A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide &#8212; that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the U.S. Department of Education. There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_45515" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45515" style="width: 287px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class=" wp-image-45515" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/06/025753-Plant-species-identification-while-at-a-park-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="287" height="431" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45515" class="wp-caption-text">UF/IFAS researchers depend on citizen scientists to help gather data. Meanwhile, nature apps like iNaturalist can engage youth to becoming citizen scientists and much more.</figcaption></figure>
A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide &#8212; that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the <a href="https://www.ed.gov/content/stopping-summer-slide">U.S. Department of Education</a>.
There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a few ideas to keep your youth engaged while fueling their minds.
Activate the citizen scientist young minds anywhere. 
Mobile devices can bring out the scientists at any age. The next time you encounter an unusual bird, plant, tree or reptile &#8212; whether you are on a family vacation or just taking a walk in the park &#8212; encourage the kids to use their mobile devices to check them out on <a href="http://www.inaturalist.org/">iNaturalist</a> and <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu">Ask IFAS</a>.
“You are making important contributions to scientific data researchers need to promote wildlife conservation and much more,” said <a href="https://www.coreytcallaghan.com/">Corey Callaghan</a>, an assistant professor at the <a href="https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center</a> who leads a research team of global ecologists. “It merges the best of all worlds when you can combine scientific discovery, an app, family time and a little light reading that tells you all about the insects, plants, birds and reptiles they are observing and reporting with Ask IFAS as a resource,” he said.
In their latest Ask IFAS Extension publications, “<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW518">Magnificent moths: A guide to begin “mothing” and contributing your observations to iNaturalist</a>” and “<a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW517">Herping adventures: A guide to exploring and documenting reptiles and amphibians with iNaturalist</a>” Callaghan and team provide insights on how you can be a part of the conservation work as they call on current and aspiring nature and science fans, people of all ages and education backgrounds and community scientists to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free mobile app <a href="http://www.inaturalist.org/">iNaturalist</a>.
“By documenting and identifying moths, we gain valuable insights into the biodiversity and health of ecosystems. Individual observations of moths help scientists track moth population trends, identify species at risk and study the impacts of environmental changes on their populations,” he said.
Meanwhile, reptiles are often misunderstood and feared, likely due to their secretive nature and the perceived danger of venomous snakes and poisonous frogs, added <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/experts/bmason1">Brittany Mason</a>, data management analyst for the research group.
“Learning how to observe and document reptiles and amphibians, also known as herps, will open a new-found appreciation for this group of diverse animals and contribute to our understanding of their biodiversity and spatial distribution. This knowledge is critical to developing effective management and conservation practices for this often-overlooked group,” Mason said.
The opportunity is a valuable experience for kids in increasing their observation skills while helping their local and not-so-local scientists.
<figure id="attachment_45517" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45517" style="width: 432px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-45517" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/06/020428-1-Kids-taking-part-in-a-4-H-gardening-club-UFIFAS-photography-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="432" height="288" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45517" class="wp-caption-text">Children at a 4-H gardening activity. UF/IFAS photography</figcaption></figure>
Check out Florida 4-H in your county.
There are plenty of activities to keep youth ages 5 to 18 busy with <a href="https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu">Florida 4-H</a>. As the nation’s largest youth development organization of Florida Cooperative Extension &#8212; a part of UF/IFAS &#8212; it reaches both boys and girls through 4-H clubs, special-interest groups and short-term projects.
New to the 4-H options is <a href="https://4-h.org/clover/about/">CLOVER</a>, provided by the National 4-H Council. Filled with interactive activities and content in collaboration with universities throughout the United States, parents and guardians can choose from more than 190 activities that explore STEM, healthy living, citizenship, leadership and agriculture.
“Clover is an amazing free resource for parents and kids that is accessible anywhere through the mobile app and website. It removes barriers to 4-H learning opportunities and hopefully sparks youth interest in science, healthy living, and citizenship,” said <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2024/05/30/counter-the-summer-slide-with-4-h-resources/">Melinda Souers</a>, a 4-H agent at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County who supports STEM, workforce readiness, school enrichment programs and more.
To access <a href="https://4-h.org/clover/about/">CLOVER</a>, families create a free account that gives them access to this resource supported by partnerships with one hundred top-tier universities.
Check out your local UF/IFAS Extension.
With offices in all 67 Florida counties, UF/IFAS Extension is never far away. You can locate your Extension with this <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/">link</a> and check out what’s on tap on their websites. Each UF/IFAS Extension is buzzing with activities and programs throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
Take St. Lucie County for example. The <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucie/">UF/IFAS Extension</a> office there has partnered with the St. Lucie County Audubon Society and the St. Lucie County Library System for a unique waterfront project. Join the <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/2024/05/06/downtown-fort-pierce-waterfront-birding-bioblitz/">Downtown Fort Pierce Waterfront Birding Bioblitz</a>.
This bioblitz will be conducted continuously throughout 2024. Visitors and residents in the downtown area can take photos of the amazing bird diversity in the Indian River Lagoon, breakwater islands and shoreline and upload their sightings to the birding bioblitz project on iNaturalist.  Photos taken with phones and uploaded to this iNaturalist project will need to have location settings turned on so photos will include geomatic metadata. As part of this project, patrons of the St. Lucie County library system can visit the Kilmer Branch Library and check out a birding backpack to aid in their observations.
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>
ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H 
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&amp;M University.
<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fflorida4h.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cmeredithbauer%40ufl.edu%7Cad38f020f77947a9739908db9e5a5219%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638277882978339518%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=QkJ2QzpbDHIwr8OocQs8O5qMpaUD%2BKDU%2FZNVi5FQPmA%3D&amp;reserved=0">florida4h.org</a>  |  <a href="mailto:grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu">grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu</a>
&nbsp;

UF/IFAS researchers depend on citizen scientists to help gather data. Meanwhile, nature apps like iNaturalist can engage youth to becoming citizen scientists and much more.
A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide — that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a few ideas to keep your youth engaged while fueling their minds.
Activate the citizen scientist young minds anywhere. 
Mobile devices can bring out the scientists at any age. The next time you encounter an unusual bird, plant, tree or reptile — whether you are on a family vacation or just taking a walk in the park — encourage the kids to use their mobile devices to check them out on iNaturalist and Ask IFAS.
“You are making important contributions to scientific data researchers need to promote wildlife conservation and much more,” said Corey Callaghan, an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center who leads a research team of global ecologists. “It merges the best of all worlds when you can combine scientific discovery, an app, family time and a little light reading that tells you all about the insects, plants, birds and reptiles they are observing and reporting with Ask IFAS as a resource,” he said.
In their latest Ask IFAS Extension publications, “Magnificent moths: A guide to begin “mothing” and contributing your observations to iNaturalist” and “Herping adventures: A guide to exploring and documenting reptiles and amphibians with iNaturalist” Callaghan and team provide insights on how you can be a part of the conservation work as they call on current and aspiring nature and science fans, people of all ages and education backgrounds and community scientists to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist.
“By documenting and identifying moths, we gain valuable insights into the biodiversity and health of ecosystems. Individual observations of moths help scientists track moth population trends, identify species at risk and study the impacts of environmental changes on their populations,” he said.
Meanwhile, reptiles are often misunderstood and feared, likely due to their secretive nature and the perceived danger of venomous snakes and poisonous frogs, added Brittany Mason, data management analyst for the research group.
“Learning how to observe and document reptiles and amphibians, also known as herps, will open a new-found appreciation for this group of diverse animals and contribute to our understanding of their biodiversity and spatial distribution. This knowledge is critical to developing effective management and conservation practices for this often-overlooked group,” Mason said.
The opportunity is a valuable experience for kids in increasing their observation skills while helping their local and not-so-local scientists.
Children at a 4-H gardening activity. UF/IFAS photography
Check out Florida 4-H in your county.
There are plenty of activities to keep youth ages 5 to 18 busy with Florida 4-H. As the nation’s largest youth development organization of Florida Cooperative Extension — a part of UF/IFAS — it reaches both boys and girls through 4-H clubs, special-interest groups and short-term projects.
New to the 4-H options is CLOVER, provided by the National 4-H Council. Filled with interactive activities and content in collaboration with universities throughout the United States, parents and guardians can choose from more than 190 activities that explore STEM, healthy living, citizenship, leadership and agriculture.
“Clover is an amazing free resource for parents and kids that is accessible anywhere through the mobile app and website. It removes barriers to 4-H learning opportunities and hopefully sparks youth interest in science, healthy living, and citizenship,” said Melinda Souers, a 4-H agent at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County who supports STEM, workforce readiness, school enrichment programs and more.
To access CLOVER, families create a free account that gives them access to this resource supported by partnerships with one hundred top-tier universities.
Check out your local UF/IFAS Extension.
With offices in all 67 Florida counties, UF/IFAS Extension is never far away. You can locate your Extension with this link and check out what’s on tap on their websites. Each UF/IFAS Extension is buzzing with activities and programs throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
Take St. Lucie County for example. The UF/IFAS Extension office there has partnered with the St. Lucie County Audubon Society and the St. Lucie County Library System for a unique waterfront project. Join the Downtown Fort Pierce Waterfront Birding Bioblitz.
This bioblitz will be conducted continuously throughout 2024. Visitors and residents in the downtown area can take photos of the amazing bird diversity in the Indian River Lagoon, breakwater islands and shoreline and upload their sightings to the birding bioblitz project on iNaturalist.  Photos taken with phones and uploaded to this iNaturalist project will need to have location settings turned on so photos will include geomatic metadata. As part of this project, patrons of the St. Lucie County library system can visit the Kilmer Branch Library and check out a birding backpack to aid in their observations.
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
ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.
florida4h.org  |  grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu

A well-deserved vacation from instruction and exams doesn’t have to come with the summer slide — that time when summer learning loss can occur, according to the U.S. Department of Education. There are plenty of ways to engage kids at any age during these lazy summer days, say University of Florida experts. Here are a […]

Worried about the summer slide? UF/IFAS experts share options to fuel young minds

Cool-season legumes grow during the late fall and spring. During winter the warm-season perennial grasses go dormant making cool-season legume and grasses a helpful source of forage for livestock operations. Soil characteristic that are most desirable for growing cool-season legumes are soils that contain organic matter and clay. Clay and organic matter hold soil moisture [&#8230;]

Cool-season legumes grow during the late fall and spring. During winter the warm-season perennial grasses go dormant making cool-season legume and grasses a helpful source of forage for livestock operations.
Soil characteristic that are most desirable for growing cool-season legumes are soils that contain organic matter and clay. Clay and organic matter hold soil moisture making the Panhandle of Florida the optimal environment for growing cool-season legumes. Most legumes are small in seed size and planting near the surface of the soil is essential for germination. In others areas of the state like Central Florida, the soil drains well and does not hold soil moisture. In South Florida the environments productive period for cool-season legume is much shorter which can limit the use of cool-season legumes. Seed size is an important factor for establishment. The small seed size makes cool-season legumes slow to establish. Larger seeds will establish quicker. Crimson clover has the largest seed size of all of the clovers making it establish fastest. Cool-season grasses and cool-season legumes should be planted together to be productive in the early fall and spring extending the grazing period. If livestock consume large amount of legumes it can cause bloat in ruminant animals which is a result of excess gas in the rumen. To help prevent bloat, legumes and cool-season grasses should be planted together. Planting legumes with cool-season grasses with help decrease the nitrogen fertilizer needed because legumes will fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide nitrogen for cool-season grasses. Nitrogen fertilizer is needed in late fall to increase growth of cool-season grasses before cool-season legumes become productive. Providing 40 lbs. to the acre of nitrogen is recommended.
Winter legumes can be very important to production systems in Florida. Cool-season legumes can supply nitrogen for their own growth, to promote growth of cool-season grasses planted with the legumes, and benefit soil for future forage crops.

Cool-season legumes grow during the late fall and spring. During winter the warm-season perennial grasses go dormant making cool-season legume and grasses a helpful source of forage for livestock operations.
Soil characteristic that are most desirable for growing cool-season legumes are soils that contain organic matter and clay. Clay and organic matter hold soil moisture making the Panhandle of Florida the optimal environment for growing cool-season legumes. Most legumes are small in seed size and planting near the surface of the soil is essential for germination. In others areas of the state like Central Florida, the soil drains well and does not hold soil moisture. In South Florida the environments productive period for cool-season legume is much shorter which can limit the use of cool-season legumes. Seed size is an important factor for establishment. The small seed size makes cool-season legumes slow to establish. Larger seeds will establish quicker. Crimson clover has the largest seed size of all of the clovers making it establish fastest. Cool-season grasses and cool-season legumes should be planted together to be productive in the early fall and spring extending the grazing period. If livestock consume large amount of legumes it can cause bloat in ruminant animals which is a result of excess gas in the rumen. To help prevent bloat, legumes and cool-season grasses should be planted together. Planting legumes with cool-season grasses with help decrease the nitrogen fertilizer needed because legumes will fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide nitrogen for cool-season grasses. Nitrogen fertilizer is needed in late fall to increase growth of cool-season grasses before cool-season legumes become productive. Providing 40 lbs. to the acre of nitrogen is recommended.
Winter legumes can be very important to production systems in Florida. Cool-season legumes can supply nitrogen for their own growth, to promote growth of cool-season grasses planted with the legumes, and benefit soil for future forage crops.

Cool-season legumes grow during the late fall and spring. During winter the warm-season perennial grasses go dormant making cool-season legume and grasses a helpful source of forage for livestock operations. Soil characteristic that are most desirable for growing cool-season legumes are soils that contain organic matter and clay. Clay and organic matter hold soil moisture […]

Cool-season Legumes

In my whole life, I’ve never found a four-leaf clover. Until now. Last week, I found one. Today, two more. So is luck really something that is that hard to find? Do we really have to spend our days struggling to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? &#160; Little things [&#8230;]

<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-1551 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="three four-leaf clovers " width="298" height="224" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/columbiaco/files/2021/03/clovers.jpg">In my whole life, I’ve never found a four-leaf clover. Until now. Last week, I found one. Today, two more. So is luck really something that is that hard to find? Do we really have to spend our days struggling to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
&nbsp;
<h6>Little things</h6>
It’s the little things in our world that can be considered lucky. You have to find those small truly lucky things that happen &#8211; finding a penny, getting a great parking space, winning a drawing. Those are the things based on pure luck. They randomly happen because of your attention or, well, you could say fate’s choosing. Typically, there is nothing you can do to control the outcomes involved in these things.<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-1552 aligncenter lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="385" height="269" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/columbiaco/files/2021/03/clover-2-2.jpg">
&nbsp;
<h6>Big things</h6>
But then there are those big things that we think are based on luck<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-1538 alignright lazyload" style="font-size: 19.2px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.2px;" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="white clover with four leaves" width="303" height="250" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/columbiaco/files/2021/03/IMG_9873-e1615314847278.jpeg">&#8211; winning an award, getting a job or a promotion, having an article published. Are these things really luck though? No, they happen because you are qualified, you deserve those things, and you are the best. We have to remember that not everything in our lives is based on luck. Sometimes you only need to give yourself the reminder that you can do it. It’s the hard work that you put in that gets you the great things in your life. No one ever got named CEO or given a Nobel Peace Prize because they stayed home, felt bad about themselves, and claimed they had bad luck. They got up each morning, got dressed, and headed off into the world to achieve their biggest goals.<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-1550 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="369" height="492" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/columbiaco/files/2021/03/IMG_9971-min-scaled-1.jpg">
<h6>A mix of them both</h6>
We do have to make sure to take those little things, those lucky things, into consideration, though. If we take a moment to just breathe and realize the small positive things in our day, we keep a positive outlook. Positivity is what can give you the courage to achieve those big things, to conquer those huge goals. And if you still choose to associate your big achievements with luck then it’s because you’ve done great things to influence your luck. And those days that you think you are having the worst luck, ask yourself, is it really about luck?
As an old Irish blessing would say&#8230; May luck be on your side. Just remember, you don’t need luck when you have the motivation to achieve it all!

In my whole life, I’ve never found a four-leaf clover. Until now. Last week, I found one. Today, two more. So is luck really something that is that hard to find? Do we really have to spend our days struggling to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
 
Little things
It’s the little things in our world that can be considered lucky. You have to find those small truly lucky things that happen – finding a penny, getting a great parking space, winning a drawing. Those are the things based on pure luck. They randomly happen because of your attention or, well, you could say fate’s choosing. Typically, there is nothing you can do to control the outcomes involved in these things.
 
Big things
But then there are those big things that we think are based on luck– winning an award, getting a job or a promotion, having an article published. Are these things really luck though? No, they happen because you are qualified, you deserve those things, and you are the best. We have to remember that not everything in our lives is based on luck. Sometimes you only need to give yourself the reminder that you can do it. It’s the hard work that you put in that gets you the great things in your life. No one ever got named CEO or given a Nobel Peace Prize because they stayed home, felt bad about themselves, and claimed they had bad luck. They got up each morning, got dressed, and headed off into the world to achieve their biggest goals.
A mix of them both
We do have to make sure to take those little things, those lucky things, into consideration, though. If we take a moment to just breathe and realize the small positive things in our day, we keep a positive outlook. Positivity is what can give you the courage to achieve those big things, to conquer those huge goals. And if you still choose to associate your big achievements with luck then it’s because you’ve done great things to influence your luck. And those days that you think you are having the worst luck, ask yourself, is it really about luck?
As an old Irish blessing would say… May luck be on your side. Just remember, you don’t need luck when you have the motivation to achieve it all!

In my whole life, I’ve never found a four-leaf clover. Until now. Last week, I found one. Today, two more. So is luck really something that is that hard to find? Do we really have to spend our days struggling to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?   Little things […]

Is it really about having good luck?

Legumes

Legumbres

Grassy or tree legume that provides leaves and stems for grazing or use in silage.

Legumbre herb&aacute;cea o arb&oacute;rea que proporciona hojas y tallos para pastoreo o uso en ensilaje.

Clovers

Publications

White Clover

Alyceclover—Summer Annual Legume

Sweetclover Production and Use in Florida

Related IFAS Blog Posts

Worried about the summer slide? UF/IFAS experts share options to fuel young minds

Cool-season Legumes

Is it really about having good luck?

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