Category: Popular

Strategies to Fund Your Child’s College Education: Using Savings and Tax-Advantaged Vehicles

Students look at the College of Agriculture building.

It is never too soon to explore funding options for college educations, whether your child is a newborn or is in middle school. You are more likely to be prepared to fund your child's education if you start planning earlier. This new 4-page document describes and discusses several accounts that allow you to pay for college while taking advantage of tax and savings opportunities. Written by Jessica McCumber, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, Martie Gillen, and Sarah M. Ellis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1484

Major Asset Classes: A Brief Glossary

Using IFAS-generated budgeting tools, young people can learn to manage their money and begin saving and investing in the future. UF/IFAS Photo: Tyler Jones. IFAS Extension calendar 2009

The best time to have started investing is yesterday. This new 2-page document aims to provide a brief but comprehensive glossary of the main financial investment vehicles. Written by Jarrett Tsai, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, and Martie Gillen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, May 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1483

Establishing a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization: An Overview

Hard at work on a laptop.

This new 3-page document provides an overview of the process to establish a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and also discusses eligibility criteria and filing requirements. Written by Jacqueline Phillips, Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, Jennifer A. Jones, and Julianne Shoup, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, April 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1481

Healthy Living: Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home

Homes in the Harmony energy efficient community that was developed with the help of UF/IFAS. Photo taken 06/14/16.

Do you think your blood pressure may be too high? Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? In either case, it is recommended that you monitor your blood pressure at home and get it checked at the doctor's office. This 4-page document discusses how to monitor your blood pressure at home. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised November 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1126

Instructions on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Franklin Percival, left, and Peter Ifju, professors at the University of Florida, examine a small plane that can photograph and monitor wildlife and their habitats - Oct. 19, 2004. Controlled by its own on-board computer, the plane stores and downlinks high-quality video and flight data to researchers on the ground. The unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, is being developed by UF's College of Engineering in cooperation with UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. (AP photo/University of Florida/IFAS/Marisol Amador)

All research and commercial activities involving the use of UAVs must be conducted in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, statutes, and regulations. This new 5-page document provides guidance on the appropriate use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in Florida. Written by Sri Charan Kakarla and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae527

South Florida Tropicals: Avocado

Avocados growing on a tree. Avocado fruit. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses the background, availability, selection, ripening, storage, uses, yield, nutritive value, and basic, safe preparation of the avocado. The document also contains several avocado-based recipes. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Amy Simonne, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he606

Sizzle and Passionista: Two New Lance-Leaved Caladium Cultivars

'Sizzle' plants (about 5-months-old) grown in full sun.Many lance-leaved cultivars often produce small tubers, making it difficult for growers to produce tubers profitably. ‘Sizzle’ and ‘Passionista’ are two new lance-leaved caladium cultivars with improved tuber yield potential. The availability of ‘Sizzle’ and ‘Passionista’ may expand the color palette for caladium plants desired by greenhouse growers, nurseries, and gardeners. This 7-page fact sheet discusses the cultivars' tuber yield potential, container trials, landscape performance, growing recommendations, and availability. Written by Zhanao Deng, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, December 2015.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep527

Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide — Revised!

woman holds basket of garden produce
Vegetable gardening offers fresh air, sunshine, exercise, enjoyment, mental therapy, nutritious fresh vegetables, and economic savings, as well as many other benefits. With some attention to planning and planting, vegetables can be grown year-round in Florida. This 11-page guide provides recommendations primarily for traditional home gardens, including planning your garden and choosing crops, soil preparation and maintenance, fertilization, irrigation, pest management, and other gardening know-how. Includes a planting guide, table of suggested varieties, and table of products labeled for insect and mite management in home vegetable gardens. Written by Sydney Park Brown, Danielle Treadwell, J. M. Stephens, and Susan Webb, and published by the Environmental Horticulture Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021

January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day!

Peanut Butter in the jar.Try some of these tasty peanut butter ideas from EDIS publications:

  • Peanut butter is a quick, easy, and popular sandwich choice that’s also healthful (in moderation). Use whole-grain bread, and add sliced banana, fruit preserves, or honey and a thin slice of Muenster, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella cheese to your child’s favorite peanut butter. (Tips for Nutritious School Lunches)
  • Stuff celery sticks with peanut butter and top with raisins (Choosing Healthy Snacks Using MyPyramid)
  • Instead of peanut butter and jelly, try peanut butter and sliced banana. Add a little honey for a sweeter sandwich. (Healthy Eating: Super Sandwiches)
  • Banana & Peanut Butter Spread: Cream ½ cup peanut butter, add ¼ cup hot water or evaporated milk, and blend thoroughly. Add ¾ cup mashed ripe banana, and season with 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon or lime juice. (South Florida Tropicals: Banana)
  • Peanut Butter Banana Shake: blend 1 cup low-fat milk, 1 banana (fresh or frozen), 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract (Healthy Eating for Elders: Drink to Your Health)

Peanuts have been one of the more profitable crops grown in the Coastal Plains of the southeastern U.S. for many years. For publications on peanut production in Florida, see Peanut Production topic page.

Peanuts can also be grown in your home garden: see Producing Peanuts for Home Use.