Encuestas

Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Programs: Developing a Business Retention and Expansion Survey

Derek Farnsworth, Jennifer L. Clark, and Henry Cothran

Understanding Florida Residents’ Perceptions of and Experiences with Landscape Irrigation Restrictions: Insights for Water Conservation Experts as Well as Extension Educators

Sravani Pasula, Dharmendra Kalauni, Laura Warner, John Diaz, Ange Asanzi, James Harmon, Deirdre Irwin, and Robin L. Grantham

This publication discusses Florida residents’ awareness and perceptions of irrigation restrictions to illuminate the processes that support or prevent their compliance with these policies. Written by Sravani Pasula, Dharmendra Kalauni, Laura Warner, John Diaz, Ange Asanzi, James Harmon, Deirdre Irwin, and Robin L. Grantham, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2024.

Residents’ Perceived Outcomes of Irrigation Restriction Compliance: A Guide for Florida’s Water Conservation Professionals

Laura Warner, Sravani Pasula, Dharmendra Kalauni, Jamie Loizzo, and Sadie Hundemer

This publication is intended to provide information about Floridians’ expected outcomes associated with complying with irrigation restrictions so educators and communicators (e.g., Extension professionals and conservation coordinators) can integrate this information into outreach. Written by Laura Warner, Sravani Pasula, Dharmendra Kalauni, Jamie Loizzo, and Sadie Hundemer, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2024.

Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries Part 2: Locally Grown Blueberries in the Marketplace—Insights into Florida Consumers' Awareness of Brand Origin and Purchasing Behavior

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Doug Phillips

This is part 3 of the "Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries" series, whose objective is to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of Florida-grown fresh blueberries by analyzing consumers’ preferences for blueberry quality attributes. Audiences include Florida blueberry growers, marketers, and retailers. We identify the most significant attributes on labels and provide recommendations on how to optimize labeling to meet consumer demand and enhance market share. Part 3 focuses on health perceptions of fresh blueberries. Many US consumers seek healthy, sustainable food options like fruits and vegetables, blueberries among them, prompting increases in production, imports, and demand for fresh blueberries over the past decade. This publication aims to help those working to promote healthy dietary patterns better understand the impact of nutrition-related statements on consumer purchasing behavior, ultimately supporting efforts to encourage healthier eating patterns.

The Value of 4-H to Youth in Florida and Beyond

Keith G. Diem

To maximize the strengths of the 4-H Youth Development Program and to promote its value to the public and funding agencies, Extension staff must know the value of 4-H as it is perceived by others. Since parents are key stakeholders in the 4-H program because they approve of their children being members and they are taxpayers and voters, this descriptive survey research involving a randomly selected sample of parents of 4-H club members in Florida aimed to determine what value 4-H brings to youth members, what problems 4-H faces, and what other beliefs parents have about 4-H.

Assessing Diet Quality in Extension Programs: Methods and Recommendations

Miranda Badolato, May Alshahwan, Karla Shelnutt, and Anne Mathews

Dietary assessment tools, such as 24-hour dietary recall interviews, food frequency questionnaires, screeners, or food records, are self-reported instruments used to measure the quality and/or quantity of food a person consumes. Some dietary assessment tools collect information about an individual's overall diet quality, while other tools may focus on fewer aspects of diet quality, such as fruit and vegetable or fiber intake. Since poor diet quality is a leading risk factor for many chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, assessing diet quality appropriately is imperative. The purpose of this publication is to guide Extension professionals in choosing a dietary assessment tool that meets their specific needs.

Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries Part 1: Florida Fresh Blueberry Consumer Behavior—Insights on Shopping Locations, Frequency, and Spending

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Doug Phillips

Fresh blueberries have become one of Florida’s fastest-growing agricultural products. This growth aligns with growing consumer interest in local foods. Florida blueberry producers are capitalizing on demand by marketing their products with distinctive branding, particularly the Fresh From Florida logo. State production has met demand, but the Florida blueberry market faces challenges from imports from Mexico and Peru and from other US states. This publication is the first in a series designed to help local growers differentiate Florida-grown fresh blueberries in an increasingly competitive marketplace. It describes research into consumers’ purchasing preferences and awareness of locally grown fresh blueberries and identifies additional labels that can add value to existing ones to strengthen the competitive advantage of Florida-grown blueberries and attract more consumers.

Public Perceptions of Pollinator Perfection

Vashti Tatman, Adeyinka Ayodele, Laura Warner, Jaret Daniels, Ricky Telg, and Angela Lindsey

The study discussed in this publication was conducted to gauge public perceptions and identify ways to increase support for pollinator-friendly roadsides. The purpose of this publication is to provide results from this study specifically to increase understanding of public perceptions of pollinator-friendly roadsides. Written by Vashti Tatman, Adeyinka Ayodele, Laura Warner, Jaret Daniels, Ricky Telg, and Angela Lindsey, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2025.

Navigating Public Perceptions: Exploring the Complex Social Dynamics of Invasive Species Management in Public Waters

Amanda Heinzmann, Olesya M. Savchenko, Candice Prince, and James Leary

In this publication, we present an overview of stakeholder concerns regarding hydrilla management, synthesizing insights gathered from the largest state-wide survey of Florida residents about invasive aquatic plant management in the state’s public waters. Our objective is to equip decision-makers, including agencies like FWC, with valuable insights. By understanding stakeholder concerns, decision-makers can formulate policies for the effective management of aquatic invasive species that garner public support.

People and Ponds: How Can Homeowners Better Understand and Manage Stormwater Ponds?

Samiul Haque, Hayk Khachatryan, and Michelle K. Atkinson

Stormwater ponds are integral to Florida’s landscape, with thousands in residential communities. Excess nutrients, urbanization, shoreline erosion, poor maintenance, and climate changes all add stress and can threaten ponds' key functions in reducing flooding and improving water quality. Despite challenges, stormwater ponds remain crucial for communities. Pond function depends on good management decisions by homeowners and HOA boards. This publication is one of a series on Florida stormwater pond management designed to assist Extension educators in identifying knowledge gaps among homeowners about stormwater ponds. We learned what homeowners in HOA communities know about sustainable pond management and landscaping, examining their understanding of major pond functions, low-maintenance buffer zone requirements, appropriate plant selection, and whether serving on an HOA board influences knowledge levels.

Tapping into Florida’s Craft Beer Market, Part 2: Preferences for Local Ingredients and Sustainability Labels

Meri Hambaryan, Glory Orivri, Candace Lantz, Nathan Palardy, John Lai, and Bachir Kassas

Rising consumer interest in locally sourced, sustainably produced products presents an opportunity for breweries to stand out in an increasingly competitive market, as well as for local growers to supply the ingredients for which consumers are willing to pay extra. This publication, the second in a series that seeks to provide Florida breweries with state-specific, data-driven marketing information to help grow their consumer base, explores Florida consumers’ preferences and the premiums that Florida consumers are willing to pay for beer made with local ingredients and sustainability certification. Authors examine how premiums vary across Florida’s largest metro areas: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. This information can inform growers of potential market opportunities and brewers of product differentiation strategies. Includes a list of key insights for breweries, growers, and Extension agents. 

Driving Engagement across Segments: Overcoming Barriers in Water Conservation through Irrigation Restriction Compliance

Adeyinka T. Ayodele, Dipendra Aryal, Oluwatosin A. Asemokhai, and Laura A. Warner

This publication shares the results of recent research that explored how Florida residents adhered to residential irrigation restrictions by identifying groups of individuals who shared similar compliance behaviors further distinguished by demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors such as age, income, education, regional water availability, environmental attitudes, social norms, and convenience or skepticism tendencies. Insights from the research summarized in this publication can also guide the development of programs and policies in other regions facing similar challenges with water scarcity and residential irrigation management. Written by Adeyinka T. Ayodele, Dipendra Aryal, Oluwatosin A. Asemokhai, and Laura A. Warner, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, February 2026.

Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries Part 3: Berry Good for You! Unpacking Health Perceptions and Labels on Blueberries

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Doug Phillips

This is part 3 of the "Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries" series, whose objective is to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of Florida-grown fresh blueberries by analyzing consumers’ preferences for blueberry quality attributes. Audiences include Florida blueberry growers, marketers, and retailers. We identify the most significant attributes on labels and provide recommendations on how to optimize labeling to meet consumer demand and enhance market share. Part 3 focuses on health perceptions of fresh blueberries. Many US consumers seek healthy, sustainable food options like fruits and vegetables, blueberries among them, prompting increases in production, imports, and demand for fresh blueberries over the past decade. This publication aims to help those working to promote healthy dietary patterns better understand the impact of nutrition-related statements on consumer purchasing behavior, ultimately supporting efforts to encourage healthier eating patterns.