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Overview
Please note that all printable program materials found on each page are no longer updated after 5/7/25. Any differences found between the printable pdfs and the online content should default to the online content being correct. The program website will be kept up-to-date through the end of the conference.
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Welcome from your Dean and EPAF Chair
Dear Extension Family,Welcome to the 2025 Extension Professional Associations of Florida Conference (EPAF) and Extension Symposium. Starting this year, we are hosting a hybrid event during a quiet time of the year (meteorologically speaking, at least). We’ve done this because we want to gather as many of our agents and specialists as possible for a full agenda of presentations, workshops, strategic planning, activities, and networking.
Florida Cooperative Extension is in the process of making significant changes in the way we align with each other and respond to the needs of our stakeholders. We all have a stake in this evolution and a voice to share in our future.
We represent expertise in many different fields, but together, we’re even better. That’s why the theme for 2025 conference is “Together Toward Tomorrow.”
I look forward to many stimulating conversations, informative sessions, and team-building activities that will set us on the pathway to excellence.
Thank you to the EPAF board and everyone else whose hard work and dedication have made this event so successful.
So let’s get started!
Sincerely,
Dr. Andra D. Johnson, UF/IFAS Dean for Extension, Director of Florida Cooperative Extension Service
On behalf of the Extension Professional Association of Florida (EPAF) Board, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome to Daytona Beach and the 2025 EPAF/Extension Symposium Conference. It is an awesome opportunity to join both conferences together, to broaden knowledge and programming, form collaborations, develop stronger teamwork while reuniting with colleagues and meeting new Extension family members. The theme “Together Toward Tomorrow,” builds on the future of working together presenting the total Extension family and program.We greatly appreciate UF/IFAS Extension administration for their continuing support to the EPAF board and this combined conference. Together we can be effective and build a stronger program! I appreciate and thank each of the board members, committee chairs and everyone who helped with planning this conference. It takes a Village to build a successful conference.
May each of you enjoy the conference, take advantage of current ideas with the wide variety of programming available, or network for new program ideas and form new partnerships/connections throughout the week that strength our programs. “Pleasure in the job puts perfections in the work.” A quote from Aristotle.
Thank you for attending. It is time to take those old records off the shelf and Rock and Roll!
Martha Maddox, Chair, 2024-2025 EPAF Board of Directors
Extension Professional’s Creed
I Believe in people and their hopes, their aspirations, and their faith; in their right to make their own plans and arrive at their own decisions; in their ability and power to enlarge their lives and plan for the happiness of those they love.
I Believe that education, of which Extension is an essential part, is basic in stimulating individual initiative, self-determination, and leadership; that these are the keys to democracy and that people, when given facts they understand, will act not only in their self-interest, but also in the interest of society.
I Believe that education is a lifelong process and the greatest university is the home; that my success as a teacher is proportional to those qualities of mind and spirit that give me welcome entrance to the homes of the families I serve.
I Believe in intellectual freedom to search for and present the truth without bias and with courteous tolerance toward the views of others.
I Believe that Extension is a link between the people and the ever-changing discoveries in the laboratories.
I Believe in the public institutions of which I am a part.
I Believe in my own work and in the opportunity I have to make my life useful to humanity.
Because I Believe these things, I am an Extension professional.
- Venue Map
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Association Leadership
FACAA Officers
President - Matthew VanWeelden
President-elect - James (Jim) Davis
Vice President - Anna (Paulette) Tomlinson
Secretary - Christa Kirby
Treasurer - Matt Smith
Past President - Daniel Leonard
Webmaster - Wael ElwakilDistrict Directors
NW (Senior) - Mark Wauldin
NW (Junior) - Molly Jameson
NE (Senior) - Cynthia Nazario-Leary
NE (Junior) - Cassidy Dossin
C (Senior) - Judy Jean
C (Junior) - Ashley Stonecipher
SW (Senior) - Wael Elwakil
SW (Junior) - Luis Rodriguez
SE (Senior) - Qingchun Liu
SE (Junior) - Christian KammererFAE4-HA Officers
President - Tycee Prevatt
President-elect - Shreemoyee Ghosh
1st Vice President - Crystal McCazzio
2nd Vice President - Mary Lee Sale
Secretary - Jessica Sprain
Treasurer - Prudence Caskey
Past President - Stephanie ConnerDistrict Directors
I. Brian Estevez
II. Chris Lauen
III. Rachel Pienta
IV. Shawn Jackson
V. Bailea Scarbrough
VI. Heather Pogue
VII. Nancy Moores
VIII. Erin Reichel
IX. Sarah Davis
X. Katelyn Mulinix
XI. Vacant
XII. Arielle Pierce
XIII. Daniel Gonzalez
XIV. Caylin Hilton
XV. Georgene BenderFANREP Officers
President - Shannon Carnevale
President-elect - Rachel Pienta
Secretary - Carolyn Kovacs
Treasurer - Maxine Hunter
Past President - Marnie Ward
ANREP Regional Rep - Carrie StevensonDistrict Directors
Northwest - Julie McConnell
Northeast - Marguerite Beckford
Central - Tina McIntyre
Southwest - Stephen Robinson
Southeast - Vincent EcomioFEAFCS Officers
President - Melanie Taylor
President-elect - Andrea Nikolai
VP Public Affairs - Jenn Hagen
VP Member Resources - Jenny Rodriguez
VP Awards & Recognition - Jill Breslawski
VP Professional Development - Vacant
Secretary - Hillary MacMichael
Treasurer - Cyndi Longley
Parliamentarian - Halie Corbitt
Past President - Martha MaddoxDistrict Directors
Northwest - Terri Keith
Northeast - Stephanie McMinds
Central - Lori Johnson
Southwest - Pam Bradford
Southeast - Yesenia Rodriguez
UF Campus - LaToya O'Neal
FAMU Campus - Dreamal WorthenFACDEP Officers
Chair - Jenn Hagen
Chair Elect - Kevin Camm
Secretary/Treasurer - Angelika Keene
Past Chair - Peyton BeattieESP Officers
President - Kalan Taylor
President-elect - Nickie Munroe
Treasurer - Abbey Tharpe
Secretary - Sonja Crawford
Annalist - Julia Kelly
Chaplain - Robbie Jones
Award and Recognition Chair - Kristie Popa
Past President - Samantha KennedyDistrict Directors
Northwest - Brian Estevez
Northeast - Jessica Altum Cooper
Central - Karen Henry
Southwest - Vacant
Southeast - Yvette GoodielEPAF Officers
Chair - Martha Maddox
Secretary - Rachel Pienta
FACAA President - Matt VanWeelden
FACAA President-elect - Jim Davis
FEAFCS President - Melanie Taylor
FEAFCS President-elect - Andrea Nikolai
ESP President - Kalan Taylor
ESP President-elect - Nickie Munroe
FANREP President - Shannon Carnevale
FANREP President-elect - Rachel Pienta
FAE4-HA President - Tycee Prevatt
FAE4-HA President-elect - Shreemoyee Ghosh
FACDEP President - Jennifer Hagen
Past EPAF Chair - Grantley RickettsCommittee Chairs
Treasurer - Taylor Clem
Website - Julia Kelly
Facilities - Martha Maddox, Shawn Steed, Heather Futch
Registration - Mary Lee Sale
Program - Mary Lee Sale, Nancy Moores
Auction - Kevin Korus, Wayne Hobbs
Oral Presentations - Marnie Ward, Daniel Leonard, Shawn Steed
Posters - Karen Henry
Parliamentarian - Cindy Sanders
Wellness - Wendy Wood
PILD Chair - Stacy Strickland
Parliamentarian - Cindy Sanders
IFAS Administrative Delegate - Bobbie-Jo Caron -
Conference Wellness Challenge
We are delighted to welcome you to this year’s EPAF/Symposium Conference, where we have an exciting, 4-day Wellness Challenge in addition to 3-days of Healthy Living Activities! We believe in nurturing not just your professional growth but your overall well-being.
Starting Monday, we invite you to participate in our daily-themed wellness challenges. Each day’s challenge will be posted in TEAMS under the Wellness @ EPAF / UF/IFAS Extension Symposium Conference/Daily CHALLENGE channel at 6:00 a.m. These challenges are designed to invigorate you and promote a healthy lifestyle.
But that's not all! Complement your day with our refreshing morning fitness sessions starting Tuesday. Each session is tailored to add a burst of energy to your day, and is led by our expert, Extension personal trainers from 6:30 a.m. – 7:00a.m.
Morning Fitness – Healthy Living Activity Schedule:
- Tuesday: Check your fitness level with a variety of stations with Joshua Payne.
- Wednesday: Get moving with a Beach Walk Scavenger Hunt led by Kim Griffin.
- Thursday: Enjoy gentle stretching with Shari Bresin, which will be perfect preparation for your travel home.
Each session will begin promptly at 6:30 a.m. in the Volusia B room, so please arrive a few minutes early to get settled.
What do you have to do to participate? Complete each day’s challenge and post about it in the PICS channel within the Wellness TEAM. On Thursday, complete the short survey on the TEAMS site (you’ll see the tab at the top) to share your wellness experience.
We encourage you to take advantage of these invigorating activities to enhance your conference experience. The team code to join the conference Wellness fun is 8u8ntg8. Not sure how to join a team using a code? Click here for the instructions.
Stay tuned for daily updates and be ready for an energizing and inspiring week ahead!
Best regards,
The Wellness @ EPAF / UF/IFAS Extension Symposium Conference TeamMeet the Healthy Living Activity Instructors!
Joshua Payne, RDN, LDN
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension - Hillsborough County
Kim Griffin
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension - Suwannee County
Shari Bresin, MNM
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension - Pasco County
