Category: UF/IFAS

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

Florida Farm Pest: Wax Moths

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 23, 2025

Florida's beekeeping industry plays a vital role in supporting both local agriculture and national pollination efforts. The state's warm, humid climate and extended beekeeping season (the queen never stops laying eggs) present unique challenges ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Apiculture, Beekeeping, Bees, Florida Farms, Florida_Pests, Honeybees, Pests, Polk_Small_Farms, Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County, Wax_moths

Plagas de las Fincas de Florida: Polillas de Cera (“Wax Moths”)

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
June 23, 2025

La industria apícola de Florida desempeña un papel vital en el apoyo a la agricultura local y a los esfuerzos nacionales de polinización. El clima cálido y húmedo del estado y la prolongada temporada apícola (la reina nunca deja de poner ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Apicultura, Beekeeping, Bees, En Espanol, Espanol, Florida Farms, Florida Pests, Honeybees, Pests, Polilla De Cera, Polk Small Farms, Small Farms, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Polk County

Know Your Beef – The Myths of Meatless Mondays

by Bridget Stice and Jasi Romero

May 12, 2025

Every Monday, some groups urge Americans to skip meat in the name of “helping the planet.” But here’s the truth: U.S. beef production is NOT the environmental problem it’s often made out to be. These campaigns rely on global averages ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, 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, Polk County, Sustainability

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

Apicultura en Florida: Comprensión de la Loque Americana y Europea (“Foulbrood”) en las abejas melíferas

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
April 10, 2025

Las abejas melíferas son esenciales para nuestro sistema agrícola, desempeñando un papel crucial en el proceso de polinización del 85% de nuestros cultivos. Sin embargo, estos insectos laboriosos se enfrentan a diversas amenazas. Entre ellas ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: American Foulbrood, Beekeeping, Bees, En Espanol, Espanol, European Foulbrood, Foulbrood, Honeybees

Beekeeping in Florida: Understanding American and European Foulbrood in Honey Bees

by Luis Rodriguez Rosado
April 10, 2025

Honey bees are essential to our agricultural system, playing a critical role in the pollination process of 85% of our crops. However, these industrious insects face several threats. Among some of these threats are bacterial diseases such as ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: American Foulbrood, Beekeeping, Bees, European Foulbrood, Foulbrood, Honeybees, Pests

Tractor Supply’s 4-H Paper Clover Campaign

by Jasi Romero
December 23, 2024

Empowering Polk County Youth The Tractor Supply Company’s 4-H Paper Clover Campaign is a vital initiative that supports youth development across the nation. With 90% of donations remaining in the state where they are raised, the program ensures ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Camp, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Curriculum, Events, Professional Development, Relationships & Family, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: 4-H, Campaign, Clubs, Florida, Fundraiser, Leadership, Polk County, Tractor Supply Paper Clover, UF/IFAS, Youth Development

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: 2024 Wrap Up

by Jasi Romero
December 23, 2024

Thank You, Polk County! The 2024 Peanut Butter Challenge, organized by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University (FAMU) Cooperative Extension, was a smooth success. This annual peanut butter jar collection brings communities together ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, 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, Spread The Peanut Butter

Annual Peanut Butter Challenge: How One Girl is Giving Back

by Jasi Romero
December 9, 2024

Meet the Young Girl Inspiring Our Community with Her Peanut Butter Donation At just nine years old, London Brandt, is already making a difference in her community. Inspired by the kindness she sees around her and her desire to help those ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Agribusiness, Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Crops, Events, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Food Safety, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Charity, Donate, 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

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