CFAN Calendar of Events 

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April – May 2025 

April 16 – 17 

Certified Pile Burners Course (Virtual)

This course will be held via Zoom and allow participants to receive certification to burn piles legally, safely and effectively, with priority for authorization to burn and the ability to burn for two hours longer each day/multiple day authorizations. Please note: must have a Florida Forest Service Customer Number to participate – visit: https://tinyurl.com/2h5wddu7 and call the local FFS field office. The course is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. 

April 17

UF/IFAS Cattle Research and Education Center Field Day

Join the experts from the UF/IFAS Cattle Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day of presentations and booths, refreshments, ending with a field tour. Registration is required, with general admission tickets for $30 and $50 on the day of the event. Located at 3401 Experiment Station in Ona. Visit http://rcrec-2025-fd.eventbrite.com for more information and registration. Email: ona.ifas.ufl.edu or call (863) 735-1001. 

April 19, 26

April Is In Full Bloom – Farmers Market

Enjoy the start of spring with a farmers market and grafted fruit tree sale! Free parking and admission, located at 2514 Leaning Pine Lane in Plant City. There will be fresh produce and artisan goods, but also animal encounters and a kid’s zone with crafts and games for the start of the spring season. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

April 19, 26 and May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 

Downtown Lakeland Farmers Curb Market

This vibrant, eclectic market brings the community together every Saturday in downtown Lakeland with fresh, local produce, live plants, and a variety of hot foods and handcrafted wares. It is located on the 200 block of N. Kentucky Ave in Lakeland from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday (except in August) and is a production of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). Learn more at www.downtownfarmerscurbmarket.org. 

April 19, 26 and May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 

Saturday Night Rodeo

This fun, family-friendly rodeo takes place every Saturday through the end of November from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, located at 3200 River Ranch Blvd. in River Ranch. Enjoy the antics of cowpokes and bronco busters as they show off their skills trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and more. Kids are invited into the rodeo arena toward the end of the night to participate in a real “calf scramble.” Tickets are $32.05 for adults, $26.70 for children ages 5 – 12, and children ages 4 and under are free. For more information, please visit www.westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort/activities/rodeo/. 

April 22

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training – DeLand

For fruit and vegetable growers or anyone interested in produce safety, this all-day training event is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will cover Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, as well as how to develop a farm food safety plan. The event is located at the UF/IFAS Extension of Volusia County, 3100 East New York Ave. in DeLand and tickets are $40. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/4edyumu3 for registration and more information. 

April 24

Strategizing Cow Nutrition

Part of the Managing Cattle Enterprises for Success programs and hosted at the Hillsborough County Cattlemen’s Association Building at 6404 S County Rd. 39 in Plant City, join UF/IFAS for dinner and insights on small-scale cattle operations. Starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m., a meal and print materials on Cattle Nutritional Requirements, Feed Considerations, and more are included. Tickets are $15 for early registrants (prior to April 18) and $25 after that date. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/k8r6u38s for registration. 

April 25

2025 City Nature Challenge: Polk County

Help showcase the natural wonders of Polk County at the 2025 City Nature Challenge at Bok Tower! Begins at 10 a.m. at the Alexander Discovery Center and includes a brief training on iNaturalist (how observations will be documented along the exploration), then you’ll be off to embark on a guiding walk along Pine Ridge Preserve trail until 12 p.m. Cost is $20 for non-members and $10 for non-member children  aged 6 – 17 years of age, (which includes admission to Bok Tower Gardens) and is free for Bok Tower members. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/ysca23da for event registration. 

April 26 and May 10, 24

Downtown Farmer’s Market in Lake Wales

The Lake Wales Downtown Farmer’s Market is sponsored by Lake Wales Main Street and takes place every second and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 20 N. Market St. in Lake Wales. This producer-only market specializes in locally grown, pesticide-free produce and plants, baked goods, local honey, Florida grove pepper sauces, cheeses, award-winning BBQ sauces and rubs, homemade jams and jellies, natural pet treats, plus a ton of crafts, clothing, and jewelry. For more information, you can contact Lynn Greenfield at (863) 676-8782 or visit www.lwmainstreet.com/farmers-market.

April 26

Ridge Beekeepers Beekeeping Seminar

Located at UF/IFAS Polk County Extension office, 1702 S. Holland Pkwy in Bartow, the 2025 Ridge Beekeepers Seminar will feature learning stations exhibiting honey extraction and tasting, hive construction, pests/diseases affecting bees, starting a hive and more. The seminar lasts from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is an educational and fun day learning about beekeeping for the whole family. Tickets are $40 for adults, $25 for 11- years of age, and free from 10 and under! Visit: https://2025BeekeepingSeminar.eventbrite.com to register and call (863) 967-7405 for more information.

May 3

Terrarium Workshop @ Bok Tower Gardens

A workshop to create your own self-sustaining ecosystem in a beautiful closed terrarium! Design a unique, living work of art that will evolve over time and learn about the natural cycles that keep your terrarium thriving. Facilitated by The Pottery Bench of Winter Haven and local plant experts, this workshop will be at the Alexander Discovery Center in Bok Tower Gardens from 10-11 a.m. Cost is $70 for members and $85 for non-members, all materials provided. Visit: https://altru1835.sky.blackbaud.com/1835/Terrarium-Workshop-with-The-Pottery-Bench to register. 

May 27

Pollinator Paradise: The Plants They Can’t Resist

Join UF/IFAS Master Gardener volunteers to learn about pollinators and creating a beautiful and sustainable environment here in Central Florida. Held at the Lakeland Public Library, located at 100 Lake Morton Drive in Lakeland, this event is free and held from 10-11 a.m., but please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ysff7ufd to register. For questions, please contact Julie Schelb at j.schelb@ufl.edu or call 863-519-1041. 

April 17

UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center Field Day

Learn about the latest research and student work, mingle with sponsors at the trade show, and enjoy a steak lunch followed by a field tour. Located at 3401 Experiment Station Rd. in Ona from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration is required. Early registration ($20) ends March 14. General registration ($30) ends April 15. Registration the day of the event costs $50. Register at rcrec-2025-fd.eventbrite.com.

For more information, email ona@ifas.ufl.edu or call 863-735-1001.

April 26

2025 Ridge Beekeepers Beekeeping Seminar

Located at the Polk County Agricultural Center, 1702 S. Holland Parkway in Bartow, this event will teach you everything you need to know about beekeeping in Florida, and the Western Honey Bee, Florida’s most widespread domesticated bee. Stations will include: Honey Extraction & Honey Tasting, Looking Inside the Hive, Hive Construction, Wax Rendering, Beekeeping Tools, Pests and Diseases, Queen Bees, Bee Transport,    Nectar Sources, Starting a Hive. Event is from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., tickets are $40 for adults, kids 11-18 years of age are $25, and kids 10 and under are free. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ycybry35 for tickets. 

April 29

You can Grow Orchids: Tips for Success!

Held at the Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Drive in Lakeland, from 10-11 a.m., this free information session on orchid care will guide you and provide tips and tricks to improve your orchid-growing skills, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned orchid enthusiast. Visit: https://tinyurl.com/4hrvh9xr to register.