PIE Center

An Introduction to Utilizing Community Leaders to Expand Resiliency Efforts Following a Disaster

Lisa Lundy, Jacqueline Aenlle, Ricky Telg, Tracy Irani, Angie Lindsey, Ashley McLeod-Morin, Michaela Kandzer, and Phillip 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.

Attitudes and Perceptions of Agricultural Water Use in Florida Expressed by the General Public and Local Officials

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

Choosing the Right Visual for Social Media: Comparing the Engagement of Stock Photos Versus Natural Photos

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.

Communicating with Extension Clients about Water

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.

Engaging Consumers in At-Home Water Conservation: A Guide for Extension

Caroline G. Roper and Alexa J. Lamm

Extension and the Environment: Understanding Florida Residents' Perceptions of Environmental Water-Related Topics

Caroline R. Warwick, Alexa Lamm, and Laura A. Warner

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

Floridians' Perceptions of Endangered Species

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

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

Floridians' Perceptions of GMOs: GMOs and Florida Citrus

Nicole M. W. Dodds, Laura M. Gorham, and Joy N. Rumble

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

Floridians' Perceptions of Invasive Species

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

Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Economics of Local Food

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

Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Health Benefits of Local Food

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

Public Perceptions of Mosquitoes and Mosquito Control

Shelli Rampold, Ricky Telg, Alena Poulin, Sandra Anderson, Angela B. Lindsey, Ashley McLeod-Morin, and Phillip Stokes

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.

Recruiting and Retaining Members in Agricultural Organizations

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

Relying on Research for Effective Response: A Survey Tool for Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 to Create Extension Resources

Lauri M. Baker, Ashley McLeod-Morin, Shelli Rampold, Anissa Zagonel, Ricky Telg, Angela B. Lindsey, Michaela Kandzer, Sandra Anderson, Sydney Honeycutt, Phillip Stokes, Valentina Castano, and Alena Poulin

The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) conducted a series of national public opinion surveys to examine the perceptions of Americans related to COVID-19. The PIE Center shared the survey data using Extension and outreach communication pieces, including issue guides, kinetic typography videos, webinars, and communication toolkits. Data collected from the PIE Center on Americans’ perceptions related to COVID-19 also informed two communication toolkits developed for Extension. This new 5-page article, published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, describes the instruments used to collect public opinion data related to COVID-19. Written by Lauri M. Baker, Ashley McLeod-Morin, Shelli Rampold, Anissa Zagonel, Ricky Telg, Angela B. Lindsey, Michaela Kandzer, Sandra Anderson, Sydney Honeycutt, Phillip Stokes, Valentina Castano, and Alena Poulin.

Talking Local: Florida Consumer Definitions of Local Food

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

Talking Local: Florida Consumers’ Flexibility with the Term “Local”

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

This EDIS publication is the fifth of the Talking Local series, a six-part EDIS publication series about Florida consumers and their perceptions of local food. This series focuses on ways Extension agents can assist Florida farmers and ranchers in the labeling, sale, and promotion of locally produced products. This series provides information about Florida consumers’ perceptions of local food to Extension faculty who are interested in local food programming or who work with local food clientele. This 4-page publication focuses on Florida consumer flexibility with the term “local.”

Talking Local: Florida Consumers’ Food Buying Decisions when Given Local Food Information

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

Talking Local: Florida Consumers’ Fresh from Florida Perceptions

Lauri M. Baker, Caroline R. Warwick, Meredith M. Oglesby, Olivia K. Doyle, Valentina Castano, 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

Talking Local: Florida Consumers’ Local Food Purchasing Behaviors

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

Understanding Public Perceptions of Mosquito-Related Information Sources and Adapting Research Findings to the Needs of Industry Professionals

Shelli Rampold, Ricky Telg, Alena Poulin, Sandra Anderson, Angela B. Lindsey, Ashley McLeod-Morin, and Phillip Stokes

Using Social Media to Communicate about Mosquito Control

Ashley McLeod-Morin, Ricky Telg, Phillip Stokes, Alena Poulin, Shelli Rampold, Angela B. Lindsey, and Sandra Anderson

What Backyard Flock Owners Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)

A. McLeod-Morin, B. D. Anderson, G. Morris, C. Sanders, C. Larson, R. Telg, and A. 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.

What Consumers Need to Know about Bird Flu (Influenza H5N1)

A. McLeod-Morin, B. D. Anderson, G. Morris, C. Sanders, C. Larson, R. Telg, and A. 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.