News & Updates

Summer Food Adventures

My favorite thing about summer is the food. I think that’s because it’s more adventurous. There’s a mild risk factor involved with eating outdoors, contending with sun and sand, shooing away bugs, and lighting a charcoal fire that adds fun and excitement to an ordinary meal. Many of the most popular foods we enjoy at…

Florida LAKEWATCH: A Regional Coordinator’s Perspective

This blog post was written by Marina Schwartz, regional coordinator for Florida LAKEWATCH.     Marina Schwartz, regional coordinator for Florida LAKEWATCH Hi, I’m Marina! I’m one of the regional coordinators of the LAKEWATCH Program, and I’m here to explain what our role is and how we help connect our citizens to the science behind the program. The Regional…

UF ABE: Big Questions, Global Reach – Dr. Sandra Guzmán

The Power of Machine Learning Today, agricultural engineering includes the wide range of technologies and disciplines that must be employed to meet the challenges of a new century. A hundred years ago, agricultural engineers were developing and refining the machines and mechanical methods that would transform agriculture in the 20 th  century. Machines are still…

Pesticides and Florida Lakes

Hello Avid Readers and welcome back! July is “Lakes Appreciation Month”. I know I love to paddle and fish on the lakes near me, and I’m sure many of you do as well. Have you ever been on a lake and wondered how it was created or how it’s maintained? Have you considered, what role…

Healthy Habits for Healthy Futures

It’s nothing new that from birth to age 2 proper nutrition is critical for growth and development. During the early years, it also sets the stage for establishing healthy dietary patterns critical for proper brain development and growth. The DGA’s or Dietary Guidelines for Americans is updated every 5 years to provide nutrition guidance through…
First Fridays with Florida First Detector, Back again Sept 2023-2024!

First Fridays with Florida First Detector, Back again Sept 2023-2024!

What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals.…

The Molting of Crabs

One of the community science volunteer projects I oversee in the Pensacola area is the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch.  The first objective of this project is to determine whether horseshoe cabs exist in your bay – FYI, they do exist in Pensacola Bay.  The second objective is to determine where they are nesting – we…

An interview with Master’s student Sheri Holmes

      Sheri Holmes presents an entomology collection in her office at the UF/IFAS Norman C. Hayslip Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory Q: How did you hear about UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center? A: I was doing a bachelor’s degree at Indian River State College, and I needed an internship. An entomology internship popped…

Weekly “What is it?”: Big Lagoon State Park

      The pristine salt marshes of Big Lagoon State Park are perfect for exploring by kayak. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS Extension My favorite place in Escambia County is a waterlogged stretch of the coast near Perdido Key. Known formally as Big Lagoon State Park, the over 700-acre property has hiking, biking, and paddling…

It’s National Avocado Day!

Written by Samantha Walter-Cano, Edited by Olivia Zugay Did you know July 31st is National Avocado Day? In honor of this delicious fruit, let’s learn what makes them special. While you’re at it, make yourself some guacamole or avocado toast to celebrate! Florida Avocados   Haas avocado Did you know an avocado is technically a berry? Avocados…

Honey Bees of the World

  Apis florea, small and mighty honey bee. Credit: Ian Joseph, Flickr.com, Creative Commons. Introduction Have you ever wondered how many honey bees are found in the world?  Most people are familiar with what a honey bee looks like. A floating yellow and black fuzzball doing the all-important work of pollination. However, you might be surprised…

July First Friday with Florida First Detector

Recap of July First Friday with Florida First Detector In July’s First Friday with Florida First Detector, we talked about invasive caterpillars that feed on vegetable crops. Florida’s agriculture industry is home to a wide variety of high value vegetable production. The state is a top producer in the U.S. of tomatoes, bell peppers, cabbage…
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