It’s a good idea to consider vaccinating horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The wet weather is increasing mosquito populations that vector this disease to humans and horses. There have been cases of EEE in horses this year. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension
After the heavy rain in Northwest Florida, many people have noticed large mosquitoes called gallinippers. Psorophora ciliata often seems to appear all at once after storms or flooding. These mosquitoes are a normal part of Florida’s environment. ... READ MORE
Category: Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
We proudly share that Margaret Stewart of the UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Service is nationally recognized by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Conservation Committee. The National Society of the Daughters ... READ MORE
Category: Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners recognized April 19–25, 2026, as Extension Services Volunteer Appreciation Week. The commissioners approved the official proclamation at their meeting on April 21, 2026. Extension ... READ MORE
Category: Events, UF/IFAS Extension
Happy Earth Day! UF/IFAS Extension Sea Grant in Okaloosa and Walton Counties and Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County’s Department of Tourist Development, helped celebrate Earth Day by hosting coastal cleanups in both ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Community Volunteers, Events, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
My son and his girlfriend were visiting last week and wanted to go fishing. Since she had never been deep sea fishing before, we decided that the best course of action would be to take the short four-hour trip on one of Destin’s party boats. Party ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS ExtensionWith today’s column, I’m asking you to provide feedback to me via email. I consider this column to be an educational tool to share UF/IFAS Extension research-based information. Readers are provided with the most current information ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
We are fortunate to have several whale species that have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico including humpback whales, Rice whales, fin whales, sperm whales, sei whales, and orca whales. Recently, however, we have seen multiple reports of whale ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, WildlifeJune offers hotter temperatures, humidity and possible thunderstorm activity. In addition, school is out and many people take time to go on vacation. This leaves less time for landscape and garden chores. But there are things to do in the June ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Turf, UF/IFAS ExtensionThe UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteers will hold their 2023 Spring Plant Sale 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the temporary UF/IFAS Extension Annex located at the Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) in Fort Walton Beach. Our ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, UF/IFAS Extension