The town of Harmony, Florida is a 10,000 acre community that focuses on balancing the health values among people, animals and the environment. When it became apparent that people wanted to live in a green community but were also concerned about the potential expense associated with sustainable development, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County held a green conference and helped put residents in touch with specialists who proved to be a tremendous help. The UF/IFAS contacts helped the community implement cost-effective measures such as energy startups, dark sky lighting, and community gardens. The Harmony community also developed a golf course as a transitional wildlife space. In this video, UF/IFAS experts work with Harmony community developers to create neighborhoods that conserve resources, save money and improve the quality of life for residents.

UF/IFAS Director of Florida Energy Extension Service Pierce Jones (right) speaks with Harmony co-founder Jim Lentz. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones