Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
During the Florida Extension Business Professionals Conference in February, Suwannee County Extension Office Staff Assistant Michelle Drummond received the prestigious Connect, Grow, Shine Award from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
The award, which began in 2023, recognizes Florida Extension Business Professionals who contribute outstanding service and fiscal support to the UF/IFAS Extension.
“I am humbled to have been nominated,” Drummond said. “I’m very honored to have been one of the four nominees that were selected to receive this award.”
Drummond, who has been with UF/IFAS Suwannee County since 2021, serves as the Staff Assistant to Environmental Horticulture Agent Carolyn Saft, who also serves as the Director for the County Extension Office. She also serves as the Staff Assistant to the Horticulture Small Farm Agent Raymond Balaguer.
Drummond said that she started her career with UF/IFAS when she walked into the office to have a citrus tree identified. “After I spoke with the receptionist, I was curious about what other things the extension office could do,” Drummond said. “I found out that they were involved in community programs like 4-H and were very receptive to helping identify plants and trees on properties.”
She eventually saw a help-wanted ad for a staff assistant and applied for the position. She was hired in December 2021.
Since that time, along with her work with Saft and Balaguer, Drummond has also promoted the work the extension office does, which includes its community programs. “We have a program at the Live Oak Public Library to help the community learn more about horticulture, gardening, laws and more through our Lunch and Learn programs on the third and fourth Thursdays,” Drummond said.
Drummond was one of four recipients of the Connect, Grow, Shine Award at the conference, which was held in Gainesville from Tuesday, Feb. 11, to Thursday, Feb. 13. Other recipients included Office Manager Sherry Balchuck with the Wakulla County Northwest UF/IFAS office, Pam Harrison-Tribue with the Gadsden County UF/IFAS office and Chris Weber, Staff Assistant at the Orange County UF/IFAS office.