Category: WORK & LIFE

Interested in Learning about Florida’s Cottage Food Law?

by Hillary MacMichael
May 19, 2026

If you’ve ever been told your cookies could win awards, your spice blends should be bottled, or your sourdough starter deserves its own fan club, you might be sitting on more than just a hobby. Many home cooks don’t realize that their passion ... READ MORE

Category: , Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Cottage Food, Food And Nutrition, Food Safety, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County
dark stormy sky with a blue evacuation route sign

Hurricane Season Begins June 1: Time to Prepare

by Kevin Camm
May 7, 2026

June 1 marks the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November 30. Recent seasons have reminded us how active and unpredictable hurricane activity can be, especially here in Florida. Now is the time to review your ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Disaster Preparation, HOME LANDSCAPES, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Disaster Preparation, Disaster Resources, Food Safety, Hurricane, Hurricane Kit, Hurricane Prep, Hurricane Preparations, Hurricane Preparedness, Hurricanes, Ocextension, Orange County, Tree Risk
big blue sign that says Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension Education Center with an UF/IFAS logo and an Orange County logo. there are green trees and blue sky in the background.

Fresh Picks: The Month’s Classes

by Chris Weber
April 27, 2026

As we head into summer, it’s a great time to build new skills and plan ahead. Our May classes include opportunities to learn about gardening, sustainability, financial well-being, and healthy living through practical, research-based ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Events, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, HOME LANDSCAPES, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Money Matters, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, WORK & LIFE
Tags: Classes, Events, Extension Education, Learning, Ocextension, Orangecountyfl, Ufifasextension
close up of everglades tomatoes

Everglades Tomatoes with Baked Goat Cheese

by Calvin Gardner
April 24, 2026

Ever grown an Everglades Tomato? These marble-sized tomatoes can handle many of Florida’s elements and have a great flavor that’s both sweet and tangy. Many gardeners who allow this tomato to reside in their garden typically use the plant ... READ MORE

Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture
Tags: Central Florida Gardening, Farm To Table, Ocextension, Plot To Plate, Urban Food Systems, Vegetable Gardening

The gARTening Program: 2023 Schedule

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

What is the gARTening Program? The gARTening Program is designed to connect residents to both our UF/IFAS Extension Services and Horticulture through the use of art within gardening. The gARTening program is a program for all ages, from 4-104 ... READ MORE

Category: Blog Community, Community Volunteers, Events, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Art, Garden, GARTening, Healthy Living, Master Gardener Volunteer, Master Gardener Volunteers, Ocextension, Orange County, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Zen
Panorama of sunrise at Lake Alice.

Garden Festival and Plant Sale – Orange County Extension

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

Flower Power: The Power of Native Flowers! Join us on Saturday March 4th, 2023, from 8:30am to 3:30pm for our annual Garden Festival & Plant Sale at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, 6021 S. Conway, Orlando, 32812. The theme for this year ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Events, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Artisan Vendor, Artisan Vendors, Childrens Activities, Community Event, Crafters, Educational Sessions, Food Trucks, Free Event, Garden, Garden Education, Garden Festival, Garden Festival And Plant Sale, Garden How To, Garden Tours, Gardening, Horticulture, Landscape, Master Gardener, Master Gardener Volunteers, Native Flowers, Native Plants, Ocextension, Orange County, Orange County Events, Orange County Gardeners, Orlando Event, Orlando Gardeners, Plants, Plants For Sale, Speakers, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Youth
blue sign that say Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension Education Center and 6021 in orange with trees in the background

Thank you, Orange County! Garden Festival & Plant Sale Recap

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

March 4th, 2023, was a beautiful sunny day. The UF/IFAS Extension Orange County campus was flooded with 2300 people to celebrate the 12th annual Garden Festival and Plant Sale.  Plant and craft vendors were here showcasing their beautiful ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, HOME LANDSCAPES
Tags: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden Festival, Garden Festival And Plant Sale, Gardening, Horticulture, Master Gardener Volunteer, Master Gardener Volunteers, Ocextension, Orange County, Plant Sale, Volunteers

Orange County’s Master Gardener Volunteer Recognition Event

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

What is the Master Gardener Program? The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a citizen-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the residents of Florida. The program relies on dedicated volunteers who have an interest in ... READ MORE

Category: , Community Volunteers, HOME LANDSCAPES
Tags: #OrangeCounty, Awards And Recognition, Master Gardener Volunteer, Master Gardener Volunteers, OC MGV, Orange County Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Volunteers
blue sign that say Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension Education Center and 6021 in orange with trees in the background

It’s #PeanutButterChallenge Time!

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

Food Insecurity in Florida Food insecurity is an obstacle many Floridians face. In 2021, it was estimated that roughly 2.2 million Floridians lacked access to healthy food, with just over 660,000 being children. In Orange County specifically, ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Blog Community, Health & Nutrition, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: #ocextensionnews, #peanutbutterchallenge, Food Insecurity, Master Gardener, Peanut Butter Challenge, Peanut Industry, Residential Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County

Growing Together: Orange Co Master Gardener Volunteer 2023 Highlights

by Clarissa Chairez
April 16, 2026

UF/IFAS Extension owes much of its success in community outreach and horticulture education to the invaluable contributions of the Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Program. From providing assistance in the Plant Clinic to conducting classes countywide, ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: 4-H, Community Outreach, Garden, Garden Festival, Garden Festival And Plant Sale, Gardening, Gardening Workshops, Landscape, Master Gardener Volunteer, Master Gardener Volunteers, New Vegetable Gardener, OC MGV, Ocextension, Orange County, Orange County Garden, Orange County Gardening, Orange County Master Gardener Volunteers, Orange County Plant Clinic, Orlando Garden Festival, Orlando Gardening, Plant Clinic, Plant Sale, Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, Volunteer Impact, VolunteerImpact, Volunteers

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