UF/IFAS News: Sources for National Agriculture Month, Food is Medicine projects funded for diet-based disease prevention, and more

A message from UF/IFAS Communications | Reply For the week beginning March 2, 2026 TIMELY NEWS March is National Agriculture Month, a time to celebrate the role of farmers and ranchers nationwide. Agricultural producers play a major role in our daily lives and in the economy. UF/IFAS supports producers with science-based solutions to everything from food to fuel and fiber. Please ask us about our efforts to bring nutritious food to your kitchen table.  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 funds Food is Medicine projects to advance breakthroughs in diet-based disease prevention To support and accelerate research for the new University of Florida Food is Medicine Initiative, UF is announcing six winners of a seed funding program to support research teams looking to focus on chronic disease prevention and management through food.  Contact > Golden anniversary, double bloom: UF unveils 50th and 51st caladiums This year marks a golden milestone for the University of Florida’s ornamental breeding program, and the celebration comes with a splash of color — the program’s 50th caladium cultivar. Well, make that 50th and 51st. The breeding program is critical to growers because Florida leads the world in caladium bulb production. Contact > EN ESPAÑOL: Cinco decadas de color: UF presenta sus caladios numeros 50 y 51. Contacto > March 26: UF/IFAS 37th South Florida Turfgrass – Landscape Research and Expo Field Day set Turf professionals will get a first look at the future of weed control and sustainable turf when the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) unveils new research and pioneering technologies at the 37th South Florida Turfgrass – Landscape Research Field Day and Expo on March 26. Contact > EN ESPAÑOL: 26 de marzo: 37.ª Jornada de Investigación y Exposición sobre Céspedes del Sur de Florida (UF/IFAS). Contacto > From Around IFAS News from across the UF/IFAS network. Wait! Your palm may not be dead post freeze With the recent record-breaking freezing weather we have experienced, it can be tempting to jump into pruning and replacing plants. As tempting as that may be, you could be removing living plants or causing additional issues by pruning too soon.  RELATED ARTICLE: Recovering from freeze damage.  Mites in the garden Whether you want to know or not, mites are everywhere.  If it makes you feel any better, a lot of mite species are harmless to humans and plants.  However, there are quite a few mites that cause significant damage to garden and landscape plants. RELATED ARTICLE: Tiny, eight-legged creatures that live off plants, animals or stored food. Growing wellness: How community gardens are transforming lives in Pasco In today’s world, productivity often overshadows health and well-being. Between work, family obligations, and the pace of modern life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from ourselves. Finding balance isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.One unexpected remedy has been right in front of us all along: gardening. Girl Scouts learn about forestry, fishing, geomatics at UF jamboree UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS) extension coordinators shared their expertise with local scouts in the inaugural Girl Scouts Jamboree held on Feb. 28 at UF Fisheries and Aquatics Sciences in Gainesville. Best of the rest. Alternative story formats created or supported by UF/IFAS Communications. Our blogs share knowledge: A practical guide to coastal landscape plants Salt spray, sandy soils and high winds challenge coastal landscapes. Landscape Plants for the Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts offers research-based guidance and extensive lists of salt-tolerant plants for resilient shoreline gardens. Video stories:  Meet the Florida Beekeepers leveling up their busines skills Most beekeeping education focuses on managing bees—but what about managing a beekeeping business? The Leveling Up beekeeping business program was designed to fill that gap. Over two years, participants received hands-on training in business planning, marketing, value-added hive products, workplace safety, and more.  RELATED ARTICLE:  Managing honey bees to manage swarming. Visual learning: Seasonal allergy help About 50 million people each year are affcted by allergies and about 7 billion dollars are spent on doctor visits and allergy medication. We offer tips to help you cope with these some of these allergies. Download >  |  More infographics >  |  Contact > EN ESPAÑOL: Ayuda para las alergias de temporada. Use este enlace para acceder al 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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