University of Florida Archives - Land-Grant Impacts

a group of children smile around a science experiment

Land-grant universities support youths, build stronger communities

The Land-grant University System plays a crucial role in equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and leadership abilities they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Here are a few examples of that work: In North Carolina, the Bertie DigiCon provided residents with tools and resources to overcome digital barriers. The event raised funds for youth development and [...]

Summary, Youth, Family, and Communities 1890, 2025, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Broadband Access/Digital Literacy, Child and Family Resilience, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Delaware, Extension, Florida, Human Nutrition/Health/Wellness, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Louisiana State University, Mississippi, Mississippi State University, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, North Central, Northeast, Purdue University, Rural Communities/Health, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), Southern, Tennessee, University of Connecticut, University of Delaware, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, University of Vermont, Vermont, Western, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

Volunteers help protect and restore local environments

Land-grant universities across the United States are finding ways to engage the public in science and stewardship that address real-world problems in their communities. With training and tools, volunteers are able to collect important data that help scientists, natural resource organizations, community members and the government protect and restore land, air and water resources — and the ecosystem services [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 2025, Advanced Breeding/Genomics, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, California, Colorado, Colorado State University, Community Development/Engagement, Connecticut, Cornell University, Ecosystem Services, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Extension, Florida, Forest Protection and Management, Invasive Species, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist, Michigan, Michigan State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Soil Health, Southern, Texas, Texas A&M University, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Vermont, University of Wisconsin, Urban Agriculture, Vermont, Water Resilience/Management, Western, Wildlife, Wisconsin

a 4-h leader helps a participant with a planting

Breaking barriers: Expanding 4-H opportunities in Florida

Orange Park, Florida, traditionally had low youth involvement in 4-H due to misconceptions and lack of local clubs. Since 2021, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has worked to increase engagement. A breakthrough came when a St. Johns Country Day School student won the 4-H in Space program, sparking interest in STEM opportunities. In spring 2023, [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2025, Extension, Florida, Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Math (STEAM), Southern, University of Florida, Workforce Development and Readiness, Youth Development/4-H

Evaluating forest hurricane damage with AI and lasers

As hurricanes continue to increase in intensity and frequency in the Gulf of Mexico, the risk of damage to homes and businesses continues to rise. Hurricanes can also destroy forests and timber farms, impacting local and regional economies. Getting an accurate assessment of how much timber is damaged by hurricanes is essential for environmental management decisions, salvaging logging operations, [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Story 2025, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, Emergency/Disaster Preparedness/Management/Recovery, Florida, Forest Protection and Management, Research, Rural Communities/Health, Southern, University of Florida

researcher Pam Roberts standing in experimental tomato crops

Multistate project studies solutions to bacterial spot in tomatoes, peppers

Tomatoes are big business for Florida farmers, contributing $500 million annually. Bell and chili peppers are also popular crops among consumers with production value of more than $536 million. However, bacterial spot is a threat to yields and harvest revenue. University of Florida researchers are working to solve this major issue along with scientists at the University of Georgia, North [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Alabama, Auburn University, Crop Management, Florida, Food Systems, Georgia, North Carolina, North Carolina State University, North Central, Ohio, Pest Management, Research, Southern, Specialty Crops, The Ohio State University, The University of Georgia, University of Florida

Restricted-use pesticide training boosts wages and saves local farmers money on pesticide management costs

Most farmers need to pay a contractor to spray restricted-use pesticides on their farms if they don’t have a license to do so. At $8 per acre, applied three times each growing season, the cost can really add up. On average, a farmer in Jackson County, Florida, can expect to spend more than $2,400 on pest control each season. A [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2025, Crop Management, Extension, Florida, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, Southern, University of Florida, Workforce Development and Readiness

two teens prepare food for a charcuterie board

Florida 4-H Extension leverages charcuterie trend to teach youths about food safety, financial planning

Charcuterie boards have been all the rage in recent years. These artfully arranged spreads of cured meals, cheeses, fruits and preserves combine creativity with delicious flavors. University of Florida 4-H Extension leaders have leveraged the charcuterie trend to teach youth about food and kitchen safety and financial planning, among other topics. A contest called Charcuterie Masters allows 4-H members to [...]

Story, Youth, Family, and Communities 2024, Child and Family Resilience, Economic Development, Extension, Florida, Southern, University of Florida, Youth Development/4-H

Aerial view of a field mapped out with drone technology

Emerging technologies aid conservation and management

Climate change and biodiversity losses pose extraordinary challenges for the sustainability of natural ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Land-grant universities are developing and applying emerging technologies that can help to more efficiently, accurately and safely monitor, measure, and precisely manage these systems with minimal environmental impact. Here are a few examples of that work: In New Hampshire, researchers found [...]

Environmental Stewardship, Summary 1890, 2024, Arkansas, Connecticut, Ecosystem Services, Extension, Florida, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Profitability/Competitiveness, Research, Southern, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of New Hampshire, Washington, Washington State University, Western

Plant diagnostics saves Florida poinsettia producers

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences helped save a grower $350,000 crop thanks to a weekly plant diagnostic clinic. In 2019, a new commercial grower came to the free weekly plant clinic for the second time. Just five weeks away from delivering 28,000 poinsettias to retail customers, it was initially thought the crop suffered from a [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Crop Management, Extension, Florida, Southern, Specialty Crops, University of Florida

Land-grant universities nationwide work together to sustainably manage nematodes

Nematodes are tiny, usually microscopic, roundworms that are incredibly common and widespread. They account for 80% of all individual animals on Earth. Some nematode species are beneficial to agriculture, while others have major detrimental impacts. Plant-parasitic nematodes can lead to poor soil and low crop yields. In the United States, annual economic losses due to nematode infection of crops [...]

Agricultural Systems, Story California, Connecticut, Cornell University, Florida, Hawaiʻi, Michigan, Michigan State University, New York, North Central, Northeast, Pest Management, Research, Soil Health, Southern, Tennessee, University of California, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Tennessee, Western

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