Agricultural Community Engagement Cultivates Connections Across St. Johns County

• 12 October 2026
• Category: Agriculture SJC News
• Tags: 2026

From learning about emerging turfgrass diseases to connecting native plant organizations with local resources, St. Johns County’s Agricultural Community Engagement efforts continue to build relationships and create opportunities to support agriculture, education, and environmental stewardship throughout the community.

Recent activities have brought together agricultural professionals, educators, community organizations, and local businesses while creating new opportunities to share knowledge and resources.

Continuing education keeps staff connected to emerging issues

Agricultural Community Engagement staff recently attended the Florida Turfgrass Association Conference alongside representatives from St. Johns County Parks and Recreation and a local agricultural business.

The conference provided an opportunity to learn about current turfgrass research, management practices, and emerging issues affecting landscapes in Northeast Florida.

One notable takeaway was the discovery that a new turfgrass disease previously expected to be limited to South Florida has been identified in Duval County and northern St. Johns County. The information was brought to the attention of a plant pathologist, with plans to continue monitoring reports of the disease in the area.

Agricultural Community Engagement will also share information about the emerging disease with local residents through a future newsletter, helping homeowners and agricultural professionals recognize potential issues and access reliable information.

Connecting native plant organizations with local resources

Agricultural Community Engagement also recently helped connect the newly established Beluthahatchee chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society with a wholesale native plant nursery.

The nursery has a history of supporting St. Johns County’s environmental efforts, having previously supplied sea oats used in local dune restoration projects.

The connection provides an opportunity for the new chapter to learn about available native plant resources while strengthening relationships among organizations involved in native plant conservation, restoration, and education.

Expanding agricultural education for students

Agricultural Community Engagement is also helping foster connections between agriculture and STEM education.

Staff were invited to serve on a newly established STEM advisory board at Sebastian Middle School, where educators are exploring ways to expand the school’s agriscience program.

Potential additions include hydroponics, gardening, and hands-on laboratory experiences. The program could provide students with opportunities to explore agriculture through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while developing practical skills and an understanding of where food comes from and how agricultural systems work.

Building relationships through education and community engagement

Agricultural outreach extends beyond traditional farming and horticulture programs. Building relationships with educational institutions, community organizations, and other partners creates opportunities to introduce more people to agriculture and its role in the local community.

As part of those efforts, Agricultural Community Engagement staff will participate in an upcoming Flagler College event focused on advancing educational opportunities and community connections. The event will provide an opportunity to meet with students and members of the local educational community while exploring potential opportunities to support agricultural education and outreach.

Agricultural Community Engagement is also participating in Plein Air Drawing at Bee Hill Farm in Elkton with artist Jenna Alexander, with sessions scheduled for Oct. 14, Oct. 21, and Oct. 28. Learn more about the Plein Air Drawing workshops. The event will bring participants to a working agricultural setting to create landscape paintings inspired by the farm.

While the activities vary — from professional conferences and native plant connections to STEM education and community events — they share a common goal: cultivating relationships that strengthen St. Johns County’s agricultural community.

Through continued education, outreach, and collaboration, Agricultural Community Engagement is helping connect residents and organizations with information, resources, and opportunities that support the future of agriculture in St. Johns County.