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Laura Valencia

County agent

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Laura Valencia

Orcid ID0000-0001-9297-7801

County agent

county Extension director and Extension agent III, B.S., family and consumer sciences, UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County, Bunnell, FL

UF/IFAS Blogs profile

Publications

thumbnail for publication: 4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Teens as Volunteer Leaders

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Teens as Volunteer Leaders

Sharon K. Junge, Vanessa Spero, Nicole Crawson, J.R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Beth Rasa Edwards, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather M. Futch, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katelin Stenroos, Laura Valencia, Travis West, Tracy Winters, andMary-Louise Wood

This resource guide is designed to be used by Extension/4-H professionals to deliver teen-led curricula in after-school programs. It includes an overview of program delivery, recruitment processes and training outlines.

thumbnail for publication: Sun Safe Workspace #1: Overview of Florida’s Tailored Sun Safety Extension Program for Outdoor Professionals

Sun Safe Workspace #1: Overview of Florida’s Tailored Sun Safety Extension Program for Outdoor Professionals

Melissa J. Vilaro, Lugthea D. Pelissier, Wendy Wood, Samara Purvis, Joshua K. Payne, Felicia Marable-Williams, Wanda Adorno, Hillary MacMichael, Brenda L. Marty-Jimenez, Isabella Alobele, Laura Valencia, Andrea M. Nikolai, Nelly Nelson, andYesenia A. Rodriguez

To address the health needs of Floridians, Sun Safe Workspace was developed and offered by UF/IFAS Extension professionals. This tailored program aims to fill an identified gap in cancer prevention programming through classroom or community learning. This Ask IFAS series aims to provide information and resources on the negative effects of UV exposure and to implement consistent sun safety practices. This publication provides an overview of Florida’s tailored sun safety Extension program for outdoor professionals. Written by Melissa J. Vilaro, Lugthea D. Pelissier, Wendy Wood, Samara Purvis, Joshua K. Payne, Felicia Marable-Williams, Wanda Adorno, Hillary MacMichael, Brenda L. Marty-Jimenez, Isabella Alobele, Laura Valencia, Andrea M. Nikolai, Nelly Nelson, and Yesenia A. Rodriguez, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, July 2026.

thumbnail for publication: 4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Starting 4-H Clubs in After-School Programs

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Starting 4-H Clubs in After-School Programs

Sharon K. Junge, Vanessa Spero, Nicole Crawson, J.R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Beth Rasa Edwards, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather M. Futch, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katelin Stenroos, Laura Valencia, Travis West, Tracy Winters, andMary-Louise Wood

This resource guide is designed to be used by Extension/4-H professionals and after-school providers to deliver well-formed, positive youth development programs in after-school sites. It includes information on initiating the development of 4-H clubs at after-school sites, volunteer training resources and exercises, how to sustain the clubs, and connections to the community and beyond. 

thumbnail for publication: Applying Culturally Relevant Teaching to Workshops—The Checklist

Applying Culturally Relevant Teaching to Workshops—The Checklist

Cecilia E. Suarez, John M. Diaz, and Laura E. Valencia

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by ==Special Handling==

thumbnail for publication: My Intermediate 4-H Project Report

My Intermediate 4-H Project Report

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

This report form is to be completed by intermediate (age 11–13) 4-H members as a record of their 4-H project completion. Project Reports should be turned in annually at the end of the 4-H year to their county 4-H agent. This 10-page major revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

thumbnail for publication: 4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: 4-H Youth Development Programming in Hard-to-Reach Communities

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: 4-H Youth Development Programming in Hard-to-Reach Communities

Sharon K. Junge, Vanessa Spero, Nicole Crawson, J.R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Beth Rasa Edwards, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather M. Futch, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katelin Stenroos, Laura Valencia, Travis West, Tracy Winters, andMary-Louise Wood

This is part of a series of guides that have been updated with permission from 4-H National Council. This resource guide is designed to be used by Extension professionals and after-school providers to deliver positive youth development programs in hard-to-reach areas or populations. It includes information on identifying hard-to-reach audiences and potential challenges to their participation in 4-H programming. The original educational material was edited and revised for this edition by the National Association of 4-H Youth Development Professionals Afterschool Working Group, led by Vanessa Spero. Published by the 4-H Youth Development Department, UF/IFAS Extension, May 2023.

thumbnail for publication: Keeping It Clean: Plan Your Cleaning

Keeping It Clean: Plan Your Cleaning

Mary N. Harrison, Randall A. Cantrell, Amanda Griffin, andLaura Valencia

The clean-as-you-go plan makes it easy to have a clean and orderly home.

thumbnail for publication: My 4-H Cloverbud Project Summary

My 4-H Cloverbud Project Summary

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

The 4-H Cloverbud Project Summary is intended for youth ages 5–7 to complete at the completion of a 4-H educational project. This 7-page revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

thumbnail for publication: My Junior 4-H Project Report

My Junior 4-H Project Report

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

This report form is to be completed by junior (age 8–10) 4-H members as a record of their 4-H project completion. Project Reports should be turned in annually at the end of the 4-H year to their county 4-H agent. This 10-page major revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

thumbnail for publication: Intercultural Competencies: Value Orientation Theory

Intercultural Competencies: Value Orientation Theory

Pablo Lamino, John Diaz, Laura Valencia, andJaehyun Ahn

This second publication in the Intercultural Competencies series examines the implications of value orientation theory for Extension work in Florida agriculture, providing practical recommendations for developing intercultural competence and program effectiveness. Written by Pablo Lamino, John Diaz, Laura Valencia, and Jaehyun Ahn, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2025.

thumbnail for publication: My Senior 4-H Project Report

My Senior 4-H Project Report

Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Action Team: Cash, L., Sachs, G.M., DeCubellis, C.D., Ward, M., Meringolo, D., Hensley, S.T., Toelle, A., & Valencia, L.

This report form is to be completed by senior (age 14–18) 4-H members as a record of their 4-H project completion. Project Reports should be turned in annually at the end of the 4-H year to their county 4-H agent. This 10-page major revision was compiled by the Florida 4-H Awards and Recognition Task Force; Geralyn Sachs and Laura Cash, chairs.

thumbnail for publication: 4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Developing and Managing a 4-H Afterschool Program

4-H Afterschool Resource Guide: Developing and Managing a 4-H Afterschool Program

Sharon K. Junge, Vanessa Spero, Laura Valencia, Nicole Crawson, J.R. Davis, Tara Dorn, Stacy Hall, Karen Henry, Heather M. Futch, Beth Kerr, Andrea Lazzari, Abby Morgan, Kristie Popa, Cindy Smalley, Melinda Souers, Katelin Stenroos, Tracy Winters, andMary-Louise Wood

This guide will assist Extension professionals in establishing new after-school programs in communities with insufficient programs available for school-age youth. The chapters cover a range of steps and considerations, including conducting needs assessments, hiring and training staff, and program sustainability. However, this guide cannot cover everything required. Additional resources that provide more in-depth information and tools are listed in this publication.

thumbnail for publication: Sandbag Disposal: Environmental and Practical Considerations After the Storm

Sandbag Disposal: Environmental and Practical Considerations After the Storm

Whitney Elmore, Laura Valencia, Yilin Zhuang, and Angela Lindsey

Sandbags are an essential tool for flood prevention and control and are commonly used by homeowners and commercial owners. However, after a storm has passed and floodwaters have receded, sand from sandbags is often not properly discarded. This article addresses the impacts of improper disposal of sand from sandbags and provides steps for proper disposal. Written by Whitney Elmore, Laura Valencia, Yilin Zhuang, and Angela Lindsey, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2025.

thumbnail for publication: Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Framework for Educating All Audiences

Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Framework for Educating All Audiences

John Diaz, Cecilia Suarez, and Laura Valencia

As the needs of Extension clientele continue to evolve, it is important for Extension educators to consider new approaches to effectively support the communities they serve. The purpose of this article is to provide a framework for effectively engaging a broad range of audiences to support their achievement of desired learning outcomes in Extension education programs.