Ed Duke and Sam Hand Florida A&M University As a general rule, pruning is best done on small growth, except for the purpose of plant restoration. Mutilating a tree, such as crepe…
Category: Farm & Outdoors
4-H Wildlife Camp offers outdoor experiences
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. On June 2 through 6, 57 participating youth and nine teen counselors from Jefferson and Leon counties met at the Jefferson County UF/IFAS Extension for the 4-H…
What is lurking in your dirt?
Kathy Egan ECB Publishing, Inc. Whether you have the privilege of operating a 1000-acre farm or simply want the prettiest backyard garden you can create, resources are available at the Jefferson County…
Fun from Field to Fork
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Among the 4-H summer camps held by the Jefferson County UF/IFAS Extension Office this year was Field to Fork, instructed by Horticulture/Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent Ben…
Laura’s Garden Notes: a breath of garden air
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s July in North Florida, and this is a great time to appreciate the wonderful aromas involved in gardening. Your arm brushes a…
Non-profit provides accessible entrance for veteran
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. Bright and early on June 25, volunteers with FL Cares, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, got to work at the home of a 68-year-old Navy veteran in the Asheville-Greenville…
First Watermelon Festival Kickoff Block Party held
Hailey Heseltine ECB Publishing, Inc. The 2025 Watermelon Festival saw the start of something new on June 6 with the introduction of the Kickoff Block Party to the lineup of festival events,…
FWC announces start dates of scalloping season
Leah Androski ECB Publishing, Inc. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) recently announced the starting dates for the 2025 scalloping season. Bay scallop season kicks off in the Fenholloway— Suwannee River…
Home Grown Eggs – Is buying farm-fresh eggs worth it?
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. In years past, it wasn’t uncommon for an individual to consider purchasing eggs at a higher price from a local farm or homestead, rather than buying eggs…
Laura’s Garden Notes: Relishing relish
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. As I headed to Alaska for vacation a few weeks ago, I left behind a garden with knee-high corn, baby winter squashes, blooming tomato plants, lush celery,…
Avoiding a summer at home that bites
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Many wonderful things are synonymous with the approach of summer. As school years across the state end, and the days grow long and hot, it brings to…
Longleaf pine planting fund available for landowners’ projects
I was just informed about a program that is great for those who are trying to convert pasture into pines, or those who have cut their trees and would like help replanting….
UF offers a livestock judging camp
Leah Androski ECB Publishing, Inc. The University of Florida (UF) is offering a Livestock Judging Camp on Wednesday, July 16, through Saturday, July 19, with three different camps being held at the…
Governor Ron DeSantis announces record 126-day Gulf red snapper recreational season for 2025
FWC Contributor Governor Ron DeSantis announced a record-breaking 126-day Gulf Red Snapper recreational season for 2025, the longest season since Florida assumed management of Gulf red snapper. The expanded season includes additional…
Southern Hound Show announces champions
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Live Oak Hounds of Monticello, Fla., hosted the Southern Hound Show on Saturday, April 12. Eight exhibitors came to compete, including Fox River Valley Hunt (from Illinois),…
Laura’s Garden Notes: Gardening with one hand tied
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. A few weeks ago I tripped on a vine and ended up with a badly sprained wrist. Darn it! The timing was pretty bad in terms of…
Tree appreciation today for a better tomorrow
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. April 25 is National Arbor Day. Arbor Day is a yearly observance when citizens are encouraged to plant, tend to and celebrate all things related to the…
Major is looking for a forever home
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County is home to an incredible number of animals, and a great number of them have amazing owners that care for them with dignity, care and…
Cough it up, Kitty!
Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. For those who own cats, it’s only a matter of time before it happens. In contrast to the quiet, peaceful morning comes the unmistakable sounds of your…
Coming back to life
Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. We’re well into spring around here now, and even the various nut trees – notoriously the last holdouts – have begun to sprout leaves. At our place,…