By Clint Thompson A second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is inevitable. Perhaps we are already in it, just a few months ahead of the fall forecasts that most projected would coincide with flu season. But you can pencil in COVID-19 as another challenge farmers will have to face this fall, especially as preparations are already underway for the fall …
UF/IFAS Extension Faculty Produce Videos to Educate Latinx Population During Pandemic
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of bilingual UF/IFAS Extension agents has created a series of educational videos to market its services and provide educational information to underserved Spanish-speaking audiences throughout Florida. Known as the CAFÉ Latino (the Coalition of Florida Extension for Latino/Hispanics), the 45-member volunteer group of UF/IFAS Extension faculty works as a …
UF Economist: Be Open to New Opportunities
By Clint Thompson Farmers can learn a lot from the first coronavirus pandemic in preparations for a potential “second wave” that might occur this fall. Christa Court, assistant scientist in the University of Florida/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, said producers who were willing to adjust on the fly this spring fared more successfully than those who did not. “I …
New UF/IFAS Economist Comes ‘Home,’ Looks to Help Harness Resources
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Kim Morgan is coming home, in a manner of speaking. Morgan graduated from the University of Florida three times. Mostly recently, she began her position as an associate professor of food and resources economics for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. For now, due to CDC stay-at-home guidelines, Morgan …
UF Professor Earns Award From UF/IFAS Extension Peers
By: Ruth Borger, 517-803-7631, rborger@ufl.edu LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Water is essential to Florida farmers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow crops, feed animals and sustain their livelihood. University of Florida soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they …
UF/IFAS Faculty to Host Webinar Series for Agriculture and Natural Resource Professionals
By: Jarred Shellhouse, 352-273-2599, jshellhouse@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A new webinar series, focused on professional development for agriculture and natural resources professionals during a global pandemic, is set to take place this summer. Megan Stein, agricultural education and communication lecturer at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, will lead the series. “Our industry groups in agriculture …
UF/IFAS sees success
By Mary Ann Hooks After several disappointing budget years, the 2020 legislative session will go on record as one of the most successful for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The UF/IFAS priority this year was to increase our base budget. We submitted an appropriation request for a workload increase to make up for losses …
UF/IFAS Remaining Resilient
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a virtual statewide discussion for stakeholders on June 8 to provide an update on its initiatives. The emphasis was on efforts and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the webinar, Nick Place, UF/IFAS Extension dean and director, highlighted Extension’s efforts to address the COVID-19 challenges. “This has …
UF/IFAS to Host Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
The University of Florida/IFAS will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on July 21 through July 23 via Zoom. The trainings will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The cost to attend is $25. Those interested can click here to register. Per the Food Service Modernization Act, every farm must have at least one Produce …
UF/IFAS Extension Agents Working Together to Better Serve Citrus Growers
By: Ruth Borger, 517-803-7631, rborger@ufl.edu LAKE ALFRED, FL — Florida’s citrus growers have long benefited from productive relationships with UF/IFAS Extension commercial citrus agents who work in central and Southwest Florida. And it’s about to get better. UF/IFAS Extension commercial citrus agents operating in Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee, and Manatee counties are launching a new newsletter. They hope to …