UF/IFAS Extension
Polk County
UF/IFAS Extension Polk County is a partnership between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.
Contact
polk@ifas.ufl.edu
(863) 519-1041
1702 Highway 17 South
Bartow, FL 33830
Hours
Monday - Friday
8am - 5pm
Refreshing Tastes of Summertime
Tomatoes and Watermelon
It is summer, and we are surrounded be the refreshing flavors of foods such as tomatoes and watermelon. These foods not only taste great but have a barrage of health benefits as well!
Did you know for example that a two cup serving of diced watermelon has only 80 calories and contains vitamin C to help boost immunity and vitamin A for healthy skin and eyes? Tomatoes and watermelon both contain the antioxidant
06/06/2018
Polish Sausage Sauerkraut Recipe & Growing Cabbage in Central Florida
This recipe is a sure crowd-pleaser and is greatly welcomed at Master Gardener potlucks. The recipe originally came from my dad’s family, but my mom improved on it!
Into a large pot (or crockpot), put:
1 Polish sausage (or summer sausage), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 can of sauerkraut, rinsed well (Refrigerated sauerkraut may be used; be sure to rinse it!)
1 can of V8 juice (You may substitute tomato juice
02/18/2019
What's Going on Near You
Canning Under the Cottage Law
Did you know certain foods can be prepared in a home kitchen and sold direct to consumer without needing a certified kitchen?
Learn more about how to produce cottage foods, such as jams and jellies, during the Canning Under the Cottage Food Law class coming up March 1, 2019 at the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County office.
We'll review what can and can not be sold under the cottage food law and provide additional info for
01/28/2019
Get Out the Grill for Some Creamy, Grilled Avocados!
Avocados are filled with healthy fats and have 60% more heart-healthy potassium than bananas. Florida avocados’ flesh holds up well for grilling and are great for cubing and slicing for adding to salads or sandwiches
08/13/2018
Peanut Butter Challenge Fights Hunger, One Jar at a Time
We hear a lot about hunger.
You’ve no doubt seen public service announcements on television, asking you to give to charitable organizations to help feed people
10/04/2018
Whole grain dinner salad with fresh herbs
Printer-friendly recipe: Grain Salad Recipe
Main Ingredients (prepare the night before):
2 cups cooked whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, wheat or spelt berries)*
1 pound green beans (or broccoli or cauliflower or zucchini)
1 pound (large box) mushrooms
Dressing:
Your favorite salad dressing, or this.
01/08/2019
Volunteers engage in a “BioBlitz” at Se7en Wetlands Park!
Approximately 12 volunteers and 10 community partners joined together at Se7en Wetlands Park to inventory the area's plants, insects, and wildlife on Thursday, November 15, 2018 during the park's first ever BioBlitz event. Participants used the iNaturalist app to catalog species seen during the event, after a short introduction to the inaturalist application by Se7en Wetlands' Environmental Program
11/15/2018
Get Out the Grill for Some Creamy, Grilled Avocados!
Avocados are filled with healthy fats and have 60% more heart-healthy potassium than bananas. Florida avocados’ flesh holds up well for grilling and are great for cubing and slicing for adding to salads or sandwiches
08/13/2018
Quick Healthy Meals for Back to School
Do you find that back-to-school new schedules, homework, and after-school activities can cause you to throw up your hands with one more challenge of trying to fit in a healthy meal? You are not alone.
I often hear this concern from families who struggle with how to get their family a healthy meal in the famed 30 minutes or less
08/13/2018
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