Tag: Rolando Negron

Rethinking Florida Green Spaces: A Meadow-Based Approach

by Rolando Negron
May 13, 2026

In a state where traditional lawns often struggle with heat, sandy soils, and heavy rains, more people are starting to rethink what a “healthy” landscape really looks like. The Florida Meadow Manual: Creating and Maintaining Resilient Green ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications
Tags: Ecological Landscaping, Florida Meadow Landscaping, Florida Meadow Manual, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Green Infrastructure Florida, Meadow Gardens Florida, Native Plants Florida, Native Wildflowers Florida, Pollinator Habitat Florida, Resilient Landscapes Florida, Rolando Negron, Sustainable Landscaping Florida, UF IFAS Bookstore, University Press Of Florida

The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project: Growing More Than Vegetables

by Rolando Negron
April 21, 2026

What if a school garden could do more than grow vegetables? What if it could build awareness, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the challenges some communities face every day? That’s the idea behind The Not-So-Perfect Garden ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Children's Books, Classroom Resources, Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Food Insecurity, Garden Education, Garden-based Learning, Gardening, Kids Learning, Nutrition Education, Rolando Negron, School Gardens, UF IFAS Bookstore, Youth Education, Youth Gardening, Youth Programs

Blueberries, Beyond the Bowl: 50 Recipes to Try Something New

by Rolando Negron
March 31, 2026

There’s something about blueberries that feels familiar. Maybe it’s a summer afternoon, a family picnic, or a slice of homemade pie that brings it all back. That balance of tart and sweet has a way of sticking with us. But blueberries ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications
Tags: Berry Recipes, Blueberry Baking Recipes, Blueberry Breakfast Recipes, Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, Blueberry Cookbook, Blueberry Dessert Recipes, Blueberry Desserts, Blueberry Drink Recipes, Blueberry Pie Recipes, Blueberry Recipe Ideas, Blueberry Recipes Cookbook, Cooking With Blueberries, Cooking With Fresh Fruit, Creative Blueberry Recipes, Easy Blueberry Recipes, Fresh Blueberry Recipes, Fruit Recipes Cookbook, Healthy Blueberry Recipes, Homemade Blueberry Recipes, Julia Rutland Cookbook, Recipes With Blueberries, Rolando Negron, Seasonal Recipes, Summer Fruit Recipes, UF IFAS Bookstore

Growing a Greener Future: Exploring Agroecology at School and at Home

by Rolando Negron
March 11, 2026

What does it look like when farming works with nature instead of against it? That’s the question at the heart of Growing a Greener Future: Agroecology Activity Book, a hands-on resource developed by Zach Brym, Associate Professor with the ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Agriculture Education, Agroecology, Agroecology Activity Book, Biodiversity Education, Classroom Resources, Compost Education, Ecosystem Activities, Elementary Science Activities, Environmental Education, Farm To School Resources, Florida BEST Standards, Food Systems Education, Homeschool Science, Pollinators, Rolando Negron, School Garden Curriculum, Science Activity Book, Soil Health, STEM For Kids, Sustainable Farming, UF IFAS Bookstore, Zach Brym

Marty the Mussel: A Tiny River Hero with a Big Story to Tell

by Rolando Negron
March 11, 2026

What if one of the most important guardians of our waterways was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand? Meet Marty, a freshwater mussel with an important job. Tucked into the riverbed, Marty spends his days quietly filtering water and ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Aquatic Ecosystems, Ashley Ruiz, Children’s Science Book, Conservation For Kids, Ecosystem Education, Environmental Science For Kids, Eutrophication, Freshwater Ecosystems, Freshwater Mussels, Marty The Mussel, Nature Books For Children, River Animals For Kids, River Wildlife, Rolando Negron, STEM For Kids, UF IFAS Bookstore, Water Quality
Coastal garden near a marina.

Landscape Plants for the Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts: Selection, Establishment, and Maintenance

by Rolando Negron
March 4, 2026

Designing for Life on the Coast Coastal gardening isn’t for the faint of heart. Salt spray, sandy soils, intense sun, high winds, humidity, and even the occasional cold snap can quickly challenge both new and experienced gardeners. ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications
Tags: Coastal Gardening, Environmental Horticulture, Florida Landscaping, Gardening, Gulf Coast Plants, Landscape Maintenance, Rolando Negron, Salt Tolerant Plants, South Atlantic Plants, Sustainable Landscaping, UF IFAS Bookstore, University Of Florida Horticulture, Waterfront Landscaping
Front view on an energy efficient home construction.

Build for Florida’s Climate: Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida

by Rolando Negron
February 16, 2026

Build Smarter for Florida’s Climate Anyone who’s lived through a Florida summer knows that energy bills can climb fast. That’s why Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida, 11th Edition, now available through ... READ MORE

Category: , UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Builders And Contractors, Building Performance, Construction Best Practices, Contractor Exam Preparation, Energy Efficient Construction, Energy-efficient Homes, Florida Building Code, Florida Climate Design, Florida Energy Codes, Florida’s Climate, Green Building Florida, HVAC And Insulation, Lesly Jerome, Nicholas Taylor, Program For Resource Efficient Communities, Rolando Negron, Sustainable Building Practices, UF Center For Land Use Efficiency, UF IFAS Bookstore, University Of Florida Publications
People watch a cattle show at a county fair, surrounded by livestock, stands, and an audience enjoying the festive atmosphere.

A Heifer for Sophia: Celebrating Curiosity, Friendship, and First-Time 4-H Adventures

by Rolando Negron
January 12, 2026

Sometimes, all it takes is one spark to ignite a lifelong passion. For young Sophia, that moment comes on a sunny afternoon while she watches her brother’s baseball game.“I do love animals. I wish I could do something with them,” she ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: 4-H Book, 4-H Story, A Heifer For Sophia, Children’s Book, Chris DeCubellis, Dairy Heifer, Farm Animals, Farm Book, Florida 4-H, Kids Agriculture, Kids Fair Book, Livestock, Rolando Negron, UF IFAS Books, UF IFAS Bookstore, Youth Book
Image of the UF community gardens featuring rows of various vegetables. The UF Bat houses can be see in the back.

Vegetable Gardening in Florida: A Practical Guide That Actually Works

by Rolando Negron
January 8, 2026

If you garden in Florida, you already know the rules are different, and that’s exactly where Vegetable Gardening in Florida shines. This affordable, full-color paperback is designed specifically for growing vegetables and edible herbs in Florida’s ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Extension Resources, Florida Gardening, Florida Vegetables, Gardening Guides, Home Gardening, Rolando Negron, UF IFAS Books, UF IFAS Bookstore, UF/IFAS Publications, Vegetable Gardening
Section from the This or That cover page highlighting two of the commonly confused species included in the ID guide.

This or That? A Beginner’s Guide to Commonly Misidentified Animals and Plants in Florida

by Rolando Negron
December 12, 2025

See the Difference: Florida’s Look-Alike Species Made Simple Is that a cormorant or an anhinga? An alligator or a crocodile? Poison ivy or Virginia creeper? If you’ve ever hesitated before answering, This or That? A Beginner’s Guide to ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, , Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Communications, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Environmental Education, Field Guides, Florida Animals, Florida Ecosystems, Florida Nature, Florida Plants, Florida Wildlife, Invasive Species Florida, Native Species Florida, Rolando Negron, Species Identification, UF IFAS Books, UF IFAS Bookstore, UF/IFAS Publications, Wildlife Identification Guide

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