TO: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Michael C. Zito, Deputy County Administrator
Beth Powell, Parks, Recreation & Conservation Director
FROM: Andrea Lazzari, UF/IFAS County Extension Director
DATE: April 22, 2025
SUBJECT: Recognition of UF/IFAS Extension Indian River County Volunteers
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BACKGROUND
The success of cooperative extension programs heavily relies on the dedication and contributions of our volunteers. At UF/IFAS Extension Indian River County, our volunteers play a crucial role in delivering educational programs, supporting community projects, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of our services. These volunteers, including 4-H volunteers and Master Gardener volunteers, bring invaluable expertise, enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to our mission of extending knowledge and improving lives.
ANALYSIS
In 2024, our volunteers made a significant impact through their dedicated service. The combined efforts of our 75 volunteers amounted to an impressive 5,658 hours of volunteer time. This equates to 2.7 FTE, effectively increasing our office’s workforce by 68%, and illustrating the impressive contribution our volunteers provide.
The monetary value of these volunteer hours is estimated at an extraordinary $178,849, reflecting the extensive expertise, effort, and cost-savings our volunteers contribute to our programs. The time and expertise provided by our volunteers assisted our office and enabled us to offer nearly 1,000 educational programs and reach over 11,600 county residents in 2024.
Highlights of their service include:
4-H Volunteers: Our 4-H volunteers include club leaders, co-leaders, and other dedicated adults who lead and...
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