Trick or Treat, Keep It Sweet, Let’s Not Create Waste on Every Street! (11/4/2026) - Now that Halloween is behind us and all the trick or treaters have gone home to investigate what goodies they received, I want to present you with challenge! Being more sustainable this Halloween and for the rest of the upcoming holiday season. Being sustainable doesn't mean you have to miss out on anything, it might… more
The Meat We Eat: Exploring the Science Behind Every Bite (11/4/2026) - How one UF Animal Sciences course is helping students become more informed consumers Whether students enjoy a burger from a tailgate, a steak at a family dinner, or chicken on the grill, meat is a familiar part of many students' every day life. However, little to no one actually think about the science, research and… more
Beyond The Sideline: A Gator’s Journey Through Animal Sciences (11/4/2026) - Written By: Whitley Mobley, Current Animal Sciences Undergraduate Student Animal Sciences junior Whitley Mobley has found ways to make the most of her time at the University of Florida. Between cheering for the Florida Gators, serving as an Animal Sciences Ambassador, participating in Delta Gamma, and managing her own cattle business, Cedar Creek Cattle LLC,… more
Can Gut Bacteria Help Protect the Brain? UF Research Explores the Microbiome’s Role in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s (11/4/2026) - Quick Answer: Research from the University of Florida’s Department of Microbiology and Cell Science explores how gut microbes may influence proteostasis, the cellular process that keeps proteins properly folded, functional and cleared when damaged. In a 2024 study, Daniel Czyż’s lab screened 229 bacterial isolates and identified Prevotella corporis as a species with protective effects on… more
Beyond the Pill: Why Ginger Tea May Be the New Essential for Your Period Routine (11/4/2026) - Welcome back to Nutrition Stories, our series exploring hot topics in nutrition and dietetics! Today's guest is Alissa Alexis, 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, Alissa describes the causes of pain and discomfort during menstruation and… more
Not Just for Grandparents: Why Figs Deserve a Spot in Your Kitchen (11/4/2026) - When you hear the word 'fig,' you might think of Fig Newton cookies or a snack your grandparents kept in the pantry. But figs are making a comeback in today's kitchens, and for good reason. These naturally sweet fruits are showing up in everything from grain bowls and salads to smoothies and Mediterranean-inspired meals. Packed… more
It’s Raining! So Why Are Your Sprinklers Still On? (11/2/2026) - Rainy days are a great reminder to check your irrigation system and save water! It has been raining quite a bit lately, but have you noticed sprinklers running in some yards? If so, you are not alone! This is a good time to think about how we water our landscapes. Did you know that watering… more
Building Gratitude through 4-H (10/31/2026) - As the Holiday season is approaching, many take time to reflect on what they are thankful for. In 4-H, gratitude goes beyond a simple “thank you,” but it also means recognizing the people, opportunities, and experiences that helps our youth grow, learn, and make differences in their communities. Those who Support 4-Hers Club leaders,… more
Fun Food Friday: Sweet Corn! (10/30/2026) - Introduction Welcome to Fun Food Friday! Over the next several months, join us on the fourth Friday as we explore how to grow, prepare, and enjoy some Florida’s favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables We are Kim McMahon, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, and Madelyn Greathouse, Commercial Horticulture and Integrated Pest… more
The Extension Effect: Meet Monaliza (10/30/2026) - What happens after a class ends or a partnership begins? The Extension Effect is a series of interviews with community members and partners about how they put what they learned from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County into action and the difference it makes across the community. One class, one yard and a path to a career… more
Suncoast Grown and Gathered: Cotton Candy Cherries, Year-Round Abundance on a Fast-Growing Tree (10/30/2026) - At the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office, we've been cultivating a Food Forest to showcase the most productive, unique, and often underutilized fruits and crops suited to our distinctive southwest Florida climate. Through this project, we aim to inspire and educate our community by offering a firsthand look at these remarkable trees, shrubs, and vines,… more
Florida Land Steward Update, October 30, 2026 (10/30/2026) - Hurricane Isaias Recovery According to the Florida Forest Service’s preliminary report of the storm’s impacts to timberlands, the estimated value of timber damaged by the storm was around $30 million over an area of 5 counties. Much of that damage was concentrated in Santa Rosa County. The banner image by the Florida Forest Service above… more
Starting a Small Farm? Learn, Plan, and Connect Before You Invest (10/30/2026) - For many people, farming is about more than producing crops. It is often a way to reconnect with their roots, spend more time outdoors, provide local food for their community, and pursue a lifelong dream. There has also been a renewed interest in locally grown food, farmers markets, direct-to-consumer sales, and knowing where food comes… more
Emprendimientos de alimentos desde casa, segunda parte: Entendiendo sus riesgos y responsabilidades con pasos inteligentes para el éxito empresarial (10/29/2026) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Acerca de esta serie: Desde galletas y pasteles hasta mermeladas y confituras, la Ley de Alimentos Caseros de Florida ha ayudado a miles de floridanos a convertir sus creaciones culinarias en oportunidades de negocio. Sin embargo, construir un… more
Cottage Foodie Connections, Part 2: Understanding your risks, liabilities with these smart steps for business success (10/29/2026) - About this series: From cookies and cakes to jellies and jams, Florida's Cottage Food Law has helped thousands of Floridians transform kitchen creations into business opportunities. But building a thriving cottage food business takes more than a signature recipe. In the second installment of Cottage Foodie Connections, University of Florida Extension experts with the Institute… more
Water Wednesday Recap: Septic and Sewer Basics (10/29/2026) - When you flush a toilet, take a shower, or do laundry, where does that wastewater go? Many homeowners do not think about their wastewater system until something goes wrong. However, understanding how it works can help prevent costly problems and protect Florida's water resources. During the October Water Wednesday webinar, Septic and Sewer Basics: What… more
A Glimpse into the History of Medicinal Anthropophagy (10/28/2026) - Cannibalism is defined as the consumption of another by an individual(s) of the same species. The term cannibal was derived from “canibales” (or “caribales”), the Spanish name for the Carib, indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles and the nearby coast of South America. The tribe was believed to be practising cannibalism during the time of… more
Your Body Is Your Most Important Gardening Tool (10/27/2026) - Have you ever spent a morning in the garden and realized your back, knees, or shoulders got just as much of a workout as your plants did? If you garden, you probably don't think of yourself as exercising. You're just gardening. But when you're bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, twisting, pulling, and reaching, your body is… more
Daylight Saving Time: Simple Steps to Protect Your Health (10/27/2026) - As daylight saving time comes to an end on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Americans will turn their clocks back one hour. While gaining an extra hour of sleep may sound appealing, the time change can affect our bodies in ways we may not realize. Changes in sleep schedules, exposure to sunlight, and daily routines can… more
Fall into Healthy Habits (10/26/2026) - Making the Most of the Holiday Season: Health, Home, and Finances The final months of the year can be some of the busiest. Between school activities, family gatherings, holiday shopping, and preparing meals, it can be easy to put your own health and well-being on the back burner. October through December is a great time… more
Más que una picadura: proteja su hogar y a su familia de los mosquitos (10/26/2026) - Para muchos residentes de Florida, los mosquitos son parte de disfrutar del aire libre. Sin embargo, sus picaduras pueden ser más que una molestia. Los mosquitos pueden transmitir enfermedades como el dengue, el virus del Nilo Occidental y otras enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos. La actividad reciente del dengue en Florida nos recuerda la importancia de… more
Florida Land Steward Update, October 23, 2026 (10/23/2026) - Florida Agricultural Producers and Forest Landowners Impacted by Hurricane Isaias Offered an Extended Deadline for USDA Conservation Programs Landowners in impacted counties can apply by November 16, 2026. Deadline for all others is October 30. Florida agricultural producers and forestry operations impacted by Hurricane Isaias now have until November 16, 2026, to sign up for… more
Gut Feeling: Why the Microbiome Became Health Science’s Biggest Obsession (10/23/2026) - Everyone Is Googling Their Gut: Why Microbiome Science Deserves a Graduate Degree Google searches for "gut health" have more than doubled in three years. Here is the plot twist: 41% of U.S. consumers still say they do not know about the gut microbiome, and about half are unaware of its impact on gut health, according… more
Cat Chronicles: From Neolithic Companions to National Icons (10/20/2026) - Dogs are typically referred to as “man’s best friends,” but cats are more like quirky roommates. Despite this, cats are among the most popular pets, with an estimated 600 million currently on this planet. But how did these felines become such an important part of many people’s lives? Although aloof, cats can be very lovable… more
University of Florida liderará el nuevo Laboratorio de Innovación “Feed the Future” para Cultivos de Alto Valor (10/19/2026) - Creado por Chris Vivian, vicepresidenta adjunta del Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Aspectos destacados: UF lidera el laboratorio SAFE, financiado por el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, una iniciativa global destinada a proteger frutas, hortalizas y especias mediante la contención de amenazas agrícolas en su lugar de origen. SAFE establecerá una red internacional… more
This UF student is helping fight food insecurity one backpack at a time (10/16/2026) - A Monday often signals the end of a never-long-enough break from a busy, overwhelming life. For many children, though, Monday also means the end of a too-long break from regular meals. Every week, children across Alachua and neighboring counties receive backpacks packed with nonperishable food and snacks to nourish them through the weekend. These backpacks… more
Sarasota County Green Business Partnership: Celebrating 20 Years (10/15/2026) - On Jan. 19, 2006, Dave’s Auto Repair became Sarasota County’s first Green Business Partner. Pledging to demonstrate the environmental stewardship of the business, the auto repair business began taking sustainable actions to reduce waste, water and energy. Soon after, businesses like the Suncoast Defensive Driving School, Venice Golf and Country Club, and Babe's Hardware of… more
Webinar Recap: Before and After the Storm – Protecting Household Water Systems During Hurricanes and Flooding (10/15/2026) - Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Before and After the Storm - Protecting Household Water Systems during Hurricanes and Flooding Webinar, hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Well Owner Network. This was the third webinar in our Private Well and Septic System Webinar Series, and we appreciated everyone’s participation and thoughtful questions… more
Think Before You Click (10/14/2026) - Computers are a part of everyday life for most people, which means users could become victims of cyber fraud. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Check out these tips to protect yourself from scams and other cybercrimes. Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? Pause. Check, then Click. Before you click, ask yourself: Was I expecting… more
Think Before You Click (10/14/2026) - Computers are a part of everyday life for most people, which means users could become victims of cyber fraud. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Check out these tips to protect yourself from scams and other cybercrimes. Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? Pause. Check, then Click. Before you click, ask yourself: Was I expecting… more
2026 National Seafood Month Celebration Event in Sarasota County (10/13/2026) - National Seafood Month October is National Seafood Month, and here in Sarasota County, we invite you to celebrate with us this Saturday, October 17th, at the 7th Annual Alligator Creek “Creekfest”! This event is free to the community and is such a great way to connect with our beautiful local waterways, learn about sustainable seafood,… more
Emprendimientos de alimentos desde casa: Serie de Extensión de UF/IFAS sobre la Ley de Alimentos Caseros de Florida (10/13/2026) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Acerca de esta serie: Desde productos de panadería hasta mermeladas, la Ley de Alimentos Caseros de Florida ha abierto las puertas para que miles de floridanos conviertan sus recetas en negocios desde el hogar. Sin embargo, alcanzar el… more
Cottage Foodie Connections: A UF/IFAS Extension series for Florida’s Cottage Food Law community (10/13/2026) - About this series: From baked goods to jams, Florida's Cottage Food Law has opened the door for thousands of Floridians to turn their recipes into home-based businesses. But the recipe for success requires more than a working kitchen and a list of ingredients. In this weekly four-part series, University of Florida Extension experts at the… more
After the Storm: Helping Your Northwest Florida Landscape Recover from a Hurricane (10/12/2026) - The winds have stopped, the rain has moved on, and the sun is finally shining. Unfortunately, your landscape may look as though Mother Nature hosted a demolition derby and forgot to clean up afterward. Hurricanes are a fact of life in Northwest Florida. From fallen trees and broken branches to flooded lawns, damaged shrubs, and… more
Starfruit Spotlight (10/12/2026) - Did you know November is Miami-Dade Farmers Month? In November, Miami-Dade County observes Miami-Dade Farmers Month, spotlighting our local farms and recognizing the rich agricultural experiences found throughout South Dade. South Dade farming is instrumental to Florida agriculture and horticulture, serving as a powerful economic engine for the state. Miami-Dade leads nationally in ornamental plant… more
Discover How UF/IFAS Taylor County Extension Can Benefit You (10/12/2026) - Did you know that valuable educational resources are available right here in Taylor County? These opportunities can help improve your quality of life. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Taylor County Extension Service provides research-based education and practical programs. Through these resources, individuals, families, and communities can learn, grow, and… more
Alerta de prensa: Se solicita al sector agrícola de Florida que reporte los impactos adversos del huracán Isaias (10/12/2026) - Qué: Encuesta del Programa de Análisis del Impacto Económico (EIAP, por sus siglas en inglés) de University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) sobre pérdidas y daños asociados con el huracán Isaias. Dónde: Los productores agrícolas pueden completar la encuesta en español en https://go.ufl.edu/impactosagricolasisaias o reportar sus pérdidas y daños a la oficina… more
Media Alert: Florida agricultural sector asked to share impacts of Hurricane Isaias (10/12/2026) - What: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) survey for losses and damages associated with Hurricane Isaias. Where: Agricultural producers can complete the survey at or report information to their local UF/IFAS Extension office by calling or by visiting in person (if open). About: UF/IFAS requests agricultural… more
Snack-Sized Exercise: Small Bursts Of Movement Can Make A Big Difference (10/9/2026) - When we hear the word "exercise," we often picture a trip to the gym, a long walk, or a scheduled fitness class. However, a growing body of research suggests that physical activity doesn't always have to happen in long sessions to benefit our health. Short bursts of movement, sometimes called "exercise snacks," offer a simple… more
Preparing for Agricultural Damage and Loss Assessments Following Hurricane Isaias (10/9/2026) - Florida is now expecting a potential direct hit from Hurricane Isaias, with current forecast models showing landfall along the Northern Gulf Coast the evening of Friday, October 9, 2026. Hurricane Isaias has been rapidly gaining strength, attaining Category 3 status as of Friday, October 9, and it could remain a major hurricane ahead of landfall. As… more
Growing Better Communities: How HOAs Can Partner with UF/IFAS Extension (10/8/2026) - A resource for HOA boards, property managers, and landscape professionals If you are part of an HOA board, you already know that managing a community is not always simple. There are budgets to consider, residents to satisfy, contractors to coordinate, trees to maintain, irrigation systems to manage, ponds to protect, and landscapes that need attention… more
Agricultural Logs for Disaster Reimbursement (10/8/2026) - Documentation is key for reimbursement following a natural disaster. If there is a USDA-FSA program to support farmers' and ranchers' recovery efforts, it will be required that all expenses and efforts are documented. Purchase and Work Documentation Form Use the form above to document all purchases and log tools, equipment, time, and resources used to… more
Florida Land Steward Update, October 8, 2026 (10/8/2026) - Hurricane Isaias Taking Aim at Florida We are closely watching Hurricane Isaias. Make sure you have the provisions needed should the storm impact your area. See the UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation and Recovery site for guidance. As always, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Center is a good place to keep an eye on the… more
Medicare Open Enrollment: A Little Homework Now Could Save You Money Later (10/8/2026) - Have you ever opened a letter from your insurance company, looked at all the fine print, and thought, "I'll deal with that later"? I think most of us have. Insurance paperwork isn't exactly exciting reading, especially when everything seems to be working just fine. But if you have Medicare, that letter might be worth a… more
Washington County Peanut Butter Challenge (10/7/2026) - Did you know the average American child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before graduating high school? Or the average U.S. adult or child consumes three pounds of peanut butter annually? That’s a lot of peanut butter! In Florida, between 14 and 17 percent of the population face food insecurity, affecting a… more
Living Fences and Thorny Hedges in Florida (10/6/2026) - Every hurricane season leaves the same debris along Suncoast streets: snapped wood pickets, cracked vinyl panels and leaning posts. Since Hurricane Ian in 2022, and again after Milton in 2024, many homeowners and HOA communities have paid to rebuild the same fence more than once. Over the past few years, more of them have turned… more
UF mosquito research exposes unexpected discovery on what is in your yard (10/6/2026) - Your backyard can be more than a place to garden, play with your dog, spend time with the family or relax. It can also be a place where people encounter mosquitoes capable of transmitting dengue, according to a University of Florida study. With the rise of dengue cases in Florida this year, UF researchers at… more
Preparing Your Florida Vegetable Garden for Fall (10/6/2026) - Fall is one of the best times to grow vegetables in Florida, and a little preparation now can lead to a more productive garden later. Before planting, start by clearing away old crops and any loose mulch left from the previous season. Next, loosen and break up the soil to improve root growth and water… more
Food For Sleep: Targeting Insomnia Through Nutrition (10/5/2026) - Welcome to Nutrition Stories, our series exploring hot topics in nutrition and dietetics! Today's guest is Karli Walker, a graduate of the UF Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and a current MS-DI graduate student in the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) Department at the University of Florida. In this article, Karli discusses how the foods… more
Grow Your Gardening Knowledge While Giving Back: Become a Master Gardener Volunteer (10/2/2026) - Do you want to learn more about gardening while making a meaningful difference in your community? The Monroe County Master Gardener Volunteer Program offers an opportunity to do exactly that! What is the Master Gardener Volunteer Program? The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program trains residents… more