1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

Rice, the vital crop enjoyed by more than half the world&#8217;s population, boasts a versatility that&#8217;s hard to match. Across continents, many countries and cultures make the grain their own center of the plate, a side and even incorporate it as an ingredient in desserts. Rice cultivation in Florida has a small but growing place [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_46245" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46245" style="width: 519px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class=" wp-image-46245" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/07/Matthew-VanWeelden-conducting-research-on-rice-at-the-EAA-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="519" height="346" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46245" class="wp-caption-text">Matthew VanWeelden conducting research on rice at UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade. Photo courtesy UF IFAS Photography.</figcaption></figure>
Rice, the <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/rice/rice-sector-at-a-glance/">vital crop</a> enjoyed by more than half the world&#8217;s population, boasts a versatility that&#8217;s hard to match. Across continents, many countries and cultures make the grain their own center of the plate, a side and even incorporate it as an ingredient in desserts.
<a href="https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/127870">Rice cultivation</a> in Florida has a small but growing place in the market as it is primarily concentrated in and around the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), mainly in Palm Beach County. As of 2023, about 24,000 acres of rice grow in Florida.
“This acreage has been fairly consistent the past five years,” said <a href="https://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty-pages/dr-matthew-vanweelden-faculty-page/">Matthew VanWeelden</a>, UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County agronomic crops agent. “In terms of total U.S. production, Florida accounts for only about 1% of the acreage. There is potential for growth.”
The top three rice-producing states are Arkansas, with about 1.4 million acres; California, with approximately 508,000 acres and Louisiana, which produces about 480,000 acres.
While Florida&#8217;s rice production is relatively small compared to the rest of the United States, its cultivation offers significant benefits to the environment and the sugarcane fields of the EAA. These benefits include reductions in soil subsidence, improved pest management, water conservation, wildlife habitat, enhanced fertilizer efficiency and increased organic amendments from rice stubble.
To highlight the unique attributes of growing rice in Florida, UF/IFAS will host a free <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-florida-rice-field-day-tickets-945389394127?aff=oddtdtcreator">Rice Field Day</a> on August 8 at the <a href="https://erec.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS EREC)</a>. The workshop aims to educate new and existing growers as well as faculty with updated research. Continuing Education Credits will be available. Advance registration is required by August 6.
&#8220;Given our relatively small rice industry compared to other states, we invite anyone interested in learning about Florida rice,&#8221; said VanWeelden.
&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_46249" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46249" style="width: 389px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-46249" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/07/Rice-seedlings-growing-in-a-greenhouse-courtesy-UF-IFAS-photography-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="389" height="259" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46249" class="wp-caption-text">Rice seedlings growing in a greenhouse. Photo courtesy UF/ IFAS Photography.</figcaption></figure>
Event Details:
Time: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: UF/IFAS EREC, 3200 East Palm Beach Rd., Belle Glade
Cost: Free with lunch sponsored Florida Rice Growers Inc.
Advance registration required by August 6: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-florida-rice-field-day-tickets-945389394127?aff=oddtdtcreator">Pleaser register here for the workshop</a>.
 
Here is the day’s itinerary.
8:15 a.m.      Registration
8:30 a.m.      Welcome and announcements
<figure id="attachment_46251" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46251" style="width: 389px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-46251" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/07/Matthew-VanWeelden-in-a-rice-crop-research-plot-at-the-Everglades-Research-and-Education-Center-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="389" height="259" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46251" class="wp-caption-text">Matthew VanWeelden conducting research on rice at the Everglades Research and Education Center. Photo courtesy UF/ IFAS Photography.</figcaption></figure>
8:45 a.m.      Travel to field stop #l
9:10 a.m.      Benefits of flooded rice cultivation in the EAA, Jehangir Bhadha
9:40 a.m.      Update on Florida rice variety program, Matthew Vanweelden
10:20 a.m.    Overview and management of arthropod pests in rice, Julien Beuzelin, De-Fen Mou, Matthew VanWeelden
11:00 a.m.    Travel to field stop #2
11:25 a.m.    Weed management in rice, Calvin Odero
11:55 a.m.    Return to conference center for indoor sessions and break
Noon            Lunch (Sponsored by Florida Rice Growers Inc.)
12:45 p.m.    Planthoppers in Florida rice, De-Fen Mou
1:00 p.m.      Florida rice variety program 2023 results, Matthew VanWeelden
1:30 p.m.      Discussion and closing remarks
###
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&nbsp;
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME 
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at <a href="https://ifas.ufl.edu/food/">ifas.ufl.edu/food</a> or follow <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FoodIsOurMiddleName&amp;src=typed_query">#FoodIsOurMiddleName</a>.

Matthew VanWeelden conducting research on rice at UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade. Photo courtesy UF IFAS Photography.
Rice, the vital crop enjoyed by more than half the world’s population, boasts a versatility that’s hard to match. Across continents, many countries and cultures make the grain their own center of the plate, a side and even incorporate it as an ingredient in desserts.
Rice cultivation in Florida has a small but growing place in the market as it is primarily concentrated in and around the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), mainly in Palm Beach County. As of 2023, about 24,000 acres of rice grow in Florida.
“This acreage has been fairly consistent the past five years,” said Matthew VanWeelden, UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County agronomic crops agent. “In terms of total U.S. production, Florida accounts for only about 1% of the acreage. There is potential for growth.”
The top three rice-producing states are Arkansas, with about 1.4 million acres; California, with approximately 508,000 acres and Louisiana, which produces about 480,000 acres.
While Florida’s rice production is relatively small compared to the rest of the United States, its cultivation offers significant benefits to the environment and the sugarcane fields of the EAA. These benefits include reductions in soil subsidence, improved pest management, water conservation, wildlife habitat, enhanced fertilizer efficiency and increased organic amendments from rice stubble.
To highlight the unique attributes of growing rice in Florida, UF/IFAS will host a free Rice Field Day on August 8 at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS EREC). The workshop aims to educate new and existing growers as well as faculty with updated research. Continuing Education Credits will be available. Advance registration is required by August 6.
“Given our relatively small rice industry compared to other states, we invite anyone interested in learning about Florida rice,” said VanWeelden.
 
Rice seedlings growing in a greenhouse. Photo courtesy UF/ IFAS Photography.
Event Details:
Time: 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: UF/IFAS EREC, 3200 East Palm Beach Rd., Belle Glade
Cost: Free with lunch sponsored Florida Rice Growers Inc.
Advance registration required by August 6: Pleaser register here for the workshop.
 
Here is the day’s itinerary.
8:15 a.m.      Registration
8:30 a.m.      Welcome and announcements
Matthew VanWeelden conducting research on rice at the Everglades Research and Education Center. Photo courtesy UF/ IFAS Photography.
8:45 a.m.      Travel to field stop #l
9:10 a.m.      Benefits of flooded rice cultivation in the EAA, Jehangir Bhadha
9:40 a.m.      Update on Florida rice variety program, Matthew Vanweelden
10:20 a.m.    Overview and management of arthropod pests in rice, Julien Beuzelin, De-Fen Mou, Matthew VanWeelden
11:00 a.m.    Travel to field stop #2
11:25 a.m.    Weed management in rice, Calvin Odero
11:55 a.m.    Return to conference center for indoor sessions and break
Noon            Lunch (Sponsored by Florida Rice Growers Inc.)
12:45 p.m.    Planthoppers in Florida rice, De-Fen Mou
1:00 p.m.      Florida rice variety program 2023 results, Matthew VanWeelden
1:30 p.m.      Discussion and closing remarks
###
 
 
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS
WHY FOOD IS OUR MIDDLE NAME
Feeding a hungry world takes effort. Nearly everything we do comes back to food: from growing it and getting it to consumers, to conserving natural resources and supporting agricultural efforts. Explore all the reasons why at ifas.ufl.edu/food or follow #FoodIsOurMiddleName.

Rice, the vital crop enjoyed by more than half the world’s population, boasts a versatility that’s hard to match. Across continents, many countries and cultures make the grain their own center of the plate, a side and even incorporate it as an ingredient in desserts. Rice cultivation in Florida has a small but growing place […]

Florida’s growing rice industry: Discover the potential and benefits of this versatile crop at the August 8 Field Day

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?  And rightfully so; summertime and ice cream go hand in hand. You may have heard that ice cream is a way to get calcium in your diet, but it’s also a way to get excess calories, fat, and added sugar in your diet, too.  So while [&#8230;]

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?  And rightfully so; summertime and ice cream go hand in hand.
You may have heard that ice cream is a way to get calcium in your diet, but it’s also a way to get excess calories, fat, and added sugar in your diet, too.  So while enjoying ice cream from time to time won’t have negative impacts on your long term health, indulging in it regularly as part of your daily eating pattern can.  The amount of calcium you get is not enough to offset the ultra processing it goes through, making it an empty-calorie (low nutritional value) food.
Additionally, there are other ways to get calcium in your diet that doesn’t come with all the fat and sugar (or any dairy at all), such as:
<ul>
<li>Leafy greens like kale, bok choy, collard greens and turnip greens</li>
<li>Broccoli</li>
<li>Canned seafood such as tuna, sardines, and salmon</li>
<li>Tofu</li>
<li>White beans</li>
<li>Oranges or fortified orange juice</li>
<li>Calcium-fortified cereal</li>
</ul>
Of course, you want to get enough Vitamin D, too.  Without it, only about 10-15 percent of calcium gets absorbed.  However, it is not found naturally in many food, and so fortified foods (such as milk and cereal), supplements, and sunlight are other ways to get Vitamin D.
Back to dessert: what about frozen yogurt?  It is made from cultured milk, as opposed to cream, so while it has less fat content, it has more sugar to make up for it.  As for other frozen treats, such as sorbet, sherbet, and gelato, you’re still going to find high amounts of sugar and/or fat.
So yes, while ice cream can contribute to your total calcium intake, it’s not something that you should consume regularly when there are other nutrient-dense options that give you more than just calcium (and spares you the empty calories).  The age-old rule applies: enjoy it (and any dessert) in moderation to live a balanced life.

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?  And rightfully so; summertime and ice cream go hand in hand.
You may have heard that ice cream is a way to get calcium in your diet, but it’s also a way to get excess calories, fat, and added sugar in your diet, too.  So while enjoying ice cream from time to time won’t have negative impacts on your long term health, indulging in it regularly as part of your daily eating pattern can.  The amount of calcium you get is not enough to offset the ultra processing it goes through, making it an empty-calorie (low nutritional value) food.
Additionally, there are other ways to get calcium in your diet that doesn’t come with all the fat and sugar (or any dairy at all), such as:
Leafy greens like kale, bok choy, collard greens and turnip greens
Broccoli
Canned seafood such as tuna, sardines, and salmon
Tofu
White beans
Oranges or fortified orange juice
Calcium-fortified cereal
Of course, you want to get enough Vitamin D, too.  Without it, only about 10-15 percent of calcium gets absorbed.  However, it is not found naturally in many food, and so fortified foods (such as milk and cereal), supplements, and sunlight are other ways to get Vitamin D.
Back to dessert: what about frozen yogurt?  It is made from cultured milk, as opposed to cream, so while it has less fat content, it has more sugar to make up for it.  As for other frozen treats, such as sorbet, sherbet, and gelato, you’re still going to find high amounts of sugar and/or fat.
So yes, while ice cream can contribute to your total calcium intake, it’s not something that you should consume regularly when there are other nutrient-dense options that give you more than just calcium (and spares you the empty calories).  The age-old rule applies: enjoy it (and any dessert) in moderation to live a balanced life.

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?  And rightfully so; summertime and ice cream go hand in hand. You may have heard that ice cream is a way to get calcium in your diet, but it’s also a way to get excess calories, fat, and added sugar in your diet, too.  So while […]

Go Easy on the Ice Cream

Trick Or Treat: Sweet Alternatives By Syreeta McDonald, Extension Intern For most people, October marks the beginning of the holiday season. If you celebrate Halloween, you are likely already stocking up on the seasonal candy to pass out to all the costumed kids that knock on your door. Having all those sweets around can become [&#8230;]

Trick Or Treat: Sweet Alternatives
By Syreeta McDonald, Extension Intern
For most people, October marks the beginning of the holiday season. If you celebrate Halloween, you are likely already stocking up on the seasonal candy to pass out to all the costumed kids that knock on your door. Having all those sweets around can become a huge temptation and drive you away from your health and wellness goals. But there are several ways to prepare for the influx of sweets without derailing your goals.
<ul>
<li>Hand out Halloween themed fruit; an easy and fun option would be to make Jack-O-Lanterns out of oranges. Select a variety of oranges; tangerines and clementines are a great size for children, however any style of orange will do. Using a food grade marker draw a Jack O Lantern style design on your oranges and hand them out to the children at your doorstep.</li>
<li>Pre-packaged applesauce, jello, and fruit cups are great options as well. fruit contains natural sugars, antioxidants, and fiber. jello is a low calorie treat and fun to eat! However, check your ingredients list and nutrition labels; when possible, choose products without artificial colors, dyes, and artificial flavors(Robinson, 2016) in them. Hand these out to children instead of candy. Have some fun at home and decorate the fruit and jello cups with arts and crafts items like crazy eyes, spiders’ legs, or just keep it simple and draw Frankenstein and other spooky faces on the container. This can easily turn into a family activity and the children, both at home and in the neighborhood, can add these fruit and jello cups to their lunches for the week.</li>
<li>Dark chocolate, peanut butter, and nuts are great options to give out as well. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants(Robinson, 2016), peanuts and nuts have healthy fats and protein. Be careful and mindful of possible nut allergies.</li>
<li>Consider handing out sugar free candy or lollipops, which contain less grams of sugar and take longer to consume, therefore keeping your sugar craving satisfied longer.</li>
<li>You can also opt out of giving out any sweets and go with non-edible treats instead. Give kids Halloween stickers, Play-Doh, slime, bouncy balls, glow in the dark armbands, or small toys that light up.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Halloween can be a fun time spent with family and friends, creating memories, and of course enjoying seasonal treats. Don&#8217;t forget, you and or your children are out walking in the neighborhood getting some exercise in, so you will all receive some health benefits as well so give yourself some space to enjoy your treats while also maintaining a healthy balance.
&nbsp;
References
<ol>
<li>Robison, J. (2016). 7 healthier halloween treats kids will actually love. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/resources/pros/expert-articles/6137/7-healthier-halloween-treats-kids-will-actually-love/</li>
</ol>

Trick Or Treat: Sweet Alternatives
By Syreeta McDonald, Extension Intern
For most people, October marks the beginning of the holiday season. If you celebrate Halloween, you are likely already stocking up on the seasonal candy to pass out to all the costumed kids that knock on your door. Having all those sweets around can become a huge temptation and drive you away from your health and wellness goals. But there are several ways to prepare for the influx of sweets without derailing your goals.
Hand out Halloween themed fruit; an easy and fun option would be to make Jack-O-Lanterns out of oranges. Select a variety of oranges; tangerines and clementines are a great size for children, however any style of orange will do. Using a food grade marker draw a Jack O Lantern style design on your oranges and hand them out to the children at your doorstep.
Pre-packaged applesauce, jello, and fruit cups are great options as well. fruit contains natural sugars, antioxidants, and fiber. jello is a low calorie treat and fun to eat! However, check your ingredients list and nutrition labels; when possible, choose products without artificial colors, dyes, and artificial flavors(Robinson, 2016) in them. Hand these out to children instead of candy. Have some fun at home and decorate the fruit and jello cups with arts and crafts items like crazy eyes, spiders’ legs, or just keep it simple and draw Frankenstein and other spooky faces on the container. This can easily turn into a family activity and the children, both at home and in the neighborhood, can add these fruit and jello cups to their lunches for the week.
Dark chocolate, peanut butter, and nuts are great options to give out as well. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants(Robinson, 2016), peanuts and nuts have healthy fats and protein. Be careful and mindful of possible nut allergies.
Consider handing out sugar free candy or lollipops, which contain less grams of sugar and take longer to consume, therefore keeping your sugar craving satisfied longer.
You can also opt out of giving out any sweets and go with non-edible treats instead. Give kids Halloween stickers, Play-Doh, slime, bouncy balls, glow in the dark armbands, or small toys that light up.
 
Halloween can be a fun time spent with family and friends, creating memories, and of course enjoying seasonal treats. Don’t forget, you and or your children are out walking in the neighborhood getting some exercise in, so you will all receive some health benefits as well so give yourself some space to enjoy your treats while also maintaining a healthy balance.
 
References
Robison, J. (2016). 7 healthier halloween treats kids will actually love. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/resources/pros/expert-articles/6137/7-healthier-halloween-treats-kids-will-actually-love/

Trick Or Treat: Sweet Alternatives By Syreeta McDonald, Extension Intern For most people, October marks the beginning of the holiday season. If you celebrate Halloween, you are likely already stocking up on the seasonal candy to pass out to all the costumed kids that knock on your door. Having all those sweets around can become […]

Healthy Halloween Alternatives

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