Tag: UF/IFAS Extension

A streak of white lightning on a dark background.

Boom! That thunder signals lightning is near. Be ready with these safety tips

by Brad Buck
July 15, 2026

We’re entering the heart of Florida’s summer thunderstorm season, and the daily rumble of storms heralds one of nature’s most dangerous hazards: lightning.  The danger is far from theoretical. Of the 21 known fatalities reported nationwide ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Beach Safety, Florida Lightning Safety, Florida Summer Storms, Florida Weather, Fort Myers Beach Lightning, Lara Milligan, Lightning Awareness, Lightning Hazards, Lightning Injuries, Lightning Misconceptions, Lightning Prevention, Lightning Safety Florida, Lightning Safety Tips, Lightning Shelter, Lightning Strikes, Natural Resources Extension, Outdoor Recreation Safety, Outdoor Safety, Public Safety Education, Severe Weather Preparedness, Shannon Carnevale, Storm Safety, Summer Thunderstorms, Thunder And Lightning, Thunderstorm Preparedness, Thunderstorm Safety, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida, Weather Education, Weather Safety, When Thunder Roars Go Indoors, Wildfire Prevention

The Landscape Order of Operations: Water. Test. Fertilize—if needed.

by Lauren Spaduzzi
July 15, 2026

A simple guide to diagnosing landscape problems before reaching for fertilizer. When plants start looking unhealthy, it's tempting to reach for a bag of fertilizer. Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering often seem like obvious ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Tags: Central Florida, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Ordinances, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruit, Garden, Gardening, Hillsborough, Hillsborough County, Home Landscapes, Irrigation, Landscape, Master Gardener, Soil PH, Soil Test, UF/IFAS Extension, Vegetable, Vegetable Gardening, Watering Efficiently
A white bug on a green leaf.

Media Alert: UF/IFAS Experts to Host Pasture Mealybug Webinar on July 17

by Jamie Groh
July 13, 2026

What: Experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are hosting an informational webinar on the invasive pasture ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Agricultural Pest Management, Agricultural Webinar, Blog Community, Crop Protection, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Entomology, FDACS, Featured, Featured Hot Topic, Florida, Florida Agriculture, Florida Extension, Florida Farmers, Forage Grasses, Forages, Insecticide Options, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sceinces, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Invasive Pasture Mealybug, Invasive Pests, Invasive Species, Livestock Production, Mealybug Identification, Pasture Management, Pasture Mealybug, Pasture Mealybug Webinar, Pasture Pest Control, Sugarcane Pests, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, University Of Florida
Featured image: Adobe Stock File 291720491: Fallen tree hurricane tornado storm devastation. By Noel.

July 23: Get storm-ready at UF/IFAS workshop for HOA leaders, arborists, landscape industry, homeowners

by Lourdes Mederos
July 13, 2026

One poorly maintained tree can cause thousands of dollars in damage during a hurricane, leaving homes and neighborhoods devastated. On July 23, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is hosting “Be ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, , Disaster Preparation, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Arborist, Commercial Landscape, Disaster Preparation, HOA, Homeowners, Horticultural Sciences, Hurricane, Hurricane Impacts, Hurricane Preparedness, Hurricane Ready, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Landscape Management, News, Nurseries, Residential Tree Trimming, Severe Weather, Storm Damage, Tree Damage, Tree Trimming, Trees, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, University Of Florida
Flags in a row

Camp USA: Celebrating 250 Years of America

by Abbey Tharpe
July 9, 2026

Taylor County 4-H recently wrapped up its third annual Camp USA: Celebrating 250 Years of America, and this year's camp held special significance as youth took part in activities and lessons leading up to America's 250th birthday. Throughout ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Camp, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: #TaylorCounty, 4-H, 4H Camp, America, America's 250th, Camp USA, Children, Florida, Summer Camp, UF/IFAS Extension, Youth
Three kayakers on Phillipi Creek

8 Sustainable Adventures in Sarasota County

by Kate Sweeney
July 6, 2026

Are you stuck doing the same things for fun and looking for affordable ways to enjoy Sarasota County? Luckily, Sarasota County offers a load of sustainable adventures, from its beaches and parks to its sunny weather and countless attractions. ... READ MORE

Category: Work & Life
Tags: Beaches, Budget, Eco-friendly Activities, Farmer's Market, Gardening, Hike, Kayak, Nature Journaling, Pgm_Sustain, Photography, Sarasota County, Sarasota County Extension, Sustainability, Things To Do, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Wellness, Wildlife
American Flag

America’s 250th: Celebrate our National Symbols

by Lisa Strange
July 1, 2026

As America celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, we have an opportunity to honor our nation’s history and the plants and wildlife that symbolize our shared heritage. As Florida Master Gardener Volunteers, we know that every garden can become ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: 4th Of July, America's 250th, Florida, Horticulture, National Symbols, Taylor County, UF/IFAS Extension

From Colonial Roots to 250 Years: Florida’s heritage cattle offer lessons for the state’s agricultural past, present and future

by Jamie Groh
June 29, 2026

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a small, rugged breed of cattle roaming Florida’s pastures is helping tell a much longer American story, one that predates the nation itself and may offer insight into the future of agriculture.  Heritage ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Livestock, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agricultural Heritage USA, American Ranching History, Cattle Conservation, Climate Resilient Livestock, Featured, Florida Agriculture, Florida Cracker Cattle, Florida Farming, Florida Ranching, Heritage Cattle, Historic Cattle Breeds, Livestock Sustainability, Paynes Prairie Cattle, Pineywoods Cattle, Ranching Practices, Rotational Grazing, Scrub Cattle, Spanish Livestock History, St Johns County Agriculture, St. John's County, Sustainable Agriculture, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Floats that spell summer

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

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