UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

Shaping a Sustainable Future: Water School for Leaders to Tackle Key Water Issues in Marion and Sumter Counties

by Stella Canfield
April 10, 2025

Decision-makers and community leaders are invited to the Water School for Leaders, a two-day professional development program to provide essential, science-based information on current and future water issues in Marion and Sumter counties. The ... READ MORE

Category: Events, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: CEUs, Fngla, Marion County, Sumter County, Water, Water School, Yilin Zhuang

New Online Resource for Florida Well and Septic System Owners

by Stella Canfield
March 24, 2025

Floridians who rely on private wells and septic systems now have access to a valuable online resource to ensure the safety and maintenance of their household water. Water resources regional specialized agents Yilin Zhuang (Central District) ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Andrea Albertin, Disaster Preparation, Drinking Water, Florida Well Owner Network, FWON, Groundwater, Hurricane, Private Wells, Septic Systems, Water, Yilin Zhuang

Foliage, Florals and Tropics Galore: MREC at 2025 TPIE

by Stella Canfield
February 5, 2025

The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) connected with industry professionals at the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA)’s 2025 Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) – a premier trade event showcasing ... READ MORE

Category: Events, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alfred Huo, David Norman, Fngla, Lance Osborne, Tpie, Tropical Plant International Expo

UF/IFAS researchers work to advance grapevine health, helping California’s wine industry

by Stella Canfield
January 15, 2025

UF/IFAS researchers are tackling a critical challenge: protecting California’s $73 billion wine and wine grape industry. Grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD) and grapevine leafroll disease (GLD), caused by complex insect vector-borne viruses, ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, MREC, National Academy Of Sciences, Ozgur Batuman, Research, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center, Wine

Halloween with a Horticultural Twist: Spider Mites and Poison Ivy

by Stella Canfield
October 31, 2024

Halloween is a time for ghosts, ghouls and goblins, but the real fright might be lurking right under your nose. From destructive pests to dangerous weeds, these formidable foes can transform your greenery into a gruesome graveyard. Fangs ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS
Tags: Chris Marble, Entomology, Halloween, Herbicide, Horticulture, Lance Osborne, Landscape Weeds, Pests, Poison Ivy, Spider Mites, Weed Identification, Weeds

Master Weed Management with MREC Expert in Greenhouse Training Online Course

by Stella Canfield
October 1, 2024

Weeds pose a persistent challenge in nurseries and greenhouses, making weed management and control crucial components of such operations. To help professionals master weed management, the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department’s Greenhouse ... READ MORE

Category: Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Chris Marble, Greenhouse, Greenhouse Weed Management, Herbicides, Nursery, Weed Management, Weeds

Septic System Overload: How Heavy Rainfall Affects Your System and What to Do

by Yilin
September 27, 2024

When heavy rainfall or hurricanes hit, many homeowners with septic systems face a common problem: system overload. Excessive water can saturate the soil around the drainfield, leading to backups, slow drains, or even sewage contamination in ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Flooding, Floodwaters, FWON, Helene, Hurricane, Hurricane Recovery, Milton, Private Wells, Septic Systems, Storms, Wells

What Homeowners Should Do if Public Wastewater Treatment Plants Are Disrupted After a Hurricane

by Yilin
September 27, 2024

Hurricanes can disrupt critical infrastructure, including public wastewater treatment plants. When these facilities fail, homeowners must be aware of the health and environmental hazards and take actions to protect themselves. Here is a guide ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: FWON, Helene, Hurricane, Hurricane Recovery, Milton, Public Sewer, Sewage, Wastewater, Wastewater Treatment

Private Well and Septic System Care Before and After Storms: Essential Resources for Homeowners

by Yilin
September 25, 2024

Florida’s frequent storms and hurricanes can have significant impacts on private wells and septic systems. Homeowners must take proactive steps to protect their water quality and ensure their systems function safely before and after severe ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Before And After Storms, Drinking Water, Espanol, FWON, Helene, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Preparedness, Milton, Private Wells, Septic Systems, Storms

Kayak Lunch & Learn at Rainbow River

by Yilin
September 20, 2024

Join us for an unforgettable journey on one of Florida's most pristine and beautiful rivers, Rainbow River. This is your chance to immerse yourself in nature while learning about our precious water resources and how to protect them. Event Highlights ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Education, Extension, FFL, Kayak, Landscape, Lunch And Learn, Nutrient Loadings, Rainbow River, Septic Systems, Springs

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