Category: Work & Life

A field of cogongrass - ubiquitous in a field.

Can invasive plants increase tick exposure risk? Scientists reveal a surprising link to human health

by Lourdes Mederos
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, Wildlife
Tags: 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
Children with dog toys.

4-H Pet Pals Club Provides Spark for Youth Entrepreneurs to Give Back

by Dr. Rachel Pienta
November 10, 2025

The Wakulla 4-H Pet Pals meets monthly to learn about pets and pet care. Club meetings include craft activities and guest speakers. Members can volunteer at the local Animal Shelter as an ongoing service project. In October, the club meeting ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Work & Life
Tags: Animals, Dog Toys, Donations, Pets, Volunteering, Youth Entrepreneurship, Youth Spark
HiPerGator AI supercomputer at the University of Florida.

PreventiGators research team wins HiPerGator Pioneering Research Award During UF AI Days

by Jessica Alday
November 10, 2025

Researchers in the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences are investigating factors that may lead teens to tobacco addiction in adulthood, and their AI-powered research is making waves. During the University of Florida’s ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Addiction, AI, AI Research, Artificial Intelligence, Department Of Family Youth And Community Sciences, Family Youth And Community Sciences, HiPerGator, Prevention Science, Tobacco Use, UF AI Days

Fresh Picks: The Month’s Classes

by Chris Weber
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 & Life
Tags: Classes, Events, Extension Education, Learning, Ocextension, Orangecountyfl, UFIFASExtension

Florida Land Steward Update, November 7, 2025

by Chris Demers
November 7, 2025

2026 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD WALL CALENDARS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON! It's that time of the year! An annual Holiday tradition, the Florida Land Steward wall calendar features beautiful photography, our Florida Land Steward Landowner of the Year, ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Disaster Preparation, Forests, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Recreation, SFYL Hot Topic, Water, Wildlife
Tags: 2025 Calendar, Award, Family Forest, Florida Land Steward Program, Forest Carbon, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Season, Invasive Species, Landowner Assistance, Natural Resources, Online Course, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences, Southern Pine Beetle, Tree Farm, Wildlife
Holiday table

Finding Balance: Eating Healthy During the Holiday Season Without Missing Out

by Lori Wiggins
November 5, 2025

The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and yes, plenty of delicious food. Between festive parties, family gatherings, and holiday baking, it’s easy to fall into the “all or nothing” mindset: either indulge in everything ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Cooking, Exercise, Family, Florida, Health, Healthy, Nutrition

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: A Birthday Wish to End Hunger

by Jasi Romero
November 5, 2025

From Presents to Peanut Butter, A Gift That Gives Back In a world where small acts of kindness can ripple into big changes, one young girl in Polk County is proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. Meet London Brandt, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Charity, Donate, Featured, Featured Hot Topic, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Food Banks, Food Pantries, PBChallenge, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Polk County, PolkExtension, PolkPBChallenge, Spread The Love, Spread The Peanut Butter

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories