Several blind mosquitoes (Glyptotendipes paripes) sitting on a blade of grass.

Aquatic Midges, also known as “Blind Mosquitoes”


April 23, 2026

Blind mosquitoes are a type of freshwater midge. This particular type of midge does not bite, suck blood, or carry diseases. However, blind mosquitoes can still be a nuisance and their populations are often extremely difficult to manage. Read ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Water
Tags: Aquatic Midges, Blind Mosquitoes, Freshwater Midges, Midges, Mosquitoes, Paxton Evans, Shannon Carnevale
Boat traffic in the Gulf of Mexico near Ft. Myers, Florida.

Hurricane Prep: Securing Your Boat


April 22, 2026

Hurricanes are incredibly violent storms that can bring intense winds, heavy rain, floods, storm surge, landslides, tornadoes, and coastal erosion. These storms are capable of causing incredible damage, and the key to protecting your boat is ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Natural Resources
Tags: Boating, Disaster, Hurricane, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Preparedness, Paxton Evans, Shannon Carnevale, Storm

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: A Birthday Wish to End Hunger


April 9, 2026

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, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Food Banks, Food Pantries, Hot Topic, PBChallenge, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Challenge, Polk County, PolkExtension, PolkPBChallenge, Spread The Love, Spread The Peanut Butter
Magnifying class on a small picture of a digestive system and then a blue ribbon (for colorectal cancer) with a stethoscope

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


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
Barn owl with rodent in beak

New Episode from Naturally Florida: “Rat Poisons and Wildlife: What’s the Big Deal?”

lara milligan
March 12, 2026

Rodenticides are a specific type of pesticide used to control rats and mice, also known as rat poisons, but they can have impacts throughout the food chain if not used correctly. In this episode, we will explore the science behind rodenticides, ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Wildlife
Tags: Integrated Pest Management, Lmilligan, Naturally Florida Podcast, Pest Management, Rats, Rodenticides, Shannon Carnevale
Pond at Natural Areas Teaching Laboratory (NATL).

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

Avatar photo
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
Stack of Peanut Butter

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: 2025 Wrap Up


February 19, 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

Resources for Your Central Florida Yard

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January 28, 2026

In this post, you'll find a collection of valuable gardening and landscaping resources from UF/IFAS Extension. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these resources will help you grow healthier plants, create beautiful landscapes, ... READ MORE

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

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