2026 EDEN Spring Training Set for Tampa (12/16/2025) - Tampa, Fla. — The 2026 Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Spring Training will take place in Tampa from Feb. 24 to 26, 2026. Early bird registration closes Jan. 15. This year, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of high-impact trainings and experiences, including: FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) trainings Train the… more
Energy-Efficient Holiday Tips for Florida Homes (12/16/2025) - The holiday season in Florida is a time for celebration, often bringing unique energy challenges related to lighting displays and occasional heating needs. By implementing smart strategies for decorating, cooking, and climate control, you can keep your home cozy and bright while significantly reducing your utility bills. Holiday Lighting Tips One of the most festive… more
¿Tiene propósitos para este 2026? Aquí le explicamos cómo mantenerlos (12/16/2025) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Cada enero, millones de personas se plantean ambiciosos propósitos de bienestar, solo para abandonarlos en cuestión de semanas. De hecho, los estudios muestran que, para mediados de enero, la mayoría de los propósitos ya se han dejado de… more
Have 2026 resolutions? Here is how to make them stick (12/16/2025) - Every January, millions set ambitious wellness resolutions only to abandon them within weeks. In fact, the second Friday of January is known as Quitter’s Day, a reminder of how quickly good intentions fade. For 2026, we turn to Jessica Alfonso-Rodriguez, a University of Florida expert in family and consumer sciences based at the Institute of… more
Simple Money Saving New Year’s Resolutions (12/15/2025) - A new year is the perfect moment to reset your financial habits. You don’t need extreme budgets or complicated spreadsheets to make real progress—small, consistent changes can add up to meaningful savings over time. Below are practical, realistic New Year’s resolutions that help you keep more of your money without sacrificing your quality of life.… more
Community service is the heart of 4-H. (12/15/2025) - Do you know what 4-H is? 4-H is a positive youth development program in which youth ages 5-18 can participate. Okeechobee County has 24 clubs with over 600 members who participate in monthly club meetings and choose a project or multiple projects to complete. Part of being in 4-H is to also participate in a… more
The Budding Business: Turning Blooms into Income (12/15/2025) - Want to brighten your home or office—or even start a floral business? Follow this simple guide to create a stunning bouquet and learn the basics of floriculture. The Inspiration This idea began when Hartley and Josey met during UF/IFAS Extension New Agent Training. Hartley suggested a 4-H class teaching youth how to design floral arrangements… more
Trust Your Gut: Why Women’s Health Starts Within (12/15/2025) - Welcome to our next edition of Nutrition Stories, our series exploring hot topics in nutrition and dietetics. Our guest today is Rileigh Swift, a graduate of the UF Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) in the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) Department at the University of Florida. In this article, Rileigh discusses the importance of considering gut… more
Wakulla 4-H Announces Clover Gala Honorees (12/12/2025) - 4-H agent Rachel Pienta announced that Wakulla 4-H will honor the 2025 Volunteer of the Year and Business/Organization of the Year nominees at the Clover Gala on January 29, 2026. Pienta said, “Each year, we ask the community to nominate individuals and groups that they see supporting 4-H positive youth development programming in Wakulla County.”… more
Holiday Activity Guide (12/12/2025) - This holiday season, you and your family are going to be spending a lot of time together. Instead of letting your children stay glued to a screen, let me introduce you to 4-H Activity guides. 4-H Activity Guides are guides through the Clover initiative designed for hands-on learning anywhere. There are many different categories of… more
UF/IFAS TEAMS Opportunities December 11, 2025 (12/11/2025) - UF/IFAS TEAMS Opportunities for December 11, 2025 IFAS Human Resources has now created an opportunity for you to view, at a glance, newly posted IFAS TEAMS positions. Please click on the link for further details. These positions were vacant as of the date of this posting. Academic Program Specialist I - PMCB Graduate Program… more
Don’t let good food go to waste this holiday season (12/11/2025) - By Brenda Marty Jimenez, UF/IFAS Extension Agent IV, Broward County FL With food costs increasing upwards, it is best to prioritize handling your leftovers wisely, to prevent food waste this holiday season. Here are 14 tips to consider implementing: 1. Start by writing down your holiday menus and creating a shopping list, while keeping track… more
Florida responde al desafío: 32 773 frascos de mantequilla de maní llevan esperanza a los hogares que más la necesitan (12/11/2025) - Creado por Brad Buck, especialista sénior en relaciones públicas para UF/IFAS. Desde las opciones más cremosas hasta las más crujientes, miles de frascos de mantequilla de maní están llegando a los hogares de Florida gracias a la generosidad de los residentes de todo el estado, quienes se unieron al Reto de la Mantequilla de Maní… more
Florida rises to the challenge: 32,773 jars of peanut butter spreads hope to the state’s hungry (12/11/2025) - From creamy to crunchy, thousands of jars of peanut butter are making their way into Florida homes, thanks to the generosity of residents statewide, who rallied behind this year’s Peanut Butter Challenge – feeding families one jar at a time. All those jars add up to 44,564 pounds of peanut butter, and every ounce counts,… more
Okeechobee County’s Peanut Butter Collection Surpassed Last Year’s Record! (12/10/2025) - In Florida, between 14 and 17 percent of our population faces food insecurity, affecting a disproportionate number of children. According to Feeding America, that is 1 in 7 people and 1 in 5 children facing hunger. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/floridaOkeechobee County took our peanut butter challenge to heart and once again, we spread the love one jar at… more
Hydration for Healthier Holidays (12/9/2025) - Time is hurtling toward the finish line of both the holiday season and 2025. Perhaps you managed to limit your intake of Halloween sweets and pumpkin-flavored novelty snacks for the better part of autumn. However, now the special winter beverage menus have gone up. The colder weather and simmering stress behind growing seasonal to-do lists… more
The Gift That Keeps on Giving: How Volunteering Can Boost Your Holidays (12/9/2025) - The holiday season is often filled with bright lights, music, and cherished family traditions — but it can also be stressful. Between shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts, and attending events, it’s easy to feel tired, overwhelmed, or even a little lonely. A straightforward way to feel better during the holidays is to volunteer. Helping others isn’t… more
Through A Land Remembered, state’s fourth graders discover harsh conditions of pioneer life in Florida (12/9/2025) - Imagine 19th century Florida: sweltering heat with no air conditioning, swarms of mosquitoes, nights lit only by campfires and the harsh reality that any meat on your plate had to be hunted and killed by you. These gritty details aren’t just history – they’re lessons coming to life for 15,000 fourth graders, statewide, as they… more
Social Security: Spousal Survivor Benefits (12/8/2025) - A surviving spouse (or ex-spouse) may choose to receive Social Security retirement benefits based on their own work record or that of their deceased spouse. The surviving spouse cannot receive two benefit amounts at the same time. They will receive either a survivor benefit or their own benefit. A surviving spouse can start one type… more
Food Safety in a Snap: 2025 Cheese Recall – Metal Fragments (12/8/2025) - Recently, many friends and peers have reached out to me about the 2025 cheese recall due to potential metal fragments (see the Enforcement Report for Great Lakes Cheese Co Inc at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/ires/?Event=97827). Since I’ve completed the FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food Training, I now view recalls through a different lens. Let’s walk through: How… more
Managing Holiday Materialism: Protecting Your Marriage During the Season of Spending (12/5/2025) - Managing Holiday Materialism The holiday season often amplifies financial tensions in marriages, as the pressure to create perfect celebrations through expensive gifts and elaborate decorations can strain both budgets and relationships. While the joy of giving is central to the season, excessive holiday spending can cast a shadow over marital harmony. The Holiday Shopping Frenzy… more
The Deal with Debt: Personal Finance Series (Part 5) (12/5/2025) - Debt is money you owe to a person or business. While debt often carries a negative connotation, responsible borrowing and repayment can improve your credit history. Debt & Credit Debt becomes a problem when you can’t repay what you owe. Missed minimum payments, carrying high credit card balances, or skipping payments can all damage your… more
Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle: Your Guide to a Stress-Free, Budget-Friendly Holiday Season (12/4/2025) - The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and plenty of festive fun. But it can also bring stress, impulse spending, and a financial hangover once January rolls around. The good news? With a little planning and intention, you can enjoy the magic of the season without getting your finances tangled up like last year’s lights. Here… more
Cowpen First Aid, and Considerations (12/2/2025) - Cattle work is unpredictable. Injuries happen without warning, and when you're at the cowpens, help might be miles away. The right supplies and a little know-how can turn a minor incident into just that—minor instead of catastrophic. Having a first aid kit on site should be a priority to help ensure quick treatment is available.… more
Garden Tool Care: Take Care of Your Tools and They’ll Take Care of You (12/2/2025) - Having the right garden tool is important but keeping them in good condition is just as important. Garden tools often get used hard and put away dirty or wet, which causes rust and damage. With a little maintenance, your tools can work well for many years—even old tools can be revived. If you didn’t clean… more
How to Care for a Fresh Christmas Tree (12/2/2025) - Nothing brings holiday spirit into your home quite like the scent and beauty of a fresh Christmas tree. After choosing the perfect one, it’s important to care for it properly so it stays healthy, fragrant, and safe throughout the season. Here is a guide to care for your tree. Make a fresh cut before putting… more
Celebrate Family & Consumer Sciences Week (12/2/2025) - Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) Week is here! From December 1 to 5, we join educators, professionals, and advocates across the country to celebrate the incredible impact of FCS in our daily lives. As a proud member of NEAFCS, I’m excited to share this week’s themes and invite you to join the movement to Elevate… more
’Tis the season for courting iguanas: Ask IFAS unwraps bilingual guide with timely tips (12/2/2025) - Just in time for the holiday season — and the start of the iguana mating period — the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has unwrapped a bilingual resource for living with one of Florida’s most visible cold-blooded neighbors. In Ask IFAS, the latest edition of Dealing with Iguanas in the… more
Rudolph’s Guide to Holiday Grocery Savings (12/1/2025) - If you find yourself saying, “Oh deer!” (pun intended) while trying to plan a holiday meal that’s crowd-pleasing, delicious, healthy, and budget-friendly, you’re not alone. At UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, we’re here to make meal planning and smart shopping easier, and maybe even a little more fun! Check out these eight festive… more
Los expertos de UF ofrecen consejos prácticos y sin estrés para desperdiciar menos, ahorrar dinero y disfrutar de las festividades (12/1/2025) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Las fiestas son sinónimo de buena comida, grandes reuniones y mucha gratitud, pero también pueden convertirse en una época de presupuestos ajustados, contenedores de basura desbordados y un aumento en el desperdicio de alimentos. ¿Cómo planificar con precisión… more
Celiac Disease and Folate Deficiency: A Neurological Threat to Developing Babies (12/1/2025) - We're thrilled to bring you another edition of Nutrition Stories, our series exploring hot topics in nutrition and dietetics. Today's guest is Emily Cohen, a graduate of the UF Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and current master's degree student in the Masters of Science - Dietetic Internship program in the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN)… more
Stories from The Yard: Stewardship and Florida-Friendly Beauty in an HOA Community (11/30/2025) - Growing a Garden with Purpose: Commitment to Stewardship As a UF/IFAS Urban Horticulture Agent, I work with passionate homeowners and Master Gardener Volunteers who are reshaping what Florida-Friendly landscaping in HOA communities can look like across Broward County. Today, I want to share Linette’s inspiring story, which shows how thoughtful choices and care for the… more
Edamame, a Nutritious New Crop in Florida (11/28/2025) - Did you know edamame can grow in Florida? Edamame shares the same species name as the soybean, which is already an important crop in Florida. This vegetable, native to Asia, differs from the soybean in that it has bigger seeds, produces larger pods, and matures sooner. Based on research of its cultivation in Miami-Dade County,… more
December 2025 Activities at the UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Office (11/26/2025) - By Wayne Hobbs, Interim County Extension Director and Environmental Horticulture Agent The month of December is here and we have another busy month here at UF/IFAS Extension in Clay County. Our office has a bit of extra holiday cheer with some homemade decorations for the annual county door decorating contest and we are all working… more
Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – November 2025 (11/26/2025) - Read below to learn about Sarasota County’s council, club, and state-wide updates. Feel free to reach out to 4-H@scgov.net if you have any questions or need more information. Refer to this link for previous monthly updates: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2025/10/21/sarasota-4-h-county-council-and-club-updates-october-2025/ Club Updates 4‑Paws: Showmanship training with dogs Practiced obedience (no agility or rally this time) Plenty… more
Agents of Discovery: Complete Four Special Missions before January 1st to receive your Field Agent prize! (11/25/2025) - What is Agents of Discovery? Agents of Discovery is an award-winning educational mobile game that turns the great outdoors into an interactive learning experience. Turn your next park visit into a mission and explore nature like never before! Help Field Agent Forest Parker solve nature-based challenges to complete missions at select Sarasota County Parks. Currently… more
Avoid Thanksgiving FOG! (11/25/2025) - The same delicious fats, oils, and grease that make Thanksgiving dishes so rich and flavorful also pose a hidden threat to your home's plumbing and the community's sewer lines. When washed down the drain, these seemingly harmless substances—found in everything from turkey drippings and gravy to buttery sides, to “healthy” salad dressings—pose a real risk… more
Before You Commit: How to Research Financial Planners (11/24/2025) - Financial planners can help you achieve specific financial goals or provide comprehensive financial management. Before you work with one, it’s important to understand their credentials, compensation methods, and how to research their background. This article covers some essentials. Common Credentials The term “financial planner” is not regulated. However, certain designations are regulated by government or… more
National Family Stories Month: Why Our Stories Matter More Than Ever (11/24/2025) - What are you going to do with National Family Stories Month? For me, it started with an early Thanksgiving trip where about 35 family members gathered under one roof. The food was wonderful, of course—but the conversations were even better. That’s where the real richness of family showed up. When we think about family history,… more
Avoid this Thanksgiving threat: A food safety guide to holiday leftovers (11/24/2025) - You’ve bought the turkey. You’ve prepped the brine. You’ve maybe even baked and frozen the pies. You’re ready for Thanksgiving dinner. But have you thought about being prepared for leftovers? Leftover safety for a larger-than-life meal like Thanksgiving can be a food safety minefield. University of Florida expert Keith Schneider, professor of food safety, says… more
Seafood at Your Finger Tips: Shrimp Tacos (11/22/2025) - Every year, I get invited to participate in the Alligator Creek Festival. During this annual festival, attendees learned about sustainability, environmentally friendly practices, conservation efforts, and community engagement, among other topics. It is a super fun event to attend and to present at. Every year, I participated by giving a grilling seafood demonstration. My intention… more
A Practical Guide to Credit: Personal Finance Series (Part 4) (11/21/2025) - When people talk about credit, they are referring to their credit history. Credit history describes how they have used money over time, which can significantly impact many aspects of life, including housing, employment, and finances, because landlords, lenders, insurance companies, and potential employers often review it when making decisions. Three nationwide credit bureaus—TransUnion, Equifax, and… more
UF experts share easy, stress-free ways to waste less, save money, enjoy the holidays (11/20/2025) - The holidays are all about good food, great gatherings and plenty of gratitude. It can be a time of extended budgets, overflowing trash bins and wasted leftovers. How does one plan with precision to maximize savings, guarantee food safety and minimize waste? Meet the experts at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural… more
Hands-On Homesteading Series a Success in Suwannee and Taylor Counties (11/18/2025) - UF/IFAS Extension Agents in Suwannee and Taylor Counties recently teamed up to offer a creative new program series, Hands-On Homesteading. Held from August 22 through September 12, the four-week series focused on practical, “back-to-basics” skills—teaching participants how to grow, cook, and create products straight from their own backyards. The idea for the program originated with… more
Physical Activity: A Key Ingredient for Holiday Health (11/17/2025) - November is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends and enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal. It’s also a great opportunity to get active by participating in a local Turkey Trot or Thanksgiving 5K. Regular physical activity is essential for improving overall health and well-being. However, only 46.9% of adults meet the recommended aerobic… more
Spotlight: UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County’s Natural Resources Agent (11/17/2025) - Extension was the dream job I never knew existed. It was because of you that my position was ever created. You spoke up and said, “We need to educate on the value and importance of our environment and natural resources”. A sentiment that is shared around the state. I entered the job with a blank… morePractical Strategies for Mindful Eating (11/17/2025) - Welcome back to Nutrition Stories, our popular series exploring hot topics in nutrition and dietetics. Today's guest is Genevieve Hamlin, a graduate of the UF Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) in the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) Department at the University of Florida. In this article, Genevieve discusses why busy college students can struggle with mindless or… more
A scent-sational invitation to you! (11/14/2025) - Join me for an herb-alicious good time at your local Sarasota County library. Our “Breaking the Rules – herb trio” One Seed classes are scheduled November 2025 through January 2026. These classes are a bit social so whether you are a novice gardener or cook, or experienced – your participation brings more richness to the… more
Florida Land Steward Update, November 14, 2025 (11/14/2025) - 2026 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD WALL CALENDARS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON! It’s that time of the year! An annual Holiday tradition, the Florida Land Steward wall calendar features beautiful photography, our Florida Land Steward Landowner of the Year, habitat management tips, partnership opportunities, resource contacts, and more. These make a great Holiday gift for the land… more
Okeechobee 4-H Udder Bunch Donates Milk to Food Pantry (11/14/2025) - The Okeechobee Udder Bunch 4-H club stepped up in a big way this month, donating roughly 25 gallons of milk to a local food pantry to help meet increased community needs during the government shutdown. The donation came earlier than their usual annual contribution, as food banks across the region reported rising demand and falling… more