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Hurricane Supply Kit

Building A Hurricane Supply Kit The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1st and runs until November 30th, which means that’s it’s important to have a hurricane supply kit on hand just in case disaster strikes. Circumstances may require you to evacuate your home at a moment’s notice or hunker down and shelter in place to…

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Mangoes in Florida

Thinking about all those Florida mangoes, what is your favorite way to enjoy fresh Florida mangoes?  Fresh cut, mango salsa, chutney, mango jam, mango butter, smoothies?  In my opinion, mangoes are best when fully ripe and fresh from the tree, eaten over the kitchen sink. Most of the early season mangoes are finished producing by…

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August First Friday with Florida First Detector

Recap of August First Friday with Florida First Detector In August, we talked about invasive pests on citrus. Historically, the citrus industry has been super important in Florida and continued to be today. Despite challenges in citrus production in recent years, Florida is still a top producer of citrus. The Florida citrus industry was valued…

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Healthy Snacking

Many people enjoy frequent snacking. There are so many choices to choose from! Some snack choices can be unhealthy and others healthy. Healthy snacking is important at any age. Why not make the most of your snacking by choosing healthy food choices that benefit your health? By choosing nutrient-dense snacks, you are providing your body…

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Florida Paintbrush – Wild Weeds

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Florida Paintbrush Carphephorus corymbosus Florida Paintbrush is a showy, herbaceous wildflower, blooming from late summer into fall. You’ll find this plant in pine, scrubby, and dry to mesic flatwoods, sandhills, and ruderal areas. The large flattop of flowers is very attractive to pollinators and commonly visited by…

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Update: Saw Palmetto Berry Poachers

As the UF/IFAS Natural Resources Extension Agent for St. Lucie County, I am often stomping through the county’s amazing abundance of nature preserves. I have demonstration sites for biological control of invasive plants and I also teach Florida Master Naturalists and others about the natural systems we have in the county. Usually my excursions end with amazing…

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Native Pollinators: Furrow Bees

When you hear the word “pollinator”, what is the first insect that comes to mind? If I had to guess, you would probably say honey bee. European honey bees play an important role in agriculture as pollinators and honey producers, but there are hundreds of native pollinators often overshadowed by the beloved honey bee you…

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Don’t Go Chasin’ Waterfalls – Please, Stick to Smart Irrigation!

Water quality and quantity issues are considered one of the greatest challenges facing our planet today. Access to clean drinking water and sufficient irrigation to cultivate food crops, hydrate livestock, and quench the thirst of our ever-evolving landscapes is fundamental for the continued well-being of society and our natural and modified ecosystems. Historically, much of…

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Emergency Food Supply Ideas

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, which means that it’s important to have an emergency supply of food just in case disaster strikes. It is recommended that you have at least a 7-day supply of food on hand, and that you stockpile foods you and your family like and will eat. Here…

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