Organic Gardening Series: Soils & Compost
2022-10-14 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to optimize your soil for organic gardening!

Organic gardening success begins with soil building. This class will cover soil amendments for adding organic matter and nutrients to keep plants healthy and stress-free.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please submit special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.

Nature Investigators' Club
2022-10-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Explore different aspects of nature at the Florida Botanical Gardens!

Free admission, pre-registration only.

Do you have a child ages 3-7 who loves to explore nature? Become a Member of the Nature Investigators’ Club!
We will meet at the Florida Botanical Gardens each Friday at 10 AM to explore the different parts of nature and their interactions for a period of 6 weeks.

Benefits include:Small group: personal interactions with a certified environmental educatorTime in plant-rich environment, which has several proven health and wellness benefitsLearning through exploration, fostering development of higher-level problem solving skills
Opportunity to interact with other children, fostering teamwork and group collaboration skills
One (1) nature journal for use through the duration of the session.
Limited capacity:7 children slots for each sessionParent/Guardian must be present for the entirety of the session.

>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Veggie Influenza
2022-10-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Join us for a class on common vegetable diseases!

This workshop is designed to educate the casual gardener about some of the most common vegetable diseases in Florida and in Manatee County. In this roughly two hour class, participants will learn the basic biology of pathogenic organisms, how to identify common disease symptoms, and acquire some basic disease management skills. This workshop is not designed for professional landscapers or pesticide applicators.
For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Magic of Mushrooms
2022-10-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Mushroom Biology and Ecology, mushroom growing kits available for purchase

Mention mushrooms and most people think of three things: eating them, DYING from eating them and/or their use in recreational drug use. Let’s put those topics aside and explore fun facts about these fascinating and ecologically important organisms! Recommended for adults and youth over 12. Note: this class will NOT address edible wild mushrooms, BUT participants can purchase their own mini mushroom farm to watch the magic happen at home, thanks to the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Organic Gardening Series: Propagation
2022-10-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn where to source organic seeds, how to grow and plant them, and tips for propagation by cuttings!

Organically grown transplants for the garden can be difficult to find. You can grow your own and experiment with different varieties along the way. Learn where to source organic seeds, how to grow and plant them, and tips for propagation by cuttings.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please send special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to the event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.

Orchid Mounting - Make & Take Workshop
2022-10-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
A workshop demonstrating how to mount an orchid on wood or other found objects!

A workshop demonstrating how to mount an orchid on wood or other found objects – and you will make your own to take home! Learn about these beautiful epiphytes and how they can enhance your home and landscape. Registration and advance payment of $25 for materials.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please email special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.

Pumpkin Fest
2022-10-22 12:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-23 12:00 - 16:00 | Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL, 33778, United States
Join us for our 7th Annual Pumpkin Fest!

Purchase pumpkins on site, $10 each. Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation Members receive their first pumpkin free!

Join us for a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, and spooky activities from our returning sponsors Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscaping Association and County Farm Bureau.
Additional vendors will be on site with information and activities, and our Botanical Bounty Gift Shop will have seasonal items for sale.

Home Composting
2022-10-28 11:00 - 13:00 | Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Office, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how you can compost at home!

Composting has significant environmental benefits and is easier than you might think! It happens very naturally and creates a useful soil amendment for your landscape plants and vegetable gardens. Join us for an in-person class to learn more about it!
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<
Please send special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.

Plant Food 101
2022-11-04 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.
In this two-hour workshop, we will covering 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. For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ for Newcomers
2022-11-09 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Learn how to landscape the Florida-Friendly way!
Tour the Educational Gardens at Extension and learn the principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping. You will see vegetable gardens, pollinator gardens, native plant areas and more while learning ways to conserve water and protect natural resources.
Please submit any special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.edu at least 10 days prior to event. Refund requests must be submitted at least 24 hours before event.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Talk Plants with Me
2022-11-10 11:30 - 13:00, 2022-12-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Online Event
Ask a Horticulture Agent Webinar!

Submit your questions to our Horticulture Agent for live Q&A. We will talk about hot topics in the plant world and may have a few guests join us along the way.
Please submit special accommodation requests to katiebg@ufl.ued at least 10 days prior to event.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

HUKYU BONSAI SOCIETY MEETING
2022-11-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-12-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-01-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL, United States
Learn the art and techniques of Bonsai.
www.facebook.com/hukyubonsaisociety.

Flowers: A Botanical Approach
2022-11-16 14:00 - 15:00 | ZOOM, United States
Let us explore the REAL story of the flower, from its modest first iterations to the myriad of forms this often-breathtaking sex organ has taken. From a messy collection of fertile leaves some of the most complex insect-trapping/tricking devices, we will trace the development of the flower and discover its parts and processes.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
Recommended for adults and youth over 12
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Seed Saving Strategies
2022-11-18 10:00 - 12:00 | UF/IFAS Manatee County Extension, 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221, United States
Have you ever thought about saving seeds from your favorite vegetables? Join us for this two-hour workshop about seed saving strategies. Topics will include plant mating systems, isolation techniques, seed processing, and more!
For more information, please contact, Mack Lessig, at 941-722-4524 ext. 1821 or mlessig@ufl.edu. For special accommodations, please let us know 10 days before the class.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

The Role of Native Bees in Our Landscape
2022-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Boyd Hill – 31st Street S, 3130 31st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL, United States

Youth Nest Box Building Workshop
2022-12-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Join us for an in-person workshop to “make and take” a nest box for your yard!

Help our local cavity nesters! We will be building a nest box for a Carolina wren, which is a year-round resident in Pinellas County.
In this youth workshop you will learn about the nesting habits of Carolina wrens, and other fun facts about this species! Kids (alongside their parent) will build a wren nest box and then have the opportunity to decorate their nest box.
This youth program is geared toward ages 6 to 12. Registration is required. Space is limited and this program will cap at 20 participants. Please register just your child (children). This is not a drop-off program.
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension.
>>> REGISTER 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.
Refunds will not be granted if you cannot install the nest box in your desired location.
If you are attending with friends or family and would like to team up and build one nest box between the group, please only purchase ONE ticket.

Air-Sitters: The Truth About Epiphytic Plants
2023-01-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online Event
So: Spanish moss does not kill tress and neither does mistletoe… Any questions? Join us to explore the adaptations and ecological roles of the “Air Plants.” We’ll examine how they live, reproduce, and contribute to a healthy ecosystem, AND why they do not belong stuffed in a seashell in your windowless guest bathroom.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Compost Basics
2023-01-14 09:30 - 11:00 | Online Event
Mulch and compost can play an important role in the health of your soil and landscape. Join Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Educator, Melissa West, to find out the benefits of compost by recycling your leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and kitchen scraps. You will learn the step-by-step process from finding the right location, choosing a container or creating a compost pile to produce “black gold” for a thriving garden.
This is a free event, registration required.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Defend Yourself! How Bugs and Bloomers Survive
2023-01-14 10:30 - 12:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Insects and plants have evolved often astonishing and sometimes bizarre ways to survive when everything is out to eat them. For more than a decade, John Lampkin has been photo-documenting thorns and thistles and chemical cocktails, as bugs and bloomers battle it out. The result is a visually delightful, fun, and educational exploration of a 450-million-year-old “arms race.”
Presented by John Lampkin: John Lampkin’s photographs grace the pages of field guides, websites and magazines and he won the “American Butterflies” magazine 2020 photo contest. As a neo-classical composer, he won international prizes for his “Piano Concerto” and woodwind quintets. He has constructed many crossword puzzles, often with Nature themes, for the NY Times, LA Times and Wall Street Journal. At heart, he is just a guy with a camera who enjoys thinking and sharing what he discovers.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Youth Program: Trees!
2023-01-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Celebrate Florida Arbor Day!
Explore the inside and outside of trees with hands-on activities and more as we celebrate Florida Arbor Day!
Registration is required. Presented by Lara Milligan, Pinellas County Natural Resources Agent for UF/IFAS Extension. Targeted for upper elementary and middle school aged youth.
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Easy Plant Identification: The Big 4
2023-01-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
Explore the major plant groups!

If you can remember four plant groups (that you’ve already heard of) you have made a big step in plant ID! Let’s explore the Big Four and what makes a plant belong to one particular group. Hopefully you will be shocked and amazed at how much you already know!
Recommended for adults and youth over 12.
Presented by James Stevenson, Education and Outreach Supervisor
>>> REGISTER HERE <<<

Basic Irrigation Operations and Maintenance
2023-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Want to learn more about irrigation, how it operates, and the basics of maintaining it?
Presented by Brian J Rigney, Irrigation Program Assistant. Learn about the basic operations and maintenance of your in-ground irrigation system.
Contact: Mr. Rigney (941) 722-4524 X 1828 or BrianRigney@ufl.edu for further class information. Minimum class size required or class will be cancelled. Registered attendees will be notified.
This class will satisfy the irrigation educational class requirement for the Manatee County Outdoor Water Rebate Program.
For further information on the Outdoor Water Rebate Program, contact: Manatee County Utility Department – Tina at (941) 792-8811 X 5327 or tina.moutoux@mymanatee.org
Book your FREE irrigation and landscape evaluation with the Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL). Call Maggie Gaughan (941) 722-4524 X 1827 to sign up today.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as alternate formats of written material, please contact Brian Rigney BrianRigney@ufl.edu or (941) 722-4524 at least 1 week in advance.

Landscape Tips for Water Conservation
2023-01-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Valrie Massey, Horticulture Program Assistant, will focus on Florida-Friendly Landscape tips such as right plant vs. right place, watering efficiently, and mulch benefits. We will have a brief discussion on your in-ground sprinkler system and the benefits of installing smart irrigation devices.
This class satisfies the landscape educational requirement for the Manatee County Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program.
Contact: Valrie (941) 722-4524 ext 1829 or vmassey@ufl.edu for further class information. Minimum class size required or class will be cancelled. Registered attendees will be notified.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
For information and eligibility on the Manatee County Outdoor Rebate Program, please call: Manatee County Utility Department – Water Conservation; Tina (941) 792-8811, ext 5327 or tina.moutoux@mymanatee.org
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 Valrie Massey (vmassey@ufl.edu / 941-722-4524) at least 1 week in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Florida-Friendly Friday- Ask an Agent: Winter Gardening Tips
2023-01-27 11:00 - 12:30 | Online Event
Join us as to learn about good winter gardening practices and the does and don’ts before, during and after cold spells. Bob Albanese, Extension Horticulturist will provide information on timely gardening activities and recommendations for central Florida’s cooler season. We will discuss proper pruning practices, selecting the right plants and trees for your cold hardiness zone and how to prepare your vegetable garden. You will also learn about how to conserve water during Florida’s winter. Please bring your questions.
Free class, but advance registration required.
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<

Aquaculture's Role in the Global Food Security Agenda
2023-01-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Farming the Future:
Aquaculture’s Role in the Global Food Security Agenda
Dr. Nicole Rhody will lead the last lecture of the series on Jan. 30. With over 20 years of experience in the field of aquaculture and based at the 200-acre Mote Aquaculture Research Park, she aids in leading a team of scientists focused on conservation and cultivation of marine finfish, bivalves, crustaceans and aquatic plants.
On Monday, Jan. 30, attendees can discover the new and innovative ways Mote’s aquaculture research scientists are working to ensure global access to healthy and sustainable protein options. The lecture focuses on aquaculture, currently the fastest-growing food production sector globally and a sustainable option for attaining food security. Guests will learn how sustainable aquaculture methods can protect our oceans and help meet the increasing demand for seafood. By expanding our ability to cultivate aquatic animals and plants we can ensure sustainable human food production in the future.
Mote Members also receive discounted admission to the event.
Tickets are on sale now at mote.org/lecture.

Composting Workshop
2023-02-04 08:30 - 09:30 | UF/IFAS Extension, Hillsborough County, 5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL, 33584, United States
Learn how to put your everyday food waste and organic materials to work for you! Hillsborough County and City of Tampa residents/employees will receive a compost bin, compost bucket and thermometer after attending the workshop. (Limit 1 per household and the representative of the household must be an adult.) Please arrive 15 minutes before the program starts.
>>> IN PERSON REGISTRATION <<<
>>> WEBINAR REGISTRATION <<<
NOTE: Pick-up of workshop items/giveaways for on-site attendees will be on the date of the workshop or by rescheduling with the workshop presenter. All items must be picked up within 30 days of the date of the workshop. No exceptions.
***PLEASE NOTE: There is a non-refundable $5.00 registration fee per household for this workshop. Please be advised, if our records indicate that you or another member of your household attended this workshop in the past, you will not be eligible to attend and your registration fee will not be refunded, is non- transferrable, and may not be credited toward a future workshop.***
Attending a workshop on behalf of another person is not permitted.
