10/2/24 @ 8:45 a.m. - 

October is finally here which means it's time for the annual Peanut Butter Challenge! Each October, Extension Offices across the State collect peanut butter to celebrate Florida's peanut agriculture industry while helping combat hunger. All donated jars go to local food banks and charities to distribute to high-need community members. 

HOW TO DONATE
Donating is easy! Just drop off an unopened jar of peanut butter at any of the following locations before October 31, 2024:  

• UF/IFAS Extension Office (85831 Miner Rd., Yulee)
• UF/IFAS Extension Annex (543350 US Highway 1, Callahan)
• James S. Page Governmental Complex (96135 Nassau Place, Yulee)
• Nassau County Chamber of Commerce (961687 Gateway Blvd. Suite 101-G, Fernandina Beach)
• Fernandina Library (25 N. 14th Street, Fernandina Beach)
• Hilliard Library (15821 County Road 108, Hilliard)
• Yulee Library (76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee)
• Callahan Library (450077 SR 200, Suite 15, Callahan)
• Bryceville Library (7280 Motes Road, Bryceville) 

Questions? Please contact the CountY Extension Office at (904) 530-6350 or visit:  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter/

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

9/24/24 @ 9:45 a.m. - In July 2024, we announced that Nassau County Animal Services and the Nassau County Extension Office partnered to offer "The Dog Program", a course designed to educate teens ages 15-18 on basic dog training and caring skills. For the last day of the program, the youth will host a 4-H Adoption Day Contest at Animal Services on November 9, 2024 from 11am-2pm. This free community event will feature tables with information from our community partners, a live contest for you in the program, and pets available for adoption. 

Questions? Call Extension Agent Spencer Hewitt at (904) 530-6343 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/6/24 @ 1:45 p.m. - The Nassau County Extension Office is offering a Florida Master Naturalist Program in which participants can earn a certification. This three-day course will take place from September 24 - September 27, 2024. For additional information including course guidelines, attendance policy and full course agenda, please click here. 
​
Registration closes at noon on Wednesday, September 18th so don't delay! Sign up at the link above and use Course Code IP24-06.

​If you have any questions, please contact David Herbert, Extension Agent I, at (904) 530-6356 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

The County Extension Office is hosting two Agriculture and Natural Resources programs in August 2024. 

How to Prepare a Fall Pasture 
When: August 15th, 2024 1:00 pm – 2:00pm
Where: In-Person, 7280 Motes Rd, Bryceville, Fl 32009 
 
Learn more about growing and managing a pasture for livestock and/or food plots for game. We will cover the basics including how to prepare a fall pasture and how to manage various cool season crops including clovers, peas, ryes, etc. There is no registration fee. Please Join us in-person and bring a friend.
 
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all our events. For disability accommodations such as alternate formats of written material, please contact David Hébert, [email protected] (904)530-6356 at least 1 week in advance. 

THERM N’ WORM COMPOST N’ Learn
When: August 24th, 2024; 2:00pm – 4:45pm 
Where: 543350 US Hwy 1, Callahan, FL 32011
Cost: $20
Registration:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/therm-n-worm-compost-n-learn-registration-966318002157?aff=oddtdtcreator
 
Learn to use the power of thermal microbes (therm) and red wigglers (worm)! to achieve success in composting. After this workshop you'll be able to create rich soil for starting seeds, amending your vegetable garden, increasing your soil health; plus, you’ll be able to recycle any food waste into fishing bait (worms) while improving the environment and lowering greenhouse gases!
 
*If you have been to a composting workshop taught by Extension the past, please email [email protected] with the time and date of which class you attended to receive a $5 discount on the purchase price of the composting class on August 24th, 2024
 
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all our events. For disability accommodations such as alternate formats of written material, please contact David Hébert, [email protected] (904)530-6356 at least 1 week in advance. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer 

7/5/24 @ 3:45 p.m.

​Nassau County Animal Services and the Nassau County Extension Office have partnered to offer "The Dog Program", a course designed to educate teens ages 15-18 years old on basic dog training and caring skills in hopes of helping dogs get adopted. This program is free however 4-H membership is required to participate.  

Click here to more information and details on this new and exciting opportunity. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/26/24 @ 3:50  p.m.

​Are you seeking continuing education units for your CORE Commercial Pesticide Certification? The Nassau County Extension Office is offering a class, "Laws, Regulations, and Labeling", that will provide 2 FDACS Continuing Education Units in CORE. The class will take place on July 11, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Callahan Extension Office located at 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011. There is no direct link however to sign up, go the FDAC Database, click on "Available CEU Classes" and then search for Nassau under counties. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Extension Agent I, Agriculture & Natural Resources, at (904) 530-6356 or via e-mail at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/22/24 @ 10:00 a.m. - The Nassau County Library and Nassau County Extension have partnered to bring a Landscape Matters to the Fernandina Library. This class focuses on various types of pests that can be affecting your landscape. There is no cost to participate, however an RSVP is required. Visit www.nassaureads.com to sign up. 

What: Landscape Matters Class: What's a Pest?
When: Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. 
Where: Fernandina Beach Library, 25 N. 4th Street

Call (904) 530-6500 with questions. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/2/24 @ 2:00 p.m.

​Just a friendly reminder that the next Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale has been scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 9am-12pm. During this event, you can find a variety of flowers, plants and shrubs to fit your landscape needs, all of which are native to the area and were carefully propagated, grown and maintained by our master gardeners. Look closely and you'll likely find unique plants that aren't often found at local stores and nurseries and are bound to make your neighbors green with envy. 

The event will take place at the Nassau County- UF/IFAS Extension Office located at 58531 Miner Road in Yulee. Please note that they will only be able to accept cash and checks for payment (no credit or debit cards). All proceeds will benefit the Master Gardener Volunteer program. 

If you have any questions, please contact the County Extension Office at (904) 530-6350.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

4/23/24 @ 4:15 p.m.- At the Wednesday, April 17, 2024 meeting, the Board approved Proclamation No. 2024-020 proclaiming April 2024 as National Volunteer Month and the week of April 21-27, 2024 as National Volunteer Week in Nassau County, Florida. 

National Volunteer Month is celebrated each April to recognize and celebrate the efforts of Volunteers at local, state and national levels. Volunteers provide countless hours of service to residents, staff and the visitors of Nassau County. The knowledge and skills provided by Volunteers enhance our quality of life and improve the social, environmental, and economic quality in our county.

Specifically in Nassau County, Volunteers often give their time, efforts and knowledge in our Libraries, Animal Care & Control facility, UF/IFAS County Extension, Emergency Operations Center and at County events. They are a vital component to Nassau County's future and their efforts reflect a true committment to serving others. 

During the meeting, 4-H Agent Kelsey Irvine had a surprise announcment - long-time UF/IFAS Volunteer, Ms. Wanda Simmons, is being inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame after 33 outstanding years of volunteerism for the County Extension Office! Ms. Simmons has been heavily involved in the annual Northeast Florida Fair, has taken 4-H teams to national competitions, has mentored hundreds of youth in our county, and has even mentored other volunteers, including Kelsey. "Ms. Wanda has not just made an impact here locally, but also statewide", stated Kelsey. Now Ms. Simmons' efforts will be forever recognized in the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. 

Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers throughout the County. We are so grateful to those who devote their talent and resources to demonstrate love, compassion, and respect for humankind through service. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer