Gulf County Chamber Member Spotlight and Business News

#shoplocal #shopgulfcountyfl 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 We’re excited to spotlight 98 Real Estate Group, a valued member of the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce and celebrate the Grand Opening of 98 On The Cape on beautiful Cape San Blas! 𝟵𝟴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽, is dedicated to helping buyers and sellers navigate the Gulf Coast real estate market with local expertise, personalized service, and a passion for coastal living. Their team specializes in connecting clients with homes, vacation properties, and investment opportunities throughout the Forgotten Coast. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗥𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 433 Cape San Blas Road May 20th 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET Join them for an evening of: Music Drinks Food Tours of the new location We look forward to seeing you there! #GulfCountyChamber #MemberSpotlight #RealEstate98 #CapeSanBlas #GrandOpening #ForgottenCoast 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 We’re proud to spotlight Natural Retreats - Cape San Blas, a premier vacation rental company and valued member of the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce, offering unforgettable stays along the beautiful Forgotten Coast. Specializing in luxury vacation homes and coastal getaways, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 provides visitors with carefully curated accommodations throughout Cape San Blas and the surrounding area. From beachfront homes with breathtaking Gulf views to family-friendly retreats designed for relaxation and adventure, their properties help guests experience the very best of coastal living. Known for exceptional guest service and thoughtfully managed properties, Natural Retreats focuses on creating seamless vacation experiences while showcasing the natural beauty and laid-back charm that make Cape San Blas such a special destination. Whether visitors are planning a family beach vacation, romantic escape, or group getaway, Natural Retreats helps travelers create lasting memories while supporting tourism and economic growth in Gulf County. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀: https://naturalretreats.com/.../united.../east/cape-san-blas We’re proud to recognize Natural Retreats - Cape San Blas for helping visitors discover and enjoy everything our beautiful coastal community has to offer! #GulfCountyChamber #MemberSpotlight #NaturalRetreats #CapeSanBlas #ForgottenCoast #VacationRentals 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 We’re proud to spotlight Duke Energy, a leading energy provider and valued member of the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce, serving communities across Florida and the Southeast with reliable power and energy solutions. 𝗗𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 provides electricity to millions of customers and is committed to powering homes, businesses, and communities while investing in a more sustainable energy future. Through innovation, infrastructure improvements, and community partnerships, the company works to deliver safe, dependable, and affordable energy services. In addition to energy services, Duke Energy actively supports the communities it serves through programs focused on: • Community development and economic growth • Environmental stewardship and sustainability • Education and workforce initiatives • Emergency preparedness and storm response • Support for local nonprofits and organizations Duke Energy Florida plays an important role in helping Gulf Coast communities prepare for and recover from severe weather events while continuing to invest in grid reliability and cleaner energy technologies. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://www.duke-energy.com/ We’re proud to recognize Duke Energy for their continued investment in our communities and their commitment to powering the future of Gulf County and beyond! #GulfCountyChamber #DukeEnergy #CommunityPartners #EnergySolutions #GulfCountyFL 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 Visit our NEW website for a complete list. #shoplocal #supportlocal Joe Whitmer President/CEO   Gulf County Chamber of Commerce 321B Reid Ave Port St Joe, FL gulfchamber.org 850-227-1223 Office Share This Email   Share This Email   Share This Email

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UF/IFAS News: AI news sources, using volcanic dust to help crops, youth drug prevention event, and more

A message from UF/IFAS Communications | Reply For the week beginning May 11, 2026 TIMELY NEWS As artificial intelligence permeates most areas of work, UF/IFAS is keeping an eye on the bleeding edge through investment into AgTech to improve how crops are grown, evaluated and sold. UF/IFAS has sources ready to talk about artificial intelligence, AgTech and precision agriculture. Need an expert? Contact us. Recent research, programs, events and more. We can help you cover and localize news to your area; just use the contact links below or reply to this email. Media Alert: Wakulla County 4-H Youth to Host Panel of Experts in Drug Prevention Wakulla County 4‑H youth are taking a leadership role in substance abuse prevention by creating opportunities for teens to talk openly and honestly with their peers about drugs and alcohol through the Prevention Before Intervention campaign.  Contact > Can spreading basaltic volcanic rock dust improve crops and the health of Florida’s soils? Florida’s soils present unique challenges for growers, land managers and residents. The state’s year-round tropical weather and vast agricultural acreage create ideal conditions, but its soils vary widely from nutrient-poor sandy to highly organic soils, depending on location, prompting research into soil amendments such as volcanic rock dust. Contact > EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Puede la aplicación de roca volcánica mejorar los cultivos y la salud de los suelos de Florida? Contacto > Wildlife Watch: Why is North American’s longest snake a friend, not a foe? Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide explains As the spring brings warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, wildlife across Florida becomes more active. That includes the Eastern indigo snake, a protected, nonvenomous species that’s also North America’s longest black snake. Contact > EN ESPAÑOL: Descubriendo la Vida Silvestre: ¿Por qué la serpiente más larga de Norteamérica es una aliada y no una amenaza? La guía bilingüe de IFAS lo explica. Contacto > Not all smoke signals danger. Research explains how Floridians can tell the difference using access to new tools As drought continues to dry out Florida’s landscapes and wildfires spread, smoke in the air can be hard to ignore. But experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) say it may also be a sign of efforts to keep fires from becoming more dangerous.  Contact > Projected El Niño poses disease risk to Florida’s $500 million-a-year strawberry industry, but an alert system could help Farmers in Florida’s $500 million-a-year strawberry industry recently wrapped up a season, and already the next one is casting a shadow. Scientists are predicting a good chance of a pesky strawberry disease, all due to the predicted El Niño weather pattern. Contact > Return ’Em Right Launches New Gear Distribution Model to help Expand Conservation Impact Return ‘Em Right (RER) teaches reef and deep-water anglers to recognize the symptoms of barotrauma and use release gear to increase their rate of survival.  Starting on May 13, 2026, eligible anglers that complete Return ‘Em Right’s free educational training can receive a release gear kit valued at $100 by covering only the cost of shipping and handling.  Contact > Ecotech: UF researchers help launch a new field to turn nature’s solutions into innovative technology In a recent publication in Science Advances, a team of transdisciplinary international researchers, including researchers from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Nature Coast Biological Station (NCBS), Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences and Physics departments, define and formalize ecosystem technology or “ecotech” for short.   Ecotech could inspire innovations from marine-friendly wind farms to smarter agriculture. Contact > Florida 4-H alumni trace tech success back to youth workforce development program When Benjamin Wolking was raising goats in his high school Florida 4-H program in Micanopy, Florida, he never imagined the hands-on experience would lead him toward a career in biomedical engineering. But the problem-solving skills he learned through the UF/IFAS-led youth development program — the largest of its kind in the nation — were transformative. And Wolking is not alone. Contact > From Around IFAS News from across the UF/IFAS network. Pamela Salvador Dutra of UF/IFAS CREC wins the 2026 postdoctoral research poster competition  Since 2024, Pamela Salvador Dutra has worked in the lab of Megan Dewdney, Ph.D., an extension scientist and associate professor of plant pathology at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. The lab’s research focuses on the epidemiology of multiple plant pathogens, including Phyllosticta citricarpa, the fungal pathogen responsible for citrus black spot, or CBS.  Mental Health Awareness Month: Topics in mental health, a series supporting the well-being of Florida’s agricultural community Florida’s agricultural industry plays a vital role in the state’s economy, environment, and communities. From farming and ranching to forestry and seafood production, agricultural producers across all 67 counties help provide food, fiber, and natural resources that support Florida’s residents and visitors every day. While agriculture is essential to the state’s success, the demands of agricultural work can create significant stressors that affect both physical and mental well-being. Cotton market insights: Prices continue recovery — What’s ahead now? Cotton prices continue with an eight as the front number.  I’m not surprised by this, given the mix of bullish factors now in play.  But, I’d be less than 100 percent honest if I didn’t also look at this with a somewhat cautious eye.  It’s a natural reaction, and I know many growers are taking the same approach.  A lot is still unknown and could change as we proceed forward. Best of the rest. Alternative story formats created or supported by UF/IFAS Communications. Our blogs share knowledge: Weekly “What is it?”: Bigleaf magnolia Florida and the southern United States are home to a number of magnolia species, from the classic Southern magnolia to the smaller, silver-leafed sweet bay magnolia found in freshwater wetlands (and grandma’s gumbo). But the bigleaf magnolia is one you’ll never forget. Video stories: Fighting citrus greening with soil microbiology and artificial intelligence In this video, UF/IFAS Associate Professor Sarah Strauss explains the fascinating world of soil microbiology. Research into soil microbiology may offer solutions in combating citrus greening. Strauss' team is utilizing artificial intelligence to push this research even further. Visual learning: Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles This UF/IFAS infographic explains the methods for how and why to follow Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles, such as how to manage yard pests, recycling and concepts of "right plant, right place." Download >  |  More infographics >  |  Contact > EN ESPAÑOL: Florida-Friendly Landscaping Principios del Programa > Contacto > Visit the UF/IFAS Newsroom Find B-roll, photos and more for your coverage needs at ifas.ufl.edu/newsroom. UF/IFAS Communications News and Media Relations Team

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