The University of Florida’s pilot research program to explore the potential to grow industrial hemp across the state is advancing, with the engagement of an inaugural private partner. The initiative was supported and encouraged by the state but was not appropriated any funding. To move forward, the project needs sponsorships from private industry. Green Roads Inc. has invested $1.3 million …
Alachua County Team Wins 3rd in National 4-H Forestry Invitational
What is the principal softwood used for lumber in Massachusetts? On what continent are maples most abundant? What is a liquid product of wood that is used in mixing paints?* At the 39th National 4-H Forestry Invitational, a team of four local high school students went head to head with teams from across the country to answer these questions and …
UF/IFAS, Communities to Team Up Again for Annual Peanut Butter Challenge
Start spreading the news – and the peanut butter! From Oct. 1 to Nov. 21, you can donate unopened jars of peanut butter to hungry Panhandle families through the Peanut Butter Challenge, a project coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension faculty and volunteers. During those dates, you may drop off jars at your UF/IFAS Extension county office. UF/IFAS Extension works with the …
Florida Dairy Production Conference is Next Week
The 54th Florida Dairy Production Conference will be held September 26 at the Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center in Gainesville. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and will include topics like team building to maximize performance and animal welfare, the economics of animal welfare, how to implement a successful milk quality program, the impact of transition disorders on production …
Report Shows Florida Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Industries Grew 2007-2016
The latest installment of an annual report from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences reveals some good news about the state’s economy – from 2007 to 2016, the portion of Florida’s Gross State Product (GSP) generated by agriculture, natural resources and food industries grew at a faster rate than the state’s total GSP, a statistic commonly …
Florida Youth Institute Challenging High School Students
The University of Florida (UF) has enjoyed seeing skyrocketing enrollment in its College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The Florida Youth Institute was developed to make sure UF produces enough graduates to fill job vacancies, says Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Florida Youth Institute Challenging High School Students Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …
UF/IFAS Connecting Students to the Real World
University of Florida has enjoyed seeing skyrocketing enrollment at their College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Many of those students are attracted to the education that UF/IFAS offers. Dr. Jack Payne, University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, explains how they go beyond book learning to prepare these students for the real world. UF/IFAS Connecting Students …
UF Study: Buyers Want Environmentally Safe Strawberry Production
As buyers browse strawberry packages at the supermarket, they might see labels such as “organically grown” or “locally grown.” But they’d also like to know if the fruit was produced in a way that preserves the environment, a new University of Florida study shows. Consumers say they’ll pay more for strawberries grown in a manner that is sustainable, the research …
Egypt’s Wheat Production Illustrates Global Security Issues
Scientists, including many at the University of Florida, are trying to figure out how to feed 10 billion people worldwide by 2050. As they do, some UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers are studying how arid nations can produce enough crops to feed themselves and to avoid civil protests or even war. Egypt, for instance, lacks sufficient water …
UF Researcher to Study Migration Trends, Health of Emerging Farm Workers
As the University of Florida IFAS Extension director for Hendry County, Gene McAvoy has seen firsthand a sea change in the types of workers now coming to the United States to work on farms. “It used to be 95 percent or more of the workers were from Mexico,” McAvoy said. “Now, it’s about 50 percent from Haiti and the Caribbean. …