Category: Agriculture

La_Palma_volcano_DAF2.jpg Photo of a volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. UF/IFAS photo by David Foster

Can spreading basaltic volcanic rock dust improve crops and the health of Florida’s soils?

by Lourdes Mederos
May 12, 2026

Highlights: UF researchers are testing volcanic rock dust to improve soil health across the state’s sandy and organic farmlands. A $749,999 USDA-funded, four-year study aims to boost crop productivity while cutting reliance on ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, , Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Acreage, Agroindustry, And Geomatics Sciences, Basaltic Volanic Rock, Boost Crop Growth, CALS, CLAS, David Foster, Department Of Geological Sciences, Everglades Agricultural Area, Everglades Research And Education Center, Fisheries, Grant, Improve Soil Health, Improve Soil Quality, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jehangir Bhadha, Landscapes, Mineral Soils, News, Organic Farmlands, Reduce Fertilizers, Research, Rice, Rosvel Bracho, Soil Amendments, Sugarcane, Sustainable Agriculture, U.S. Department Of Agriculture Forest Inventory And Analysis, UF College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS School Of Forest, University Of Florida, USDA-NIFA, Volcanic Rock
An ambrosia beetle stands near larvae that are eating their way through a piece of wood.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beetles: SFFGS faculty lead major beetle taxonomy paper

by Wes Wolfe
March 16, 2026

It’s immense.  School of Forest, Fisheries, & Geomatics Sciences researchers — along with international scientists and experts from the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University and the University of Texas — ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Forests, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, Wildlife
Tags: College Of Agricultural And Life Sciences, Forest, Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Forest Health, Forest Management, Forestry, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatic Sciences, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, SFFGS, Trees, Wildlife

Forest health module added to UF Forest Landowner Academy online course

by Suzette Cook
March 10, 2026

What is a healthy forest? Not just a single tree but the full community of all trees, animals and plants that make up a forest. The answer: A healthy forest is made up of vigorous trees and understory, is able to recover after a disturbance ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Health, Forest Management, Forestry, Online Course, Online Education, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences

UF video series addresses useful topics to support Florida forest and landowners

by Suzette Cook
January 27, 2026

It’s a topic that University of Florida Forest Entomology Professor Jiri Hulcr, Ph.D., addresses during the opening scene of one of 16 videos aimed at helping to keep Florida forest landowners in the know. He looks right into the camera ... READ MORE

Category: Academics, Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida Land Steward Program, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension

UF/IFAS Joins Florida Wildflower Foundation To Form Statewide Native Seed Partnership

by Suzette Cook
December 5, 2025

Gainesville, FL — The Florida Native Seed Partnership (FNSP), jointly coordinated by the Florida Wildflower Foundation (FWF) and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) under a formal Memorandum ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources
Tags: Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Landowner, Landscape Ecology, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS
photo of dead elm covered with golden oyster mushrooms.

Golden oyster mushrooms cultivated, sold in Florida: Scientist urges caution

by Lourdes Mederos
November 6, 2025

The golden oyster mushroom, with bright yellow pillowy caps, are a popular buy that are sold in grow-your-own kits as well as standard grocery stores, farmer and gourmet markets. A University of Florida researcher warns it is quietly invading ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Forests, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Citizen Science, Culinary Connoisseurs, Culinary Mushroom Enthusiasts, Cultivating, Disrupt Ecosystems, Ecosystems, Farmer Market, Fungal Communities, Fungal Diseases, Golden Oyster Mushrooms, Gourmet Market, Grocery Stores, Grow-your-own Kits, Human Activities, INaturalist, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive, Invasive Species, Michelle Jusino, Mushroom Observer, News, Research, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatic Sciences, Transporting, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida
Temp control system measurements banner.

Behind the scenes: How UF/IFAS risk assessments sustain Florida’s $191M aquaculture industry

by Lourdes Mederos
February 28, 2025

From vibrant tropical fish for aquarium enthusiasts to succulent shellfish served as the center of the plate, Florida’s aquaculture industry serves as an economic powerhouse and a national leader. In 2022, the state’s tropical fish ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Blog Community, Conservation, Invasive Species, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alligator Farming, Aquatic Environment, Aquatic Invasives, Aquatic Plant Production, BMP, Ecosystem, FDACS, Fish Tanks, Florida Aquaculture, Invasives In Florida, Jeffrey Hill, News, Ornamental Fish Farming, Risk Assessment, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Shellfish Cultivation, Species, Succeulent Shellfish, Sustainability, Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, Tropical Fish, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida
Alligator at Paynes Prairie.

COVID-19 and UF/IFAS Extension

by BLOGS.IFAS
August 12, 2024

Updated 03/15/20 As we continue to monitor COVID-19 in Florida, I wanted to take a moment to update our UF/IFAS Extension community about our current status, best practices and next steps. The personal health and safety of everyone in ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Camp, Clubs & Volunteers, Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Crops, Curriculum, Disaster Preparation, EVENTS, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Livestock, Money Matters, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Recreation, Relationships & Family, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, , Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Archive, Covid-19, Featured Hot Topic, Hot Topic

Annual Tax Tips for forest landowners addresses changes for 2023 tax year

by Suzette Cook
June 26, 2024

Advice on Timber Tax Tips for the 2023 tax year is now available from the U.S. Forest Service, USDA, and academic partners from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and The University of Georgia Warnell School ... READ MORE

Category: Academics, Agribusiness, Forests, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Forest Management, Longleaf Pine, Natural Resource Conservation, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, SFFGS, Tax Tips, Timber

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