Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces FDACS April Veteran of the Month, Ensign Savanna Turner

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Ensign Savanna Turner of Gainesville, a U.S. Coast Guard reservist and veteran, University of Florida Ph.D. student, and former UF IFAS Extension Agent, as the April 2021 selection for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veteran of the Month.

The Veteran of the Month program, established by Commissioner Fried shortly after taking office, recognizes veterans who have excelled in service to fellow Floridians through agriculture, consumer protection, or other means, and honors the contributions that the men and women in uniform have made to our state.

“It's a privilege to recognize Ensign Savanna Turner for her service to our nation and dedication to Florida agriculture," stated Commissioner Fried. “While ensuring marine safety and environmental protection, the contributions that Savanna has made in educating local schools on UF/IFAS programs have been invaluable towards cultivating new generations of Florida farmers. I’m pleased to name her as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ April 2021 Veteran of the Month, and I thank her on behalf of our citizens and the Florida Cabinet.”

Background: Savanna Turner is a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve officer and a Ph.D. student at the University of Florida. After graduating with her B.S. degree from UF in 2011, Savanna enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard where she served on active duty for five years as a Marine Science Technician. In the Coast Guard she was stationed at Coast Guard units in Connecticut, Louisiana, and Georgia. After leaving active duty service in 2016, Savanna transitioned to the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. She is currently stationed at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral. In July 2020, she became a Commissioned Officer in the Reserve, where she serves as a prevention officer in the marine safety field. She currently has a total of 10 years of military service and intends to retire from the Coast Guard Reserve.

A high-resolution photo of Ensign Savanna Turner may be downloaded here

Prior to becoming a PhD student, Savanna was an Extension Agent specializing in 4-H youth development. As a student and graduate assistant at the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, she utilizes her experience as a former UF/IFAS agent to help educate and advise her fellow graduate students and teach undergraduates. Savanna’s career goals are to advance Extension forward in the areas of food systems and sustainability, developing the resources needed to provide the general public and consumers with the latest research-based information and innovations.

Additionally, Savanna serves as the President of the UF Collegiate Veterans Society, the organization representing student veterans at the University of Florida. In this capacity she raised donated funds for student veterans and the Gainesville Firefighters Union and is piloting UF’s first peer-to-peer student veteran mentorship program. She was also a top ten finalist for student veteran of the year through Student Veterans of America. Savanna’s military awards include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, was twice awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, was awarded a Letter of Commendation from the Coast Guard Commandant and was named the Reserve Enlisted Person of the Year while stationed at Marine Safety Unit Savannah.

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