The Powerful Spud Last Friday was Valentine’s Day, so, like always, I end up singing “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News. As an extension agent, Valentine’s Day also serves as an excellent reminder to… Read More
Pesticide Licensing and Training in Alachua County In order to apply restricted use pesticides in the state of Florida, one must obtain and maintain a pesticide applicator’s license. Regulation of these licenses is the responsibility of the Florida… Read More
Florida’s Natural Melody Have you ever gone paddling on a local spring run or river and sat silently listening to the wind, bird songs, rustling leaves, or lapping sounds of water along the bank-especially in the early morning?… Read More
In an effort to reach a non-agricultural audience, the “Alachua County Farm Bureau Food and Agriculture Festival” was held on Saturday, November 23rd 2019. This event was planned by the District 4 Farm Bureau Young… Read More
Landscapes in Time I remember planting a small pine sapling when I was three years old in my parents’ backyard. By the time I moved the tree was already 25’ tall. Last March I saw the tree and… Read More
Ecosystem Services Our environment provides numerous benefits that are vital to our health and economic livelihood. These environmental benefits are called ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are classified into four major categories: regulating, provisional, cultural, and supporting services. It… Read More
A Continued Series If you are currently eating breakfast or enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea-thank a pollinator. While you are outside today, enjoying the fresh air and shade-thank a tree. These are a couple examples… Read More
Beyond the Air We Breathe: Our Ecosystem Services Take a deep breath and feel the air fill your lungs. How often do you think about the air you breathe? It is common knowledge plants provide the oxygen we… Read More
A Landscape Built for Hurricanes Starts with Design and Maintenance The billowing winds are afoot. We officially entered hurricane season June 1, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center states the peak of hurricane… Read More
A Lesson from History: Dutch Elm Disease It is a strange thing; a never-ending story continually appearing in the landscape. We fall in love with a specific landscape aesthetic, certain plant material begins to dominate the landscape, and… Read More
