Page 47 - Strategic Plan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed in one way or another during the strategic planning process and preparation of the final document. Special thanks to Dr. Ed Osbourne, professor and former chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC), for facilitating our Strategic Planning Workshop and single handedly providing an excellent summary of the proceedings. I am heavily indebted to our two international facilitators and resource personnel, Dr. Chel- ston Braithwaite, former Director General of the Inter-American Institute of Agriculture (IICA) and former Barbados Ambassador to China, and Dr. Dowlat Budhram, former Director of Secretariat for Planning and Evaluation IICA Headquarters in Costa Rica, for their advice and help in guiding the process. Special thanks to members of our Board of Directors, growers, faculty, staff, and students for participating in the inter- view process and providing invaluable feedback. Thank you to all faculty members who have assisted with reviewing the document and helping to whip it into shape. My gratitude to Carol Fountain, Melissa McGinn- is, and Stacey Jones for editing and graphic design assistance. Special thanks to Tyler Jones for the photos.
We are extremely confident that this Strategic Plan will set us on the path forward to continue to address the critical needs of the local communities and beyond and to assist the University of Florida in carrying out its mission.