PIE Center

Lisa Lundy, Jacqueline Aenlle, Ricky Telg, Tracy Irani, Angela B. Lindsey, Ashley McLeod-Morin, Michaela Kandzer, andPhilip S. Stokes

In the southeastern United States, many agricultural, vulnerable, and rural communities (AVRCs) must cope with natural disasters regularly. These natural disasters not only harm communities, crops, and livelihoods, but also can negatively impact the mental health of affected individuals, including those living in AVRCs. The purposes of this article are to (1) provide tips on identifying specific individuals who could qualify as community leaders and (2) provide details on how partnering with community leaders can be beneficial for mental health communication and outreach.

Courtney T. Owens, Alexa J. Lamm, and Ricky W. Telg

Isabell L. Revere, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, Benjamin D. Anderson, andC. Sanders

This publication provides a biosecurity plan template for livestock exhibitions. Due to the presence of large crowds in proximity to animals, these exhibitions can increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. This template is a framework specific to exhibitions, designed to assist exhibition organizers in creating a biosecurity plan for their event. Implementing the suggestions from this template during an exhibition will help reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. Written by Isabell L. Revere, Colleen C. Larson, Ricky W. Telg, Benjamin D. Anderson, and Cynthia B. Sanders, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, November 2025.

Anissa Zagonel, Lauri M. Baker, Jarred Shellhouse, Cheryl Boyer, Hikaru Peterson, and Aly Morrison

Social media is an important piece of Extension outreach efforts. Across many different platforms, photos or graphics accompanying social media posts have repeatedly yielded greater results, in terms of engagement and success. Thus, it is imperative to include a visual element with each social media post because it would be considered a missed opportunity without one. This publication explores the question of whether stock images are as effective as natural images. Facebook posts from the Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement (CREE) team were analyzed to determine differences in engagement rates for stock images and natural images taken by the CREE team. Results indicate natural photos had significantly higher engagement rates than stock photos. Thus, it is recommended that content creators strive to create and use their own photos for posts; although, in times of need, a stock photo can produce better engagement than no photo at all.

Alexa J. Lamm, Phillip Thomas Stokes, and Caroline G. Roper

This EDIS publication will provide an overview of how to communicate with Florida residents about water, including information about their preferred communication method and what topics surrounding water Florida residents find of interest. This publication will better equip Extension faculty to discuss water quantity and quality issues with Florida residents.

Caroline G. Roper and Alexa J. Lamm

Caroline R. Warwick, Alexa Lamm, andLaura A. Warner

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Developing organizational and volunteer systems to support youth development

Mary Hannah Miller, Nicole M. W. Dodds, and Alexa J. Lamm

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Nicole M. Dodds, Joy Rumble, andLaura M. Gorham
Other Contacts: Ricky Telg

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Citizen awareness of food systems and the environment

Nicole M. W. Dodds, Mary Hannah Miller, and Alexa J. Lamm

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Environmental Literacy and Sustainability

Ashley McLeod-Morin, Astrid Ericson, Karlibeth Leitheiser, Angela B. Lindsey, Lisa Lundy, Ricky Telg, andTracy Irani

This publication describes Florida residents’ perceptions of heat-related illnesses (HRI), their perceived knowledge about HRI, and trusted sources when seeking information about HRI. This resource was developed to help Extension faculty better understand how Florida residents think about rising temperatures and HRI so they can better support their clientele through education and communication. Written by Ashley McLeod-Morin, Astrid Ericson, Karlibeth Leitheiser, Angela B. Lindsey, Lisa Lundy, Ricky Telg, and Tracy Irani, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, January 2026.

Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm

Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm

Shelli Rampold, Ricky Telg, Alena Poulin, Sandra M. Anderson, Angela B. Lindsey, Ashley McLeod-Morin, andPhilip S. Stokes

This publication provides a background of public opinion on various aspects of mosquito control covered in the Prevent & Protect campaign.

Vashti Tatman, Adeyinka Ayodele, Laura A. Warner, Jaret C. Daniels, Ricky Telg, andAngela B. 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.

Ricky Telg, Shelby Thomas, and Olivia Doyle

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Caroline R. Warwick, Olivia K. Doyle, Valentina Castano, Meredith M. Oglesby, Lauri M. Baker, Joy N. Rumble, Yiqian Ma, and Tracy A. Irani

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Caroline R. Warwick, Valentina Castano, Meredith M. Oglesby, Olivia K. Doyle, Lauri M. Baker, and Joy N. Rumble

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Citizen awareness of food systems and the environment

Caroline R. Warwick, Olivia K. Doyle, Valentina Castano, Meredith M. Oglesby, Lauri M. Baker and Joy N. Rumble

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Shelli Rampold, Ricky Telg, Alena Poulin, Sandra M. Anderson, Angela B. Lindsey, Ashley McLeod-Morin, andPhilip S. Stokes

This document describes the importance of understanding and adapting to public perceptions of information sources and how scientists can adapt their research findings based upon the needs of professionals in the field to create usable outreach materials.

Ashley McLeod-Morin, Ricky Telg, Philip S. Stokes, Alena Poulin, Shelli Rampold, Angela B. Lindsey, andSandra M. Anderson

The Prevent & Protect publication series focuses on creating different material formats to resonate with various audiences and on maximizing the efficacy of communicating with the public about mosquito-related risks and mosquito control topics. The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) created the Prevent & Protect project to educate local elected and appointed officials and targeted audiences about mosquito control in a simplified, understandable format to increase public understanding of scientific information on the topic. An overview of the Prevent & Protect project is available in the Ask IFAS publication Public Perceptions of Mosquitoes and Mosquito Control (https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/WC357). This document explains how to effectively use social media to communicate in an emergency situation, specifically related to mosquito control. This publication also provides details on integrating the Prevent & Protect emergenc

Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, C. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, andAnnabel Henson

Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. Among migratory birds and poultry, this virus can be highly contagious and cause severe disease and death. Biosecurity and proper hygiene significantly reduce this risk. This publication aims to help owners of backyard flocks protect their birds and identify possible signs of influenza H5N1 infection. Written by A. McLeod-Morin, B. D. Anderson, G. Morris, C. Sanders, C. Larson, R. Telg, and A. Henson, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, September 2025.

Ashley McLeod-Morin, Benjamin D. Anderson, Glenn Morris, C. Sanders, Colleen Larson, Ricky Telg, andAnnabel Henson

Bird flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. This publication aims to help consumers better understand bird flu and ways bird flu may impact consumable products, such as eggs or milk. Written by A. McLeod-Morin, B. D. Anderson, G. Morris, C. Sanders, C. Larson, R. Telg, and A. Henson, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, September 2025.