Category: Agriculture

Nature Wrote the Horror Story First

by Caitlin Sollazzo
October 8, 2026

I can’t believe it is already October and Halloween season. I’ve never been particularly drawn to horror movies and all the frightening things we get into this time of year. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate horror as a genre. It’s ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Beauveria Bassiana, Beneficial Fungi, Biological Control, Entomopathogenic Fungi, Garden Pests, Halloween, Integrated Pest Management

A New Appreciation for Myakka River State Park

by Caitlin Sollazzo
September 13, 2026

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County and listening to a talk about the history and management of the park. This was organized as part of a retreat for environmental agents in the Southwest Extension ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension

Don’t Let Your Landscape Become an Invasive Plant Factory

by Michelle Atkinson
August 5, 2026

You carefully select plants to create a beautiful landscape, provide wildlife habitat, and increase your home's curb appeal. But hidden among those desirable plants may be an uninvited guest, an invasive plant that quietly establishes itself, ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease
Tags: Conservation, Featured, Florida Landscapes, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Invasive Plants, Landscape Maintenance, Natural Areas, Sustainable Landscaping, Watershed Protection, Wetlands

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

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

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

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