Starting a farming business? UF/IFAS hosts virtual English and Spanish workshops for beginners (3/18/2024) - 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 of the size, need a roadmap to provide a sense of direction toward profitability,” said Jonael Bosques-Mendez,… more
¡Descubra cómo iniciar su propio negocio agrícola! UF/IFAS ofrece talleres virtuales en inglés y español para principiantes (3/18/2024) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. La agricultura en Florida es un gran negocio. Para sobrevivir en el competitivo mercado actual, los principiantes en la industria necesitan un plan de negocios sólido y las tácticas de mercadeo adecuadas para construir un negocio desde su… more
How Research Gives Hope: Dr. Susan Percival and the Power of Inspiration (3/18/2024) - Learn more about Dr. Percival's groundbreaking research and service to UF by downloading the full version of this feature here. December 1, 1989. Two months into her new position in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida, Dr. Susan Percival receives a letter that will forever change her view on… more
South Florida Community Urban Food HUB (3/15/2024) - Article by UF/IFAS Extension Broward County Urban Horticulture Agent Lorna Bravo & UF Intern Abraham Cuadrado Did you know that 15% of the world’s food is grown in urban areas? From backyard community gardens to vacant lots along highways and rooftops, urban farmers bring people closer to their food in limited spaces. Data Source: USDA.… more
Florida celebra 45 años del programa de Maestros Jardineros Voluntarios (3/14/2024) - Creado por Megan Winslow, especialista en relaciones públicas de UF/IFAS. Las oficinas de Extensión de University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) mostrarán su agradecimiento la próxima semana a los más de 3.300 residentes que laboran como Maestros Jardineros Voluntarios en todo el estado. Durante la celebración de la Semana del Maestro… more
Florida celebrates 45 years of Master Gardener Volunteer program (3/14/2024) - University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension offices will show appreciation next week for the more than 3,300 residents serving as Master Gardener Volunteers throughout the state. During Master Gardener Volunteer Week — March 17-23 — UF/IFAS Extension agents plan to recognize the hard work of their volunteers through a social… more
Fertilizer Fundamentals: How to Choose the Right One (3/14/2024) - Fertilizer, What Is It? Ah, the memories of those science classes! Remember sitting there, soaking up knowledge about photosynthesis? It was like learning the ultimate life hack of the plant world – turning sunlight into food. But wait, did your teacher delve into the world of fertilizers? You know, those nutrient boosters that often get… more
Legacy Planning Virtual Seminar: gift planning basics to maximize charitable impact (3/14/2024) - Did you know there are tax-advantageous ways to support the causes you care about? Thoughtful planning and choosing the right gift type can help donors maximize their impact. On April 4, join Florida 4-H's Caylin Hilton and Alex Pribil from UF's Office of Estate & Gift Planning to explore recent tax law updates, charitable giving trends,… more
National Nutrition Month: Beyond the Table (3/13/2024) - This year's National Nutrition Month® theme is "Beyond the Table," which addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets. It also describes the various ways we eat and includes sustainability. https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month National Nutrition Month® is held annually in March. It is celebrated from March 1st… more
Sarasota County Launches New Map Highlighting Green Business Partners (3/13/2024) - Sarasota County has taken another step towards a greener future with the launch of its new Green Business Partnership Map. The goal is to showcase and promote local businesses dedicated to environmental practices, encouraging residents and visitors alike to support sustainability in their community. Residents can use the map to discover new sustainable businesses in… more
Sarasota County Extension Seeking Households to Help with Composting Study (3/13/2024) - University of Florida researchers want help from Sarasota County households to get a better understanding of how homes generate and handle food waste. A new citizen science project, led locally by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County staff, aims to enroll 100 Sarasota County households in a two-week study measuring how much food waste each home generates… more
Answers from UF/IFAS experts as pollen blankets your car and makes you sneeze (3/13/2024) - Achoo! It’s pollen season. You might sneeze, and you might have to wash your vehicle to remove the green, dust-like coating that comes from plants. We asked Lynn Barber, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ agent at UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County and Alyssa Vinson, the horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County to tell us the most common… more
Understanding Soil pH: The Key to Successful Gardening (3/12/2024) - What is the Relationship Between Soil and pH? Remember those science class lessons about the pH scale? You know, the one where you learned that lemons were acidic, pure water was neutral, and baking soda was alkaline? It turns out that understanding pH is not just for the classroom – it's also crucial for successful… more
Tackling the Question of Change at The Global Nutrition Symposium (3/11/2024) - Mental models, systems thinking, and change agents were some of the big ideas circulating during the Global Nutrition Symposium on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The question, “Change is Possible – But How?” was the theme of this year’s event. Speakers showcased how to facilitate social and behavioral changes that are essential to achieve positive nutrition-related… more
Still Time for 2023 Contributions to Tax Advantaged Accounts (3/11/2024) - There is still time to make 2023 contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The deadline to make these contributions is April 15, 2024. This is helpful because there is a limit on how much can be contributed each tax year. IRAs: Individuals with taxable compensation and their spouses can choose between… more
Spice Up Your Life: A Beginners Guide to Growing Basil (3/8/2024) - Are you a fan of fresh aromatic herbs in your dishes? If so, growing herbs right at home might just become your new favorite hobby. In this guide, we'll explore how to grow basil from the comfort of your own home, including some commonly grown varieties that do well in Central Florida. We’ll also highlight… more
Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer Series: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Speaker’s Bureau (3/6/2024) - Meet a Master Gardener Welcome to our "Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer" blog series, where we delve into the inspiring stories and impactful contributions of the passionate individuals who form the backbone of our gardening community. These dedicated volunteers bring horticultural expertise, community spirit, and a love for sustainable practices to the forefront of our… more
Broward County Celebrates 22 Years of “Water Matters”, March 9th. (3/6/2024) - Broward does it best! Every year for the past 22, Broward County, FL has been educating its citizens on the importance of water conservation with Water Matters Day. This year, it falls on March 9th, from 9 AM - 3 PM at Tree Tops Park, in Davie. Water Matters Day is a signature event in… more
Looking to build a citywide compost program? Policy makers, others invited to UF/IFAS Compost Consortium on March 27 (3/6/2024) - Federal agencies are investing millions of dollars to support innovative compost plans and programs that divert food waste from landfills. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is leading the charge to help cities and counties build robust compost programs that are green, sustainable and economically beneficial. On March 27, the UF/IFAS… more
Keeping Your Budget and Health on Track (3/6/2024) - When shopping for groceries you have a variety of food options to choose from that range in food costs. You may select healthy foods, for family or cultural preferences, or cost. With food costs continually on the rise you may think to yourself, can I eat healthy on a budget? The answer is yes you… more
Estudio de UF: La lactancia materna después de la vacuna de COVID-19 podría transmitir anticuerpos a los bebés (3/6/2024) - Creado por Meredith Bauer, especialista sénior en relaciones públicas de UF/IFAS. Según un estudio de University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) y la Facultad de Medicina de UF, las madres lactantes que reciben el refuerzo de la vacuna contra COVID-19 transmiten los anticuerpos a sus hijos a través de la leche materna y… more
Simple ways to shape up this Spring (3/5/2024) - Spring signals a time for shedding layers, embracing vibrant fashion trends, and engaging in the annual ritual of spring cleaning. This isn't just about reorganizing your closet; it's also an opportunity to shed any unhealthy winter habits you may have picked up, such as neglecting exercise due to colder temperatures. Remember not to be too… more
Wakulla County Spring Seed Library Kickoff (3/5/2024) - Wakulla County Spring Seed Library Kickoff FREE SEEDS & PLANT ADVICE MARCH 14, 2024 Wakulla County Public Library 4330 Crawfordville Hwy, Crawfordville, FL 32326 UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla Master Gardener Agent Khadejah Scott-Price, khadejahscott@ufl.edu more
We Are Developing a Game-Changing Technique to Save Strawberries (3/4/2024) - A warm welcome to Jingyi 'Kini' Cheng, the latest guest in our FSHN Research Journeys series, which follows graduate students' research in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program at The University of Florida. Kini is a food science master's degree student who is passionate about sharing the health-promoting benefits of fruits by extending their shelf-life and reducing… more
Love Food? Check Out “Food Check-Out Week” (3/1/2024) - I will admit it. I am not really one to “celebrate” all these new week-labels we’ve added to our calendars. But I do like food and food statistics. When I heard about “Food Check-Out Week” I knew I had to learn more. Food Check-Out Week is the time in the new year when the… more
Reduce Food Waste: 10 Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken (3/1/2024) - Why reduce food waste? This simple procedure can save you money and help the environment. It takes the farming and agriculture industry a lot of time and resources to grow/raise, produce, and bring food to your table. It is economical to avoid wasting food in your home and it feels good too. Check your refrigerator… more
Gators 4 Mercy: A Journey in Water Security with Water 4 Mercy (2/28/2024) - As a graduate student at the University of Florida in 2021, Anthony Halcyon saw a local news segment that he credits for changing the trajectory of his academic and humanitarian endeavors as a scientist. It showcased the impactful work of Water 4 Mercy. The Clearwater, Florida-based non-profit organization is dedicated to providing clean water solutions… more
Aproximadamente la mitad de los residentes de Florida desconocen las restricciones locales de agua (2/28/2024) - Creado por Brad Buck, especialista sénior en relaciones públicas de UF/IFAS. La mitad de los residentes de Florida no conocen las restricciones locales sobre el uso del agua, pero aquellos que sí las conocen pueden ser persuadidos a cumplirlas, según muestra una nueva investigación de University of Florida. Las restricciones de agua pueden ser establecidas… more
Unlocking the heat in mosquito modeling: Exploring disease transmission under climate change (2/26/2024) - Thermal adaptation is the ability for organisms to adjust their life history traits as the temperature changes. In the case of mosquitoes, these traits can determine their risk of transmitting mosquito-borne diseases and how this risk might change in the future as they respond to climates warming. “Global drivers such as transport, trade and climate… more
The Threat of Enteric Viruses in Agricultural Water (2/26/2024) - We are pleased to introduce Yusuf Nuradeen, a food science master's degree student and the latest guest in our FSHN Research Journeys series, which follows graduate students' research in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program at The University of Florida. Yusuf is committed to understanding the implications of food security on a global scale. In addition,… more
Students Compete in the 2024 Manasota Envirothon (2/23/2024) - In January, 115 local high school students participated in the 2024 Manasota Regional Envirothon. The event brought together 23 student teams from high schools across the Sarasota-Manatee region, convening at Oscar Scherer State Park to showcase their knowledge in Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and Current Events. The Envirothon, an Environmental Education team competition, challenges student… more
How it Happened: Florida Master Money Mentor Program (2/23/2024) - Financial security is essential to our quality of life. However, learning how to be financially secure isn’t something usually taught on the job or in school. Some people may think financial education is only for those who can afford it, but the truth is, in most cases, people with limited means are most in need… more
Tax Credit for Your Retirement Savings Contributions (2/21/2024) - A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the amount of federal income tax that you are required to pay. Tax credits are typically better than tax deductions because of this direct reduction. Example: Tax liability is $1,400 and you have a $500 tax credit. Your liability is reduced to $900. Depending on the situation,… more
Conozca su riesgo de termitas con el mapa interactivo de distribución: la nueva herramienta en línea de UF/IFAS (2/21/2024) - Creado por Lourdes Mederos, gerente de relaciones públicas en español para el Departamento de Comunicaciones de UF/IFAS. Anualmente, las termitas causan daños que se estiman en miles de millones de dólares a viviendas, árboles y otras estructuras de madera en los Estados Unidos. En Florida, las infestaciones de termitas representan un riesgo para las propiedades… more
UF/IFAS unveils online tool: Stay ahead of termite risk with an interactive distribution map (2/20/2024) - Termites cause billions of dollars a year in damages to homes, trees and other wooden structures across America. In Florida, termite infestations are a year-round risk for properties and trees. While they are not swarming year-round, they consistently forage and develop new colonies, leaving signs of their presence. Fortunately, scientists at the University of Florida… more
Free Tax Software and Education (2/20/2024) - Hillsborough County Extension is offering access to free tax software to residents whose adjusted gross income on their tax return doesn’t exceed $79,000. Adjusted gross income doesn’t include things like tax deductible contributions to retirement plans or tax-exempt contributions to Health Savings Accounts. The free software can be used for 2023 tax returns. That is… more
Creative Commons License: A New Era for EDIS Publications (2/19/2024) - Starting with new publications and major revisions released after January 1, 2024, UF/IFAS is releasing EDIS publications under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. Open-access will allow people to share and reuse our publications more easily, increasing our audiences, our reach, and our impact, without introducing noticeable changes to our publishing… more
Microscopic Marvels: Exploring Thermal Dynamics and Norovirus Inactivation in Oysters (2/19/2024) - Welcome back to our FSHN Research Journeys series, which follows graduate students' research in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program at The University of Florida. In this article, first-year food science master's degree student Nalanda Doddi describes her research into the methods of preventing norovirus infection resulting from the consumption of oysters. Read on to learn… more
Preserving Strawberries: A Guide to Freezing (2/16/2024) - As we relish the flavors of locally grown strawberries, their sweet aroma and vibrant hues evoke the essence of sunshine captured in each bite. In the wake of Valentine's Day, where strawberries often take center stage, let's dive into the art of preserving these delicate berries, exploring freezing techniques that can be enjoyed long after… more
Alumni Feature: Kyle Giest, Dietetics, Supporting Young Adults with Cancer (2/15/2024) - We are honored to welcome Kyle Giest to our Discover FSHN Series! Kyle is an alumnus of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida. Over the past decade, Kyle has been on a journey of health and advocacy. Read on to learn about his commitment… more
Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer Series: UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Educational Outreach Garden (2/12/2024) - Welcome to our "Meet a Master Gardener Volunteer" blog series, where we delve into the inspiring stories and impactful contributions of the passionate individuals who form the backbone of our gardening community. These dedicated volunteers bring horticultural expertise, community spirit, and a love for sustainable practices to the forefront of our Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV)… more
Learning about Youth Online Peer Support (2/12/2024) - For better or for worse, the Internet has had profound effects on the ways that people connect. When I was younger, face-to-face interactions and phone calls with peers I saw at school or extracurricular activities largely shaped the landscape of my social life. Now, with a plethora of apps, platforms, and online forums, it has… more
Walk Across Wakulla and Celebrate Wakulla Wonderful (2/11/2024) - The Wakulla Wonderful event is back! On Saturday, March 9, from 10 am to 2 PM, Wakulla 4-H invites the Board of County Commissioners, all elected county officials, our business community and all citizens to join Wakulla 4-H at the Wakulla County Courthouse square on High Road for a celebration of Wakulla’s founding and community… more
Recognizing Value – Mental Health Blogging Series (2/8/2024) - By Daniel Gonzalez (UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County) and Chelsea Jones (Cornell Cooperative Extension Cortland County) We welcome you back to our mental health blogging series. This is our final installment of the series in which we will recap everything we have discussed in the last 10 months, and wrap-up with recognizing the value… more
3/21/24 GI-BMP in Orange County + Sun Spot Safety Lunch with Swag! (2/8/2024) - That is right! Fertilizer is regulated in Florida and in Orange County and beyond! You are required to learn about it and follow the rules. We want to keep things interesting and beneficial for you, the landscape professionals. This year, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County is partnering with the Sun Spot Safety program to offer a… more
Heart-Healthy Foods for Valentine’s Day: Love Your Heart! (2/7/2024) - Valentine's Day! A day full of love, hugs, and... chocolates? Well, this year we're giving a twist to the Valentine's menu. Instead of the regular heart-shaped candies, how about we fill our plates with foods that are actually good for our hearts? Sounds interesting? Let's do this! Salmon: The Heart’s BFF! Have you ever… more
Fish and Seafood Safety (2/6/2024) - Introduction I try to eat fish several times during the week. Many organizations have recommended eating seafood twice a week. For example, the US Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults eat eight ounces of fish or seafood per week. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/DGA_2020-2025_StartSimple_withMyPlate_English_color.pdf Seafood includes fish and shellfish, such as salmon, clams, oysters, tuna, snapper, shrimp, crab,… more
Private Well and Septic System Care Workshop in Marion County (2/6/2024) - Join Us for a Workshop on Private Drinking Well Maintenance, Well Water Quality, and Septic System Care in Marion County! Are you concerned about the safety of your drinking water and the health of your septic system? Your worries end here! We are excited to invite you to a FREE workshop that will equip you… more
Stand Up & Holler 2024 (2/5/2024) - Stand Up & Holler 2024 Attention County supporters, volunteers, friends, Orange County residents, and especially local Gators: UF’s 2024 Gator Nation Giving Day begins at 12:00AM on February 15, 2024, and you can “Stand Up & Holler” for our UF/IFAS Extension Orange County office for 24 hours. Through your support, we can advance our mission… more
Why Go Med? (2/5/2024) - When you hear the term “Going Med”, what do you think it means? This term is in reference to following the Mediterranean Diet, which has shown an impact on the prevention and management of several chronic diseases. It’s a way of eating that comes from the foods available and consumed by those living in the… more