Category: Professional Development

A wide view of the ocean at sunset shows the sun low on the horizon casting warm orange light across the sky. Gentle waves ripple across the water, reflecting shades of gold and blue. A small boat appears as a silhouette near the center of the horizon, with another faint vessel visible farther to the left.

Self-Compassion Practices: Be Kind to Yourself

by Angelika Keene
June 4, 2026

Everywhere we turn, social media, influencers, and even health professionals are offering endless advice on how to practice self‑care. Most of it centers on outward habits like getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying active. These routines ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Community Volunteers, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Professional Development, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Work & Life
Tags: Balance Not Perfection, Be Kind To Yourself, Growth Mindset, Healthy Mindset, Mental Health Matters, Resilience, Self Compassion, Stress Management, Wellbeing Journey
An image of a group of people standing together in front of a large oak tree after a class.

Meet Kristen Sturgeon: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements
June 3, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Kristen Sturgeon Meet Kristen Sturgeon, an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. In this ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers

Microbiology and Cell Science Students Visit Washington, D.C. in Inaugural ‘Study America’ Trip

by Dana Saunders
May 28, 2026

The inaugural Study America trip included 13 graduate students from both UF’s Department of Microbiology and Cell Science along with participants from the College of Pharmacy. The experience was open to master’s and doctoral students. ... READ MORE

Category: Professional Development,
Tags: Department Of Microbiology And Cell Science, Microbiology And Cell Science, University Of Florida
Master Gardener volunteer planting. Photo taken 05-15-23.

What’s New on Ask IFAS: Agricultural Education and Communication (Mar.–Apr. 2026)

by Amanda Quintos
May 15, 2026

Utilizing a Four Frame Approach to Provide Best Practices in FFA Programs Savannah J. Scott, Matthew Sowcik, and Debra M. Barry. The National FFA Organization was started nearly a century ago by a group of young farmers to prepare future generations ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Horticulture, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Competencias Interculturales, Demonstration Gardens, Facilitation, Ffa, Interpretive Signage, Leadership
The ForestSAT 2026 group photo, showing a gathering of people in a conference room in front and on a podium with large screens on the wall on each side.

Successful ForestSAT 2026 more than its parts

by Wes Wolfe
May 14, 2026

It would have been enough just to get together and see everyone. “Sometimes we get so busy with deadlines, right?” asked ForestSAT 2026 organizer Inacio Bueno, Ph.D. “Papers, coding, … work, meetings and other things — proposals ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Forests, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS
Tags: Austin Cary Forest, Forest, Forest Carbon, Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Forest Health, Forest Management, Forestry, ForestSAT, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, SFFGS, SilvaLab, Trees
Florida with magnifying glass and insect

May 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector

by Morgan Pinkerton
May 4, 2026

Recap of May 2026 First Friday with Florida First Detector In May, we dove into the basics of nematodes. While many nematodes are free-living and play beneficial roles in soil ecosystems, others are parasitic and can cause significant damage ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Early Detection, Eradication, FFD25-26, FloridaFirstDetector, Nematodes, SeminoleCountyAg
Graphic cutout of Dr. Katherine Sims on a blue gradient background.

Dr. Katherine Sims is a Rising Star at the University of Florida

by Jessica Alday
April 27, 2026

Dr. Katherine Sims, Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, received the Rising Star award from the University of Florida Center for Teaching Excellence. The Rising Star Award honors ... READ MORE

Category: Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Department Of Family Youth And Community Sciences, Family Youth And Community Sciences Faculty, Family Youth And Community Sciences News

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