News & Updates

Care of Freeze-Injured Citrus Trees

Recent widespread hard freezes more than likely resulted in damage to many of the citrus trees in Northwest Florida. Cold damage will become more evident as we move into the spring and summer of 2023.   It is best to take a “wait and see” approach and delay pruning and fertilization until new growth occurs…

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Research Update: The Movement of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) Among U.S. States and Territories: History, Benefits, Risks, and Mitigation Strategies

Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory led a working group composed of academic and USDA personnel from multiple Universities and Federal agencies, to review the legislation regulating movement of western honey bees (queens, nucs, and packages) among U.S. states and territories. Below is a summary of the research as well as…

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Indianpipe – Wild Weeds

Common Name: Wild Turkey Status: Native Species Scientific Name: Meleagris gallopavo Occurrence: Year-round Species       A female hen. Note the bumpy caruncles and small dewlap or wattle. Location at J.G. Ranch in Hernando County. Photo: Jim E. Davis   Identification: Easily one of the most recognized native bird in the United States. The wild turkey is a very large bird that has a length…

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Indianpipe – Wild Weeds

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Indianpipe Monotropa uniflora   Indianpipe, also known as Ghost plant or Death plant, is an herbaceous perennial wildflower that can sometimes be mistaken for a fungi. This plant does not contain chlorophyll and it not photosynthetic, therefore all parts of the plant are white and translucent. Indianpipe…

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Tips for Providing Nutrition Education to Youth

BELLE GLADE, Fla. – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Obesity Facts for Children and Adolescents (www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html), the following data has been gathered for individuals aged 2-19 years in 2017-2020: The prevalence of obesity was 19.7% and affected about 14.7 million children and adolescents. Obesity prevalence was 12.7% among 2- to…

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Wildlife & Invasive Species Education™ (WISE) Species Profile: The Egyptian Goose

Common Name: Egyptian Goose Status: Non-native species Scientific Name: Alopochen aegyptiaca Occurrence: Year-round resident throughout Florida Egyptian goose patrolling the shoreline. Location: Brandon, Hillsborough County. Photo: Jim E. DavisIdentification: Egyptian Geese have dark, chestnut feathers on their back and a light beige chest. They also have rusty-orange and back tail feathers. Their head is whitish/beige and have a dark…

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How to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables: Hacks Into Habits

Hacks to Habits What did the salad greens say to the hungry person? We will make your mouth and body happy if you “let-tuce”! Fruits and vegetables have a high nutrient density and fiber content and offer an abundance of health benefits, including enhancing gut microbiota and reducing the risk of multiple diseases. In addition,…

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Protecting Citrus from Cold Weather

    Frozen satsuma citrus during January 2014 ice storm in NW Florida. Credit: Larry Williams In North Florida, it’s wise to select the more cold hardy citrus varieties. Kumquats and Satsuma mandarins are the most cold hardy of the edible citrus choices. In our area, it’s important to purchase citrus trees that are grafted onto…

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