Following news on the lack of resolution to the ongoing smokable medical marijuana lawsuit and the Governor’s call on legislative leadership to take action to remedy the situation, Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offers the following: “When the people overwhelmingly voted for legalized medical marijuana in 2016, they intended for the medicine to be accessible by patients in the manner which their doctor, not Tallahassee politicians, decides …
Taking Your Canning Garden to the Next Level
In this, the third of her series on canning, Cathy Isom has a few tips on how to make the most of your space and time so you can take your canning garden to the next level. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Once you have your plants picked out, it’s time to plan things out. A blueprint lets …
Plan the Perfect Canning Garden
What to grow, what to grow? Cathy Isom has suggestions for you on how to plan the perfect canning garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It’s tempting to plant the things you want to eat without thinking ahead, but you need to plan your garden as if it were a grocery store list. The first step is to …
Plant a Garden Specifically for Canning
We all have abundant produce in our gardens. Cathy Isom lets you know why you should plant a garden specifically for canning. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Canning is a great way to preserve an abundant harvest, as well as being a time and money saver. Canning will help you save produce before it spoils so you …
Celebrating National Apricot Day
Cathy Isom has us celebrating a popular summer fruit that is recognized in the winter. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Apricots ripen in the early summer, but they’re quite commonly dried so that way we can enjoy them year round. Apricot lovers recognize today as National Apricot Day. The apricot’s velvety flesh is similar to that of their …
Senators Back Rooting Out Vegetable Garden Regulations
Despite concerns from the Florida League of Cities, a Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that would largely prevent local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. The Senate Community Affairs Committee unanimously backed the measure (SB 82), which Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, has filed for the legislative session that starts March 5. The Senate passed a similar bill during …
UF Researchers to Breed a New Variety of Florida-Friendly Hops
Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have been awarded a two-year grant for $194,000 to breed varieties of hops that can grow in Florida. The researchers, based at the UF/IFAS Mid Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, Florida, said the grant will help continue their work to bring an alternative crop to the …
Commodity Classic Early Registration Discount Ends January 10
Thursday, January 10th is the deadline for the early registration discount for Commodity Classic—America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience. The 2019 Commodity Classic will be held Thursday, February 28 through Saturday, March 2 in Orlando, Fla. To register, reserve hotel rooms and sign up for email updates, visit Commodity Classic.com. A complete schedule of events is also available on the …
Planning Ahead for Your Spring Garden
It is time to get your gardening hat on. Cathy Isom has a few great tips for you to start the new year by planning ahead for your spring garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. January is a great time to start planning for your spring garden. While we may still have plenty of time before the actual …
UF ‘Plant Whisperer’ Helps Floridians Keep Produce Lush, Green and Safe
Liz Felter gazes at the tomato plant and considers it quietly for a few seconds. Stroking the discolored leaves, she sticks two fingers in the soil and pushes the dirt down. “My gut tells me it’s not Erwinia,” says Felter, a University of Florida IFAS Extension regional specialized agent. The visitor to the UF/IFAS Diagnostic Plant Clinic in Apopka merely …