UF IFAS Extension Commercial Hort - Alachua

06/02/2026

We had such a great time talking all things plant pathology with our incredible Master Gardeners! 🌿🦠

06/02/2026

Good to know!

05/30/2026

We had so much fun last week learning All About Watermelon! 🍉

Here, we got to gather with watermelon growers and enthusiasts to learn all about the process of growing, caring for, and distributing watermelon from Commercial Horticulture agent Tatiana Sanchez-Jones. Then, Family & Consumer Sciences agent Ebony Griffin shared three recipes that utilize watermelon (including watermelon pizza!).

Sound fun? Be on the lookout for other similar events! 🌱

05/28/2026

Read about our summer intern Ellie Whitaker’s take on cooperative extension illustrated by her first week on the job! 🌱

Email 0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Reddit 0 X Linkedin 0 Stumbleupon 0 Hi, I’m Ellie Whitaker and I am a recent graduate from the University of Florida. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a minor in Education Studies and completed an undergraduate thesis in invasion ecology. A...

05/26/2026

Today we had the opportunity to witness the groundbreaking of this $66 million investment with Harvest Singularity for a controlled environment, industrial hydroponic greenhouse to kick off the F-300 AgFoodTech Innovation Park. This event hosted by the City of Newberry - Government was a beautiful representation of the collaborative efforts that support our food system. Alachua county extension with the University of Florida, state, local, and federal government officials, producers, and so many others witnessed this important event. We are beyond excited about this venture and what it represents for future agricultural enterprises in Alachua County.

05/22/2026

Burn ban continues

🔥🚫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐧 🔥🚫

After reviewing Alachua County’s current wildland fire conditions and in consultation with state officials, the mandatory countywide burn ban has been extended and will remain in effect through May 29, 2026.

Residents are reminded that the burn ban prohibits the ignition of fireworks this Memorial Day weekend. Backyard grilling is allowed.

Scattered thunderstorms and rain are forecast for the upcoming week, which may help reduce the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) levels, though they will likely have limited duration and coverage. The KBDI is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers.

Alachua County’s overall KBDI level ranks the third highest in the state at 618, up from 581 last week, indicating a high wildfire risk.

Additionally, the St. Johns and the Suwannee River water management districts have declared a “Phase 2 Water Shortage,” further indicating the severity of current drought conditions.

For these reasons, the countywide burn ban remains in effect and residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and report any active fire immediately.

The burn ban prohibits all unauthorized open burning, including:
🔸 Campfires and bonfires
🔸 Unpermitted controlled burns
🔸 Burning yard or household trash
🔸 Burning construction or organic debris
🔸 Igniting fireworks

Only limited exemptions apply, such as the use of small barbecue grills or activities conducted under a valid state-issued burn authorization.

Officials emphasize that unauthorized burning during the ban is illegal. Anyone who violates the burn ban may be held financially liable for all damages caused by a resulting fire, including the full costs of wildfire suppression and extinguishment efforts. These costs can be substantial.

Residents are urged to:
🔸 Fully comply with the countywide burn ban.
🔸 Avoid any activity that could create sparks or open flames.
🔸 Properly extinguish and dispose of ci******es and smoking materials.
🔸 Report smoke or wildfires immediately by calling 911. Early reporting can prevent a small fire from becoming a major wildfire.

Conditions will continue to be monitored closely, and updates will be provided as needed. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by texting ALACHUA to 888-777 or visiting AlertAlachua.com.

Read the burn ban order: https://tinyurl.com/4dr46h56

05/20/2026

Naturally Florida 🪻 While it’s lovely to watch butterflies and bees fluttering and buzzing around your yard or patio, this is a big sign that you’ve created a cozy habitat that welcomes all kinds of helpful bugs and critters!

When you create pollinator-friendly gardens and landscaping to attract bees and butterflies, you are helping to support a whole network of insects and animals you might never see.

What’s in your garden?

Jaret Daniels is one of our researchers that specializes in vulnerable butterfly species and conservation of pollinator communities in urban and suburban environments. He likes to invite people to plant native species wherever possible -- even a few plants can add to a nature corridor in your neighborhood. He also suggests thinking about planting clumps of similar flowers so bees and butterflies can linger in an area rather than fly great distances between food sources.

🦋 Native or non-native plants, planning your garden with pollinators in mind can help your whole community!

Is your yard a home to insects?

Entomologist Akito Kawahara studies the global insect decline and offers a few easy things we can do around our homes and gardens to help bugs. With an estimated 40% of insect species vulnerable to extinction, every extra effort helps support their populations. He suggests mowing less frequently, if not completely replacing a monoculture of grass with native plants, and using insect friendly soaps and sealants around the outside of your home.

🪲 It’s surprising how many insects live around, or travel through, urban and suburban ecosystems!

Unsure how to help reverse insect declines? Scientists suggest simple ways:
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/how-to-help-reverse-insect-declines/

🌺 Check out 50 of Florida’s most common native wildflowers and butterflies to help you plan your garden: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/

05/20/2026

Hear from our summer intern Ellie Whitaker as she shares about her experience from our Honey Extraction Class from this past Saturday! This diverse group of honeybee enthusiasts, beginner beekeepers, and former beekeepers had a great time building community and learning all about honey production.

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? This beginner beekeeping class series takes place every year and is open to the public, so bee on the lookout and reach out to the Alachua County Extension Office! 🐝

05/19/2026

Found this beauty while walking at Ring Park! These eye-catching click beetles may look fierce, but they’re harmless—and they can even snap themselves into the air with a “click” if flipped over.
Learn more about click beetles in AskIFAS - https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN242