UF IFAS Extension Union County

05/12/2026

Dear Florida cattle producer,

The University of Florida is asking for 25 minutes of your time on something that could shape how the state and federal government respond if New World Screwworm reaches our cattle herds.

NWS hasn't been a routine threat in Florida for decades, but recent detections in Mexico and Central America have changed the picture. We're working to understand what an outbreak would actually cost Florida operations - in vet bills, lost sales, labor disruptions, and worker safety - so that policymakers, industry groups, and emergency response planners have real numbers to work with instead of guesses.
Your answers will help build that picture. We need responses from operations of every size and type, from family cow-calf outfits to large commercial ranches. There are no right or wrong answers, and your best estimates are exactly what we need.

What to know before you start:

Time: About 25 minutes
Confidentiality: All responses are confidential. Nothing about your operation will ever be shared individually — only aggregate results will be reported.
Voluntary: You can skip any question you'd prefer not to answer.

Take the survey here: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eM2oashXOEhGvP0

If you have questions or run into trouble with the link, please reach out to Dr. Nargiza Ludgate directly at [email protected] or 352-294-0220 (University of Florida, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering).

Thank you for everything you do to keep Florida's cattle industry strong. Your voice in this study genuinely matters.

NWS hasn't been a routine threat in Florida for decades, but recent detections in Mexico and Central America are raising concerns. UF is asking for about 20-25 minutes of your time to help estimate what an outbreak would actually cost Florida cattle operations - in vet bills, lost sales, labor disru...

04/27/2026

Check out this development:

Saratoga Springs is Clay County’s Agrihood community featuring farm-to-table living, scenic trails, amenities and new homes in Green Cove Springs.

04/27/2026

Dear Cattle Producers,
You’re invited to join us for the next Bradford-Union Cattlemen’s Association Meeting and Educational Workshop! Details can be found on the flyer below. Membership is not required—everyone is welcome, and we encourage all producers to attend.
We’re excited to have Dr. Todd Thrift, a UF Beef Cattle Specialist, presenting and leading a hands-on demonstration on calf pulling and fly control. Melissa Nichols from Agrilliance will also be joining us!
Please RSVP by emailing me or calling 904-966-6224 to let us know who all can attend so we can prepare enough food for dinner! If you have any questions about the meeting, please call Clay Whitehead (904-796-0441) or Jason Stalnaker (352-494-1541).

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

Register for pesticide CEU class scheduled for April 23rd.

Eventbrite link: https://BUCPAA.eventbrite.com

04/08/2026

LIVE OAK, FLA., APRIL 8, 2026 – The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) is now accepting applications for conservation land acquisition projects for the upcoming 2026-2027 project cycle.
The District acquires lands for flood control, water quality protection, water supply sustainability, and natural resource conservation. Most District land purchases are located along rivers, streams, headwaters, and water recharge areas. The acquisition of these lands prevents potential harmful impacts that could be caused by future development and helps the District in its mission to protect and preserve the water resources of North Florida.
The District's primary focus is the purchase of conservation easements. Easements allow landowners to maintain ownership of their property while the District purchases the land use rights prohibiting residential and/or commercial development and other land use rights that may impact natural resources.
Land purchases are prioritized based on several factors, including to the extent which the lands provide protection for water resources, such as springs, wetlands and streams; provide flood protection; may support water resource development projects; are adjacent to other District lands; or enhance current land management activities.
Applications that meet the District’s primary objectives will be ranked by the Governing Board. Funding is limited, and only top-ranked land projects will be pursued. Applications that do not meet the District’s primary focus areas for acquisition will not be pursued.
The 2026-2027 land acquisition project funding list will be selected in Fall 2026.
The deadline for applications is May 8, 2026, by 5 pm EST. Applications received after May 8 will be considered for future funding cycles.
Interested parties can visit https://srwmd.org/73/Acquisition for more information or to submit an application.
The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.
For more information about the District, visit www.MySuwanneeRiver.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

Suwannee RiverManagement District 9225 CR 49Live Oak, FL 32060Phone: 386.362.1001Toll Free: 1.800.226.1066Hablamos Español

03/24/2026

Just a few spots left for our Small-Farm Startup School. If you’re on the fence about taking a serious step to becoming a farmer, you’re running out of time to make a decision.

Open registration for the Small Farm Start-up School closes on 4/1/2026. Registration between 4/2–4/14 will be open for online participation only, with the possibility to join local county events if minimum numbers are met before 4/1/26.

If we can help answer any final questions or address any concerns, give us a call at 352-294-1692.

Sign up today 🔗 https://tr.ee/72B8XJ4msA

03/12/2026

The University of Florida is conducting a statewide survey for growers to better understand deer-related crop damage (where it occurs, which crops are most affected, and how growers are experiencing these challenges). The survey takes about 3–10 minutes to complete, and we are offering a $250 gift card from Helena Products through a raffle that participants can choose to enter by providing their email address or phone number at the end of the survey. Their contact information will not be linked to their survey responses and will only be used for the raffle drawing. Strawberry growers are absolutely welcome to participate - we are actually hoping to receive as many responses as possible to build a statewide picture of the issue. Even growers who do not experience deer damage can fill it out and the survey will simply be much shorter in those cases.

I’m including a link for the survey and a flyer, I would really appreciate you sharing it:

www.go.ufl.edu/deerdamage

03/10/2026

Union County Burn Ban Extension #11

The drought conditions / fire weather conditions in Union County have worsened in all areas of the county. The active Union County Burn Ban and local state of emergency have been extended until 3/17/26, unless cancelled prior due to significant rainfall. Union County is only expected to receive 0.8 inches of rainfall over the next 2 weeks, so I expect drought conditions to be similar or worsen before the next burn ban extension deadline. Spring rainfall is forecast to be normal for Union County, but it may not be enough to pull us out of this drought. The drought forecast is for drought in Union County to persist throughout the Spring (see below graphic). Concerns for an active local wildfire season this Spring are increasing.

The current Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Union County is higher than the last update and is now in the range of 511-604, with an average of 570 (3/5/26). In order to consider lifting the burn ban, we need these numbers to be safely below 500 AND have sustained rainfall in the forecast over several days / weeks to restore soil and vegetation moisture. Future rainfall accumulation is not in the current forecast. See drought report by county listed here: Florida Forest Service - Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI).

This burn ban prohibits outdoor burning, with the exception of attended and monitored cooking equipment (gas or charcoal grill). This burn ban also prohibits the use of fireworks and any other explosive or combustible compounds, including flares. See attached Union County Burn Ban Extension for additional details.

We ask all residents and visitors to remain vigilant during this period. Please exercise caution with any outdoor activities, stay mindful of fire safety, and report any signs of smoke or fire immediately to 911. Your cooperation is essential in helping protect Union County. Together, we can reduce the risk and keep Union County safe until conditions improve.