Category: UF/IFAS Teaching

2026 Spring Southwest Florida Small Farmer Network (SWFLSFN) Meeting Recap: Florida Organic Production

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado, Jessica M. Ryals, David Outerbridge, Allie Williams, Jennifer Hagen and Kendall Gill

June 12, 2026

Southwest Florida Small Farmers Network (SWFSFN) The Southwest Florida Small Farmers Network (SWFSFN) is a group of UF/IFAS agents in the Southwest Region that connects growers with resources focused on diversified, sustainable farming. We ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Polksmallfarms, Small Farms, Southwest Florida Small Farms Network, Southwest Small Farmers Network, UF/IFAS

Water BMPs for Florida Small Farmers

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 9, 2026

Florida farmers operate in a unique environment, including sandy soils, variable weather (heavy rain, droughts, freezes, etc.), and sensitive water resources. To protect water quality and ensure long-term productivity, the Florida Department ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Water, Water Bmp, Water Efficiently, Water Management, Water Quality

Mejores Prácticas de Manejo (BMPs) de Agua Para las Pequeñas Fincas de Florida

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 9, 2026

Los agricultores de Florida operan en un entorno único, caracterizado por suelos arenosos, condiciones climáticas variables (lluvias intensas, sequías, heladas, etc.) y recursos hídricos sensibles. Para proteger la calidad del agua y garantizar ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: En Espanol, Espanol, Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Water, Water Bmp, Water Efficiently, Water Management

What Farmers Need to Know About Florida’s Cottage Food Law?

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 4, 2026

Agritourism and other farm activities offer farmers a unique way to connect with their community while increasing income without obtaining more acreage. Inviting visitors onto the farm not only strengthens relationships with customers but also ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Ag Business, Agriculture, Cottage Food Law, Farm Business, Farm Management, Polk Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

¿Qué deben saber los agricultores sobre la Ley de Alimentos Caseros de Florida (“Cottage Food Law”)?

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 4, 2026

El agroturismo y otras actividades agrícolas ofrecen a los agricultores una forma única de conectar con su comunidad y al mismo tiempo, una oportunidad de aumentar sus ingresos sin necesidad de adquirir más terreno. Brindar acceso al público ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Ag Business, Agriculture, Cottage Food Law, En Espanol, Espanol, Farm Business, Farm Management, Polk Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Southwest Small Farmers Network Meeting Fall 2025

by David Outerbridge
October 7, 2025

On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the Southwest Florida Small Farmers Network held our late summer/early fall meeting at ECHO Global Farm in Fort Myers, FL. The focus of the meeting was Community Food Systems, Agroecology, and information on ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching,
Tags: Southwest Florida Small Farms Network, Southwest Small Farmers Network

UF/IFAS Extension, Building Your Florida Farm Business Plan Website: A free resource for Florida Small Farmers

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
September 16, 2025

Farming can be an incredibly rewarding career for many individuals. The opportunity to work outdoors and contribute to the cultivation of the nation’s food supply is a source of deep fulfillment for many farmers, a way of living they would ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Business Plan, Farm Business, Farm Planning And Management, Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Sitio Web de UF/IFAS Extensión, Cómo Desarrollar Su Plan De Negocios Agrícola En Florida: Un Recurso Gratuito Para Pequeños Agricultores De Florida

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
September 16, 2025

La agricultura puede ser una profesión increíblemente gratificante para muchas personas. La oportunidad de trabajar al aire libre y contribuir a producir los cultivos de los alimentos del país es una fuente de profunda satisfacción para ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Business Plan, En Espanol, Espanol, Farm Business, Farm Planning And Management, Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Agroecology at the 2025 Summer Southwest Florida Small Farmer Network Meeting

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado, David Outerbridge, Jessica M. Ryals, Jennifer Hagen, Allie Williams and Ida VanDamme

June 25, 2025

Florida farmers are increasingly voicing their concern to UF/IFAS Extension about the negative impacts of conventional farming on the environment, including soil degradation, pesticide use, and water quality. As a result, some farmers are exploring ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Agriculture, Agroecology, Farm Management, Florida Farms, Small Farms, Southwest Florida Small Farms Network, UF/IFAS

Cottage Food, Water BMPs, & Essential Farm Equipment at the 2025 Spring Southwest Florida Small Farmer Network Meeting

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado, Allie Williams, David Outerbridge, Jennifer Hagen and Jessica M. Ryals

April 18, 2025

Many farmers sell products directly from their farms to reach more customers. Some of these items require a food permit, but others can be sold without one under Florida’s Cottage Food Law. What is the Cottage Food Law? Florida's Cottage ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Tags: BMPs, Cottage Food Law, Farm Equipment, Farm Management, Irrigation, Small Farms, Southwest Florida Small Farms Network, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Water

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