County Extension Office Welcomes New Director

Nassau County, Florida, August 5, 2021 – We are excited to announce that the County Extension Office has a new Director, Dr. Taylor Clem. Dr. Clem brings with him extensive knowledge in agriculture, horticulture and planning and we are excited to have him join our team.
 
Dr. Clem’s work history includes a Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant Position at the University of Florida; Parks Planner for the City of Farmington, New Mexico; and most recently, an Environmental & Community Horticulture Agent II and Master Gardner Volunteer Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Office in Gainesville.
 
Dr. Clem has two degrees in landscape architecture: a Bachelors Degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s Degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Clem also has a doctorate in Horticulture Services from the University of Florida. In addition, Dr. Clem has numerous certifications including, but not limited to: Certified Florida-Friendly Landscaping Professional; Green-Industries Best Management Practices Instructor Training; and Teaching and Learning in Agriculture and Life Sciences.
 
Dr. Clem stated, “My family and I are excited to move to Nassau County and I am grateful to join UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County. Our goal is to continually bring science-based recommendations to every citizen of Nassau County regarding agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture through our education and 4-H youth development programs. I look forward to working with all our community stakeholders to address Nassau County’s social, environmental, and economic needs through the lens of extension.”
 
The County Extension Office is a Joint Partnership between the University of Florida and the Board of County Commissioners made possible by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 which established land-grant institutions at Florida A&M University and the University of Florida. As such, Dr. Clem is a faculty member for the University of Florida and was ultimately selected for the position by Dr. Eric Simonne, Director of the Northeast Extension Office in Gainesville.
 
Dr. Simonne stated, “Taylor has a unique combination of perspective from his doctoral training at UF, his government experience in New Mexico and his successes as an environmental horticulture agent and master gardener coordinator in Alachua county. Taylor has been keen in taking a multi-facet approach to teaching the principles of Florida friendly landscaping to homeowners, HOAs and elected officials through the recruitment, training, and retention of Master Gardeners. Taylor’s vision will be an asset in a developing county like Nassau County. Three candidates applied to the Nassau County Environmental Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator and County Extension Director position. The screening process identified one suitable candidate who was interviewed at the state and county levels. Taylor accepted our offer”.

If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010 or email contact@nassaucountyfl.com.

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