UF/IFAS Extension Polk County -

The Screening That Could Save Your Life: Understanding and Preventing Colorectal Cancer

by anikolai
March 23, 2026

Most colorectal cancers begin as small, slow‑growing polyps that can be removed long before they become dangerous. With routine screening, colorectal cancer is highly preventable, yet many people still put off the test that could save their ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Anikolai, Awareness, Colon Cancer, Coloncancer, Colorectal, Health Wellness, Healthy Living, Screening, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Florida’s state bird is not the flamingo … at least, not yet!

by Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

March 9, 2026

If you scroll through social media this week, you might think Florida already has a brand new state bird. A lot of posts say the flamingo has officially taken the crown. But hold on. That is not true, yet! So, the northern mockingbird is still ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Lara Milligan, Living With Wildlife, Naturally Florida Podcast, Shannon Carnevale

Beyond the Barn: Polk County 4-H Youth Explore Agriculture Through Florida 4-H Legislature

by Shreemoyee Ghosh
March 6, 2026

In Polk County 4-H, many youth begin their agricultural journey in the barn, but agriculture extends far beyond the show ring. Programs like Florida 4-H Legislature introduce youth to another side of agriculture by connecting leadership, civic ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Events, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: 4-H Scholarships, Agriculture, Civic Engagement, Florida 4-H, Florida 4-H Legislature, Leadership, Polk 4-H Foundation, Polk County 4-H, UF/IFAS Polk County

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: 2025 Wrap Up

by Jasi Romero and anikolai

February 18, 2026

Thank You, Polk County! The 2025 Annual Peanut Butter Challenge was an incredible success! This year, our community came together in a big way to fight hunger and support families across Polk County. Every jar donated represents hope, nourishment, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Events, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Anikolai, Charity, Donate, Education, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Food Banks, Food Pantries, Hot Topic, Nutrition, PBChallenge, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Polk County, PolkExtension, PolkPBChallenge, Spread The Love, The Peanut Butter

Ask the Plant Clinic: Real Questions from Central Florida Gardeners- A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

by Julie Schelb, Anne Yasalonis and polkmg

December 26, 2025

Ask the Plant Clinic: Real Questions from Central Florida Gardeners In this episode of Your Central Florida Yard podcast, join us to learn about some of the frequent questions our plant clinic has received from central Florida gardeners. Check ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Lawn
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Lawn, Master Gardener Volunteer, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Weeds, Wildflowers, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

Garden Tasks that WOW: A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

by Julie Schelb
December 24, 2025

Garden Tasks that WOW In this episode of Your Central Florida Yard podcast, join us to learn about which garden tasks can make a big difference in the appearance of your landscape. Anne and Julie also share their top two favorite tasks ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Master Gardener Volunteer, Mulch, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Weeds, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

Ways to Bring Fall into Your Central Florida Yard: A New Episode of Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

by Julie Schelb
December 23, 2025

Ways to Bring Fall into Your Central Florida Yard In this episode of Your Central Florida Yard podcast, join us to learn about plants that bloom in the fall and plants whose foliage fits right into that classic fall color palette right here ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes
Tags: Anne Yasalonis, Ayasalonis, Central Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Florida-Friendly Plants, Jschelb, Master Gardener Volunteer, Polk County, Polkgardening, Polkmg, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Your Central Florida Yard Podcast

Rudolph’s Guide to Holiday Grocery Savings

by anikolai
December 1, 2025

If you find yourself saying, “Oh deer!” (pun intended) while trying to plan a holiday meal that’s crowd-pleasing, delicious, healthy, and budget-friendly, you’re not alone. At UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, ... READ MORE

Category: Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Anikolai, Healthy Meals, Holiday, Holiday Meal, Holidays, Meal, Polk County, Polk County FL, Saving_money, UF/IFAS Polk County

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: A Birthday Wish to End Hunger

by Jasi Romero and anikolai

November 5, 2025

From Presents to Peanut Butter, A Gift That Gives Back In a world where small acts of kindness can ripple into big changes, one young girl in Polk County is proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. Meet London Brandt, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Work & Life
Tags: Charity, Donate, Featured, Featured Hot Topic, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Food Banks, Food Pantries, PBChallenge, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Polk County, PolkExtension, PolkPBChallenge, Spread The Love, Spread The Peanut Butter

Reassessing Meatless Monday: A Scientific Perspective on the Role of Meat in Sustainable Diets

by Bridget Stice and Jasi Romero

November 3, 2025

By Bridget Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk Meatless Monday campaigns urge the public to skip meat one day a week to "improve health and protect the planet". While reducing excessive consumption of any food can be beneficial, blanket campaigns ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Health & Nutrition, Livestock, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, Turf, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, , Water, Wildlife
Tags: Agriculture, Beef, Bstice, Featured, Livestock, Meat, Polk County, Polk County FL, Polkco, SFBF, Sustainability

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