By Clint Thompson Matt Parke’s anxiousness paid off this summer in preparing for the upcoming strawberry planting season. Instead of waiting to apply plastic, the farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, decided to apply it early. Since that part of the state avoided the brunt of Hurricane Idalia last week, the move paid off and all the …
Florida Citrus Growers Vote to Amend Federal Marketing Order
Florida citrus producers voted to amend the federal marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Aug. 29. In a referendum held April 1–May1, all amendments met the requirement of being favored by two-thirds of the producers voting or by two-thirds of the volume represented. The …
Gather Family, Friends for Tailgate, Complete with Florida-Grown Foods, UF/IFAS Cultivars
It’s game day. The excitement around stadiums is palpable. The college football season kicked off this weekend, and many fans enjoyed the company of family and friends while tailgating before and after the game. That meant food – lots of it. Tailgaters might think about eating some Florida-grown grub, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts …
Floods, Warm Temperatures Promote Mosquito Production
Extensive rains, flooding and scattered debris that hold water can lead to mosquito development. Eva Buckner, an Extension specialist at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, remains in close contact with many of Florida’s more than 65 mosquito control programs providing training, solutions and information on topics including mosquito …
WOTUS Rule Amended to Conform with Supreme Court Decision
This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies are committed to following the law and implementing the Clean Water Act to deliver the essential …
Farm Bill Has Multifaceted Effects on Alabamians
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 is set to expire Sept. 30. An Alabama Cooperative Extension System economist said the act, also known as the farm bill, has more than just an agricultural impact on Alabamians. Adam Rabinowitz is expecting house and senate committees to begin releasing bill drafts in late August near the end of the congressional …
PSA: Septic System Maintenance After Flooding
Developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension regional specialized water resources agents Yilin Zhuang and Andrea Albertin During floods or heavy rains, like ones associated with Hurricane Idalia, the soil around a septic tank and drainfield can get waterlogged, and wastewater from the septic system can’t drain through the soil. Help avoid major problems …
WOTUS Rule Amended to Conform with Supreme Court Decision
This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies are committed to following the law and implementing the Clean Water Act to deliver …
UF/IFAS Research: On Verge of Developing Domestic Industry for Valuable Spice
Vanilla takes the crown as the second most valuable spice (after saffron) and the world’s most popular flavor among consumers. University of Florida researchers in Homestead are on the verge of developing a domestic vanilla industry, poised to transform agriculture in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for interested small growers and investors. Thanks to nearly $400,000 in grants from …
Hurricane Idalia Recovery: Well Water Safety After Natural Disaster
After Hurricane Idalia, is your well water safe to use? If your private well or septic system is damaged during the storm, your well water may be contaminated with harmful bacteria. To avoid getting sick, make sure you boil or disinfect your water before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, cleaning wounds or cooking. Boil water for at …