7/29/22 @ 1:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Extension 4-H is hosting a party to celebrate the end of the 2021/2022 4-H year. This year's theme is "Tacky Tourist Luau" and will include games and fun activities including a Best Dressed Tacky Tourist Competition and a tacky tourist tropical themed photo booth. All project/record book, youth and volunteer awards will also be announced during this event.

​The Extension Office will provide the main course but are seeking help with the sides. You will be given an option to sign up for a side at the RSVP link. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Irvine at (904) 530-6353.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

6/13/22 @ 3:00 - On Friday, June 10, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners hosted a Ribbon Cutting in celebration of the new Rebecca L. Jordi Cooperative Extension Office. This site will serve as the primary office for the County Extension, with the existing Callahan office functioning as an annex. 

The Board broke ground on the facility on May 15, 2019 and since that time, nearly 6,500 manhours have been spent bringing this project to fruition. This includes over 3,400 manhours from our Road Department staff that consisted of clearing land, preparing the site, and pouring concrete for driveways, parking lots and sidewalks, as well as 3,000 + manhours from our Facilities staff that consisted of digging trenches for utilities, laying carpet, installing air conditioning, drywalling, painting, and much, much more.  Building the facility in-house resulted in significant savings to the County.

At the beginning of the event, Commissioner Thomas Ford stated, "While there are still some small items that need to be completed before it (the site) is fully opened, we are excited about the progress that has been made and are happy to be here celebrating with you today. We appreciate each and every one of the employees who worked diligently to get us to this point, as well as to the late Rebecca Jordi who recognized the need for the facility and pushed to make it a reality. It has truly been a group effort and while it has not been easy, we can feel proud of what we have accomplished. We trust this new site will serve the residents well for many years to come". 

​Commissioner Jeff Gray spoke about Mr. Jordi's outstanding work effort and achievements. "While in her position as Director, Becky initiated many projects and programs including, but not limited to, demonstration gardens at County facilities; landscape matters classes; plant clinics; and crash courses in gardening. She had a standing guest column in the News-Leader and also appeared several times on WTLV 12's First Coast Living. She spoke with excitement and passion and was often called upon to speak at events around the State, including speaking engagements at Epcot's annual home and garden show. Becky was a one-of-a-kind employee who dedicated countless hours serving the County and its residents. We are happy to honor her legacy through the naming of this facility which will serve as a reminder of all her great contributions to our community". 

Other speakers during the event included Dr. Taylor Clem, Becky's husband Doug Jordi, and a close relative who all shared stories about Becky's love of agriculture and horticulture, her passion for teaching others, and her vision for the new facility. 

The also event included a tree dedication in Becky's honor by Keep Nassau Beautiful, the ceremonial ribbon cutting, and a brief tour of the facility. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us on Friday. We look forward to seeing you at future County Extension events! 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

Nassau County, Florida, May 25, 2022 – On Friday, June 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., the Board of County Commissioners will host a Ribbon Cutting in celebration of the completion of the new County Extension Office located at 85831 Miner Road, Yulee, FL 32097.

The Board of County Commissioners broke ground on this project on May 15, 2019.  All construction work has been done in-house by Facilities Maintenance staff consisting of over 1,800 man-hours and resulting in significant savings to the County.

Upon completion, this new 2,000 square foot facility will serve as the administrative office for the County Extension staff and will feature classrooms for horticulture, natural resources, agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, and family consumer classes and training rooms for the master gardener volunteers and extension agents. The property will also feature demonstration gardens, a nature trail with learning stations, an orchard, and an aquatic pond for pond maintenance training.

At the May 15, 2019 groundbreaking event, an announcement was made that the facility would be called the “Rebecca L. Jordi Cooperative Extension Office” in honor of Extension Director Rebecca L. Jordi who spent countless hours advocating for a new facility for Extension services. Unfortunately, Ms. Jordi passed away on July 31, 2020, however having the facility named after her will ensure that she will always be remembered for her great passion for agriculture and horticulture and for all her efforts in bringing this project to fruition.
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Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in this celebration.

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The Smith Lever Act of 1914 established the Cooperative Extension Service as a partnership between land grant colleges nationwide, including the University of Florida and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in order to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public through educational programs.  The Nassau County Extension is a joint partnership between the University of Florida and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and has been in operation since 1915.

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer
 
 

5/5/22 @ 3:00 p.m.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is an outreach program composed of UF/IFAS Extension certified volunteers who are trained to provide research-based horticultural education to residents. The program is offered in more than 46 of Florida's counties, including Nassau who has offered this program since 1994.

Nassau County's Master Gardener Volunteers maintain several community gardens featured at County facilities; lead youth programs; provide outreach to communities; and even work with homeowners to help them resolve their landscape issues.

Are you interested in joining Nassau County's Master Gardener Volunteer Program? If so, please join us on Monday, May 23, 2022, from 10:00 a.m.  - 11:00 a.m. for an interest event. During this event, you can learn about training dates, approximate costs, and the great projects happening throughout Nassau County and the State. Registration is free and open to everyone and the registration link can be found here. Everyone who signs up will receive a link to participate remotely via Zoom. However, you are also welcome to attend in person at our Yulee Extension Annex located at 86026 Pages Dairy Rd. in Yulee.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Taylor Clem. Director of the Nassau County Extension Office, at (904) 530-6351 or via e-mail at tclem@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/4/22 @ 9:00 a.m. - The Nassau County Extension Office is hosting a Plant Sale this Saturday,  May 7, 2022 from 9am-12pm. Here you will find hundreds of non-invasive plants which have been carefully selected and cared for by the Extension's Master Gardener Volunteers.

The event will take place at the site of the new (future) Extension Office located at 85831 Miner Rd., Yulee, FL. All proceeds will benefit the Master Gardener Program. Please note that they do not have the ability to accept credit card payments. CASH OR CHECK ONLY.

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

4/12/22 @ 9:45 a.m.

Are you looking for something fun and exciting for your children to do this summer? How about trying Nassau County 4-H Summer Day Camps? These camps are coordinated and led by Nassau County’s amazing 4-H agents and include a variety of topics so there’s sure to be something your kid will enjoy! Examples include:

Love a Horse: Spend 4 days learning the basics of horsemanship
May 31-June 3, 2022. 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages 8-13. Cost $75.

Exploring Veterinary Science: Learn more about health and care of animals
June 13-17, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Ages 12-15. Cost $75.

Monsters, Myths and Crafts: Combine arts and crafts and the monsters/heros of Greek Mythology (bilingual camp)
June 20-22, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages 8-12. Cost $60.

Extension Camp: Learn a little bit of everything! Topics include photography, gardening, agriculture, community service, ecology and more.
June 27-July 1, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Ages 11-13. Cost $60.

Exploring 4-H: Explore all opportunities within 4-H including animals, crafts, gardening, games, crafts, fitness, and more!
July 12-15, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages 5-7. Cost $60

Camp Night:  Bringing Camp Cherry Lake Home in a one-night extravaganza, mini-camp experience
July 13, 2022 from 5:00-7:30 p.m.  Ages 5-18. Cost $10.

Mural Painting: Learn mural painting techniques (bilingual camp)
July 18-July 22, 2022 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages 12-17. Cost $30.

To register for any of these camps, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-nassau-county-4-h-summer-day-camps-tickets-298079191887

If you have any questions, call (904) 530-6353 or email llacroche@ufl.edu.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

8/25/21 @ 4:00 p.m. - Today, concrete was poured for the new County Extension Facility which is being constructed at 85834 Miner Rd.in Yulee. The 2,000 square foot facility will serve as the administration office for the Extension staff and will features classrooms for lawn, agriculture, and family consumer classes and training rooms for the master gardeners and extension agents. The property will also feature demonstration gardens, a nature trail with learning stations, an orchard, and an aquatic pond for pond maintenance training. It is anticipated that the overall project will be completed within the Spring of 2022.

To view additional videos of the concrete pour, please visit our YouTube Channel.