UF IFAS Extension Marion County

09/23/2026

🍀National 4-H Week🍀

08/26/2026

🐜🦋 Calling all young bug enthusiasts! 🦗🐝

Join the Marion County 4-H Insectathon Team for the first meeting of the year and discover the amazing world of insects, spiders, and other arthropods!
📅 September 23rd at 5:30 PM
📍 Marion County Extension Office Classroom
🐝 Ages 5-18 (as of September 1, 2026)

Insectathon is a fun, hands-on 4-H contest where youth learn insect identification, build collections, test their knowledge, and compete alongside other young entomology enthusiasts.

📞 Questions? Call the 4-H Office at 352-671-8400

08/24/2026

Ghost snails are a common pest in the garden and on citrus trees! https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/snail-pests-identification/pest-snails-id-tool/ghost-or-peanut-snail/

08/24/2026

It's mosquito season. Take time to protect yourself when outdoors! Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when possible and use insect repellents containing DEET for effective bite prevention. If you have significant mosquito populations in Marion County, reach out to us at UF/IFAS Extension Marion County for further tips and a consultation at 352-671-8400

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease related to the viruses that cause West Nile and yellow fever.

08/19/2026

🍀🐓If you are interested in becoming a volunteer coach for our poultry judging team, please reach out to our 4-H office at 352-671-8400🍀🐓

08/04/2026

🐞🌿 Not Sure What That Bug or Plant Is? Reach Out—We're Here to Help! 🌿🐞

Have you noticed an unfamiliar insect in your yard, a strange plant in your pasture, or something that just doesn't look quite right? The UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office is here to help identify it!

Our Extension team can assist with questions about:
🐛 Insects and other pests
🌱 Weeds and invasive plants
🌳 Trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants
🌾 Pasture weeds and forage concerns
🍂 Plant diseases and damage
🌺 Mystery plants growing in your landscape

Early identification can make all the difference, especially when it comes to invasive species. Knowing what you're dealing with can help prevent unnecessary treatments and protect your landscape, pasture, and Florida's natural resources.

Many questions can be answered with a quick phone call or by emailing us photos, making it easy to get the information you need. If additional information is needed, our team will let you know the best next steps.

📞 Reach out to the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office at (352) 671-8400. We're happy to help with questions both big and small!

07/30/2026

All things grow with water! Discover how to make your garden and landscape more water-wise with practical, hands-on tips about micro irrigation, rain barrels, and rain gardens. Learn how to make your garden more pollinator-friendly with a butterfly watering station.

Register: https://WaterWiseWorkshop.eventbrite.com
Hosted by UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners
2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470

07/28/2026

💧 Have Questions About Your Well or Septic System? We're Here to Help! 💧

If you own a home with a private well or septic system, the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office is here to help you protect your water, your property, and your family's health.

Our Water Resources Agent can answer your questions about:
🚰 Private well maintenance
💧 Water quality concerns
🧪 Well water testing
🚽 Septic system care and maintenance
🌿 Protecting Florida's groundwater
🏡 Best management practices for your home

Whether you're a new homeowner or you've had a well and septic system for years, no question is too big or too small. We're here to provide research-based, unbiased information you can trust.

📞 Give us a call at (352) 671-8400 to speak with our Water Resources Agent and get the answers you need.

We're proud to serve the residents of Marion County and help keep our water resources clean and healthy—one question at a time!

07/28/2026

Florida Tropical Training Week is just a few days away ⛈️

National Weather Service meteorologists are hosting free, virtual sessions three times daily from July 27–30 via Google Meet. Whether you've attended in the past or this is your first time, there will be fresh content and valuable insights to help you prepare for hurricane season.

Register today and learn more: https://www.weather.gov/jax/FTTW2026

07/22/2026

Today's the day!

Greetings Conservation Enthusiasts!

What can you do in just 15-minutes to support pollinator conservation? Join us on July 22 at 11:30 AM EST for CCI Virtual Learning Café: The Great Southeast Pollinator Census & You, hosted by The Nature Conservancy’s Center for Conservation Initiatives (CCI).

In this engaging session, Jeremy Rhoden, Coordinator of the Great Florida Pollinator Census with UF/IFAS Extension, will discuss the Great Southeast Pollinator Census and what you can do to get involved and make a fun hands-on difference. We will also be sharing other ways to support pollinator habitats with some free TNC educational resources.

This Virtual Learning Café is part of a new series where conservation meets community and ideas turn into action. Along with the presentation, you’ll have the chance to connect with others, explore DIY conservation ideas, and be part of a meaningful conversation. The program is free, but registration is required. You can reserve your spot here: Register for the Learning Café.

This session is part of a monthly Learning Café series running from June through December 2026 designed to inspire action and deepen connections to conservation.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the series, please don’t hesitate to reply to this email, we’d love to hear from you.

We hope you’ll join us, and please feel free to share this opportunity far and wide with others who care about the natural world. Thank you!

Click here to register: https://tnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/NDOhHAKBRdaYXmgBC4ogmw #/registration