Category: Home Landscapes

Students Gain Hands-On Experience through Summer Internships and Research

by Mike Loizzo
September 14, 2025

Undergraduate students in the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) spent Summer 2025 turning class lessons into real-world practice. Through internships, research experiences and fieldwork, they gained skills for ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Farm Management, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Water
Tags: Environmental Management In Agriculture And Natural Resources, Internship, Nature Coast Biological Station, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Summer Experience

UF/IFAS for Your Soil and Water Testing Needs — Science You Can Trust

by Mike Loizzo
August 24, 2025

When it comes to caring for your yard or garden, accuracy and expertise matter. The UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL) provides precision, reliability, and support to make a difference in your soil management. The ESTL offers a ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Home Management, Horticulture, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Extension Soil Testing Lab, Franta Majs, IFAS Analytical Service Laboratories, Landscaping, Lawn, Nutrient Management, Soil Fertility, Soil Health, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Turfgrass

Planting responsibly: Celebrate Earth Day by testing your soil first

by Mike Loizzo
April 21, 2025

Every year on April 22, Earth Day inspires Floridians to get outside and give back to the planet—often with a shovel in hand. From planting flower beds to establishing native trees, we celebrate by trying to bring more nature into our yards. ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: ANSERV Labs, Earth Day, Extension Soil Testing Lab, Franta Majs, IFAS Analytical Service Laboratories, Landscaping, Soil Test, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

Retired UF professor leaves enduring legacy online through sustainable agriculture course

by Megan Winslow
August 19, 2024

It’s been years since University of Florida Professor Emeritus George Hochmuth set foot inside a classroom, yet students from all over the world still benefit from his lessons every day. As the architect of Coursera’s Sustainable Agricultural ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Fruits & Vegetables, UF/IFAS
Tags: Agricultural, Agriculture, Class, Course, Coursera, Crop Production, Farm, Farming, Free, George Hochmuth, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Lecture, Megan Winslow, Nutrient Demands, Nutrition, Online Course, Professor Emeritus, Soil Fertility, Soil Testing, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Student, Sustainable Agricultural Land Management, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Practices, UF, UF/IFAS, University Of Florida

Compost Cooperative marks 15-years of sustainability, education, and community engagement

by Mike Loizzo
July 18, 2024

When Dr. Ann Wilkie created the UF Student Compost Cooperative (SCC) in 2009, her goal was to promote sustainability at the campus level. Over the next 15 years, the SCC grew to welcome the wider UF community. It also provided garden plots for ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Work & Life
Tags: Ann Wilkie, BioEnergy And Sustainable Technology Lab, Compost Cooperative And Gardens, Composting, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Sustainability, UF Student Compost Cooperative

Oak Hammock residents tour Student Compost Cooperative at the Soil and Water Sciences Department

by Mike Loizzo
June 21, 2021

On June 16th, the UF Student Compost Cooperative (SCC) hosted a group of residents from Oak Hammock at the University of Florida who want to promote composting in their community. Oak Hammock is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Home Landscapes
Tags: Ann Wilkie, Composting, Oak Hammock, Soil And Water Science, Soil And Water Sciences Department, UF Student Compost Cooperative

The important role of nitrogen in Florida soils

by Mike Loizzo
June 15, 2020

A new UF/IFAS Extension document from Soil and Water Sciences Department (SWS) researchers highlights the important role of nitrogen (N) in Florida soils. The element is necessary for healthy plants. However, properly managing soil N levels ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Lawn, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Clayton Nevins, Nitrogen, Patrick Inglett, Sarah Strauss, Soil And Water Sciences, Soil And Water Sciences Department, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

Research examines efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer for tomatoes

by Mike Loizzo
April 10, 2020

The efficient use of fertilizer is a concern to those in and outside of agricultural production. Too much, or application at the wrong time, wastes resources for producers and can pose a risk to the environment. Researchers in the UF/IFAS Soil ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Fertilizer, Laura Jalpa, Rao Mylavarapu, Soil And Water Sciences, Soil And Water Sciences Department, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences, Tomato

UF/IFAS Extension changing soil test options, reporting of results

by Mike Loizzo
August 30, 2019

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension soils lab is making changes to its test reporting procedures beginning Sept. 1, 2019. The Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL) is combining its micronutrients ... READ MORE

Category: Crops, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Extension Soil Testing Lab, Rao Mylavarapu, Soil And Water Sciences, Soil And Water Sciences Department, Soil Water And Ecosystem Sciences

Soil and Water Summer Experience – Mariya Petrova

by SWS
August 23, 2019

The Soil and Water Sciences Department is offering students the chance to blog about their summer experience. The students enrolled in one of three courses over the summer, for which they received credit: SWS 4905-Individual Work, SWS 4911-Supervised ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Environmental Management In Agriculture And Natural Resources, Mariya Petrova, Soil And Water Sciences, Soil And Water Sciences Department, Stormwater Ponds, Summer Experience

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