The Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent the following information Jan. 31 regarding a grant program for beach restoration projects resulting from Hurricane Ian and/or Hurricane Nicole damages: For Immediate Release: Jan. 31, 2023 Contact: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov DEP to Launch Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program for Impacted Coastal Homeowners ~Applications will be…
Nourishment, a common thread woven through school gardens, and for many it is the reason to have them. Why would teachers have a school garden? After all, for some- it adds another responsibility, to an already full plate. It can require time in a day that doesn’t seem to have enough minutes to spare. And…
The Joys of Growing Elephant Garlic
One of my all-time favorite vegetables to grow and eat is elephant garlic. While related to garlic, elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is actually considered a bulbing leek. Like garlic, it is in the genus Allium, a family of flowering plants that includes over 600 different species of onions, leeks, and garlic…
Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Caroline Warwick Interested in learning more about begonia production and the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center’s begonia breeding program? Join us on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a in-service training and workshop, Genetic Diversity of Begonia and its Potential Uses in Breeding and…
It’s no secret that the cost of eggs has risen dramatically in the past several months. What was once one of the lowest cost sources of animal protein has now become fodder for internet memes with people making hyperbolic comparisons between the cost of an egg and the cost of a diamond engagement ring! As…
A natural disaster can significantly impact a family’s financial life. For example, in the aftermath of a hurricane, flood, or other incident, families often face skyrocketing costs for repairs and replacements that can significantly disrupt their finances. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), around 40 percent of households affected by a natural disaster…
Occasionally our Extension Office receives phone calls from apartment and condominium owners concerned about cockroach populations in their apartment and their apartment complex. All it takes is one resident or one vendor to unknowingly introduce German or American cockroaches to a building. If the cockroaches are not identified and treated quickly, a problem typically emerges. …
People don’t often think of Florida when they think of winter, but a lot that happens in the natural world. There are birds migrating, leaves falling, animals finding mates, and much more! In this episode, we explore the exciting world of winter in Florida. New Episode from Naturally Florida Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s…
Hello again dear readers! After a short holiday break, we are back with our usual weekly blogposts. We thought that this example of an animal disease affecting our lives would be a great topic to kickstart 2023. Enjoy!
How did it start?
(Reuters) Ducks culled in France after a government order in an effort…
In honor of Florida’s Prescribed Fire Awareness Week, we talked with UF/IFAS fire scientist Raelene Crandall about some of the critical tools of prescribed fire work: personal protective equipment, or PPE. A former wildlands firefighter, Crandall is now an assistant professor in the UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, where she teaches courses on the role of…
Ancient ears of corn were about two inches long, with only a few tiny kernels and no cob. Domestication transformed them into modern corn, but how that happened is largely a mystery.
In a new study, researchers showed that plant hormones called strigolactones helped remodel ancient corn into the large ear we know today.
A…
What is Aquaponics? Aquaponics is a food production system that gets a lot of attention in today’s world. Aquaponics is an exciting way to grow fish and plants at the same time. The fish waste is full of nutrients that feed the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish. In the aquaculture…
