A wide image of the greenhouse and gardens at the Experiential Learning Lab (ELL).

Sparking Student Success: Ann Wilkie Receives 2026 Catalyst Award

by Mike Loizzo
May 21, 2026

For more than 15 years, Ann Wilkie has helped spark curiosity, confidence and discovery in undergraduate researchers at the University of Florida. This accomplishment makes her a fitting recipient of the UF Center for Undergraduate Research ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Al Wysocki, Ann Wilkie, Anne Donnelly, Catalyst Award, Center For Undergraduate Research, Hailey Muchnok, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Susan Crow, Undergraduate Research
An image of a strawberry field with plastic mulch bedding that has a mini-revolver sprinkler system running for the Florida groundwater research.

Tiny Sprinklers, Big Impact on Florida Groundwater

by Mike Loizzo
May 12, 2026

One of agriculture’s biggest environmental challenges may have a surprisingly practical solution: changing the type of sprinkler used in the field. A new UF/IFAS-led study examines how to maintain crop productivity while dramatically reducing ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Carlene Chase, Davie Kadyampakeni, Eutrophication, Florida Groundwater, Irrigation, Josue St Fort, Michael Dukes, Precision Agriculture, Shinsuke Agehara, Strawberries, Vivek Sharma
an image looking across Deep Lake in Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida.

Into Deep Lake: Exploration of a Hidden World in Big Cypress

by Mike Loizzo
May 8, 2026

Since earning his M.S. degree in 2023 from the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES), Anthony Halcyon has continued pursuing field-based exploration in unique and understudied environments. Most recently, he joined ... READ MORE

Category: Clubs & Volunteers, Natural Resources, Recreation, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Anthony Halcyon, Bathymetric, Big Cypress National Preserve, Deep Lake, Environmental Management In Agriculture And Natural Resources, Florida Everglades, The Explorers Club
Phosphorus sustainability workshop participants pose for a group photo at the Taylor Creek stormwater treatment area entrance in south Florida.

Driving Innovation in Phosphorus Sustainability Across South Florida

by Mike Loizzo
April 28, 2026

On the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee, water moves slowly through marshes and engineered wetlands on its way to the Everglades. Along the way, one challenge remains constant, keeping phosphorus where it belongs. Even small amounts can ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: And Deployment Of Technologies, Development, Everglades, Jango Bhadha, Lake Okeechobee, National Science Foundation, Phosphorus, Responsible Design, Science And Technologies For Phosphorus Sustainability, Sustainability, Treatment Technologies For Phosphorus Mitigation
A field of a flooded rice crop rotation after a sugarcane harvest.

Boosting Florida Farm Productivity with Soil Health & Cover Crops: Strategies from UF/IFAS

by Mike Loizzo
April 8, 2026

Soil health and cover crops are central to the future of sustainable agriculture in Florida. A recent UF/IFAS Soil Health and Cover Crop Workshop highlighted how those two strategies can improve productivity, enhance environmental stewardship, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Bivek Bhusal, Cover Crops, Everglades Agricultural Area, Everglades Research And Education Center, Florida Agricultural Soil Moisture Sensor Network, Gabriel Maltais-Landry, Jango Bhadha, Jehangir Bhadha, Matthew VanWeelden, Sarah Strauss, Soil Health, Soil Microbiology, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Suraj Melkani, Susan Crow, Water Management
A large ballroom full of people sitting at tables listening to a speaker at the 2024 Water Institute Symposium.

SWES Research Featured at the UF Water Institute Symposium

by Mike Loizzo
February 20, 2026

Members of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) will have a strong presence at the UF Water Institute Symposium. SWES students, faculty, staff, and alumni are contributing more than 40 oral and poster presentations. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Events, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Agriculture, Hydrology, Irrigation, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, UF Water Institute, UF Water Institute Symposium, Water
A large red tractor with extended arms on each side runs through a corn field, applying fertilizer.

Featured New Faculty: Paul White

by Mike Loizzo
February 10, 2026

Paul M. White is one of the newest members of the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES). He is an associate professor of soil science and coordinator of the UF/IFAS Agricultural Nutrient Management Program. Based in ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Best Management Practices, Farming, Fertilizer, Nutrient Management, Nutrient Management Program, Paul M White, Precision Agriculture, Soil, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Sustainable Agriculture, Water
A potato field in Hastings, FL, where scientists collected soil samples for a phosphorus management research program.

Phosphorus Management in Florida Must Be Soil-Specific

by Mike Loizzo
February 6, 2026

Phosphorus is one of the most essential nutrients for plant growth. It also is one of the most challenging to manage responsibly. When applied efficiently, it supports lawns and landscapes as well as healthy crops. But when it moves off-site ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research, Water
Tags: Dinesh Phuyal, Entisols, Histosols, Lilit Vardanyan, Mehlich, Nutrient Management, Nutrient Management Program, Phosphorus, Soil Chemistry, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Spodosols, Vimala Nair
an image of the front, north-facing side of McCarty Hall A at the University of Florida, Gainesville campus.

SWES Faculty, Staff, and Student Recognized with Superior Accomplishment Awards

by Mike Loizzo
February 4, 2026

The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) is proud to celebrate three outstanding members of our community. All three represent UF/IFAS in different ways, but each demonstrates exceptional service worthy of a 2026 Superior ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS, Work & Life
Tags: Brittney Monus, Emily Colson, P. Chris Wilson, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Superior Accomplishment Award
A tractor spreads liquid manure biosolids over a pasture field.

Fertilizer Source Matters: A Comparison of Alternatives for Nutrient Content

by Mike Loizzo
January 27, 2026

Fertilizer source is one of the four Rs of fertilizer management (Right source, Right place, Right time, and Right placement). Mineral fertilizers are typically synthesized (i.e., nitrogen from the Haber-Bosch process) or mined from mineral ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Crops, Farm Management, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Best Management Practices, BMPs, Cheryl Mackowiak, Conservation, Fertility, Fertilization, Field Crops, Forage & Pasture, General Agriculture, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

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