UF/IFAS news for the week of Dec. 9: Color-coded nutrition; a $5M grant for avocados; holiday mocktails

For the week beginning December 9, 2024

TIMELY NEWS Need a holiday from the holidays? Our wish lists for an ideal season might overwhelm us. For many, work bumps up against traffic (or travel in general), seasonal parties, gifts to buy, eating too much, so many people to visit. Don't despair. UF/IFAS has an expert who can help you cope with and even embrace the season.   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.

UF/IFAS team secures $5M USDA grant to expand avocado production into Central Florida, combat Laurel wilt disease Scientists with the University of Florida have secured a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to combat the lethal Laurel wilt disease and the redbay ambrosia beetles responsible for it. Contact >

UF/IFAS Peanut Butter Challenge concludes with nearly 20-ton haul Participants in the 13th annual UF/IFAS Peanut Butter Challenge have a good reason to be nutty. They collected a record-breaking haul of 30,831 containers of peanut butter, the equivalent of 39,898 pounds. Contact >

UF/IFAS study proves color coding nutrition labels may promote healthier eating What if understanding nutrition labels were as easy as reading a traffic light? The United Kingdom has used this “traffic light” system since 2006 to promote better dietary decisions, and a recent study led by a University of Florida doctoral graduate is exploring its potential benefits for the United States. Contact >

Kiker to lead UF/IFAS agricultural and biological engineering as interim chair Greg Kiker has been selected to lead the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) as the interim chair. He will begin his new role on Jan. 1. Kiker has served as a professor in ABE for 10 years. Contact >

Florida 4-H, Apple collaboration inspires you to pursue tech careers At South Walton Academy in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, future engineers are at work. Before beginning her class, many of Misty Williams’s students would have said they couldn’t even imagine a future career in technology. But today, they’re coding robots. Contact >

Mix up your holiday drinks with these Florida-inspired mocktails Imagine sipping on a bubbly, refreshing drink at your next holiday gathering. It's delicious and nutritious. That’s what you get when you make holiday mocktails with Florida-grown produce, and they pack a punch in terms of health benefits. Contact >

With more than 100 field days annually, UF/IFAS empowers growers with insight At field days, agricultural producers — large and small, beginners to veterans — can learn about topics that can increase their yields and preserve the environment. They get updates on the latest varieties of crops and forages along with how to manage heat, climate change, pests and diseases.  Contact >

Nuevo contenido en español para esta semana. Tenemos una variedad de publicaciones de UF/IFAS que ahora se traducen al español para darle un mejor servicio a nuestras comunidades de habla hispana. A continuación encontrarás nuestras publicaciones e infográficos más recientes.

UF/IFAS recibe una subvención de $5 millones del USDA-NIFA para expandir la producción de aguacate en Florida Central y combatir la marchitez del laurel Científicos de University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) han recibido una subvención de $5 millones del Instituto Nacional de Alimentos y Agricultura (USDA-NIFA, por sus siglas en inglés) para combatir la letal enfermedad de la marchitez del laurel y los escarabajos ambrosía que la transmiten. Contacto >

From Around IFAS News from across the UF/IFAS network.

Passion fruit is emerging in Florida Passion fruit is a rapidly growing perennial vine that produces ornate flowers that develop into flavorful fruit. This plant is native to the tropical regions of South America and can be grown in many similar climates, such as in Florida.   Contact >

RELATED ARTICLE: Pondering adding passion fruit to your edible home landscape? UF/IFAS offers troubleshooting tips. Contact >

FMNP Advisory Board annual retreat at the Marine Discovery Center The Florida Master Naturalist Program Advisory Board recently learned about the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach. We learned about some of their restoration projects and partnerships from their executive director, Chad Truxall.  Contact >

Gardening course starts January 2025 The 2025 Master Gardener course meets once per week, Thursdays, January 23 to April 17, 9 a.m. to noon at the UF/IFAS Extension Levy County center.This course addresses growing conditions specific to North Florida.  Contact >

RELATED VIDEO: 2025 Master Gardener class welcomes you!

Best of the rest. Alternative story formats created or supported by UF/IFAS Communications.

Video stories: Fighting citrus greening with soil microbiology and artificial intelligence In this video, UF/IFAS associate professor Sarah Strauss explains soil microbiology. Research into soil microbiology may offer solutions in combatting citrus greening or HLB. Strauss' team is utilizing artificial intelligence to push this research even further. Contact >

Visual learning: Health eating while traveling Many people travel during the holidays, which can make selecting healthy meals and snacks a challenge. UF/IFAS Extension shares tips that can help you stay on track. Tip one: Before you leave, check out the menus of locations along the way.   Download >  |  More infographics >  |  Contact >

EN ESPAÑOL: Alimentacion saludable mientras viaja infográfico. > 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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