EARTH - LaFlor

   International Extension Program 

UF/IFAS Staff

Vergot     Sammons    Bolques     Culbert      Halsey 

   Hunsberger   Marshall    Mayer      Seals     LaFlor staff    MAG

Dr. Pete Vergot III    

As the Northwest District Director for University of Florida IFAS Extension, Dr. Pete Vergot works with sixteen County Extension Directors in the panhandle of Florida. His major assignments include County Operations of Extension programs through the Northwest Extension District network of county offices, statewide international extension and information technologies.

NW DED, UF, Project Leader

155 Research Rd, Quincy, FL 32351

Tel: 850-875-7137   Fax: 850-875-7189  cell: 850-228-4000

Email: pvergot@ufl.edu

Dr. David J. Sammons

Dr. Sammons is currently Director of International Programs in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida. This office provides administrative leadership and support for international activities in the teaching, research, and outreach mission areas of IFAS.

Mr. Bolques is an Extension Agent in the College of Engineering Science Technology and Agriculture, Cooperative Extension and Outreach Programs at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).  Alex is located at Gadsden County Extension Office in Quincy, Florida.  Alex has responsibilities in Commercial Horticulture, Master Gardener training and Small Farms in the county. 

Mr. Culbert is the Environmental Horticulture Agent in Okeechobee County in Okeechobee, Florida. Dan graduated from Rutgers University with a BS and earned his MS from University of Florida. Dan is an experienced educator, having been a Vocational Agriculture teacher for eight years in New York and Florida, and a 4-H Agent for four years in New Jersey and Florida. He trains volunteer Master Gardeners and pesticide applicators, and produces weekly horticulture newspaper articles that are posted on the local county Extension website.

Mr. Lawrence A. (Larry) Halsey

Mr. Halsey is Jefferson County Extension Director and commercial/homeowner agriculture Agent in a small rural community. Larry received a MAMRD degree in Ag Economics from UF in 1974.  He coordinated development of Distance Diagnostics & Identification System (DDIS). He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Los Angeles de La Fortuna, San Carlos, CR from 1970-72. 

Ms. Hunsberger is the Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator at the University of Florida, Miami-Dade County Extension office in Homestead, Florida. Adrian holds a BS degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and a MS degree in Entomology from the University of Florida. Adrian has over 13 years of research experience at the University of Florida using biological and organic pest control methods.

Mr. Marshall has been the Environmental Horticulture Agent in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, since receiving a Master of Plant Protection and Pest Management degree from the University of Georgia in 1976. David has traveled extensively in Colombia [click for link].  He writes regularly on horticultural topics, being a  contributor to Southern Living and Florida Gardening magazines and various newsletters and newspapers.

Mr. Mayer came to Extension with an extensive background in Commercial Landscaping and Lawn Management. He also has a strong background in educational leadership, teaching and the development of sound educational programs to help landscapers more effectively interpret science and technology. Henry originally came to Florida in 1999 from Venezuela where he obtained a B.S. in Horticulture. During his 14 years experience in Venezuela he owned a landscape company, worked in a tissue culture lab, worked in Extension with  FUSAGRI, and owned a 40 hectare farm. In 2001 he became an Urban Commercial Program Assistant and was quickly promoted to Miami-Dade County Extension Agent. Henry is currently pursuing a MS  Degree in Soil and Water to further his profession. 

Ms. Linda M. Seals         Internet: http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu 

Ms. Seals is the Commercial Horticulture and Small Farms Agent for the University of Florida, Brevard County Extension in Palm Bay, Florida.  Linda earned her BS and MS in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee.  Besides horticulture, Linda has expertise in adult education and website development.

Mr. Rudisill is Bay County's Horticulture Agent.  He is helping secure resources for this year's group of instructors, standing ready as a backup instructor, and hopes to be teaching at a future EARTH/LaFlor program. Webpage: click here

Carlos G. Murillo Martinez, cmurillo@earth.ac.cr

New Director- EARTH LaFlor Campus

Mr. Murillo began his career at EARTH in the 1990’s and helped launch the Entrepreneurial Program. He left EARTH and worked as the Dean of the Division of Natural, Social and Applied Sciences at Contra Costa Community College in California. Carlos is a former Peace Corps volunteer and is from La Fortuna, Costa Rica near Arenal Volcano.

Sr. Dir. Carlos Hernandez,

Past Director- EARTH LaFlor Campus

Dr. B. K. Singh

For bio, click here:  http://usi.earth.ac.cr/SitioFacultad/bksingh.htm

Internet:  http://www.earth.ac.cr  

Universidad EARTH - La Flor

Centro Daniel Oduber Q. 

Teléfono:  506-200-0389

Graduate of  EARTH University (1999) as an agronomic engineer (ingeniero agrónomo); Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Ricas (2004), MBA Work Experience. In 2000 he worked in Environmental Science with CRESEE;  2001-2004 was a Production manager for Leather Leaf Farms of Verhelechos and Superior Greens;  and in 2005-2006 Entrepreneurial farmer (Tomato and Sweet pepper  Truck farming).  In  November  2007  he was named EARTH University's second  administrator of Outreach and Educational programs.

Additional Personnel at EARTH La Flor associated with the Gardening Project

(L) Emara [cook] and (R) Lorena [housekeeper] serving up one of their delicious meals at LaFlor!

Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia  

[ Costa Rica Ministry of Agriculture and Marketing ]   

Oscar Vasquez

date? time?