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
Strengthening Families 10-14 Program Strengthens Community Bonds at Kingdom Culture Church (11/14/2025) - Community Families Unite for Strengthening Families Program Taylor County families recently came together at Kingdom Culture Church to participate in the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10–14, a seven-week series designed to help families build stronger communication, trust, and resilience. The program was hosted in partnership with the University of Florida IFAS Extension… more
Turfgrass Replacement (11/13/2025) - If 30% or more of your lawn is covered with weeds, bare spots, or other damage, it’s usually more practical to replace it with new sod. In many cases, the time, cost, and effort needed to repair the area are greater than simply starting fresh. In some situations, maintaining a lawn that’s simply green may… more
UF/IFAS TEAMS Opportunities November 13, 2025 (11/13/2025) - UF/IFAS TEAMS Opportunities for November 13, 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. Agricultural Assistant II Requisition # 537876 Posting Closes 11/26/2025… more
2025 Peanut Butter Challenge Wrap-Up (11/13/2025) - The University of Florida/IFAS Extension Peanut Butter Challenge in Jackson County has a new record! Businesses, county employees, residents, and students collected a record amount of peanut butter to help local neighbors in need. This year, peanut butter donations in Jackson County totaled 2,855 jars, weighing in at 3,260 pounds! The Peanut Butter Challenge aims… more
Winter Landscape Care: Fertilizer and Watering Tips (11/13/2025) - Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) to make food through photosynthesis. In fall and winter, less sunlight, cooler temperatures, and less rain cause photosynthesis and growth to slow down. Because of this, plants need very little nutrients and water during the cooler months. In Central Florida’s fall and winter climate, plant growth slows… more
Innovadora herramienta ayuda a propietarios y cultivadores a proteger las emblemáticas palmeras frente a la pudrición del tronco (11/13/2025) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. ¿Alguna vez se ha preguntado por qué algunas variedades de palmeras prosperan, mientras que otras pierden de pronto sus hojas, se doblan o incluso sucumben por completo? Desde los icónicos cocoteros hasta las imponentes palmas reales, las palmeras… more
Spotlight: Pinellas County Urban Horticulture Extension Agent Theresa Badurek (11/12/2025) - Theresa Badurek, Extension Agent, Urban Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County I am the Urban Horticulture Extension Agent for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Pinellas County. With a passion for sustainable landscapes (that save you time and money) and environmental stewardship, I lead programs that empower residents, community… more
Can invasive plants increase tick exposure risk? Scientists reveal a surprising link to human health (11/12/2025) - An invasive grass found on almost every continent and considered a pest in 73 countries isn’t just weeding out native plants, it is creating a haven for disease-carrying ticks and raising public health risk concerns. A new University of Florida study, published recently in Ecology, demonstrates how cogongrass, an invasive grass common across the Southeast… more
Thrifty Thanksgiving: Walmart VS. Aldi Holiday Meal (11/12/2025) - The holiday season is often filled with joy, family gatherings, and good food. However, it can also bring financial stress—especially with grocery prices at their highest in recent years. This year, two major grocery retailers, Walmart and Aldi, are helping consumers enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal without overspending.Walmart’s Holiday Meal DealWalmart recently announced its popular… more
Buy Now Pay Later: What you should know before you click “Buy” (11/12/2025) - Hughes, Pamela & Longley, Cyndi, MBA. BNPL: What You Should Know Before You Click “Buy” Introduction A new financial trend is rapidly changing how consumers shop and pay for their purchases — Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). These programs are becoming a popular alternative to traditional credit cards, offering consumers the ability to make purchases… more
4-H Pet Pals Club Provides Spark for Youth Entrepreneurs to Give Back (11/10/2025) - The Wakulla 4-H Pet Pals meets monthly to learn about pets and pet care. Club meetings include craft activities and guest speakers. Members can volunteer at the local Animal Shelter as an ongoing service project. In October, the club meeting included a lesson on how to make braided dog toys out of old t-shirts. 4-H… more
PreventiGators research team wins HiPerGator Pioneering Research Award During UF AI Days (11/10/2025) - Researchers in the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences are investigating factors that may lead teens to tobacco addiction in adulthood, and their AI-powered research is making waves. During the University of Florida’s AI Days event, a team of graduate student researchers in the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences won… more
Fresh Picks: The Month’s Classes (11/10/2025) - We’ve got something new for you! Each month, we’ll be sharing a quick look at the classes and workshops happening at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. Think of it as your go-to guide for learning something new, meeting neighbors, and getting hands-on with fun, practical skills. Whether you’re curious about gardening, cooking, physical or financial health,… more
Florida Land Steward Update, November 7, 2025 (11/7/2025) - 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
Fall Family Fun: 4-H Inspired Things to Do This Season (11/6/2025) - As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall offers the perfect backdrop for family fun, learning, and connection. It’s also a great time to bring a little 4-H spirit into your home exploring nature, being creative, and spending quality time together. Here are some ideas to help your family make the… more
Finding Balance: Eating Healthy During the Holiday Season Without Missing Out (11/5/2025) - The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and yes, plenty of delicious food. Between festive parties, family gatherings, and holiday baking, it’s easy to fall into the “all or nothing” mindset: either indulge in everything or try to avoid it all and end up feeling deprived. But it doesn't have to be one… more
Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: A Birthday Wish to End Hunger (11/5/2025) - From Presents to Peanut Butter, A Gift That Gives Back In a world where small acts of kindness can ripple into big changes, one young girl in Polk County is proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. Meet London Brandt, a now ten-year-old community hero who has once again stepped up… more
Grateful Living: The Science of Positivity and Health (11/4/2025) - Gratitude is often viewed as a simple way to be polite or something we display during holidays or special moments. But did you know that gratitude is more than just an emotion? It has real effects on your brain and body. The science behind gratitude is actually pretty fascinating, and practicing it can transform both… more
Reassessing Meatless Monday: A Scientific Perspective on the Role of Meat in Sustainable Diets (11/3/2025) - By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk Meatless Monday campaigns urge the public to skip meat one day a week to "improve health and protect the planet". While reducing excessive consumption of any food can be beneficial, blanket campaigns like Meatless Mondays often present incomplete or exaggerated claims. When closely examined, the data show that responsibly… more
Today’s Risk for Tomorrow: Personal Finance Series (Part 3) (11/3/2025) - We’ve covered budgeting and saving as foundations of money management. Investing is another element: it means putting money into assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate to earn returns through capital gains, dividends, or interest. Investing involves more risk than saving; your money is not federally insured, and you could lose the amount you deposited.… more
Optimizing Nutrition On a Budget (11/3/2025) - Welcome back to Nutrition Stories, our series exploring hot topics in nutrition and dietetics. Today's guest is Kamille Santos, 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 video, Kamille discusses how to achieve a nutritious, balanced diet while on a… more
Triple Tax Advantages of Health Savings Accounts (10/31/2025) - If you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a powerful tax reduction tool and a way to build a fund for medical expenses. Here’s what you need to know for 2026. Who Qualifies? To contribute to an HSA, you must have an HSA-qualified HDHP. For 2026, the IRS… more
UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County 2025 Farm City Week Agricultural Tour: Keeping Agriculture Alive in 2025. (10/31/2025) - The 34th Annual Farm City Week Agricultural Tour in Manatee County is a fun-filled, day-long, chartered bus tour that will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Attendees will get a rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of some of our county’s historic farms, nursery and fishery operations. Farm City Week… more
What’s New on Ask IFAS: Family, Youth and Community Sciences (Sept.–Oct.) (10/31/2025) - Healthy Harvest: Florida’s Warm-Season Vegetables Catherine Campbell, Julia Graddy, Jeanette Andrade, and Wendy Wilber. This publication is intended for individuals who are interested in knowing more about warm-season crops that are grown in Florida, as well as ways to store, prepare, and cook these crops in healthy meals. Florida Cooperative Extension Service Framework for Health… more
November at the UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Office (10/31/2025) - By Wayne Hobbs, Interim County Extension Director and Environmental Horticulture Agent November is a month of thanks and all of us at the UF/IFAS Extension Clay County office are thankful for all of you who interact with us throughout the year. Whether you're attending a workshop, bringing your children to 4-H events, or calling in… more
Florida Land Steward Update, October 31, 2025 (10/31/2025) - THE FALL-WINTER 2025 ISSUE OF THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE In this issue: European Union Deforestation Regulation: What Landowners Need to Know, Florida Association of Consulting Foresters Corner: Longleaf Pine: Rising from the Ashes, Sign-up Open for the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, Fields & Forests Program, Tall Timbers… moreex•plore: Your Adventure Guide to Sarasota County (10/30/2025) - Are you looking to find more ways for you and your family to ex•plore all Sarasota County has to offer? From award-winning beaches to natural areas and trails, from mangrove tunnels to fishing holes, birding sites, gardens and more, Sarasota County has something for everyone! UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County's new "ex•plore" program is here to… more
ex•plore: Edible Gardening with Extension (10/30/2025) - Let’s Ex.plore what we’ve been up to! We’ve been busy at our UF/IFAS Sarasota County extension campus located in Twin Lakes Park off Clark Rd. We’ve added an edible garden demo area featuring different garden beds of varied heights and materials. We’ve added a couple self-watering containers and most recently we assembled for display two… more
Garlic and Vampires: The Science Behind the Myth [Part 2] (10/30/2025) - In part one, we explored garlic’s history and its remarkable ability to help protect against germs, health problems, insects, and even unwanted company. Now, in this post, we’ll take a deeper look into vampire lore, the creatures and conditions found in nature that inspired these tales. Vampiric Folklore Vampires are supernatural, blood-drinking creatures that are… more
Don’t be Afraid of the Dark! – Benefits of Dark Skies (10/28/2025) - Have you ever gone outside at night and wished you could see more stars? In the United States, 99% of the public cannot experience a natural night sky because of light pollution (Dark Sky, 2016). Light pollution is caused by inefficient outdoor lighting and the glow that escapes from indoor lighting at night. There is… more
Reeling in the Flavor: Florida’s Groupers (10/28/2025) - This blog post was developed using original content by Laila Cohen, intern UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County, and Holly Abeels, FL Sea Grant Extension Agent, and edited with assistance from Microsoft Copilot. Introduction: Why Grouper Is a Florida Favorite Grouper is one of Florida’s most popular fish—both for sport fishing and seafood lovers. With a wide… more
“Chili” Weather Ahead (10/27/2025) - Are you feeling chili? No, I’m not talking about the chill in the Florida air, I’m talking about having a delicious bowl of chili! Chili is a staple cold-weather food that’s surprisingly versatile. Whether you’re a meat‑lover or a plant‑based foodie, it can be customized to fit your taste and your nutrition goals. What's the… more
Future Leaders Gather for First 4-H Teen Leadership Summit in Wakulla County (10/27/2025) - The leaders of the future took center stage at the inaugural Future Leaders of Wakulla 4-H Teen Leadership Summit, hosted by Wakulla 4-H at the Extension Office in Crawfordville October 13, 2025. The one-day event welcomed over 40 participants aged 11 to 18 from Florida 4-H District Three. Youth from Wakulla, Leon, Gadsden, and Liberty… more
Carrots: Beta-Carotene and Cancer Prevention (10/27/2025) - By Joshua Payne, RDN, LDN, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County FCS Agent and Shari Bresin, MNM, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County FCS Agent Carrots are a familiar favorite in the kitchen, and they offer powerful health benefits beyond their crunch and sweetness. They are rich in beta-carotene, a plant pigment that gives carrots their orange color. In… more
Medicare: Key Facts for Informed Decisions (10/24/2025) - Understand your Medicare options to prevent unexpected costs and coverage gaps. Creditable health insurance is offered by many large employers. If your creditable health insurance coverage ends or is not offered by your employer, at age 65, sign up for Medicare to avoid financial penalties. There are two paths to Medicare. Review your options carefully… more
Florida Land Steward Update, October 24, 2025 (10/24/2025) - FLORIDA WORKING FORESTS WEEK COMING UP OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1 Florida Working Forest Week is a statewide opportunity to highlight all the great things that working forests provide. From water to wildlife habitat and wood products to carbon sequestration, forests offer natural solutions to the many issues we face as a state and nation.… more
Garlic and Vampires: The Science Behind the Myth [Part 1] (10/23/2025) - You’ve probably heard the old myth that garlic repels vampires, but is there any truth behind this? There’s no scientific evidence to support the existence of vampires or their aversion to garlic. However, the myth likely has roots in garlic’s longstanding reputation for warding off illnesses, insects, and even some individuals. From Ancient Crop to… more
Nature and Health: Benefits of Connecting to Nature for Adults (10/23/2025) - As our world becomes more digitized and urbanized, it may seem more challenging to choose to spend time outdoors. Yet, spending that time outside and connecting with nature on a deeper emotional level provides numerous proven benefits for our physical and mental health. Learning about our local environments can also provide a sense of place… more
Nature and Health: Benefits of Connecting to Nature for Children (10/23/2025) - Today’s youth are spending less and less time outdoors connecting with nature. Why does this matter? For both nature lovers and those who may be a little hesitant when it comes to spending time outdoors, there are a variety of mental, physical, and emotional health benefits to spending time in nature! For youth, these benefits… more
Stories from the Yard: Creating Florida-Friendly Outdoor Spaces You’ll Love (10/22/2025) - Growing a Garden with Purpose: Creating a Space to Enjoy and Relax Join us as we share real stories from local gardeners and homeowners who are transforming their yards into Florida-Friendly landscapes. Discover useful tips, successes, and challenges on the journey to gardening that’s good for the environment, beautiful, and easy to care for in… more
National Estate Planning Awareness Week – October 2025 (10/22/2025) - National Estate Planning Awareness Week (NEPAW) takes place this year from October 20–26, 2025. Established in 2008, NEPAW aims to educate individuals on the importance of estate planning learn more at: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/hres1499/text/eh#link=2&nearest=H5667EC8552C34718B78DB37C3EC82B1E Why Estate Planning Matters According to Caring.com, 24% of Americans had a will in 2025, whereas in 2024, 32% of Americans had a… more
Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – October 2025 (10/21/2025) - 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: Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates - September 2025 - UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. Club Updates 4-Paws: The… more
Five Essentials for Building Financial Success (10/20/2025) - Financial success can bring peace of mind, stability, and the freedom to pursue your goals. Whether it’s paying bills with ease, enjoying vacations, or retiring comfortably, financial success is a journey that many individuals can achieve with persistence, planning, and a bit of good luck. These five key ingredients are a recipe for a solid… more
One Jar of Peanut Butter Makes 16 Sandwiches for Local Residents in Need (10/20/2025) - To support our community members struggling with food access and hunger, we have joined the 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge. We'll collect donations of unopened peanut butter jars, of any brand and size, until Nov. 24, in a friendly "competition" with other UF/IFAS Extension offices statewide. Join the cause by donating at the Sarasota County… more
Onions and Garlic: Flavorful Allies for Cancer Prevention (10/20/2025) - By Joshua Payne, RDN, LDN, UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County FCS Agent and Shari Bresin, MNM, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County FCS Agent Onions and garlic are more than flavorful additions to your favorite recipes. These vegetables belong to the allium family and are linked to several health benefits, including cancer prevention. Both contain sulfur compounds and… more
Letters to Myself: Evelyn Neilson, B.S. Food Science, Shares Advice for First-Year Students (10/20/2025) - Opportunity: a good chance for advancement or progress. Opportunities can emerge at the most unexpected times, and knowing when to seize them requires courage, personal awareness, and wisdom. The college years are a unique period when students are learning how to balance goals while caring for themselves in many dimensions. Navigating these years is not… more
4-H: Sea Turtles in Sarasota County (10/20/2025) - Banner Photo Credits: UF/IFAS Photo by Camila Guillen Introduction During my internship, I had the pleasure of joining a sea turtle walk along Manasota Beach. The walk was a permitted walk. Sea turtle walks help scientists tag, measure, and monitor female sea turtles that return to shore to lay their eggs. We arrived at 8:30… more