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Recent & Revised Publications

Natural Vanilla Extract Production

Manuel Gastelbondo, Xingbo Wu, and Pamela Moon

Vanilla extract is the primary commercial product resulting from the mature processed fruits of Vanilla plants. This publication is an overview of the process used to produce natural vanilla extract; it also describes the conversion of fruits (botanically termed "capsules" but often colloquially referred to as “beans” or “pods”) into extracts. This publication is intended for consumers, producers of all levels, and Extension agents. It describes each step of the natural vanilla extract production process from flower pollination through harvesting, to grading, curing, and extracting of the capsules.

Producción natural del extracto de vainilla

Manuel Gastelbondo, Xingbo Wu y Pamela Moon. Traducido por Alejandra Taco.

El extracto de vainilla es un producto comercial derivado de los frutos maduros procesados de las orquídeas de Vanilla. Esta publicación proporciona una visión general del proceso de producción del extracto natural de vainilla; también describe cómo los frutos (botánicamente llamados cápsulas, pero conocidos coloquialmente como "vainas") se transforman en extractos. Esta publicación está dirigida a consumidores, productores de todos los niveles y agentes de Extensión. Se describe cada etapa de la producción del extracto natural de vainilla, desde la polinización de la flor y la cosecha, hasta la clasificación, el curado y la extracción de las cápsulas.

Intercultural Competencies: Understanding Cultural Relativism

Sofia Chianella and Pablo Lamino

This third publication in the Intercultural Competencies series provides insights and recommendations to Extension agents for understanding and applying cultural relativism. Written by Sofia Chianella and Pablo Lamino, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, November 2025.

Cost-Share Programs for Soil Moisture Sensors and Irrigation Projects in Florida: A Guide for Agricultural Growers

Akshara Athelly, Sandra M. Guzmán, Yvette Goodiel, and Yilin Zhuang

This publication provides an overview of the soil moisture sensor-related cost-share programs available in Florida, summarizing eligibility, timelines, application steps, and relative benefits to help growers navigate available financial support efficiently. Written by Akshara Athelly, Sandra M. Guzmán, Yvette Goodiel, and Yilin Zhuang, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2025.

Foliar Leaf Spots of Viburnum during Nursery Production in Florida: Research and Fungicide Efficacies

Shawn Steed, Wael Elwakil, Marissa Cassaway, and Gary Vallad

Through a research grant from the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers and UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County agents conducted studies to determine fungicide efficacy of oomycete fungicides to help nursery professionals produce and maintain a healthy viburnum crop.

Dove Fields in Florida (2025)

Brandon McDonald, Mark Mauldin, Kalyn Waters, Andrew Fanning, Jon Creamer, Marcus Lashley, and Carolina Baruzzi

Mourning doves are the most hunted and widely distributed game bird in North America, with millions harvested each year. Both year-round resident birds and seasonal migrants can be found throughout Florida and hunted in the state during the fall dove season. Mourning doves are managed federally by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in Florida by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This publication is intended for landowners and land managers who are interested in using dove fields, or food plots, for dove hunting. Information on what is legal when hunting doves on dove fields can be found at the end of the publication.

Agricultural Applications of Spraying Drones

Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis

This publication explores the multifaceted applications of spraying drones in agriculture, emphasizing their advantages over traditional methods in terms of precision, efficiency, and sustainability. It examines their role in delivering pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), fertilizers and nutrients, irrigation, seeding, biological control, pollination, and aquaculture feeding. Written by Wenhao Liu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2025.

Grower’s Guide to Identifying and Correcting Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Deficiencies in Luffa Production

Md Jahidul Islam Shohag, Qiansheng Li, Yuncong Li, Qingren Wang, and Guodong Liu

Luffa, referring to the smooth (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.) and angled (Luffa acutangular (L.) Roxb.) types, is a climbing vegetable from the family Cucurbitaceae that has grown for centuries across Asia. Luffa are consumed as vegetables when immature and used as natural sponges when mature. Luffa is gaining popularity as an alternative vegetable crop in regions like Florida and California, thanks to favorable growing conditions and rising demand for Asian specialty produce. Successful cultivation of luffa relies heavily on proper nutrient management, particularly for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) because mismanagement can lead to deficiencies that cause stunted growth, leaf discoloration, and reduced yields. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for ensuring healthy growth and maximizing profitability. This Extension publication provides practical guidance for growers, Extension agents, and students on identifying and correcting N, P, and K deficiencies in luffa.

Energycane Cultivar Descriptive Fact Sheet: UFCP 74-1010

Amandeep Sharma, Simranjot Kaur, and Hardev Sandhu

Energycane is a high-fiber sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) that is considered as a dedicated feedstock for lignocellulosic ethanol production. The energycane cultivar UFCP 74-1010 was developed through collaborative research between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Canal Point, FL, and the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center at Belle Glade. This fact sheet discusses different attributes related to this cultivar’s yield and disease resistance, which may assist growers and the biofuel industry to make an informed decision on cultivation and management of this cultivar. Written by Amandeep Sharma, Simranjot Kaur, and Hardev Sandhu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, October 2025.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Programs: A Quick Reference Guide

Candace Lantz, Nathan Palardy, Derek Farnsworth, and Alena Poulin

This quick reference guide to federal, state, and county agricultural conservation easement acquisition programs summarizes program objectives and allowable agricultural practices and explains how programs evaluate and prioritize applications. Focuses on programs that aim to keep land in agriculture or silviculture. Aimed at Florida farmers and ranchers and county Extension agents.

Common Insect Pests of Lettuce in Florida

Tennyson B. Nkhoma and De-Fen Mou

Lettuce is one of the most important horticultural commodities in Florida state agriculture, with production concentrated in the Everglades agriculture area. Among US states, Florida ranks third in lettuce production after California and Arizona. Like many other crops, lettuce production is affected by several insect pests that affect both quality and quantity. This publication introduces some of the common insect pests of lettuce, including serpentine leafminers, banded cucumber beetles, aphids, thrips, and caterpillars; and describes the damage these pests cause in lettuce. This publication is intended for stakeholders in Florida lettuce production including current and potential lettuce growers, crop consultants, home gardeners, and Extension agents.

thumbnail for publication: Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries Part 1: Florida Fresh Blueberry Consumer Behavior—Insights on Shopping Locations, Frequency, and Spending

Consumer Preferences for Florida-Grown Blueberries Part 1: Florida Fresh Blueberry Consumer Behavior—Insights on Shopping Locations, Frequency, and Spending

Younghyeon Jeon, Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Doug Phillips

Fresh blueberries have become one of Florida’s fastest-growing agricultural products. This growth aligns with growing consumer interest in local foods. Florida blueberry producers are capitalizing on demand by marketing their products with distinctive branding, particularly the Fresh From Florida logo. State production has met demand, but the Florida blueberry market faces challenges from imports from Mexico and Peru and from other US states. This publication is the first in a series designed to help local growers differentiate Florida-grown fresh blueberries in an increasingly competitive marketplace. It describes research into consumers’ purchasing preferences and awareness of locally grown fresh blueberries and identifies additional labels that can add value to existing ones to strengthen the competitive advantage of Florida-grown blueberries and attract more consumers.

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25,000 to 30,000

# of bees needed to survive the winter

A healthy colony consisting of 25,000 to 30,000 bees is an adequate size for overwintering success.

65,479

U.S. residents have their identity stolen each day

This publication is based on the insights of individuals who have been through this experience, researched it in depth, and have attempted to break it down into understandable segments.

95°F

Proper Temperature for Baby Chicks

Newly hatched chicks need to be maintained at 95°F for the first week of their lives. After the first week, chicks can tolerate temperatures 5°F cooler for each week until they are four weeks old.

more than 1,700

homes built endangered woodrats

More than 1,700 supplemental woodrat nest structures have been installed across protected areas in northern Key Largo to aid in woodrat recovery

13% of people

Food Insecure in the U.S.

Urban agriculture provides diverse benefits and support to local communities. However, there are also limitations to developing or expanding operations and programs.