Category: UF/IFAS Research

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

Porterweed Rust

by Caitlin Sollazzo
November 12, 2025

Sometimes nature can be quite beautiful. This is rust (Puccinia urbaniana) infecting native porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis). If you look closely, you can even see tiny fly larvae feeding on the spores of the rust fungus.Rust is a type ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, , Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Florida Friendly Landscape, Horticulture, Manatee County, Manatee County Extension

Thrips parvispinus Management

by Caitlin Sollazzo
July 23, 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

Storm Preparation for Plant Nurseries

by Christine Russo
June 22, 2023

Hurricane season in Florida can look very different from year to year; if we're lucky, we may have little to no tropical activity, but it is best to prepare for the worst. The season ranges from June 1st to November 30th, with most tropical ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Disaster Preparation, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Disaster Preparation, Hurricane, Nursery, Ornamental, Plant, Plant Nursery, Storm, USDA

Weeping Bottlebrush Poses Invasiveness Risk in Florida

by Christine Russo
February 15, 2023

Bottlebrush: Florida Friendly or Foe? Bottlebrush is a common plant in the landscapes of Florida; you may know it for its showy red blooms that, resembling bottlebrushes, coined the tree’s name. Although it thrives in both south and central ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Bottlebrush, Environment, Florida Friendly, Florida Friendly Landscape, Horticulture, Invasive Species, Landscape, Trees

Your New Go-To Site for Stormwater Pond Resources

by Maggie Gaughan
December 6, 2022

Your new go-to site for stormwater pond resources has been created by staff at the UF/IFAS Extension service for residents, professionals and anyone else that is looking to learn more! This website serves as a research tool and resource center ... READ MORE

Category: , Horticulture, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Florida Friendly, Pond, Run Off, Stormwater, Stormwater Pond, Water Conservation, Water Quality

Bringing the Future of Florida’s Artificial Reefs into Focus

by Angela Collins
May 10, 2021

The 2020 Florida Artificial Reef Summit... Still on a Screen Near You. For more than three decades, UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant have played a primary leadership role in the evolution of Florida’s artificial reef program. This ... READ MORE

Category: , Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Artificial Reefs, Fisheries, Fisheries Management, Florida Sea Grant, FWC, Manatee County Extension

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