Category: Work & Life

Teen sits ate welcome table.

A New 4-H Year Begins in Wakulla


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
stormy skies with palms and flag in foreground

Florida Land Steward Update, August 28, 2026


August 28, 2026

  HURRICANE SEASON IS RAMPING UP. ARE YOU READY? We are keeping an eye on Dolly, the next named tropical storm in the Atlantic. We’ve learned the hard way in recent years that powerful hurricanes can make their way inland and ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Cogongrass, Drought, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Health, Forest Landowner Academy, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Landowner Assistance, Loblolly Pine, NRCS, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Wild Turkey
A child stands near a representative's desk inside the Florida House of Representatives chamber. Several visitors and rows of desks with nameplates, microphones, and small American flags are visible, with framed portraits and historic artwork displayed around the room.

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


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

One Yard Can Inspire a Community: Karma Thomson Earns Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Gold Recognition


August 26, 2026

A landscape can be more than a beautiful view from the street. It can conserve water, support wildlife, protect Florida’s natural resources, and inspire an entire community. UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County is proud to recognize Karma Thomson, ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Recreation, UF/IFAS
Tags: Extension, Florida Friendly Landscape, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County
A collage of four images depicting grocery shopping: a mother and daughter selecting produce, a top view of fresh groceries, a young man examining items in a store, and a woman with a child holding shopping bags.

Back-to-School Meals and Snacks: Part 3 – Becoming a Savvy Shopper


August 26, 2026

Becoming a Savvy Shopper Grocery shopping can be a balancing act between figuring out which options are healthier, navigating rising food costs, and being in a time crunch. Today, I want to share some smart shopping strategies that prioritize ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Family & Consumer Sciences, Food, Jessica Alfonso- Rodriguez, Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Extension, Nutrition, Nutrition Facts Label, Parents, South Florida, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade
The South Florida 4-H TechGarage Solar Car Team celebrates together in Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway before setting out across Texas. o Pictured from left: Gavin Vilarchao, Oliver Collins, Lars Erik Wiik, Saakshar Patel, Caiden Douglas-Jacques, Zayn Zyoud, Tomas Negron, Sam Merlin, Aiden Phipps, Emily Herman, Jose Moncada, Emily Boudreaux, Harley Duarte, and Makayla Derival. o Photo by Allan Phipps

4-H goes solar: South Florida teens build a national championship-winning solar car earning a national title


August 26, 2026

A 14-member team of South Florida teenagers is redefining what workforce development looks like through 4-H at UF/IFAS Extension Broward and Palm Beach counties. Instead of raising livestock or growing vegetables, these students are designing, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Professional Development, UF/IFAS, Work & Life
Tags: Engineering, Florida 4-H, STEM, TechGarage Solar Car Club, Top News, UF/IFAS Extension, Workforce Development, Youth
Dense green mangrove trees line a calm waterway, with their reflection mirrored on the still water beneath a clear blue sky.

Mangroves: Nature’s Coastal Defenders and Climate Champions


August 25, 2026

From protecting communities during storms to helping combat climate change, mangroves provide some of the most valuable ecosystem services on Earth. Understanding these benefits highlights why protecting and restoring mangrove forests is important ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Coastal Habitat, Conservation, Environment, Florida Sea Grant, Resiliency, Water Quality, Wildlife
Professional lawn care worker mowing a healthy green residential lawn, with a landscaping service truck and maintained shrubs in the background

How to Choose the Right Green Industry Professional for Your Lawn and Landscape


August 24, 2026

Your lawn and landscape are an investment. A healthy yard can increase your home's value, save water, and make your property more enjoyable. But choosing the right company is important. The lowest price is not always the best value. A trained ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Choosing A Lawn Care Company, Environmental Protection, FDACS, Fertilization, Fertilizer Certification, Florida Homeowners, Florida Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, FNGLA, Gardening In The Panhandle, GI-BMP, Green Industries Best Management Practices, Hiring A Landscaper, Home Landscaping, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, Irrigation, ISA Certified Arborist, Landscape Design, Landscape Maintenance, Landscape Professionals, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Professionals, Panhandle Gardening, Pest Management, Pesticide Licensing, Pesticide Safety, Plant Health, Professional Lawn Care, UF/IFAS Extension, Water Conservation, Weed Control

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