Tag: cover crops

Tomatoes ripening on vines in a greenhouse.

UF scientists plan to study whether cover crops or compost can increase the efficiency, resiliency of tomatoes, other produce

by Brad Buck
March 11, 2026

Growers are always looking for ways to maintain or increase their yields and boost the ability of their crops to resist pests, diseases and heat brought on by climate change. That’s particularly the case when you grow crops in a high-intensity ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Climate, Compost, Cover Crops, Fertilizer, Fumigation, Grant, High-intensity Production System, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, Sarah Strauss, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center, Tomatoes

Setting the table: UF/IFAS ‘Food is Medicine’ farm shows how culturally relevant crops can strengthen agriculture

by Lourdes Mederos
May 5, 2026

In South Florida, a new University of Florida initiative is bringing the concept of “Food is Medicine” to life by helping farmers grow nutrient-dense, culturally relevant crops that reflect the region’s diverse consumer preference. That ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alternate Crops, Asian, Caribbean, Community Engagement, Consumer Demand, Cover Crops, Crops, Culturally Relevant Crops, Food Is Medicine, Growers, Harvest, Homestead, Latin American, Nutrient Dense, Producers, Production Systems, South Florida, Sustainable Farming, Sustainable Farming Practices, Tropical Research And Education Center, U-pick, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, Vegetable Garden
Participants evaluate and explore diverse ethnic vegetable crops and varieties during the field day. Photo credit: Laura Vasquez

Setting the table: UF/IFAS ‘Food is Medicine’ farm shows how culturally relevant crops can strengthen agriculture

by Lourdes Mederos
April 28, 2026

In South Florida, a new University of Florida initiative is bringing the concept of “Food is Medicine” to life by helping farmers grow nutrient-dense, culturally relevant crops that reflect the region’s diverse consumer preference. That ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Blog Community, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alternate Crops, Asian, Caribbean, Community Engagement, Consumer Demand, Cover Crops, Crops, Culturally Relevant Crops, Food Is Medicine, Growers, Harvest, Homestead, Latin American, Nutrient Dense, Producers, Production Systems, South Florida, Sustainable Farming, Sustainable Farming Practices, Tropical Research And Education Center, U-pick, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, Vegetable Garden

Graduate student examines nitrogen release dynamics, potential soil health benefits of cover crops

by Mike Loizzo
April 13, 2026

Precious Nyabami, a master's student in the UF/IFAS department of soil, water, and ecosystem sciences, is studying cover crops’ impact on soil health and nutrient management. The focus is on nitrogen (N). She wants to understand N release ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Archive, Cover Crops, Nitrogen, Precious Nyabami, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Yang Lin
a small patch of cover crops at a farm

Researchers investigate summer cover crops in organic vegetable production

by Mike Loizzo
April 13, 2026

The use of cover crops between growing seasons can improve nutrient cycling and soil health among other things. Researchers in the UF/IFAS soil and water sciences department (SWS) conducted a study on the benefits of a summer cover crop in organic ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Archive, Cover Crops, Field And Fork, Gabriel Maltais-Landry, John Allar, Soil And Water Sciences Department, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences
Close-up of teal plastic net berry boxes containing strawberries, blueberries, and possibly a mango or an apple.

What’s New on Ask IFAS: Food and Resource Economics (Nov.–Dec.)

by Susan Gildersleeve
January 9, 2026

Agricultural Conservation Easement Programs: A Quick Reference Guide Candace Lantz, Nathan Palardy, Derek Farnsworth, Alena Poulin. This quick reference guide to federal, state, and county agricultural conservation easement acquisition programs ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: Agricultural Conservation Easement Programs, Blueberry, Citrus, Consumer Behavior, Consumer Preferances, Cover Crops, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center
Citrus grove. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

What’s New on Ask IFAS: UF/IFAS Citrus REC (Nov.–Dec.)

by Amanda Quintos
January 8, 2026

Blood Oranges in Florida: Facts, Challenges, and Considerations Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, Frederick G. Gmitter, and Jeffrey K. Brecht. This publication explores the potential for blood orange cultivation in Florida and discusses the ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Pests & Disease
Tags: Blood Oranges, Citrus Cultural Practices, Citrus Research And Education Center, Cover Crops, Horticultural Sciences, Postharvest And Handling, Soil Microbes, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences
small yellow flowers bloom on sunn hemp in a field of sandy soil.

Cover Crops in Sandy Soil: Legumes and Grasses Differ in Nitrogen Cycling

by Mike Loizzo
October 29, 2025

Florida’s sandy soils typically have low organic matter and high permeability. That means a greater risk of nutrient leaching before a plant or tree can use what it needs. Cover crops are an option for improving soil fertility because they ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Carbon, Cover Crops, Inorganic Nitrogen, Juma Bukomba, Legumes, Mary Lusk, Nitrogen, Sandy Soils, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Sorghum, Sudangrass, Sunn Hemp

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