The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension is increasing its presence and impact in the Lealman area, aiming to bring valuable educational resources and programs to local residents that address specific community needs.
UF/IFAS Extension is the local branch of a nationwide network of land-grant universities providing research-based information to citizens. Extension is based on the Federal Land-Grant system established in 1862 to “extend” university resources out to the people where they live.
In Florida, this organization operates through a cooperation between the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida A&M University, maintaining offices in each of the state’s 67 counties. Cindi Hetz, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County, works regularly out of the Lealman Exchange, offering programming, services and education to the community. This includes:
- Financial education and counseling
- First time homebuyer education and counseling
- Youth development programs with a focus on life skills for teens and young adults
Another one of the services Hetz offers is free tax preparation through the VITA ( Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. In 2024, the first year UF/IFAS Extension implemented the program in Pinellas, Hetz helped Pinellas County residents get $46,440 back in federal refunds.
“Some people had never even done their taxes, so we were able to go back three years for them, and since they were low income, they were able to get the refunds from all those years,” Hetz said. “That money generally goes right back into the county where they live to pay their bills, to go to the store, to get groceries. So it was significant, a real savings for the community, especially the seniors that are on a fixed income.”
Hetz said some residents who also had not claimed their previous Covid relief stipend were able to file their taxes and claim that, as well. Hetz hopes to grow the program in Pinellas County and specifically Lealman, where six residents just in the Lealman community alone got back more than $8,000 in federal refunds in 2024.
“I really encourage people in Lealman to set up an appointment, because it has an impact,” Hetz said. “They might be surprised with what they get back.” Appointment scheduling for tax assistance will start in February. To learn more, you can contact Cindi Hetz at clhetz@ufl.edu or call (727) 582-2656.
Hetz is also working to develop additional programming for the community, and your input is needed! Visit this website to view programming ideas and vote for which you think would be the most useful: https://forms.gle/9ec5bNUUpPv3zB9RA.
Upcoming UF/IFAS Extension Programming in Pinellas:
- Vegetable Gardening with a Master Gardener at Chester Ochs 4-H Educational Center, 14644 113th Avenue North in Largo. Cost: $5. Click here to register.
- Rainwater Harvesting free online class. Click here to register.