Tag: UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Thousands of Florida students to learn about pioneer life in Florida

by Brad Buck
October 1, 2025

Pioneer life is about to come alive for about 15,000 curious fourth-graders across Florida. As they step back in time, the young explorers will discover the grit, ingenuity and spirit that shaped the earliest days of the Sunshine State. David ... READ MORE

Category: Curriculum
Tags: 19th Century, 4th Graders, A Land Remembered, Bridget Stice, Curriculum, Daily Lessons, Environment, Farming, Florida Wildlife Corridor, Great Florida Cattle Drive, History, Kendall Gill, Livesteam, Livestock Agent, Novel, Pioneers, Ranching, Statewide, UF/IFAS Extension DeSoto County, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
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New UF/IFAS bilingual online resources help Florida farmers launch, enhance their business

by Lourdes Mederos
September 18, 2025

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension has launched a new bilingual online resource to help Florida farmers strengthen their operations through effective business planning. The websites, ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, , Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, Livestock, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS
Tags: Aquaculture Farming, Balance Sheets, Break-even Analysis, Business Operation, Business Plan, CAFE Latino, Cash Flow, Cattle, Coalition Of Florida Extension Educators For Latinos, Farm, Farm Data, Farmer, Farming Operation, Financial Management, Food, Fruit, Grower, Human Resources, Income Statements, Luis Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez Rosado, Marketing, News, Polk County, Small Farms, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, University Of Florida, USDA Farm Service Agency, Vegetable

UF experts bust lightning myths, share life-saving tips for Florida storm season

by Brad Buck
June 6, 2025

Crack! Boom! We’re entering the daily summer thunderstorm season in Florida. The clouds roll in and, with them, you sometimes see lightning in the distance. Then you hear thunder. With 50 deaths from 2015-2024, Florida leads the nation ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Inside, Lara Milligan, Lightning, Lightning Safety, Lightning Safety Council, Naturally Florida Podcast, Shannon Carnevale, Shelter, Trees, UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Familiar face promoted to interim director of Southwest Florida Extension District

by Brad Buck
January 29, 2025

A name and face familiar to those in Polk County and across the UF/IFAS Southwest Extension District has been named interim director of the district. Nicole Walker, director of UF/IFAS Extension Polk County and associate director of the Southwest ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Andra Johnson, Bridget Stice, Dean For Extension, Florida 4-H, Interim District Extension Director, Leadership, Nicole Walker, Southwest Extension District, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Let moderation serve as your mantra as you savor healthy foods during the holidays

by Brad Buck
December 17, 2024

During the holiday season, you’re often surrounded by a tempting array of foods – from hearty entrees to indulgent desserts. While some are good choices, others might not be so beneficial, say University of Florida experts. “While helping ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition
Tags: Andrea Nikolai, Baked Goods, Cinammon, Deviled Eggs, Fruit, Health, Healthy Holiday Meals, Holiday Meals, Maria Portelos Rometo, Reduced Sugar, Skim Milk, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, Vanilla

Power through July, aka National Blueberry Month

by Brad Buck
July 17, 2024

As we celebrate National Blueberry Month in July, a University of Florida dietitian says the fruit could be called “power berries.” “Blueberries have fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and potassium, and they have some of the highest ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS
Tags: Andrea Nikolai, Antioxidants, Breeder, Breeding, Cutlivars, Doug Phillips, National Blueberry Month, Nutrition, Patricio Munoz, Southern Highbush Blueberry, Statewide Blueberry Extension Coordinator, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Starting a farming business? UF/IFAS hosts virtual English and Spanish workshops for beginners

by Lourdes Mederos
March 18, 2024

Florida farming is big business. To make it in today’s competitive market, those new to the industry need a solid business plan and the right marketing tactics to build a business from the ground up. "Agricultural operations, regardless ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Horticulture, Livestock, Money Matters, Professional Development, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Agricultural Education And Communication, Business, Business Plan, Climate, Consumer, Consumer Preferences, Consumer Reviews, Farm Operations, Farming, Farming Is A Business, Financial Planning, Human Resources, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jonael Bosques-Mendez, La Agricultura Es Un Negocio, Luis Rodriguez Rosado, Marketing, Marketing Plan, News, Research, Spanish, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, University Of Florida

Enjoy Florida-grown foods at Thanksgiving and through the holidays

by Brad Buck
November 7, 2023

When you’re giving thanks this Thanksgiving, consider that much of your food grew in the Sunshine State, say University of Florida experts. Those edibles include corn, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes. Like many ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture
Tags: Andrea Nikolai, Bananas, Corn, Florida-grown Foods, Food, Fruits, Green Beans, Hastings Agricultural Extension Center, Holidays, Leo Hoffmann, Lettuce, Nelly Nelson, Nutrition, Pineapple, Potato Breeding, Potatoes, Research, Thanksgiving, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Vegetables

Workshop teaches benefits, law of agritourism

by Brad Buck
October 4, 2023

Many farmers are incorporating tourism into their operations to draw visitors and earn an alternate source of income. If you’re interested in establishing an agritourism business, you can now register for and attend a workshop scheduled for ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Agritourism, Allie Williams, Education, Entertainment, Farms, Florida Agritourism Law, Food, Luis Rodriguez, Revenue, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Wildlife, Workshop, Zoom

Football season starts soon, so gather your family and friends for a tailgate, complete with Florida-grown foods and UF/IFAS cultivars

by Brad Buck
August 24, 2023

It’s game day. The excitement around stadiums is palpable. The college football season will kick off shortly, and many fans will enjoy the company of family and friends while tailgating before and after the game. That means food – lots ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Andrea Nikolai, Beef, Citrus, Citrus Research And Education Center, Corn, Florida Grown, Food Safety, Fred Gmitter, Potatoes, Strawberries, Sugar Belle, Tailgating, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, UF/IFAS Plant Breeding

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