UF IFAS Extension Manatee County

08/28/2026

Have you visited the community gardens in Manatee County?

Community garden workdays are open to the public and give volunteers an opportunity to help in the garden and get to know the garden community. Interested in stopping by? Check out the current garden hours and clubs below:

•Manatee Square Garden Food Forest
Workdays take place on Thursdays from 8-9:30AM

•Elwood Community Garden
Workdays take place on Fridays from 8-9:30AM

•Geraldson Community Garden
Workdays take place on Tuesdays from 8-9AM (except for the first week of each month when it is held on Wednesday 8-9AM)

•Palmetto Library Garden Club & Pollinator Garden
Garden Club takes place every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9-10AM

•Braden River Library Garden Club & Pollinator Garden
Garden Club takes place every 4th Wednesday of the month from 9-10AM

08/27/2026

We had such a great time at our free community clothing swap last weekend!

We had about 90 people join us, including lots of new faces, and we loved seeing our community come together to give clothing a second life and reduce water consumption. All together we were able to save an estimated 278,672 gallons of water. After the swap, we donated the remaining clothing to the Women’s Resource Center so that your donations continue to benefit the community.

Our next clothing swap is October 16 and 17, so tell a friend and mark your calendars! If you joined us for this swap let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

08/26/2026

One of the best parts of our clothing swap is knowing that the clothing continues to serve our community long after the event ends. Donations give everyone the opportunity to find something new-to-them and give clothing a second life, and the items that remain are passed along to local organizations like the Women’s Resource Center, helping keep those resources right here in our community.

Thank you to everyone who donated, swapped, and helped make our latest event a success. Every piece of clothing given a second life is one less item headed to the landfill. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next swap in October!

A big thank you to Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service for supporting the Women’s Resource Center through their recent Clothing Swap! 💜

The event gave community members an opportunity to bring clean, gently used clothing, discover new-to-them styles, and help reduce textile waste—all while giving back. We’re so grateful that clothing remaining from the event was donated to the Women’s Resource Center to support the women we serve.

These donations help provide women in our community with clothing for work, interviews, everyday needs, and new beginnings. We’re grateful for community partners who find creative ways to make a difference while also promoting sustainability.

Thank you, Manatee County Agriculture and Extension Service, for thinking of WRC and the women in our community!

08/26/2026

Our coastal waters are a big part of what makes Manatee County such a special place to live, work, and play. But protecting those waters starts much farther inland than the shoreline. Follow the arrows to walk backward from the beaches we enjoy to see where our choices begin and how they can impact our waterways.

Water moves through a connected system of stormwater drains, ponds, creeks, rivers, and eventually our coastal waters. While stormwater ponds are designed to capture and treat runoff before it reaches nearby waterways, the nutrients and pollutants carried by runoff can ultimately make their way downstream if they aren’t properly managed.

That is why the choices we make on land matter to the health of our waterways. Responsible irrigation and fertilizer management can reduce nutrient contributions entering our watershed, while stormwater systems help capture and treat runoff before it reaches rivers like the Manatee River and, ultimately, our bay and Gulf waters. The Manatee River watershed has seen significant work to improve water quality, and every property owner plays a role in protecting that progress.

This National Water Quality Month, remember that protecting our marine environment starts in your own backyard. Small actions can add up to a healthier watershed and cleaner water for the coastal environments we all enjoy in Manatee County.

08/25/2026

Have you ever bought a whole package of fresh herbs for a recipe, only to use a tablespoon and wonder what to do with the rest? Instead of letting those leftover herbs go to waste, try propagating them and growing your own! Learn all about propagating herbs in the new July/August issue of The Garden Bench plus more interesting topics!

Read the full newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/yxk897dz

08/24/2026

Our Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent, Caitlin Sollazzo, got to share her expertise during the 2026 Southwest Florida Scouting Training Series. Programs like this are a great example of Extension connecting research-based knowledge with the growers and horticulture professionals who put it into practice!

08/21/2026

Good news- we added three additional dates to our Fall Vegetable Gardening series! Our previous classes sold out quickly so don't wait to claim your spot. There are also only a few spots remaining for our Vegetable Diseases class. We can't wait to learn more about vegetable gardening together!

Classes will be held at the Agriculture and Extension Service of Manatee County located at 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221.

You can view all classes and register here: https://tinyurl.com/3ve4db8d

08/20/2026

'Twas the night before the clothing swap...

Reminder that our FREE community clothing swap starts tomorrow from 9am-12pm. Can't make it tomorrow? Our clothing swap will also be open this Saturday from 9am-12pm. We are located at 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221.

You do not have to register for the swap to attend, but it helps give us a better idea of how many people to expect. You can register HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2pf7wtfh

Bring a friend and a bag of clothes and we will see you there!

08/19/2026

Our 4-H Eco Explorers Camp gave young participants the opportunity to explore the natural world through hands-on learning and discovery. Throughout the week, campers explored soil science, insects, marine life, survival skills, and the connections that help ecosystems thrive. We love seeing 4-H give young people the chance to get curious, ask questions, and discover the world around them!

08/18/2026

Whether you're new to cattle production or an experienced producer looking to strengthen your operation, the Ranching Foundations – Manatee program has something for you.

Join UF/IFAS at the Agriculture and Extension Service on August 27 to learn practical strategies for ranch business planning, pasture management, cattle nutrition, available agricultural resources, and more. Registration includes dinner and educational materials.

This is a great opportunity to build your knowledge, connect with other cattle producers, and gain practical tools to support a productive and sustainable ranching operation. Space is limited, so be sure to register! Registration and meal begin at 5:30 pm, with the program starting promptly at 6:00 pm.

Register HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2kc9ynr3

Anyone wishing to participate who may need special accommodations should contact Christa Kirby at [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event