculty, Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida 3. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Escambia
County, Cantonment, Florida 32533; 4. Extension Faculty, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University Extension, Gadsden County, Quincy, Florida 32351, 5. Extension Faculty, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University Extension,
Jackson County, Marianna, Florida 32448; 6. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Okaloosa County, Crestview, Florida 32536 ; 7. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Santa Rosa County, Milton, Florida 32570; 8.
Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Leon County, Tallahassee, Florida 32301;9. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Santa Rosa County, Milton, Florida 32570;10. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension,
Walton County, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, 32433;11. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Leon County, Tallahassee, Florida 32301;12. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Bay County, Panama City, Florida
32401;13. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Escambia County, Cantonment, Florida 32533;14. Extension Faculty, Florida Cooperative Extension, Okaloosa County, Crestview, Florida 32536 , 15 District Extension Director,
Northwest Florida District, Qunicy, Florida
Abstract Results
The bimonthly Gardening in the Panhandle newsletter is Agents
produced by the Extension horticulture faculty in Florida’s 100% of the participating Extension agents have saved time and
Northwest District. money. The program has been so successful that all the other
The newsletter’s objective is to provide timely information to program area Extension agents in the district have implemented a
subscribers on a wide array of landscape topics. The intended district-wide newsletter based on our model.
audience is home gardeners. The authors provide technical Clientele
subject matter in their field of expertise to coincide with the 89% thought the information was unbiased, timely, easy to read
newsletter publication schedule. Regular columns include and easy to understand, 73% gained knowledge as a result of
relevant information on insects, weeds, diseases and monthly reading the newsletter, 57% implemented a practice change as a
lawn and garden tips. The columns are prepared and submitted result of reading the newsletter and 82% increased their awareness
using an on-line system. This on-line editing and production of Extension.
system has been developed to provide IFAS Extension faculty
with on-line tools for creating and publishing information.
Collaborating with the Agriculture and Biological Engineering
Department, the newsletter team has assisted in the
development and testing of this new software. The advantages
include streamlining the production process (no need to transfer Methods
or email files), support for collaboration when multiple people are The position of editor is rotated among the participating faculty.
involved in producing the information, better production The editor coordinates and edits the newsletter. Each faculty
coordination and less time and effort required for everyone. This member is assigned a topic, e.g. diseases, weeds, insects, etc.
production system includes the ability to automatically generate Each faculty member contributes to the upcoming events section.
a quality PDF document and a web version. Deadlines are established to insure the newsletter is available the
first of the month.
In 2008, over 218,000 stakeholders accessed the newsletter. In
addition, an online survey of over a hundred subscribers
Working with the UF Agriculture and Biological Engineering
indicated that 89% thought the information was unbiased, timely,
Department, software was developed that allows articles and
easy to read and easy to understand, 73% gained knowledge as
photos to be uploaded to an on-line editing and production system.
a result of reading the newsletter, 57% implemented a practice
The software will automatically create a pdf newsletter and a web
change as a result of reading the newsletter and 82% increased
version.
their awareness of Extension.
Newsletters are distributed by various methods including
hardcopies sent to clientele by mail, digital copies via email and
posted on websites.
Conclusion
The district-wide newsletter concept has shown to be an effective
means of combining resources, saving time, saving money and
delivering a quality newsletter.
Introduction
Extension agents spend many hours preparing informative and Gardening in the Panhandle was emulated by all the other program
educational newsletters. In an effort to save time, the horticulture areas in the Northwest District.
faculty in Florida’s Northwest District combined their efforts to
create a bi-monthly consumer horticulture newsletter.
Future Plans
Objectives Work continues on expanded features including:
•To reduce agents’ time spent on newsletter production • A webpage that includes the newsletter, videos, facebook,
•To produce a newsletter for counties without horticulture agents podcasts and other activities.
•To present timely information to clientele • A webpage that automatically updates with new issues.
•To increase awareness of Extension activities • Automatic opt-in/opt-out client-directed subscription services.