Tag: growers

Citizen scientists help UF researchers find best-tasting tomatoes

by Brad Buck
March 9, 2026

People with a green thumb for growing tomatoes are giving University of Florida scientists good data to help them find tastier tomatoes. Through a citizen science program, Denise Tieman, a UF/IFAS research associate professor of horticultural ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: Citizen Science, Cultivars, Denise Tieman, DNA, Flavor, Florida Tomato Conference, Gardeners, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticultural Sciences Department, Jessica Chitwood-Brown, Tomato Breeding, Tomatoes

Nov. 5: UF’s palm tree team brings science, solutions to South Florida at Palm Short Course in Davie and online

by Lourdes Mederos
May 7, 2026

Florida’s palm trees don’t just define the Sunshine State’s skylines. They are a cornerstone of the state’s environment and economy. Yet, pests, diseases and nutrient issues can make it tough to keep the many varieties healthy. To ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Conservation, Crops, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arborists, Conservation, Entomology And Nematology, Environmental Horticulture, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Growers, Horticultural Sciences, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Mica McMillan, News, Nutrients, Palm, Palm Disease, Palm Tree Short Course, Property Managers, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida

Nov. 5: UF’s palm tree team brings science, solutions to South Florida at Palm Short Course in Davie and online

by Lourdes Mederos
October 28, 2025

In the battle against citrus greening, consumers will tell growers their perceptions of genetic editing

by Brad Buck
March 9, 2026

With the citrus industry at a crossroads, growers are looking for any solution to cope with the deadly citrus greening disease. Scientists see genetic editing – and in particular CRISPR technology -- as one potential avenue to rescue Florida’s ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Health & Nutrition
Tags: Bachir Kassas, Biotechnology, Citrus, Consumers, CRISPR, Crop Transformation Center, Food And Resource Economics Department, Gene Editing, Genetic Modification, Growers, Orange Juice, Preferences, Study, Survey

Blueberries: A healthy, tasty snack from Florida farmers

by Brad Buck
March 9, 2026

As we head into the heart of Florida blueberry harvest season – March through May -- growers are shipping the fruit to market to meet statewide and national consumer demand. You can find Florida-grown berries in stores, farmer’s markets ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Health & Nutrition
Tags: Anthocyanin, Blueberry Breeding Program, Blueberry Season, Consumers, Doug Phillips, Grocery Stores, Growers, Harvest, Horticultural Sciences, Joshua Payne, Nutrition, Patricio Munoz, Registered Dietitian, Snack, Statewide Blueberry Extension Coordinator, U-pick, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

UF-led research reveals tomato disease spreading rapidly across continents

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Tomatoes represent a $1.9 billion annual crop, nationwide. They’re planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states, but diseases such as bacterial spot can ravage the popular crop. Bacterial diseases pose significant threats to food security ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Pests & Disease
Tags: Bacterial Spot, Bacterial Spot Disease Of Tomato, Continents, Erica Goss, Florida, Gary Vallad, Genes, Genetic, Genetic Variation, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Pathogen, Plant Breeders, Plant Pathology, Spread, Tomatoes, Travel, Xanthomonas Euvesicatoria Pathovar Perforans

Decoding blackberry DNA: UF study paves the way for enhanced breeding strategies and better berries for Florida farmers and consumers

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Disease-resistant and tastier blackberries could be on the horizon — thanks to new genetic research from the University of Florida. New University of Florida blackberry varieties could provide a boon for Florida farmers looking to rebound ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS
Tags: Blackberries, Breeding, Consumers, Disease Resistance, Environmental Horticulture, Flavorful, Genome, Genome Assembly, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Plant Breeding, Thornless, Zhanao Deng

University of Florida to be new host for major plant and animal breeding accelerator program

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

The University of Florida is the new home for an important partner in the effort to provide nutritious food for the nation and to keep farms competitive – a USDA-Agricultural Research Service-funded program called Breeding Insight (BI). The ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Livestock
Tags: #aiatuf, Animal Breeding, Artificial Intelligence, Breeding Insight, Crops, Damian Adams, Ecosystems, Food, Growers, High-performance Computing, Moira Sheehan, Plant Breeding, Prec-ag, Ranchers, Software, UF/IFAS Research

Florida strawberry season bursts with sweetness

by Brad Buck
March 6, 2026

Florida’s late fall and winter don’t just bring cooler, less humid weather. The seasons bring the sweet burst of locally grown strawberries. Juicy, vibrant and fresh from the fields, these Sunshine State gems are waiting for you at your ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS
Tags: Aroma, Consumers, Diseases, Ember, Encore, Flavor, Florida Strawberry Season, Genetics, Growers, Gulf Coast Research And Education Center, Horticultural Sciences, Pests, Pineberry, Plant Breeding, Strawberries, Strawberry Breeder, Strawberry Season, Vance Whitaker

Florida’s blueberry season means yummy fruit, courtesy of UF/IFAS and growers

by Brad Buck
March 17, 2026

Ready to pick your own blueberries or buy them at the grocery store? Florida’s blueberry season is here, so you’ll likely find a University of Florida variety near you. When you go to the supermarket, you won’t find blueberries labeled ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: 'Albus', 'Sentinel', Blueberries, Blueberry Season, Cutlivars, Doug Phillips, Flavors, Growers, Patricio Munoz, UF Sensory Lab

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