Florida’s citrus industry received a little good news Wednesday as a new production forecast for the current growing season increased 1 percent for oranges and 5 percent for grapefruit.

Florida Citrus Growers Feel The Squeeze Waiting For Relief From 2022 Hurricanes

Florida Citrus Mutual remains undeterred by the latest monthly citrus forecast, which reflected last year’s hurricanes exacerbating already-low crop production. But the Bartow-based organization continues to express concern that growers are still waiting for federal assistance for Hurricane Ian damage. “Month after month, we expect…

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Florida citrus crop forecast

Florida Citrus Forecast On Pace For Some Of The Lowest Outputs In Decades

On pace for some of the lowest outputs in decades, an updated forecast for Florida’s citrus production showed little change Tuesday as the growing season heads into its final months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a forecast that estimated Florida growers will produce enough…

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Earth Day

Pasco County Hosts 28th Annual Earth Day Celebration

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Celebrate Mother Earth with the whole family at Pasco County’s 28th annual Earth Day Celebration!   This free event promotes environmental education and a commitment to a greener community.        WHAT:               Earth Day Celebration        WHEN:               Saturday, April 22 | 9…

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long-spined sea urchins Florida

UF-Led Research Gets Help From NFL Player, Air Force Veteran To Restock Sea Urchins On Coral Reef

On and off over the past four decades, scientists have tried a handful of times to restore sea urchins on coral reefs because they eat harmful algae that otherwise smother the ecosystems. Results of a new collaborative study show promise in urchin restocking strategies to…

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Blueberries on vines. Courtesy, UF/IFAS photography.

From U-Pick To The Grocery Store, Florida’s Blueberries Make For A Tasty Treat

As we enter the heart of Florida’s blueberry harvesting season, you can now enjoy the yummy fresh fruit during its finest hours, say University of Florida experts. For about 80 years, many Florida-grown blueberries have been developed through the UF/IFAS blueberry breeding program. The vast…

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Florida Farmers

Fresh Produce Is An Increasingly Popular Prescription For Chronically Ill Patients

When Mackenzie Sachs, a registered dietitian on the Blackfeet Reservation, in northwestern Montana, sees a patient experiencing high blood pressure, diabetes, or another chronic illness, her first thought isn’t necessarily to recommend medication. Rather, if the patient doesn’t have easy access to fruit and vegetables,…

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2. Andrew Koeser, UF/IFAS associate professor of environmental horticulture and a co-author of the study, conducts urban tree research. Credit: Deb Hilbert.

University Of Florida Scientists Aim For More Tree Varieties To Ensure Urban Canopy Survives Pests, Diseases

If you plant a wider array of tree species in urban areas, you might avoid your forest being wiped out by a single pest or disease, say University of Florida scientists. “When cities are dominated by only a few species, new infestations of pests and…

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