Category: Work & Life

A Bluebird on Your Shoulder

by Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer
September 11, 2026

Written by MGV Paula Bleakley The phrase “bluebird on your shoulder” symbolizes happiness or good fortune. Who doesn’t smile when they see a picture of a chubby little bluebird in its pretty orange vest? But having one in your own backyard ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Attracting Bluebirds, Bird Baths, Eastern Bluebirds, Nest Building

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

¿Por qué convertirse en un arbolista puede ayudar?

by Giuseppe Di Giacinto
September 11, 2026

Si trabajas en la industria verde, probablemente ya tienes experiencia con plantas, paisajismo, poda y mantenimiento de árboles. Pero ¿alguna vez has pensado en llevar tus conocimientos sobre los árboles al siguiente nivel? Convertirse ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Arborist, Español, Professional Development, Trees

Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – September 2026

by Sarah Davis
September 11, 2026

Read below to learn about Sarasota County’s council, club, and state-wide updates. Feel free to reach out to 4-H@scgov.net if you have any questions or need more information. Refer to this link for previous monthly updates: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2026/04/06/sarasota-4-h-county-council-and-club-updates-april-2026/ Club ... READ MORE

Category: Work & Life
fox squirrel perched in on a pine tree branch

Florida Land Steward Update, September 11, 2026

by Chris Demers
September 11, 2026

  APPLY FOR THE SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM Apply by October 9, 2026 Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program through October 9. The program ... 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 Landowner Academy, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Recovery, Hurricane Season, Landowner Assistance, Loblolly Pine, NRCS, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southeast Silviculture Library, Southern Pine Beetle, Tree Farm

Cauliflower: A White Vegetable

by Brenda Marty-Jimenez
September 11, 2026

Fall is a great time to enjoy cauliflower! This versatile vegetable is a nutritious addition to meals and can be prepared in many different ways. Cauliflower is most commonly white, but did you know it can also be orange, green, and purple? What ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
Tags: Antioxidants, Benefits Of Dietary Fiber, Cauliflower, Cauliflower Can Be Orange Or Purple, Cauliflower Rice, Cruciferous, Dietary Fiber, Eat Fiber Rich Foods, Eating Pattern, Enjoy Vegetables, Food Safety, Variety Of Vegetables, Vegetables, Ways To Prepare Cauliflower, Your Eating Pattern Over Time Matters
A low-lying area of green grass with a black swath indicating diesel contamination.

Could AI Help Find Diesel Contamination in Soil After a Hurricane?

by Mike Loizzo
September 10, 2026

The aftermath of a hurricane or major storm is easy to see in an agricultural or coastal region. The physical damage includes flooded roads and buildings, downed trees and disrupted infrastructure. However, some of the biggest environmental ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Brierra Mack, Diesel Contamination, Disaster Recovery, Environmental Emergency Response, Hurricane, Nikos Tziolas, Soil Science, Soil Science Artificial Intelligence, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

Asparagus: A Fresh and Nutritious Vegetable

by Brenda Marty-Jimenez
September 10, 2026

It is the perfect time to enjoy fresh asparagus! I just ordered a side dish of grilled asparagus last week, at a restaurant, and it was wonderful. These bright green spears are not only delicious but also provide important nutrients that can ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
Tags: Asparagus, Balanced Nutrition, Broward, Broward County, Cook, Diet, Dietary Fiber, Eating For Good Health, Extension, Fiber, Florida, Food Safety, Good Nutrition, Health, Nutrition, Vegetables
Gloved hands labeling petri dishes. UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones

Are food recalls becoming more common? UF food expert puts recalls into perspective

by Lourdes Mederos
September 10, 2026

Recent recalls involving eggs and salmonella-linked jalapeños, along with investigations into cyclospora and other produce-related illnesses have fueled concerns by consumers that food recalls are becoming more frequent. While the steady ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, Food Safety, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Cyclospora, Featured, Food Recalls, Food Safety, Food Supply, Foodborne Pathogens, Keith Schneider, News, Outbreak, Salmonella

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