Category: Agriculture

Beautyberry stem with berries

The Importance of Using Native Plants in Zone 9

by Lisa Strange
December 2, 2025

In zone 9, native plant material is one of the most impactful choices one can make for the environment. Native plants are adapted to our climate and soils, making them more resilient, water-efficient, and less dependent on fertilizers or pesticides. ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Florida, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Landscaping, Native Plants, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Taylor County
Fly on a leaf

New World Screwworm Threat

by Lisa Strange
November 18, 2025

In the 1950’s 60’s the screwworm was an ongoing burden with livestock but over years with research, breeding sterile male flies and monitoring it was eliminated in United States. Then in 2016 they were detected in Monroe County that wiped ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Farm Management, Livestock, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension,
Tags: Florida, Insects, Livestock, Taylor County, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Taylor County
Bee on sunflower

Room for Pollinators

by Lisa Strange
November 7, 2025

A pollinator hotel is a simple way to help native bees and wasps by giving them a safe place to nest and spend the winter. These beneficial insects are vital for pollinating crops and wild plants, yet their numbers are declining due to habitat ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS,
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Citizen Science, Florida, Florida Master Gardener Program, Gardening, Pollinator Gardening, Pollinators
Butterfly on Asters

Fall Planting Considerations: Asters are Naturally Pollinator Friendly Compared to Chrysanthemums

by Lisa Strange
October 8, 2025

Chrysanthemums Traditionally this time of year we spend our money on lovely colorful blooming Chrysanthemums for fall décor. Please consider our pollinators when purchasing your next landscape seasonal plants. Here’s why: in cultivated mums, ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Fall Flowering Plants, Fall Plants, Flowering Plants, Flowers, Gardening, Horticulture, Taylor County
Citrus hanging on tree in grove

Hats Off to Citrus Breeders, Researchers, and Growers

by Lisa Strange
May 13, 2025

Citrus breeders work in collaboration with industry partners, marketers, and growers to ensure new varieties have a pathway to success. From a breeders’ standpoint developing a marketable variety involves balancing horticultural traits, consumer ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Citrus, Citrus Growers, Citrus Trees, SV Ag Update, Taylor County Extension, UF/IFAS Extension

Benefits of a Rain Barrel

by Lisa Strange
November 8, 2024

Rainwater harvesting has been around for thousands of years. The earliest evidence can be found on sites such as ancient Mesopotamia, around 3000 BC, where people collected rainwater for irrigation and domestic use. The Romans constructed elaborate ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Collect Rainwater, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Rain Barrel, Rainwater, UF/IFAS Extension

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