by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS Florida’s lush, subtropical climate supports gardening and outdoor living year-round. It also creates ideal conditions for invasive plants to spread. Research shows that many property owners are often unaware of a plant’s invasive potential and rarely factor it into their buying decisions unless plants are labeled or restricted. That blind spot […]
by LOURDES MEDEROS, UF/IFAS Behind every fresh head of lettuce and pepper on your plate, there’s a team of scientists working tirelessly to protect crops and farmers’ harvests from pests and plant diseases. De-Fen Mou, an assistant professor of entomology at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) in Belle Glade, is one of the key
UF/IFAS Entomologist Fights for Florida’s Crops Against Costly Pests Read More »
by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Chilli thrips plague farmers worldwide, but new research from the University of Florida has found two strawberry varieties that show less harm from these pests. The finding comes through research funded in part by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch program. That’s helpful news for growers in the
Two UF/IFAS-Bred Strawberries Better at Resisting Chilli Thrips Read More »
by MEGAN WINSLOW, UF/IFASphoto by CAT WOFFORD, UF/IFAS Hurricane Milton caused agricultural production losses with an estimated value between $190.4 million and $642.7 million in Florida, according to a preliminary report by the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP). The report is based on a diverse set of baseline data and surveys UF/IFAS agricultural economists distributed to producers. Milton
Florida Agricultural Production Losses From Hurricane Milton Top $190 Million Read More »
by KENDALL FARRAR, Bok North FFA Reporter Bok North FFA has had an action-packed month, filled with exciting activities, community service projects, and meaningful opportunities for students to strengthen their bonds with each other and the community. The month kicked off with a Keep Polk County Beautiful road cleanup, where we visited the road our
Bok North FFA: A Month of Service, Leadership, and Fun Read More »
provided by FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL BARTOW, FLA. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its final revised crop estimate today of 17.96 million boxes of oranges for the 2023-2024 season, an increase of 100,000 boxes from last month’s estimate. Additionally, the USDA forecasted 1.79 million boxes of grapefruit and 450,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos. “As we look ahead,
USDA’s Final Florida 2023-24 Season Estimate: 17.96 Mil. Boxes of Oranges Read More »
by BRAD BUCK, UF/IFAS Growers are always looking for ways to maintain or increase their yields and boost the ability of their crops to resist pests, diseases and heat brought on by climate change. That’s particularly the case when you grow crops in a high-intensity production system, which farmers use to grow tomatoes in Florida.
photo provided by POLK COUNTY FARM BUREAU Polk Young Farmer and Rancher members Peyton Putnam, Alex Spinosa, Kerrie Costine, Allie Williams, and Ben Putnam celebrate Food Check-Out Week as part of a community outreach event at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Market on February 10.
Polk County Farm Bureau @ Lakeland Farmer’s Market Read More »
Leaders in the science of flavor will gather to share trends and insights by RUTH BORGER, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Industry professionals and leading researchers in flavor science will gather for the 3rd International Flavor Summit March 4-6, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. The summit offers those interested in learning
Third International Flavor Summit Returns to Central Florida Read More »
Gene McAvoy Is No Stranger to the Ag Community, but His Vast Experience Might Still Surprise You by KRISTEN GUEVARA Joy and gratitude radiate in Gene McAvoy’s voice as he recalls the day he was inducted into the Ag Agent Hall of Fame this past July. As only the third Florida county agent ever to
