LAKE ALFRED, FL – Lourdes Pérez Cordero, who recently started her position as the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Extension agent for Highlands County, is excited to work with local citrus and vegetable growers.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Pérez Cordero is completing her master’s degree in entomology with UF and expects to graduate in spring, 2022. She most recently worked with Lauren Diepenbrock’s lab at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center where she worked on management strategies for the Asian citrus psyllid. She has also served as a biological aid for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, working on whitefly management and gaining knowledge of the Florida predatory stink bug.
“I was drawn to this position because of its work with growers and the community,” said Pérez Cordero. “When I first learned about Extension and its role in local agriculture, I thought what a great job that would be, and now I have the opportunity to do that every day.”
Pérez Cordero has already started meeting with growers and is setting up her outreach and informational activities. She will work collaboratively with the other regional citrus and natural resources Extension agents in providing needed educational information to area growers. She encourages growers to contact her at the UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County offices in Sebring and at lperezcordero@ufl.edu.