UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

Recap: Private Well 101 – Understanding Your Well and Water Basics

by Yilin Zhuang
September 4, 2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Private Well 101: Understanding Your Well and Water Basics webinar, hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Well Owner Network (FWON). We had participants joining from across Florida and a great set ... READ MORE

Category: Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Aquifer, Drinking Water, Florida Well Owner Network, FWON, Private Wells, Septic Systems, Water Testing, Well Components, Well Water

Water Wednesday Recap: Summer Lawn and Irrigation Care in Florida

by Yilin Zhuang
August 28, 2026

Florida summers can be challenging for lawns. Hot temperatures increase water demand, but simply running your irrigation system more often is not necessarily the answer. Too much water can contribute to disease, shallow roots, weeds, and unnecessary ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Water
Tags: Florida, Florida Lawn, Lawn Care, Lawn Irrigaiton, Lawn Watering, New Residents, Water Conservation, Water Wednesday

Water Wednesday Recap: Understanding Florida Homes

by Yilin Zhuang
July 31, 2026

Florida's heat and humidity can be challenging, especially for homeowners who are new to the state. During our July Water Wednesday webinar, Understanding Florida Homes: Humidity, Mold, and Energy Use, Lisa Hamilton, UF/IFAS Extension Family ... READ MORE

Category: Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Energy Efficiency, Florida, Florida Homes, Home Maintenance, Humidity, Mold Prevention, Special Topics, Water Conservation, Water Wednesday

Expert entomologist inducted into Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame

by Stella Canfield
July 13, 2026

Lance Osborne at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center has been inducted into the 2026 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Hall of Fame by the Southern IPM Center. As one of three selected for the honor, the award recognizes Osborne’s ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Award, Biological Control, Integrated Pest Management, IPM, IPM Hall Of Fame, Lance Osborne, Southern IPM Center

From greenhouse to patent: Two new pothos cultivars take root

by Stella Canfield
June 4, 2026

After years of breeding and evaluation at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), two new pothos cultivars, Snowy Stream and Green Isle, have been patented for their distinctive foliage characteristics in one of the world’s ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Breeding, Cultivars, Horticulture, Indoor Foliage, Jianjun Chen, National Horticulture Foundation, Patents, Pothos, Richard Henny

Water Wednesday Recap: Hurricane Preparedness for New Florida Residents

by Yilin Zhuang
June 1, 2026

In the June Water Wednesday webinar, Hurricane Preparedness: A Guide for New Florida Residents, Dr. Angie Lindsey, an associate professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences with University of Florida, shares some practical ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Water Supply, Florida Hurricane Season, Hurricane Preparedness, New Florida Residents, Post Storm Recovery, Storm Preparedness, Water Wednesday

Water Wednesday Recap: Understanding Drainage, Ponds, and How Florida Manages Rainwater

by Yilin Zhuang
May 27, 2026

In the May Water Wednesday webinar Stormwater 101: Understanding Drainage, Ponds, and How Florida Manages Rainwater, Dr. Eban Bean, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of Urban Water Resources Engineering at the University of Florida ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Florida, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, New Residents, Runoff, Stormwater, Stormwater BMPs, Stormwater Management, Water Quality, Water Wednesday

Water Wednesday Recap: Florida-Friendly Landscaping for New Residents

by Yilin Zhuang
April 24, 2026

As part of the Water Wednesday webinar series, Tom Wickman, Assistant Director of the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program, shared practical guidance on how Florida residents can design and maintain landscapes that work with the state’s ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: FFL, Florida Friendly Landcaping, Gardening, Irrigation, Landscape, Water Wednesday

Water Wednesday Recap: Where Your Water Comes From and How to Use It Wisely

by Yilin Zhuang
April 3, 2026

In March, we hosted the second webinar in our 2026 Water Wednesday: A New Residents Guide to Florida’s Environment series. This session, Florida Water 101, focused on where Florida’s water comes from, how it is used, and what residents should ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Aquifer, Florida Water, Floridan Aquifer, Groundwater, Irrigation, New Residents, Reclaimed Water, Water Challenges, Water Conservation, Water Demand, Water Quality, Water Supply, Water Use Florida, Water Wednesday

Papaya banker plant system strengthens biological control of whiteflies

by Stella Canfield
March 24, 2026

A new study finds that papaya banker plants can strengthen control of the sweet potato whitefly, one of the most damaging pests in ornamental crop production. Published in the journal “Biological Control,” the research highlights a promising ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Banker Plants, Biological Control, Cindy McKenzie, Lance Osborne, Papaya, Pests, Poinsettias, Whiteflies, Whitefly

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