Silvert, Colby

0000-0003-2055-7597

The Road to Recovery #6: Evaluating Virtual Strategies to Build Community Capacity and Resilience

Cody Gusto, Colby Silvert, John Diaz, and Glenn Israel

The Road to Recovery #5: Self-Assessment of Virtual Facilitation to Build Trust

Colby Silvert, Cody Gusto, John Diaz, and Glenn Israel

The Road to Recovery #4: Evaluating Virtual Techniques to Reach Clientele and Promote Equity

Colby Silvert, Cody Gusto, John Diaz, and Glenn Israel

The Road to Recovery #1: Introduction

Cody Gusto, Colby Silvert, and John Diaz

The Road to Recovery #3: Facilitating Community Resilience for Effective Pandemic Response

Cody Gusto, Colby Silvert, and John Diaz

The Road to Recovery #2: Building Physical and Emotional Trust when Engaging with Extension Clientele

Colby Silvert, Cody Gusto, and John Diaz

Pandemic Impacts on Florida Farmworkers: Emerging Takeaways to Inform Outreach and Policymaking

Colby Silvert, Whitney A. Stone, John M. Diaz, and LaToya J. O’Neal

This new 5-page publication aims to synthesize emerging takeaways from reporting and literature on the challenges experienced by US farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting examples from Florida, when possible. Written by Colby Silvert, Whitney A. Stone, John M. Diaz, and LaToya J. O’Neal, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.

Tapping into Residents’ Perceptions to Diffuse Landscape Water Conservation and Protection Practices

Colby Silvert, Laura Warner, Matt Benge, and John Diaz

This new 4-page article provides real examples of how university researchers used the Diffusion of Innovations theory to analyze Florida residents’ perceptions of landscape conservation and fertilizer behaviors and identify barriers and opportunities to encourage widespread adoption. The information and recommendations are intended for Extension professionals and other practitioners to promote behavior change in household landscaping practices. Written by Colby Silvert, Laura Warner, Matt Benge, and John Diaz and published by the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.

Strategies to Increase the Adoption of Residential Pollinator Gardening: Tackling Perceived Barriers

Colby Silvert, Laura A. Warner, John Diaz, Cody Gusto, and Rachel Mallinger

Urbanization and development of managed landscapes can harm pollinators by reducing flowers and vegetation and increasing exposure to chemicals. However, research shows that urban, developed landscapes can be designed and maintained to successfully provide habitats for diverse, healthy pollinator populations, including bees. Therefore, a major opportunity and need exist for residents, particularly those living in urban areas, to support bees and other pollinators by adopting pollinator gardening in their landscapes. Based on recent research about significant barriers and solutions, this publication intends to guide Extension agents and other practitioners on how to best encourage and facilitate adoption of pollinator gardening by addressing residents’ perceptions.

Intercultural Competence in Extension Education: Applications of an Expert-Developed Model

John Diaz, Cody Gusto, Colby Silvert, K. S. U. Jayaratne, Lendel Narine, Sharon Couch, Celina Wille, Nozella Brown, Cintia Aguilar, Dionardo Pizaña, Kris Parker, Gayle Coon, Merrianneeta Nesbitt, Laura Valencia, Dominic Ledesma, and Lupita Fabregas

This article summarizes results of a study designed to identify essential intercultural competencies for Extension professionals. Recommendations are provided for Extension administrators to inform recruitment and professional development decisions in the broader effort to provide relevant and responsive programming for multicultural audiences. Written by John Diaz, Cody Gusto, Colby Silvert, K. S. U. Jayaratne, Lendel Narine, Sharon Couch, Celina Wille, Nozella Brown, Cintia Aguilar, Dionardo Pizaña, Kris Parker, Gayle Coon, Merrianneeta Nesbitt, Laura Valencia, Dominic Ledesma, and Lupita Fabregas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2022.

Barriers and Opportunities for Pollinator Gardening in Homeowners’ Associations

Laura A. Warner, Colby Silvert, John Diaz, Cody Gusto, Rachel Mallinger

Pollinator gardening has rapidly become recognized as an important component of conservation to combat the issues that have resulted from rapid urbanization. Residential yards can support pollinators and help to restore their habitats. Thus, an opportunity exists for Extension and other practitioners to encourage greater engagement in pollinator gardening. However, research has indicated unique perceived barriers exist among residents in homeowners’ associations (HOAs). By focusing on perceived barriers, Extension and other practitioners can encourage positive adoption changes among residents and HOA stakeholders. Findings in this article suggest many HOA dwellers are unsure whether they are permitted to engage in pollinator gardening, and they may perceive that this approach to landscaping is incompatible with neighborhood norms. These barriers must be addressed at the resident and HOA leadership levels  to help more people engage in gardening to support pollinators.