Category: Community Volunteers

More Than an Itch: Protecting Your Home and Family From Mosquitoes

by Sara MacDonald
September 21, 2026

For many Floridians, mosquitoes are simply part of spending time outdoors. But a mosquito bite can be more than an annoyance. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases, including dengue, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. Recent dengue ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: (MGV), Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

Found an Invasive Plant? Here’s What to Do Next

by Sara MacDonald
September 18, 2026

Once homeowners learn what invasive plants are, they often start seeing their own yards differently. A plant they have grown for years may suddenly raise a new question: Could this be invasive? And if it is, the next question is usually: “How ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, IPM, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

The Power of Volunteers: Making a Difference Through Extension

by Lori Wiggins
September 17, 2026

Volunteers are at the heart of UF/IFAS Extension Taylor County. They give their time, share their knowledge and step forward when help is needed. While much of their work happens quietly behind the scenes, their collective impact can be seen ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #TaylorCounty, 4-H, Family, Florida, Florida Master Gardener Volunteers, Marine Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, Volunteer

How Much Water Can a Rain Barrel Really Save You in Florida?

by Lorna Bravo
September 11, 2026

One good South Florida downpour can fill a 55-gallon rain barrel from just a small slice of your roof. Rain barrels are an easy, inexpensive way to catch that "free" water and use it on your yard — trimming your irrigation bill and keeping ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life

Engaging Youth with Gardening and Life Lessons at R.C. Bannerman Learning Center

by Wayne Hobbs
September 10, 2026

What started as an unused tennis court is now an thriving garden oasis in the middle of Green Cove Springs, Florida thanks to the dedication of the Master Gardener Volunteers with the University of Florida/IFAS Clay County Extension along with ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Herb Garden, Horticulture, Landscaping, Master Gardener Volunteer, Youth As Scientists

¿Ha oído hablar del avispón de patas amarillas? Lo que los propietarios de viviendas en Florida deben saber

by Sara MacDonald
September 9, 2026

Si disfruta pasar tiempo en su jardín, probablemente ha visto una buena cantidad de abejas, avispas y avispones. Pero ¿qué haría si encontrara un insecto que pareciera un avispón de patas amarillas? El avispón de patas amarillas (Vespa ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Invasive, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County, UFIFASEnEspañol

Pollinators keep a later calendar in human-modified landscapes — A UF study explains the phenomenon

by Lourdes Mederos
September 9, 2026

Human development may be changing more than where pollinators live — it may also be changing when they are active. University of Florida researchers at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) found that pollinator ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Forests, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Citizen Science, Conservation, Ecology, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Human Development, Inaturalist, Nature, Pollinators, Special Topics, UF-IFAS

Piense antes de fumigar: Cómo usar el Manejo Integrado de Plagas en su paisaje de Florida

by Sara MacDonald
September 4, 2026

¿Vio un insecto en su planta? No lo fumigue todavía. Encontrar un insecto en su planta favorita puede ser preocupante. Quizás se pregunte: “¿Está dañando mi planta?” o “¿Cómo puedo eliminarlo?”. Antes de buscar un pesticida, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: (MGV), Español, Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County

A New 4-H Year Begins in Wakulla

by Dr. Rachel Pienta
August 30, 2026

At the Wakulla 4-H Open House, the new club year did not begin with a speech. It began with music, conversation, curious questions and the unmistakable energy of young people discovering what they might try next. On Saturday, Aug. 29, close ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Conservation, Curriculum, Events, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: 4-H Clubs, 4-H Youth Development, Volunteers

A Full-Circle Moment: From Curious Kid to Extension Agent

by morganyoder
August 27, 2026

Did you know that youth who participate in organized group activities often develop a stronger sense of belonging, greater confidence, and leadership skills that can positively influence their future? I can personally attest to that. Recently, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #lifestyles, 4-H, Agriculture, Brevard County, Careers, Future, Hobbies, Personalities, Values, Youth, Youth Development

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