ORLANDO, Fla. – Spring is around the corner, and Master Gardeners across central Florida are gearing up for festivals and plant sales.
The UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardeners Volunteer program, part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is celebrating 40 years in Florida. There are approximately 4,000 Master Gardener volunteers across the state, said Wendy Wilber, UF/IFAS Extension state Master Gardener coordinator.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program. We have had 40 years of making a difference in Floridian’s lives and landscapes by being a trusted resource for horticulture information and education,” Wilber said. “Our volunteers are dedicated, passionate and generous with their service to the gardening community, and we are looking forward to continuing our success for many more years to come.”
New this year is the participation of the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore. The bookstore features a variety of items, including gardening products, posters, apparel and the latest books from UF/IFAS researchers. For more information, visit www.ifasbooks.com.
“The UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore is very excited to be a part of the upcoming Healthy Living Expo. Our booth will have publications to help you grow your own vegetables and fruit, identify bugs and birds as you explore your local parks and hiking trails, attract pollinators to your garden, and more,” said Sarah Hensley, UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore manager. “We will have unique and helpful Florida-centric books that can help you nurture the ideas, information and plants you find at the Expo.”
These central Florida counties will host the following events:
- Osceola County: Florida-Friendly Landscaping Spring Garden Festival. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, 23 at Kissimmee Osceola Heritage Park, 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee. Plant sale, food, vendors and workshops. Free parking and entry.
- Seminole County: Seminole County Gardening Expo. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, 23. Location is 250 West County Home Road, Sanford. Entry and parking are free. Event will feature her gardening, pop-up, how-to clinics and demonstrations, kids’ activities and more.
- Orange County: Healthy Living Expo, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 2. UF/IFAS Extension Orange County office, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando. The Healthy Living Expo is comprised of three events: a 5K Milk Run/Walk, Master Gardener Plant Sale and Garden Festival, and workshops throughout the day. Entry and parking are free.
- Marion County: Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9-10. Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala. Admission is $2 for anyone over 12 years old. Free parking. The event will feature a kids’ gardening zone, food truck rally, plant sale and experts on site.
- Sumter County: Spring Garden Festival. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6. Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood. $2 admission.
- Lake County: Landscape & Garden Fair, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 13-14. UF/IFAS Extension Lake County office, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares. Parking and entry are free. The event will feature children’s activities, workshops, plant sales and much more.
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.
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