UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County -

Seaweed aquaculture in Florida? A farmer’s perspective.

by Angela Collins
December 3, 2025

Global seaweed production is currently at an all time high (World Bank, 2023; FAO, 2024). Almost all of that production occurs in Asia. The small amount that does occur in the US is restricted to cold water species, like the kelps of New England ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Aquaculture, Clams, Florida Sea Grant, Macroalgae, Seaweed, Shellfish, Tampa Bay

Take the Edge on Your School‑Supply Bill: Florida Tax‑Savvy Tips for Parents

by Nelly Nelson
July 28, 2026

Back-to-school season means back‑to‑budget season, especially in Latin America and the Southwestern parts of the United States where the school year starts right after Labor Day. Did you know that the timing of your purchases and where ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, , Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: Back To School, New School Year, Savings Back To School, School Supplies

UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Scouting Training Series

by Caitlin Sollazzo
June 2, 2026

Early detection is one of the most important (but often overlooked) parts of plant health management. Whether managing insects, plant diseases, weeds, nutrient issues, irrigation problems, or environmental stress, the ability to scout effectively ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching

Talking Trash – Rodent Prevention

by Michelle Atkinson
May 29, 2026

If you want to attract rodents to your home, leave food out, provide shelter, and give them easy access. If you don’t, your trash habits matter more than you think. Garbage is one of the primary reasons rodents settle around homes. The ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Tags: Garbage, Pest, Rats

The Mindful May: Daily Meditation Challenges for the Busy Professional

by Nelly Nelson
May 15, 2026

Spring is the season of renewal. The sky is opening, the trees whisper new leaves, and for those of us in perpetual motion, an invitation to pause can feel surprisingly scarce. Yet what if you could swap a few minutes of your day for a small ... READ MORE

Category: , Health & Nutrition, Work & Life
Tags: Meditation, Mindfulness, Relax, Stress

Hydration: The Quiet Super Power of Wellness

by Nelly Nelson
April 30, 2026

When we think of a wellness routine, exercise, balanced nutrition, and meditation often take center stage. Yet one of the simplest acts a glass of water reveals a quiet super‑power. Water is not just a neutral backdrop; it is a vital solvent, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Camp, , Clubs & Volunteers, Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Recreation
Tags: Dehydration, Fluids Intake, Hydration, Mental Clarity, Physical Performance

Liverworts (The Ancient “Weed” Living in Your Pots)

by Caitlin Sollazzo
April 23, 2026

I was looking through some nursery cuttings when I noticed something growing across the surface of the media - liverwort. My first thought was, man, I forgot how cool liverworts are. I’ve learned about them in ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Crops, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Commercial Horticulture, Liverwort, Manatee County Extension

Webspinners

by Caitlin Sollazzo
March 23, 2026

Webspinners (order Embioptera) are one of the most overlooked and fascinating insect groups on the planet. Despite their small size and secretive habits, they are more common here in Florida than most people realize, especially due to our subtropical, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Conservation, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Bugsarecool, Embiidina, Embioptera, Webspinner

A Tale of Three Daddy Long Legs

by Caitlin Sollazzo
December 17, 2025

I feel like it’s time to clear up a few common misconceptions. I recently acquired a pet daddy long legs because I have free will, and I use it to the fullest. If you’re in the entomology or arthropod world like me, you probably already ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife
Tags: Arachnology, DaddyLongLegs, Entomology, Manatee County Extension, SpiderMyths

Leafy Oak Gall

by Caitlin Sollazzo
December 8, 2025

Oak galls are one of my favorite examples of how complex plant–insect interactions can be. If you’ve ever walked past an oak tree and noticed odd growths (round, leafy, fuzzy, spiky, or shaped like little apples) you’ve seen the work of ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Leafy Oak Gall, Oak Gall

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