Latest News

UF’s efforts demonstrate surge in invasive species detection and response by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS Thanks to the power of citizen science, everyday people are becoming frontline defenders in the battle against invasive species. By reporting sightings and contributing valuable data, the public is helping researchers detect threats sooner and act faster, making a difference in […]

What: Field Day at the University of Florida Everglades Research and EducationWhere: 3200 East Canal St. South, Belle GladeWhen: April 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Cost: Free to growers and mediaRegistration required: Event Registration Link Since 1921, the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) has served as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and natural resource protection in South Florida.

by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS The roots of the University of Florida’s turfgrass research run deep – stretching back more than a century as scientists have worked to cultivate greener and more resilient landscapes that conserve water and protect the environment. On March 27, the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center will host the 2025 South Florida Turfgrass Field Day

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS University of Florida researchers have developed an app that will help farmers reduce the risk of over- or under-watering their crops. Scientists from UF/IFAS, Auburn and the University of Georgia designed and are refining the app, courtesy of a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Innovation program. “The critical

by MEGAN WINSLOW, UF/IFAS Florida’s thriving aquaculture industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, generating more than $165 million in sales annually and supporting jobs across rural and coastal communities. Recognized as agriculture by the Florida Legislature in 1993, aquaculture contributes to food security, environmental sustainability and economic resilience.“Just like terrestrial, land-based agriculture,

BARTOW, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its March 2025 citrus crop forecast today, projecting 11.6 million boxes of oranges, 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit and 350,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos for the 2024-2025 harvest season. The forecast reflects an increase in the production of oranges and grapefruits since the February 2025 citrus crop estimate, which estimated 11.5 million

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Halle Burton of Gainesville, Fla., was crowned the new 2025 Miss Florida Citrus and Maralee Thompson, of Winter Haven, was crowned the new 2025 Miss Winter Haven on March 8, 2025, at Polk State College’s Fine Arts Theater in Winter Haven, Fla. Juliana Fray, 26, and Samantha Jacobsen, 26, both from

by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Lipman Family Farms wanted to mitigate flood risk associated with heavy rain on their 2,000-acre farm in Naples. As general manager, Lucas Conran helps oversee seven farming operations for Lipman in Florida and other states along the East Coast. So, he asked for help from his longtime friend, Sanjay Shukla, a

by BRAD BUCK A few weeks after Yiannis Ampatzidis started working at the University of Florida in 2017, Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the Florida peninsula and its citrus groves. Growers needed to count their trees with precision to get crop insurance, but it was a laborious, time-intensive task.  The storm served as a turning

by MEGAN WINSLOW, UF/IFAS UF/IFAS leadership has selected Heather Kent to lead the Northwest Extension District as interim director. Kent, based at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, most recently served as a regional specialized Florida 4-H agent for the district. “After 26 years with UF/IFAS Extension, this appointment is both an honor and an opportunity