Category: UF/IFAS Extension

Nov. 5: UF’s palm tree team brings science, solutions to South Florida at Palm Short Course in Davie and online

by Lourdes Mederos
October 28, 2025

Florida’s palm trees don’t just define the Sunshine State’s skylines. They are a cornerstone of the state’s environment and economy. Yet, pests, diseases and nutrient issues can make it tough to keep the many varieties healthy. To ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Conservation, Crops, EVENTS, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arborists, Conservation, Entomology And Nematology, Environmental Horticulture, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Growers, Horticultural Sciences, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Mica McMillan, News, Nutrients, Palm, Palm Disease, Palm Tree Short Course, Property Managers, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida

Is seaweed aquaculture the next big crop for Florida?

by Lourdes Mederos
August 27, 2025

Florida’s coastline may one day host more than oysters, clams, fish and shrimp. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and Florida Sea Grant are asking whether seaweed could be the ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Andrew Ropicki, Angela Collins, Aquaculture, Ashley Smith, Dail Laughinghouse, Economics, Extension, Florida, Florida Sea Grant, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Gabrielle Foursa, Growers, Harvest, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Lourdes Mederos, Macroalgae, News, NOAA National Sea Grant, NOAA National Sea Grant Aquaculture Program, Seaweed, Seaweed Aquaculture, Seaweed Farming, Sponge, Tropical Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, Water Quality

Back by popular demand: UF/IFAS Extension offers 2025 Sustainable Urban Food Production Short Course

by Lourdes Mederos
August 13, 2025

From backyard gardens to commercial-scale rooftop farms, sustainable urban food production is reshaping how we grow and access food in cities. That’s why leading scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, , Conservation, Crops, EVENTS, Farm Management, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Aquaponics, Broward, Chefs, Compost, Eco-friendly, Ecofrendly Farming, Entrepreneurs, Environmental Horticulture, Food, Food Forest, Food Handling, Food Safety, Food Waste, Garderners, Harvest, Hydroponic, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jiangxiao Qiu, Large-scale Composting, Local Food Movement, Lorna Bravo, Management Strategies, Miami Dade, Monroe, News, Nutrient-rich Soil, Organic Fruit, Palm Beach, Rooftop Farms, Rooftop Gardens, Soil Regeneration, Sustainable Agricultural, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida, Urban Agriculture, Urban Food Production, Vegetables

Composting is officially on the map in Deerfield Beach; UF/IFAS is leading the charge for a statewide model

by Lourdes Mederos
May 19, 2025

Sandwiched between International Compost Week in early May and National Composting Day on May 29, a new initiative with the University of Florida is taking shape as cities across the nation embrace composting as a sustainable solution to ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Fruits & Vegetables, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: City Of Deerfield Beach, Compost, Compost College, Compost Industry, Filthy Organics, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, International Composting Week, Landfills, Lourdes Mederos, Market Viability, May 29, Methane Emissions, Mica McMillan, Micro-composter, National Composting Day, News, Organic Waste, Organics Recycling Foundation, Sustainable Alternatives, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF/IFAS, Usda, USDA Composting And Food Waste Reduction Program

Termite stowaways: UF/IFAS study reveals boats as perfect vessels for global termite spread

by Lourdes Mederos
April 7, 2025

When you think of termites, you probably don’t imagine them aboard yachts, cabin cruisers, sailboats or other watercraft floating across oceans. A new study by a University of Florida scientist reveals that termites are not simply ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termites, Boats, Cabin Cruisers, Cabins, Charter Boats, Damage Wood, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Formosan Termites, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Infect, Invasive Species, Sailboats, Thomas Chouvenc, Transporting, Trees, Watercrafts, West Indian Drywood Termites, Worldwide Spread, Yachts

Cracking the Burmese python code: New data zeroes in on game-changing strategies

by Lourdes Mederos
February 6, 2025

In a groundbreaking study, University of Florida scientists statistically analyzed large amounts of data collected by Burmese python contractors, revealing critical insights about how to most efficiently remove the reptiles. Researchers ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Alex Romer, Big Cypress National Preserve, Burmese Python, Citizen Scientists, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Invasive Species, Melissa Miller, News, Palm Beach County, Python Contractors, Python Elimination Program, Reptiles, Scientific Reports, SFWMD, South Florida Water Management District, Tamiami Trail, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Build a dream garden, learn planting tips and more; UF/IFAS Extension Broward County’s free monthly workshop returns

by Lourdes Mederos
January 14, 2025

Is 2025 the year you are looking to start or elevate your gardening game? Mark your calendar because the UF/IFAS Extension Broward County’s in-person gardening workshops are back and better than ever. Conducted by the award-winning ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Community Volunteers, Conservation, EVENTS, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Backyard Plants, Extension Broward Master Gardener Volunteer Program, Florida-friendly Landscaping, Fruit Trees, Herbs, Landscaping, Lorna Bravo, Mango Grafting, Microgreens, Orchids, Plants, Seeds, Shade Gardening, Sprouts, Tropical Fruit, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, Urban Horticulture

UF/IFAS scientists develop groundbreaking method for detecting DNA of invasive snakes in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
November 21, 2024

Scientists at the University of Florida have developed a pioneering tool to bolster Florida’s defenses against invasive species: a DNA-based environmental monitoring test that can pinpoint where they’ve been, aiding eradication efforts. Once ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Invasive Species, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Boa Constrictors, Burmese Pythons, Climate Change, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CROC Docs, Ecologu And Evolution, EDNA, Everglades, Florida’s Ecosystems, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Snakes, Invasives In Florida, News, Northern African Pythons, Rainbow Boas, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, Tetraplex Digital PCR Assay, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Seeding the future: UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant secure $250K NOAA grant to cultivate seaweed aquaculture in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
November 12, 2024

Atlantic subtropical seaweed is making waves among scientists who are exploring its potential for economic and environmental benefits for the Sunshine State. The University of Florida and Florida Sea Grant have secured a $250,000 grant from ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: And Ecosystem Sciences, Angela Collins, Aquaculture, Aquaculture Farming, Aquaculture In Florida, Ashley Smyth, Business, Climate Change, Cultivation Of Seaweed, Dail Laughinghouse, Enterprise, Extension, Farmable Products, Florida Sea Grant, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Grant, Kelp, NOAA, Nori, Seaweed Farming, Soil, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Subtropical Seaweed, Tropical Research And Education Center, Tropical Seaweed, UF/IFAS, Water

UF researchers’ new outreach strategy succeeds, sets blueprint for detecting invasive species in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
October 28, 2024

Invasive species in Florida like Nile monitors and Argentine black-and-white tegus pose a growing threat to the Sunshine State’s environment, economy and public safety. South Florida’s warm climate, disturbed habitats and bustling pet ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Argentine Black And White Tegu, C-51 Basin, Climate Change, Cryptic Reptiles, Disturbed Habitats, EddMaps, Environment, Everglades, Florida Economy, Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), FLREC, Frank Mazzotti, FWC, Invasive Reptiles, Invasive Species In Florida, IVE-GOT1, Melissa Miller, Nile Monitor, Nile Monitors, Non-native, Palm Beach County, Pet Trade, Public Health In Florida, Reptiles, Scientific Reports, South Florida, Targeted Outreach, Tegu, UF Croc Docs, UF News, UF/IFAS Croc Docs, UF/IFAS Research

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