WEST PALM BEACH — Anna Meszaros is the new Commercial Horticulture (Vegetable Crops) Extension Agent in Palm Beach County. She began on Aug. 2, 2021 and brings much experience to the UF/IFAS vegetable extension team.

Anna has a horticulture engineering degree (equivalent to an M.S.) from the Department of Entomology at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary, and she has a one-year graduate degree in crop protection and environment from the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Montpellier, France. Before joining Palm Beach County Extension, Anna worked as a research scientist with Glades Crop Care, Inc., conducting multidisciplinary efficacy research trials on vegetables, fruits and citrus. She has resided in Palm Beach County for the past five years, and knows many local growers, crop consultants, and UF/IFAS scientists. Anna’s on-farm and field work experience started in Hungary and France through her research studies. Upon moving to the United States, Anna joined the LSU Department of Entomology, working on sugarcane, rice, and cotton. Later on, Anna moved to a private company, Pest Management Enterprises, where she worked on row crop pest management in Central Louisiana. Anna has a strong record of publications and presentations at professional society meetings.

She is hoping to build strong relationships among producers, extension agents, UF/IFAS Faculty, and crop consultants. Thus, she will be serving as a liaison among stakeholders and as an educator who will facilitate knowledge exchange and promote best management practices for sustainable agricultural production and food safety. She is also looking forward to participating in 4-H activities to help children become more involved in agriculture.

Research and education have always been her main professional interests. She sees the extension agent position as a great opportunity to achieve her professional goals while positively influencing agriculture in Florida. Building on her experiences in the academic and private sector, she will strive to serve the needs of vegetable and fruit producers, consultants, and the general public in Palm Beach County.