Backyard Chickens 101 - Webinar
2024-03-21 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | ZOOM, United States
Learn the basics of raising backyard chickens!
Join us for an introductory backyard chicken webinar! We will cover the basics of chicken nutrition, chicken coops, predator protection, and egg production tips. This workshop is for beginning or aspiring backyard chicken owners.
Participants will receive educational materials to support the topics presented at the webinar.
Registration Deadline: March 20th @ 11:00pm
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
***The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact: Allie Williams (allisonwilliams@ufl.edu) at least 10 days in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
For questions contact: Allie Williams at allisonwilliams@ufl.edu

2024 Spring Plant Sale
2024-03-23 08:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Sale featuring plants grown by our Master Gardener Volunteers!

Blooming plants & natives!

Eventbrite tickets required
Bring your own garden cart or wagon & load up
Cash or personal check only
Restrooms will be closed
Please only choose one ticket type. If you have early entry, you do NOT have to leave before 9.

Ticket Pricing:
8-9am entry: $10 (+ Eventbrite fee) >>> BUY TICKETS <<<
9am-12pm entry: Free
Keep in mind the earlier you attend, the more selection of plants you’ll have!
All proceeds from this event go to the operation and maintenance of the Master Gardeners’ Educational Gardens and Greenhouse, and to support Master Gardener educational and outreach programs.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Plant Food 101 - Spring Vegetable Gardening Series
2024-03-27 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for Plant Food 101! Come find out what plants need to grow.
Join us for Plant Food 101! In this two-hour workshop, we will cover basic plant nutrition. Learn about the role that nitrogen, potassium, and other elements play within a plant.
For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at (941) 722-4524 ext.1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Propagation Class
2024-03-30 14:00 - 15:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join a park ranger for an exciting propagation course that will focus on the methods and techniques of cultivating and reproducing native plant species, as well as learning about the best practices for planting and caring for them.
Ages 18 yrs +
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

INSECTS, BIRDS, AND GARDENERS
2024-04-10 11:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
MASTER GARDENER SPEAKER SERIES:
INSECTS, BIRDS, AND GARDENERS
Insects and birds can be both friends and foes to gardeners! Join Master Gardener, Debbie Ingram, as she explores how to tell the difference between helpful and harmful wildlife and how to cultivate balance between the two.

Compost Happens Workshop
2024-05-09 | FL
Composting – learn how to turn trash into treasure!

Due to COVID-19 , we will conduct a special COMPOST HAPPENS workshop online, via Zoom. No additional software or extra computer skills are necessary – just click to join! A link for joining the workshop will be provided to registrants via email the day prior, with product pick-up to occur on Saturday, February 6, 2021 between the hours of 12 – 2 p.m. or by special arrangement, if needed.
Be sure to look for the other workshops in our Triple Workshop Series:
MICROIRRIGATION 2-5-21
Online registration and more information:
RAINWATER HARVESTING 2-6-21
Online registration and more information:
For your convenience, these workshops are offered monthly and may be taken individually, with no requirement to take consecutively or all together.
Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County residents only.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a non-refundable $5.00 registration fee per workshop/household. If, upon registration, our records indicate you or someone in your household or at your address has previously attended, you will be ineligible to attend and the registration fee will not be refunded, nor can the fee be credited toward a future workshop or transferred to another party.
THURSDAY, February 4, 2021 – 11:00 A.M. TO 12 P.M. – COMPOSTING: Learn to turn trash into treasure! Hillsborough County residents will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop. (1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
***Registrants will receive an emailed Zoom link to access the Webinar the day before the program. *If you do not receive the ZOOM link, please check your SPAM folder for an email from Starling Morris (MorrisSA@hillsboroughcounty.org). If no link is received, please contact Starling at 813-744-5519 Ext 54127 for assistance.
Sponsored by UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County, Public Utilities, University of Florida/IFAS, Tampa Bay Water and the Tampa Water Department.
***Reminder: If our records indicate you attended a workshop in the past, you will not be permitted to re-attend and your registration fee will not be refunded, is non-transferable, and may not be credited toward a future workshop.***
Attending a workshop on behalf of another person is not permitted. No photographs or recording of presentations is allowed without prior permission from the presenter(s).
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.

Vegetable Microirrigation Workshop on ZOOM
2024-05-09 10:00 - 11:00 | ZOOM, United States
Get some help for a successful vegetable garden.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how to grow vegetables with the convenience of a microirrigation kit. It will conserve water and save time. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a vegetable microirrigation kit after attending this workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Participants can schedule a time/date to pick up the kit.
This workshop will be offered remotely through Zoom. You do not need additional software or more than basic computer skills to attend.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

International Compost Awareness Week ft. Renuable
2024-05-09 12:00 - 15:00 | Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, 2101 East Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33605, United States
Homegrown Hillsborough Presents: International Compost Awareness Week ft. Renuable
Join the Renuable Team on Thursday May 9th at the The Entrepreneur Collaborative Center in Ybor for an afternoon of creating conversation for change via composting!
Ever wondered what composting truly is and wonder what’s so special about it?
Renuable’s Team will be sharing the importance of composting and its ability to offset and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sharing what (unfortunately) happens to food waste when it sits in landfills, and sharing the magic of the regenerative properties of what food waste can turn into when composted & is turned into its final rich nutrient form!
Renuable will share all about the operations of their residential, community and commercial compost programs and how to get you & the community involved in their guardianship of the soils efforts!
This event is free but please register in advance if interested.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Free parking is available directly across Palm Avenue.
CONTACT: HELLO@LIVERENUABLE.COM

Microirrigation Workshop on Zoom
2024-05-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-06-01 09:30 - 11:00, 2024-07-17 10:30 - 11:30 | ZOOM, United States
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how you can have healthy and attractive landscape beds while conserving water. This irrigation method not only conserves water, but is not limited by current water restrictions as is traditional in-ground irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a microirrigation kit after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
NOTE: You will need to make an appointment with our receptionist at 813-744-5519 to come in and pick up your items after May 16th. All items must be picked up within 30 days of the date of the workshop. No exceptions.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Backyard Composting on Zoom
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-06-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-14 12:00 - 13:00 | ZOOM, United States
Composting – learn how to turn trash into treasure!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County residents/employees only.
BACKYARD COMPOSTING: Learn to turn trash into treasure! Hillsborough County residents/employees will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop. (1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
Since you are attending this workshop on Zoom, you will need to make an appointment with our receptionist at 813-744-5519 to come in and pick up your items. All items must be picked up within 30 days of the date of the workshop. No exceptions.

>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Invasive Plants to Know and Avoid
2024-06-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Palma Sola Botanical Garden, 9800 17th Avenue Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209, United States
Join UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on Invasive plants.
How can we tell the difference between the plants we want in our landscape and those that might be problematic? What’s the difference between a nuisance plant and an invasive plant? Join UF/IFAS Extension for a discussion on Invasive plants; what are they? how do we identify them? what can we use in our landscapes instead?
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Special Accommodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Sustainable Living: Compost & Summer Garden Strategies
2024-06-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
Join local gardening experts for some summer tips on gardening in our region.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Intro to Beekeeping
2024-07-07 10:30 - 13:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Introduction to Beekeeping:
A Hobby with Sweet Rewards
~ Session 1 of 3 ~
This program will introduce you to the basics of honey bees, their behavior, biology and the guiding principles of beekeeping.
Instructor: Robert Burkard, President of the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve’s Beekeepers Club
Why honey bees? In addition to the personal satisfaction of harvesting your own pure natural honey, many of our food staples would disappear without honey bees for pollination. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these under-appreciated workers pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, which constitute one-third of everything we eat. Hobbyist beekeepers play a vital role in keeping our honey bee population healthy.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Want to take the entire series?
Register for Part 2 on Sunday July 14th here!
Register for Part 3 on Sunday July 21st here!
Additional Notes: This program will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium.

Vegetable Microirrigation Workshop- ZOOM
2024-07-12 09:00 - 10:00 | ZOOM, United States
Get some help for a successful vegetable garden.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how to grow vegetables with the convenience of a microirrigation kit. It will conserve water and save time. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a vegetable microirrigation kit after attending this workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Participants can schedule a time/date to pick up the kit.
This workshop will be offered remotely through Zoom. You do not need additional software or more than basic computer skills to attend.

REGISTER HERE
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at (813) 744-5519.
Closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

Intro to Beekeeping
2024-07-14 10:30 - 13:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Introduction to Beekeeping:
A Hobby with Sweet Rewards
~ Session 2 of 3 ~

This program will cover what it takes to get started in this amazing hobby with a focus on the equipment and tools necessary for beekeeping. We will review the components of the “modern” bee hive, the tools used by beekeepers, and demystify the seemingly countless number of paraphernalia available for the hobbyist beekeeping.
In addition we will discuss the proper locations for beehives and explain Florida’s rules and guidelines.
Instructor: Robert Burkard, President of the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve’s Beekeepers Club
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Register for Part 3 on Sunday July 21st here!
Additional Notes: This program will be held in our auditorium. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from the preserve entrance (Keystone Rd.) to the parking lot, and there is a 2-5 minute walk from the parking lot to the auditorium. Follow signs to the auditorium.

Summer Celebration in the Majeed Discovery Garden
2024-07-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Majeed Discovery Garden, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33774, United States
Free admission, free parking!
Join us for a Summer Celebration in the Majeed Discovery Garden on Saturday, July 20th from 10 AM-1 PM. This event will consist of a tea party while learning about the environment. There will be special activities led by our educator and community partners: Florida Farm Bureau, FNGLA, and the Pinellas County UF/IFAS Extension.
This event is a part of Third Saturdays at Pinewood, in partnership with Creative Pinellas and Heritage Village. For more information on their events, click here.

Family Programming in the Majeed Discovery Garden
2024-07-21 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Majeed Discovery Garden, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33774, United States
Here Comes the Sun: Prepare for Summer and learn all about the power of the sun.

$25 for non-members and $20 for members for 4 people (includes any combo of kids and adults) and each additional child/adult is $5 for non-members and $3 for members.
Contact our Children’s Garden Educator, Jessie Wingar, at jessieflbgfoundation@gmail.com if you have any questions.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Water Bath Canning 101: Pickling
2024-07-22 13:00 - 15:00 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
This class will include information and resources on safely canning at home, the science behind pickling, and a food tasting.

Learn about water bath canning, the equipment needed, and how to pickle vegetables.
This class will include information and resources on safely canning at home, the science behind pickling, and a food tasting.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a non-refundable $10.00 registration fee per individual for this workshop.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
This class will take place at the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County office at: 5339 County Road 579, in Seffner.
If you have any questions, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County at:
(813) 744-5519
**The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations, such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Joshua Payne at: joshuapayne@ufl.edu or 813 744-5519 x 54136, at least 1 week in advance.
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution.

Microirrigation Workshop
2024-08-03 09:30 - 11:00 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to save water when watering your garden.
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
Learn how you can have healthy and attractive landscape beds while conserving water. This irrigation method not only conserves water, but is not limited by current water restrictions as is traditional in-ground irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a microirrigation kit after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 kit per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.)
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
2024-08-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Harvest some of that rain to help in your garden!
This workshop is for Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees only.
This workshop will be held in the Conference Center at our office, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584.
RAINWATER HARVESTING: Learn how to collect rainwater for ornamental plant irrigation while reducing erosion and stormwater runoff, and the use of non-potable water for irrigation. Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive one 45-55 gallon plastic food-grade barrel after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Please arrive15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Plant Play in the Majeed Discovery Garden
2024-08-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-09-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Majeed Discovery Garden, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33774, United States
Dig into the soil and learn about plants all around us. Plant Play is recommended for kids aged 3-5.
Contact our Children’s Garden Educator, Jessie Wingar, at jessieflbgfoundation@gmail.com if you have any questions.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

2024 Water School: Flowing Forward
2024-09-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Wednesday, September 4 at 9AM-4PM
Location: UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County (1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL)
Description:
Join UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension for an in depth look at emerging water issues in our region. We will provide expert presentations and deep dives into the topics during facilitated discussions. This program is intended for local policymakers but all interested are welcome to register. $20 per person (+ Eventbrite fee). Lunch included in ticket.
Topics covered:

Conservation lands/easements
Water quality value of urban forests
Water quality estuary and marine systems
Sustainable development
Green Stormwater Initiative
Monitoring in Manatee: Keeping our water resources safe

>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Special Accomodations:
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact our office at (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
2024-09-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Let us answer all of your insect and pest questions!
Do you want to learn more about pests and beneficial insects? During this 2-hour class we’ll cover insect life cycles, management, identification, and more.
For more information, please contact Mack Lessig at (941) 722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Pinellas Florida Waters Stewardship Program - 2024
2024-09-05 09:30 - 12:30 | Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Classroom, 1101 COUNTRY CLUB WY S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705, United States
An intensive program to learn all about Florida’s waters. Each class takes place at a new location with guest speakers, tours and more!

Working With Water, Working With People
To make a difference concerning the issues surrounding water quality and quantity in our communities, we must understand the various ways in which we interact with water. As Floridians, we are connected to our oceans and bays by our faucets and laundries, to our neighborhood ponds and lakes by our yards and streets, and to our regional and statewide neighbors by our surface and groundwater supplies.
This program will use expert presentations, online explorations, experiential learning, field experience in watershed science, and communication skills training to foster a greater understanding of these interactions and provide the tools necessary to become stewards of our water resources.
During this seven-session course, participants will travel to locations across Pinellas County to explore the natural beauty, learn about emerging water issues, and meet with local experts.
Participants will also plan and implement an individual (or group) stewardship project that makes a difference in the community, attend a relevant stakeholder meeting and explore online resources to learn more about water between class sessions.
Each class session will be three hours long and include Working with Water instructor-led presentations looking at water at the state-level as well as Working with People instructor-led presentations highlighting communication best-practices. Classes will also include time for discussions, guest speaker presentations highlighting local water resources, and a field tour.
This course has limited seating/availability. Register early to reserve your spot. Youth (under 18) are eligible to register as long as an accompanying adult is also registered for the program.
Schedule
Session 1 – Thursday, Sept. 5 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Watershed Basics and Stewardship @ Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs with guest speaker Robert Burnes, Project Manager, Pinellas County Public Works, Environmental Management

Session 2 – Thursday, Sept. 19 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

W ater Flow, Then and Now @ Clam Bayou Marine Education Center with guest speaker from Southwest Florida Water Management District, Surface Water Improvement & Management Program

Session 3 – Thursday, Oct. 3 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Water Laws and Other Tools @ South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility with guest speaker Lauren Twele, Education Coordinator, Pinellas County Utilities

Session 4 – Thursday, Oct. 17 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Future Water Supply and Emerging Issues @ Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant in Oldsmar with guest speaker Tirusew Asefa, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, Manager, Planning & System Decision Support, Tampa Bay Water

Session 5 – Thursday, Oct. 31 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*: Panel

Panel Discussion with local environmental non-profit groups and Stewardship Project Updates @ Safety Harbor Public Library

Session 6 – Thursday, Nov. 14 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Speaking of and for Water @ Ozona Village Hall with guest speaker Sadie Hundemer, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida

Session 7- Saturday Nov. 16 (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)*:

Graduation and Water Stewardship In Action @ Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg with guided hike by Pinellas County volunteer or staff.

*Locations and speakers are subject to change.
Before You Register
Please review course requirements should you wish to receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program:

Attend at least five of the seven sessions, two of which MUST be the first and last ones (Session #1 and Session #7)
Attend and briefly describe a stakeholder gathering
Complete online mini-sessions
Participate in the online discussions
Submit a summary of your individual or group stewardship project

Cost: $125
If the cost of the program will prevent you from participating, please complete a scholarship application. Application deadline is Wednesday, August 27th.
>>> RESERVE A SPOT <<<
Questions?
For more information about this course, please contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent, Lara Milligan at lara317@ufl.edu or 727-453-6905.
