Labor Shortages in the Florida Strawberry Industry

Florida is the largest supplier of domestic winter strawberries in the United States, and labor is the largest cost item in the Florida strawberry production budget. Labor shortages are a major threat to the industry. This 3-page fact sheet written by Trina Biswas, Feng Wu, and Zhengfei Guan and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department investigates growers? labor demand and labor shortages based on a survey conducted in 2016.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1041

First report of an emerging ulcerative skin disease in invasive lionfish

A disease first reported in the summer of 2017 has been causing skin ulcers in invasive lionfish off the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean. Fish health scientists are investigating this disease, but initial evaluations have not yet found the cause. This 7-page fact sheet written by Holden E. Harris, Alexander Q. Fogg, Roy P. E. Yanong, Salvatore Frasca Jr., Theresa Cody, Thomas B. Waltzek, and William F. Patterson III and published by the UF/IFAS program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation describes research efforts to discover more about this disease and its potential to spread to other species as well as its effect on lionfish populations, the lionfish fishery, and reef fish communities.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa209

Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle

Published by the UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant College Program, this manual provides an overview of the coastal ecosystems along the Florida Panhandle and shows how dunes can be restored and enhanced in this region of the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

In addition to direct experience acquired over many years of field work and experimentation, authors Chris Verlinde, Mack Thetford, and Debbie Miller consulted peer-reviewed academic journals, government documents, and various online resources to create the manual. Undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Florida and local professionals worked together with the UF/IFAS researchers to develop and test practical restoration techniques for Florida’s dunes.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156

Leadership Skills Series #2: General Leadership & Purpose/Values

This 3-page publication is the second in the Leadership Skills Series. It introduces four online videos that focus on everyday leadership, utilizing grit, finding one’s purpose, and learning how to feel good about work. Written by Jennifer Wert, Matthew Sowcik, and Jera Niewoehner-Green and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc313

Natural Products for Managing Landscape and Garden Pests in Florida

Pest control professionals and homeowners throughout Florida and the southeastern US are seeking effective options that are safer for people and the environment than some conventional synthetic pesticides. There is also rising interest in organic gardening, which relies on natural pesticides. This 13-page fact sheet describes natural products for use in residential landscapes and gardens. Written by Matthew A. Borden, Eileen A. Buss, Sydney G. Park Brown, and Adam G. Dale, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, revised September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in197

Alimentacion Saludable: Liquidos

Más de la mitad del peso del cuerpo humano adulto es agua. El agua transporta nutrientes a las células en nuestros cuerpos y remueve los residuos. Nuestros cuerpos no podrían funcionar sin una fuente de agua adecuada. This 2-page fact sheet discusses the importance of water, effects of dehydration, implications for older persons, suggested fluid intake, and ways to include more water in one’s diet. It is the Spanish version of Healthy Eating: Fluids. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, Luisa Oliver-Cordero, and Emily Minton, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy071

Assessment of the Economic Impact Associated with the Recreational Scallop Season in Hernando County, Florida

Recreational scalloping has become an increasingly popular activity within the Big Bend region of Florida, and Hernando County is the southern extent of healthy, harvestable bay scallop populations. State resource managers and County administrators expressed a need to know how the recreational scallop season impacts the local economies. This 10-page fact sheet written by Brittany Hall-Scharf, Charles Adams, Alan Hodges, and Stephen Geiger and published by the UF/IFAS Florida Sea Grant College Program and the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department presents results from a UF/IFAS study to determine the economic benefits derived from coastal and waterway access during recreational scalloping season in Hernando County.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg161

Key Program Outcomes for K-12 School Gardens Identified Through Expert Consensus

National trends indicate that school gardens are positioned to become fixtures in primary and secondary education. This 4-page document outlines key outcomes identified through expert consensus that can be used by Extension professionals to develop a logic model for the school garden program. Written by Susan Webb, John Diaz, and Catherine Campbell and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc312

Alimentacion Saludable: Bebidas saludables

Los batidos son una manera deliciosa de incorporar más frutas y nutrientes a su dieta. This 2-page fact sheet provides tasty recipes for shakes and smoothies. It is the Spanish version of Healthy Eating: Drink to Your Health. Written by Jennifer Hillan, Emily Minton, and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy697

Risk Management for 4-H Youth Development Work: Volunteers and Youth Protection

This 3-page publication is one in the series Risk Management for 4-H Youth Development Work. It focuses on the basic overall precautions that need to be taken by everyone involved with 4-H. Written by Paula Davis, Dale Pracht, Stefanie Prevatt, Janet Psikogios, Kate Fogarty, Jean Hink, and Marilyn Norman and published by the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Department, September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h393

What Is the Economic Impact of Infertility in Beef Cattle?

Producers cannot completely control infertility in their cow herds. However, understanding and addressing the factors that affect infertility will help producers implement management practices that can improve fertility and reduce the negative impacts of infertility on the profitability of beef cow-calf operations. This 4-page fact sheet discusses reasons why beef cows fail to become pregnant or wean a calf, identification of infertile beef cows, and economic impacts of reduced fertility and infertility in beef cattle. Written by Chris Prevatt, G. Cliff Lamb, Carl Dahlen, Vitor R. G. Mercadante, and Kalyn Waters, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, revised September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an208

The Leadership Skills Series: Utilizing Videos to Address Leadership Skills

This 2-page publication is the introduction to the Leadership Skills Series, which looks at different leadership and professional development skills that can have a positive impact on the Extension workforce. Written by Matthew Sowcik, Jennifer Wert, and Jera Niewoehner-Green and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc310

Florida Medicinal Garden Plants: Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.)

Scutellaria species (spp.) are perennial, herbaceous plants that are cultivated for both their ornamental and medicinal value. This 5-page document describes the uses and growing requirements of this species. Written by Amanda Morgan and Brian Pearson and published by the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department, September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep564

Using County Typology Informed by Population Size to Understand Key Audience Characteristics for Tailored Landscape Water Conservation Programs

A major priority for UF/IFAS is the promotion of science-based landscape management practices to conserve water resources. This 7-page publication outlines specific opportunities that exist for tailoring landscape water conservation programs to Floridians who live in more and less metropolitan areas. Written by Laura A. Sanagorski Warner and John M. Diaz and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, September 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc314

Production and Performance of Triploid Oysters for Aquaculture

This 9-page fact sheet written by Huiping Yang, Natalie Simon, and Leslie Sturmer and published by the Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences of the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation focused on basic aspects of triploid oyster aquaculture, including the general oyster aquaculture industry, the approaches for triploid induction, performance of triploids, and correlated ploidy determination to convey basic knowledge of triploid oyster aquaculture to the oyster industry and the general public.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa208

Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar

Climate, plant communities, and timing of floral resources differ significantly across Florida, which means that management of European honey bee colonies in Florida differs as well. This 8-page fact sheet written by James D. Ellis, Mary C. Bammer, and William H. Kern and published by Department of Entomology and Nematology outlines a management calendar created for Florida beekeepers. It is specific to region (north, central, and south Florida) and month and includes recommendations for major management considerations like when to treat for parasites or pathogens and when to feed colonies or harvest honey. This management calendar, while not exhaustive, is a valuable reference or starting point for honey bee colony management in Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in848

How to Measure Body Condition Score in Florida Beef Cattle

Body condition score (BCS) is both a good indicator of the past nutritional status of a cow and a way to determine future nutritional needs. The BCS technique is easy to learn and can help with management decisions. This new 5-page fact sheet discusses reasons to measure BCS, ways to evaluate BCS, and important assessment times. Written by Matt Hersom and Todd Thrift, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, August 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an347

Supplemental Nutrition Drinks: Do I Need Them?

Supplemental nutrition drinks are often used in hospitals and adult care homes to help nourish those who may be eating poorly. More recently, these drinks have become available for purchase by consumers. This 2-page publication explores the question that many older adults ask: “Do I need supplemental nutrition drinks?” Written by Claire Marie Fassett, Nancy J. Gal, and Wendy J. Dahl and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, August 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs315

Managing Insecticide and Miticide Resistance in Florida Landscapes

Resistance to insecticide or miticide is a worry for landscape managers. Around the world, chinch bugs, leafminers, and other insect and mite pests have become resistant to dozens of insecticides, but with diligent insecticide resistance management, we can still maintain long-term effective chemical control. With few new modes of action coming onto the market, landscape managers need to be good stewards of existing products. Ultimately, resistance management means reducing exposure of pests to any one pesticide. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent resistance and still control pests of ornamental plants and lawns, and this 6-page fact sheet written by Nicole Benda and Adam Dale and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department explains how.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in714

Understanding the Barriers for School Garden Success: Expert Consensus to Guide Extension Programming

Research has found that youth involvement in school gardens leads to numerous benefits. However, teachers and support organizations must overcome barriers for garden sustainability. This 4-page document discusses barriers for school garden success and how Extension faculty can help education professionals overcome them. Written by Susan Webb, John Diaz, and Catherine Campbell and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc315