Cooperative Extension - Environmental Horticulture Home

Meet the Environmental Horticulture Team

Dr. John Roberts - Environmental Horticulture Agent I

Dr. John Roberts is the Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension in Palm Beach County. He holds a Ph.D. and specializes in commercial nursery production, arboriculture, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). He is an ISA Certified Arborist ® with PPQ and TRAQ certifications and an LIAF Certified Landscape Inspector.

Dr. Roberts provides research-based education and support to commercial growers and green industry professionals across Palm Beach County. His professional areas of interest include urban forestry, underutilized tree species, urban soil and water issues, invasive species management, and the economic forces that shape Florida's green industries.

He works closely with professional-aligned groups like FNGLA, LIAF, ISA, CPCO of Florida (among others) to collaborate with UF/IFAS specialists to conduct extension programs and promote best practices. His educational outreach emphasizes practical economics, conservation of natural resources in urban settings, and equipping industry professionals with tools for success.

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John Roberts

Commercial Horticulture Agent I Jroberts1@pbc.gov
561-233-1713

Kara Krueger - Environmental Horticulture Agent I

Kara Krueger is the Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension in Palm Beach County. She joined UF/IFAS Extension in November 2022 and works with residents, Homeowner Associations, and landscape professionals to provide education and programs on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, landscape best management practices (BMPs), and general horticultural topics.

Kara earned her Master's degree in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. Prior to joining UF/IFAS Extension, she spent nine years working for a private landscape company specializing in high-end estates, bringing extensive hands-on experience in landscape design and management to her Extension work.

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Kara Krueger

Residential Horticulture Agent IKkrueger@pbc.gov
561-233-1748

Emily Marois - Urban Horticulture Agent II

Emily Marois is the Urban Horticulture Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension in Palm Beach County. She develops and delivers horticulture programs with the support of Master Gardener volunteers she trains, helping residents and community members implement sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening practices.

A South Florida native, Emily holds a Master's in Agriculture Education and Communication and a Bachelor's in Plant Science from the University of Florida. She has hands-on experience as a horticulturist at Naples Botanical Garden and in the floriculture industry. Her areas of specialization include Florida native plants, edible gardening, and Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, with a focus on practical, research-based solutions for homeowners and community gardens.

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Master Gardener Volunteers

Emily Marios

Urban Horticulture Agent II
Emarois@pbc.gov
561-233-1758

Environmental Horticulture

The Environmental Horticulture Program consists of a multitude of training and information efforts designed to meet the needs of Palm Beach County’s diverse residential and commercial horticulture audiences.

Southeast Florida has a moderate, semi-tropical climate with 50-60 inches of rainfall annually. The heaviest rainfall is in the spring through fall months with the dry season usually in the winter. We benefit from a warm winter growing environment but do experience occasional freezing winter temperatures. Our unique climate also reverses the vegetable growing season found in much of the rest of the United States, with most temperate climate vegetables grown during the fall, winter and spring months.