From Groves to Growth: A Look Into Jaden Sherrod’s Impact Project
As he graduated this fall with the University of Florida Gulf Scholars Medallion, Jaden Sherrod completed a Gulf Impact Project that brought together his academic work, personal background, and interest in the future of the Gulf region.
For his Impact Project, From Groves to Growth: Planning for Resilience Amidst Agricultural Decline in Southwest Florida, Jaden explored how the decline of citrus agriculture has accelerated land-use change across Florida. As orange groves and ranchlands disappear and new development moves inland, historically rural communities are rapidly changing, putting pressure on local habitats and infrastructure.
As a sixth-generation Floridian and son of a citrus farmer, this topic is especially meaningful to Sherrod.
“I have seen these changes firsthand,” he said. Through his research with faculty mentor Hal Knowles, an instructional assistant professor in UF’s department of Sustainability and the Built Environment, Jaden’s found that agricultural decline is more than an economic issue – it’s an indicator of a change that affects rural identity, conservation, and community resilience.
Jaden used GIS mapping, interviews with stakeholders, and policy analysis to show how growth often outpaces planning. He examined tools such as growth boundaries, which help guide development toward existing communities and limit sprawl into rural areas, along with payments for ecosystem services that provide landowners with financial support for protecting wildlife habitat and water resources. He also explored conservation easements, voluntary agreements that allow land to remain in private ownership while limiting development so farms, ranches, and natural landscapes can be preserved.
Through the project, Jaden developed research and communication skills by translating complex land-use data into usable insights for different audiences. More importantly, the experience helped to clarify his goals moving forward.
“This project has been a turning point for me…It strengthened my commitment to making sure growth in the Gulf region, and beyond, supports both resilience and identity,” he said
After graduation, Jaden hopes to pursue a career in urban and regional planning. He is interested in paths that involve local government, non-profit work, or local planning, and may eventually pursue graduate study to deepen his knowledge. He sees his Gulf Impact Project as a foundation for that next step, helping communities grow in ways that support resilience and local identity.
“For me, it is not just research but a guide for the kind of work I want to do – helping communities adapt while holding on to the landscapes and traditions that define them.”
Learn more about Jaden’s Impact Project here: From Groves to Growth ArcGIS Story Map