Mary Ann Hooks, Director of Government Affairs
Mary Ann Hooks, director of government affairs for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), is responsible for educating state and federal legislators on UF/IFAS programs and issues.
She is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to attain public funding for UF/IFAS research and Extension programs and projects.
She monitors and affects legislation that impacts the IFAS budget, programs, and other initiatives. Hooks also acts as a liaison to the agriculture industry and other IFAS stakeholders.
Her professional background has focused heavily on the legislative process, water, land use, growth management and environmental policy.
Hooks served as director of government and community affairs for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) from 2005 until 2009. In that position, she was a liaison between FFBF members, state and federal agencies, legislators and local governments.
Her employment with the FFBF began in 1996 as the assistant director of government and community affairs
Before joining the FFBF, Hooks was a legislative assistant to state Rep. Bert Harris Jr., D-Lake Placid, from 1989 until 1995, managing legislation, tracking it from committee to final vote, writing speeches and handling constituent inquiries. From 1988 until 1989, she was an assistant to state Sen. Don Childers, D-West Palm Beach, handling similar duties.
Hooks is a Florida native and currently resides in Tallahassee FL.
Esther Fulford, Legislative Associate
Esther Fulford is the Legislative Associate for government affairs for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. She assists the Director of Government Affairs of IFAS with monitoring relevant legislation and communicating with Florida’s legislature and agriculture industry.
Esther is a seventh generation Floridian and a fifth-generation agriculturalist from Jefferson County. She is also a third-generation University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences graduate, graduating with her B.S. in Agricultural Communications and her B.A. in Political Science. In her undergraduate career, she was selected for the Tallahassee Internship Program with Senator Bradley and the Washington Internship Program with Congresswoman Kat Cammack, representing UF at the state and federal levels. She also interned with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation in Agricultural Policy and was selected to serve as an ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She currently serves on the Jefferson County Farm Bureau board of directors.
Esther is excited to work towards UF’s mission as a land-grant institution through collaboration with the many facets of the university. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, crocheting, and discovering new hobbies.