NetZero

If you click on the Google Earth image in the left sidebar, you’ll notice some details that you may not have been aware of. The building which houses the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension is a net zero building.  NetZero is the balance point where the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by human activities are equal to the amount of GHG removed from the atmosphere through natural or artificial processes.  In this building, it also means that the property produces its own power, heating and cooling, and recycled rain water for irrigation of the surrounding gardens.

Overseen for the Extension by now retired conservation agent Will Sheftall, the retrofit has been operating since 2012. It was certified as NetZero a little over a year after its completion.  The building is also designated as Leon County’s “Sustainable Demonstration Center.“

Two parking areas serve multiple purposes. The east parking lot immediately adjacent to the building is covered with solar panels which produce energy for the building and shade for parking. The other parking area is south of the building, adjoining the Bed 5 tropical demonstration garden, and the vegetable demonstration garden and food forest. This turf parking area covers 60 geothermal wells, each 90 feet deep, which supply heating and cooling to the building.

Solar array over parking area
Photo:  Kendra Zamojski  

The seven horticultural demonstration gardens, the fruit orchard, and the vegetable gardens are all irrigated with rainwater collected from the roof of the building and stored in a repurposed 500 gallon gas tank, which is underground next to the fruit orchard west of the building.

Extension, under the leadership of University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), brings UF's research and education to every county in Florida. It is a leading educator and proponent of earth friendly practices in home, family and businesses as well as in community planning, food systems, energy, water, disaster preparedness, farming, horticulture, and gardening.  It also fosters environmental and health education for youth through 4-H, school gardens, and other programs. https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sustainable-communities/sustainability-starts-here/ 

There is a wealth of information and assistance available from the Extension which can be accessed both online and by contacting the staff or Master Gardener volunteers.  The local Extension operates under the umbrella of the Leon County Office of Resource Management in a joint arrangement with UF/IFAS.  More information about this partnership here.  

NetZero Certification details here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RCJQU6sC6pSLjcNG0PhYFIRzF8ODEmOW/view?usp=drivesdk

US Depatnent of Energy site about this building:  https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/geothermal-heat-pump-case-study-leon-county.pdf

Article about the project by Will Sheftall:  https://PIts.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/author/sheftall/