Category: Crops

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


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
Four images from the 2025 Farm City Week Agricultural Tour: Roma tomatoes at West Coast Tomato; bright red poinsettias at Orban’s Nursery; rows of chartreuse foliage plants at Manatee Farms; and iced whole fish packed in a box at A.P. Bell Fish Company. Photos by UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County

Highlights From the 2025 Manatee County Farm City Week Agricultural Tour


November 21, 2025

A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us for the 34th Annual Farm City Week Agricultural Tour. We had a full bus, a full schedule, and a full day of learning, connecting, and experiencing agriculture firsthand. Thank you to every operation ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: A.P. Bell Fish Co., Manatee Farms, Orban's Nursery, Palma Sola Botanical Park, West Coast Tomato
Thrips parvispinus (male left, female right) Photo Credit: Lyle Buss

Thrips parvispinus Management


July 24, 2025

Thrips parvispinus: What We’re Learning About Management in Ornamentals A relatively new invasive pest in Florida, Thrips parvispinus, has quickly gained attention due to its ability to damage a wide range of ornamental and vegetable crops. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Insects, Manatee County Extension, Pesticides, Thrips, UF/IFAS Extension
Elevated tractor applying fertilizer to a corn field.

Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources


August 2, 2024

Application deadline for financial assistance is October 1 GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 21, 2021 — Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until October 1 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Forests, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Turf, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Environmental Quality Incentives Program, EQIP, Farming, Financial Assistance, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NRCS, Soil Health, USDA
Palm trees being blown by the winds of an approaching storm. Severe weather, rain, beach, coast.

Hurricane Season Begins: Federal Program Protects Public Safety


May 8, 2024

Hurricane Season Begins Federal Program Protects Public Safety GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 1, 2021 — Hurricane season officially begins today and the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) may be able to help if your area suffers damage ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Crops, Disaster Preparation, Farm Management, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Livestock, Natural Resources, Turf, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Conservation, Financial Assistance, Hurricane, Hurricane Season, NRCS, Technical Assistance, UF/IFAS Extension, USDA

Shop Local in Manatee County


April 16, 2024

Agriculture has always played a vital role in Manatee County’s economy. With more than 220,000 acres of land dedicated to agriculture production, its economic impact, which is estimated to be about $500 million, is only second to tourism. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture, Livestock, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Agriculture, Citrus Production, Commercial Fishing, Farms, Livestock, Manatee County, Ornamental Horticulture, Shop Local, Vegetable Crops

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