Category: Agriculture
Can invasive plants increase tick exposure risk? Scientists reveal a surprising link to human health
November 12, 2025
An invasive grass found on almost every continent and considered a pest in 73 countries isn’t just weeding out native plants, it is creating a haven for disease-carrying ticks and raising public health risk concerns. A new University of ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Research, WildlifeTags: Agronomy Department, Ask IFAS, Cogongrass, Conservation Efforts, Disease, Drew Hiatt, Entomology And Nematology, Forest, Health, Human, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasion Science, Invasion Science Institute, Invasive Species, Lakeland, Lime Disease, Luke Flory, Mosquito, News, Rick, Southeast United States, Tick-borne, U.S> Forestry Service, UF, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida
Porterweed Rust
November 12, 2025
Sometimes nature can be quite beautiful. This is rust (Puccinia urbaniana) infecting native porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis). If you look closely, you can even see tiny fly larvae feeding on the spores of the rust fungus.Rust is a type ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS TeachingTags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Horticulture, Manatee County, Manatee County Extension
Thank You to Our Veterans–With a Touch of Green
November 12, 2025
Many of us reach out to veterans we know each November and thank them for their service. In September, 2023 a group of nurses at the Veterans' Affairs Outpatient Clinic on Jefferson Street in Jacksonville went beyond that. Noticing that ... READ MORE
Category: , HorticultureTags: Community Gardens, Edible Garden, Vegetable Gardening, Veterans
New Air Potato Beetle Species Release
November 11, 2025
They are small but mighty. A new species of air potato beetle is being reared and released in Florida to wage war against the invasive air potato vine. First, a little background on the enemy. The air potato vine was introduced in Florida ... READ MORE
Category: , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & DiseaseTags: Air Potato Beetle, Air Potato Vine, Invasive Plant, Invasive Species
We all know Florida weather can turn fast. Let’s talk about!
November 10, 2025
As I write this, with temperatures at 52°F, I pray that all growers and nurseries are not adversely affected by the harsh cold weather. It may be a bit late in the season, but we know that the weather is beyond our control. This sudden ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, UF/IFAS Extension,Tags: Cold Weather, Freeze, Weather
Fresh Picks: The Month’s Classes
November 10, 2025
We’ve got something new for you! Each month, we’ll be sharing a quick look at the classes and workshops happening at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. Think of it as your go-to guide for learning something new, meeting neighbors, and ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Events, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Money Matters, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & LifeTags: Classes, Events, Extension Education, Learning, Ocextension, Orangecountyfl, UFIFASExtension
Enhancing Small Ruminant Production through Cool-Season Forage Integration
November 10, 2025
Integrating cool-season forages into small ruminant production offers numerous benefits, including improved pasture utilization, enhanced animal performance, and greater overall system sustainability. Cool-season forages thrive in cooler temperatures ... READ MORE
Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS TeachingTags: Animal Efficiency, Animal Performance, Cool Season Forage, Flock, Forages, Herd, Management Tips, Pasture, Pasture Utilization, Small Ruminant, System Sustainability
November 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector
November 10, 2025
Recap of November 2025 First Friday with Florida First Detector This month’s Florida First Detector webinar took a closer look at Hymenoptera. This is an order of insects that includes wasps, bees, ants, hornets, and sawflies. Hymenopterans ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS ExtensionTags: Bees, Biosecurity, Early Detection, Eradication, FFD25-26, FloridaFirstDetector, Honeybees, Hornet, SeminoleCountyAg, Wasp
The Farm: Sarasota County Schools and Agriculture
November 10, 2025
By the time of mid-June, I had the privilege of touring a farm owned by the Sarasota County School District. Forty acres of land, and right in the center of suburbia, this farm serves to be one of the last examples of old Sarasota, Florida. Kate ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Camp, Clubs & Volunteers, Curriculum, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS TeachingTags: 4-H, Agriculture, Pgm_4H, Sarasota County Extension, Youth Education