Michelle Atkinson is the environmental horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Palmetto. Her program provides workshops and research-based information to the pest control, lawn and landscape, and golf course industries.

Program areas include landscape management, urban and community pest management, as well as pesticide safety, training, and testing. Michelle also oversees a residential mobile irrigation lab whose focus is to encourage outdoor water conservation and best management practices in the landscape.

Ms. Atkinson received her MS in Natural Resource Policy and Administration from University of Florida, and her BS from the Stetson University.