Thursday March 15, 2007 

  Okeechobee County Extension staff.  L-R Pat Hogue, Livestock/forage Agent, Debbie Clements, 4-H Director, Kent Price County Agent 1971-1982 & County Director, Pat Miller County Extension Director, Dan Culbert, Horticulture Agent, all received nationally recognized Distinguished Awards plaques. 

Okeechobee County Extension - An office of Distinction

By  Joan Alumbaugh Dyer

The Okeechobee County Extension Office has a long and rich history of serving the Okeechobee community. From a host of 4-H programs to finding if your fruit tree has canker, or identifying plants and managing livestock, the County Extension Office is here to serve and that is just what they do with extraordinary excellence.

The cooperative Extension Service was established in 1914 by the Smith-Lever Act. The Act is a partnership between state land grant universities, the US Department of Agricultural and county governments throughout the United States.

In Florida, the Cooperative Extension Service is administered by the University of Florida. In Okeechobee County Commissioners provide local support for the educational programs.

The history of Okeechobee agent and directors began in 1918. The first County Agent/ Director in Okeechobee was Leroy Davis who served from 1918-- 1919. Hans Petersen 1923-1925, Samual Sherard served from 1926 -1928. Columbus Fulford 17 years from 1928- 1945, Cliff Boyles served for 26 years from 1945 to 1971. Kent Price took over in 1971 and served eleven years until 1982. Willie Schultz served from 1982 until 1983. Pat Miller took over in 1984 and served until 1993. In 1993 Mark Kistler served until 1999. Pat Miller has again served as CED from 1994 until the present, with a total of 20 years service.

Agriculture Agents: 1977-78 Tim Garver (citrus), 1981-84 Pet Spike (Citrus), 1082-92 Vicki Hodge (forages/water), 1986- to present Jack Hebb (Citrus), 2001 to present Pat Hogue (livestock/forage), 2003 to present Dan Culbert ( horticulture). (citrus positions are multi-county).

4-H Youth and Family & Consumer Sciences Agents: 1972-73 Ina Sue Medler, 1973-86 Brenda Cuningham Williams, 1987-93 Sandra Fry and 1995 to present Debbie Clements.

4-H Program Assistants; 2003-05 Jackie Joyce, 2006 to present Lindsay Houpt. FYN Program Assistants; 2005-2006 Ed Ayen, 2006 to present Angela Sachson.

Briefly, the Cooperative Extension programs provide for the consumer the latest scientific technology in agriculture, education on home economics, both for youth and adults. The Extension faculty works for community improvements, the linking of agriculture and urban living and promotes programs that enrich the lives of many youth and gives them opportunities to acquire scholarships for higher education and job opportunities in many agri-related fields.

In 1974, Kent Price, Okeechobee County Extension Agent received national recognition for his work in Okeechobee. Kent was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Mr. Price was praised for developing several impressive programs with major emphasis on dairying and livestock. He helped organize a marketing cooperative that stabilized the milk market in Southeast Florida. His leadership in 4-H showed that one-half of the eligible youth in Okeechobee were enrolled in 4-H programs.

Perhaps Kent Price became the storypole for future extension agents in Okeechobee.

Currently, Pat Miller, Extension Director, Debbie Clements, 4-H Director, Pat Hogue, livestock/Forage Agent and Dan Culbert, Horticulture Agent, each holds the honor of having received the national recognized Distinguished Service Award. The years of service of the five who have received the Distinguished Service Award comes to 122 years.

Being a County Extension Agent is not a 9 to 5 job. They are always on call if they are needed. Often they put in 100 hour work week. Phone calls inquiring about a variety of subjects, letters, news releases to the media and the dissemination of information to individuals and in many publications create a multi faceted work load. County agents work throughout the community. Their support of many community organizations are all part of reaching out to serve their community. For example, There are 450 youth currently enrolled in 4-H. Each 4-H Club is guided through the office of Debbie Clements. It is a massive task to keep track of their work and progress.

County agents work with the County Fair, the Youth Livestock Show, FFA, Farm Bureau events, and countless community events.

The County agents are highly educated, highly motivated and most assuredly some of the most dedicated people in our community. Each agent has an area of expertise, but this group works together with positive attitudes and a willingness to help each other out. They are unique.

It is rare to find an entire County Extension staff with so many accolades and so equally commended. Okeechobee is duly fortunate to have Miller, Clements, Hogue, Culbert and of course Rayburn K. Price, on our team.

Reproduced by  Okeechobee County UF/IFAS Extension Service  from on-Line Archives of the Okeechobee Times.  Posted 03/23/2007 .