Category: Relationships & Family

How trying something new helps youth build confidence, resilience, and life skills

by Dr. Rachel Pienta
July 9, 2026

A familiar moment in youth learning In the Wakulla 4-H program, youth are invited into experiences they may never have tried before. They may learn to safely handle a chicken for a poultry show, light charcoal for a tailgating competition, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Curriculum, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: 4-H Youth Development, Experiential Learning, Parenting, Zone Of Proximal Development

Free family literacy and nutrition program expands statewide reach, adds Type 2 diabetes prevention

by Meredith Bauer-Mitchell
July 2, 2026

The UF Books & Cooks literacy and nutrition program is expanding to more counties and will include information on Type 2 diabetes prevention. Participants say the program has boosted their children’s reading abilities and opened ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Books & Cooks, Literacy, New Worlds Reading Institute, Nutrition, UF Lastinger Center For Learning

Protecting Pets from New World Screwworm Webinar

by Kalyn Waters
June 30, 2026

As concerns continue to grow over the threat of New World screwworm, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County is partnering with UF/IFAS Extension Walton and Escambia Counties to offer a free educational webinar to help pet owners prepare, recognize ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Home Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, Relationships & Family,
Tags: Living Well In The Panhandle, Panhandle Agriculture

Enjoy a Safe and Healthy Summer

by Leigh Grubbs
June 26, 2026

Summer is finally here! It's the season of family vacations, backyard barbecues, picnics in the park, days at the beach, gardening projects, and plenty of time spent outdoors. While summer is full of opportunities to make memories with family ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Family, Florida, Health, Healthy, Physical Activity, Recreation, Summer, Summer Safety, UF/IFAS Extension

The Heartbeat of Hillsborough: Celebrating Our 2026 4-H Award Winners

by ambernorris
June 25, 2026

Every thriving community has a heartbeat—driven by people who show up, step out of their comfort zones, and quietly work behind the scenes to make the world around them a better place. In 4-H, we talk a lot about the four H’s: Head, Heart, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , Events, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Florida 4-H, Geomatics Extension, Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Extension Office, School Of Forest Fisheries And Geomatics Sciences

Every Count Counts: Why Local Pollinator Observations Matter

by Lauren Spaduzzi
June 16, 2026

When people think of scientific research, they often picture Bunsen burners, beakers, and scientists in white lab coats hunched over microscopes. But some of the most valuable data comes from community members observing the world around ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Central Florida, Citizen Science, Citizen Scientist, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Great Florida Pollinator Census, Greatsoutheastpollinatorcensus, Hillsborough, Hillsborough County, UF/IFAS Extension, Youth

Don’t let the ‘summer slide’ slow down learning; experts share fun options to fuel young minds

by Lourdes Mederos
June 11, 2026

Summer break has arrived for kids. A time for fun, freedom and family vacation. It can also be a time when academic skills fade away. With nearly 3 million students enrolled in Florida public schools, University of Florida experts at ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Blog Community, Camp, Clubs & Volunteers, Events, Professional Development, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: 4-H, 4-H Camp To Go, 4-H Programs, 4-H Summer Camps, Adventure, Adventures, Backyard Fun, Bonnie Wells, Citizen Science, David Hafner, Español, Exploring, Gardening, INaturalist App, Learning Opportunities, Lynsey Occenac, Outdoor Adventures, Science, Spanish, STEM, Summer, Summer Slide, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, UF/IFAS Extension Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County, University Of Florida, Vacation, Young, Youth

Small Moves, Big Benefits: The Power of Short Bursts of Activity

by Leigh Grubbs
June 11, 2026

Many people believe that improving their health requires spending hours at the gym or completing long, intense workouts. While structured exercise certainly has benefits, research continues to show that small bursts of movement throughout the ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Exercise, Family, Florida, Health, Healthy, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Taylor County, UF/IFAS Extension

Stay Hydrated This Summer: Why Water Matters More Than Ever

by Lori Wiggins
June 5, 2026

As temperatures rise during the summer months, staying hydrated becomes one of the most important things we can do to protect our health. Whether you're working outdoors, enjoying recreational activities, gardening, attending community events, ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Family, Florida, Health, Healthy, Hydration, Nutrition, Taylor County, UF/IFAS Extension, Water

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

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