Tag: U.S. Department of Agriculture

On the edge of a breakthrough: UF/IFAS breeding disease-resistant lettuce for U.S. farms, kitchens

by Lourdes Mederos
March 24, 2026

University of Florida scientists are closer to a breakthrough that could safeguard the nation’s lettuce supply. Backed by a $500,000 federal grant, the team is working to develop disease-resistant lettuce varieties built to withstand ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Conservation, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arizona, Bacterial Leaf Spot, Breeding, California, Cercospora Leaf Spot, Climates, Consumers, Crop, Cultivars, Economic Engine, Economy, Everglades Research And Education Center, Florida, Florida Economy, Freshness, German Sandoya, Harvest, Iceberg, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Leaf Lettuce, Lettuce, Lettuce Breeding, Lettuce Breeding Program, Market Demands, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, News, Postharvest, Production, Public, Resistence, Romaine, Sandy Soils, Storage, Texture, Transportation, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Department Of Agriculture National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding, USDA-NIFA, Varieties

Experts call for expansion of organic farming to meet rising demand

by Lourdes Mederos
September 4, 2025

Consumer demand for organic fresh fruits and vegetables outweighs the availability of organic farms growing the food. In fact, while certified organic U.S. land for growing crops or livestock is increasing according to the U.S. Department ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Food Safety, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agriculture, Dakshina Seal, Extension, Farming, Florida Economy, Florida Organic Growers, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jeff Wasielewski, Jonathan Crane, News, Organic, Organic Farms, Organic Produce, Qingren Wang, Research, Tropical Research And Education Center, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida, Vermicompost, Xiaoying Li

Gardening, backyard poultry, money matters and more: Open house reveals what’s on tap at UF/IFAS Extension Duval County

by Megan Winslow
August 5, 2025

What: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Duval County Open House. When: Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: UF/IFAS Extension Duval County office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Events, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: 4-H, Backyard Chickens, Canning, Duval County Canning Center, Extension Duval County, Finances, Florida 4-H, Gardening, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jacksonville, Megan Winslow, Money Matters, Open House, Program, Programming, Stephanie Toelle, Tracy Akers Williams, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, UF, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida

Composting is officially on the map in Deerfield Beach; UF/IFAS is leading the charge for a statewide model

by Lourdes Mederos
May 19, 2025

Sandwiched between International Compost Week in early May and National Composting Day on May 29, a new initiative with the University of Florida is taking shape as cities across the nation embrace composting as a sustainable solution to ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Fruits & Vegetables, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS
Tags: City Of Deerfield Beach, Compost, Compost College, Compost Industry, Filthy Organics, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, International Composting Week, Landfills, Lourdes Mederos, Market Viability, May 29, Methane Emissions, Mica McMillan, Micro-composter, National Composting Day, News, Organic Waste, Organics Recycling Foundation, Sustainable Alternatives, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF-IFAS, USDA, USDA Composting And Food Waste Reduction Program

UF/IFAS team secures $5M USDA grant to expand avocado production into Central Florida, combat Laurel wilt disease

by Lourdes Mederos
December 12, 2024

Scientists with the University of Florida have secured a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to combat the lethal Laurel wilt disease and the redbay ambrosia beetles responsible ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Events, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Pests, Avocado, Avocado Cultivation, California, Climate Change, Diseases, Florida Avocado, Florida Crops, Florida Economy, Growth, Insects, Jeffrey Rollins, Jonathan Crane, Kentucky, Laurel Wilt, Mexico, Miami-Dade County, Mitigation Strategies, Nifa, Pests, Red Ambrosia Beetle, Redbay Ambrosia Beetle, Research, Sustainability, Tropical Research And Education Center, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, USDA, USDA National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, USDA-NIFA, Workshop

USDA selects UF/IFAS to lead food safety education program

by Megan Winslow
December 2, 2024

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has selected a UF/IFAS-run center for food safety training to coordinate similar facilities across the country. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Food Safety, Pests & Disease
Tags: Agriculture, Education, FDA, Food Safety, Food Safety Modernization Act, Food Science And Human Nutrition Department, Foodborne Pathogens, Grant, Instructors, Keith Schneider, Michelle Danyluk, National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, Nifa, Outreach, Southern Center For Food Safety Modernization Act Training, Training, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Food And Drug Administration, USDA

Dragon fruit workshop spurs excitement and collaboration for a robust industry in Florida

by Lourdes Mederos
July 31, 2024

Dragon fruit is a heart-healthy superfood, low in calories and fueled with plenty of fiber and antioxidants - and it’s in high demand among consumers worldwide. An increasing number of consumers are growing this fruiting cactus vine ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Dragon Fruit, Jonathan Crane, Romina Gazis, Super Fruit, Superfood, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Dragon Fruit Industry, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, UF/IFAS TREC Plant Diagnostic Clinic, USDA National Institute Of Food And Agriculture, USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative

UF scientist tests methods for boosting America’s cotton crop

by Megan Winslow
May 16, 2024

The United States leads the world in cotton exports by value, accounting for $5.7 billion, or 33%, of exports of the textile, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But researchers hope to bolster American production even more through ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops
Tags: Agronomy, Cotton, Cotton Incorporated, Farm, Gadsen, Germination, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jackson, Jefferson, Live Oak, Megan Winslow, North Florida Research And Education Center, Quincy, Study, Sudeep Sidhu, Suwannee, Trials, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida

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