Clay Olsen
UF/IFAS County Extension Director in Taylor County

Job responsibilities include office administration, budgeting, supervision and education program development in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, natural resources, and community development with adult and youth clientele.

Community development projects include:
  • Establishment of 80 acres of perennial peanut hay at the local airport to support infrastructure development.
  • Served as enterprise zone chair, vice chair, and coordinator (currently) since 1997. Currently provide education for businesses and residences located in the zone on the eligibility and application processes.
  • Artificial reef construction and deployment funded through grants.
  • Coordinated the Brownfield designation process for the county
  • Currently developing a local housing coalition for single-family home construction in Perry addressing low and moderate-income families.
  • Provided education for the local citizenry related to the development of the local tourism development council and collection of the “bed tax” in 2000.
  • Renewable energy development for on farm heat and power.

Education
  • Bachelors of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation – 1976 – University of Florida
  • Master of Agriculture – 1982 – University of Florida

Recent Teaching/Training developed
  • Developed annual In Service training for statewide extension faculty in the goal 6 area for renewable energy- 2006-2010.

Grants received
  • Governors Energy office: 2009 “Biomass gasification for waste and cost reduction in broiler poultry producers. 475K Co PI.

International activities
  • Local food production development in Haiti – 3 tours 2006-2008
  • Perennial Peanut establishment in St Kitts British West Indies 2007

Celebrate Recovery
  • Served as ministry leader in Perry FL for 6 years
  • Facilitated 2 step studies during that time.
  • Attend KUMC CR in Tallahassee 8 years; currently serve as the E coach on the TEAM (2 years).
  • Participated in Kairos team weekends in Wakulla CI and Jefferson CI (5) weekends)
  • Currently conduct CR inside step studies in Taylor CI (annex) and previously in the Main Unit and work camp for a total of 3 years. I have worked one Bill Glass weekend in Tallahassee, and have attended/ supported CR inside in Franklin CI, and Gulf CI.
  • I have attended the CR Summit on the west coast and one on the east coast (recently conducted in South Carolina).

Living Harvest
  • Agreed to serve as a board member contributing any expertise gained from prison ministry and CR experience, as well as educational program contributor for horticultural, landscape, livestock, and program area development.

DOC re-entry efforts
  • Currently completing the 3rd 20 hour basic plant and soil science education program at Taylor CI Work Camp providing participants certificates of completion from the UF/IFAS Taylor County Extension office.