by Carrie Stevenson | Jun 17, 2016
Aluminum shutters help protect windows from flying debris during windstorms.
Here in the latter half of June, temperatures have heated up and summer thunderstorms have swept through on a regular basis. As we are reminded often, hurricane season has begun. While we haven’t had a major storm in 11 years, northwest Florida is still a prime target.
Be Ready Florida is a statewide program dedicated to helping citizens and visitors to the state prepare their homes, businesses, and families for the onslaught of a major windstorm. In order to teach individuals how to best prepare, three free, two-hour online BRACE for the Storm workshops are scheduled for June 29. The workshops will be held from 10 am-noon, 2-4 pm, and 7-9 pm. Registration is online here.
According to their website, “During each workshop participants will gain valuable insight on how homeowners can undertake one or more windstorm mitigation projects on their homes to strengthen it against Florida’s next wind disaster. The importance of mitigating homes against the damage caused by a flood or wildfire will also introduced.” The workshops also discuss how mitigation techniques can save money on homeowner’s insurance.
Be Ready Florida also offers an online directory of contractors, suppliers, funding sources and inspectors that homeowners can access to find help with home projects. In Escambia and Santa Rosa County, homeowners can also contact Rebuild Northwest Florida, a nonprofit organization that uses FEMA funds to offset the cost of home wind mitigation.
To see examples of common wind mitigation building materials and techniques, such as storm shutters, insulated concrete forms, a wind-rated garage door and a tornado shelter, you can visit the Escambia County Extension office at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. To schedule a tour or receive more information about the demonstrations found there, contact me at ctsteven@ufl.edu
by Judy Biss | Mar 12, 2016
The Beekeeping in the Panhandle Working Group is pleased to offer the 5th Annual Beekeepers Field Day And Trade Show 2016 Beekeeping is one of the fastest growing hobby and commercial endeavors in Florida. There is much to learn and share about this fascinating trade.
The workshop and trade show offers something for every level and interest, and this year’s event features:
- Extended Opportunities for Hands-On Open Hive Experiences
- Presentations on the Latest in Research-Based Beekeeping Management Practices
- Interaction With Expert Beekeepers
- Vendors with Beekeeping Equipment and Hive Products
- Door Prizes Include a Grand Prize Each Day of a 10-Frame Bee Hive!
Dates:
Friday April 1, 2016 and Saturday April 2, 2016
Place:
UF/IFAS Extension Washington County Office,
1424 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428
850-638-6180
Time:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm each day
Registration:
Includes Lunch, Refreshments, Door Prize Tickets, & Educational Sessions
-
$25 for One Day or $40 for Both Days per Person
-
$10 Age 12 and Under Each Day
-
Late Fee of $10.00 after March 22nd.
Two ways to register:
For More Information Contact:
- UF/IFAS Extension Washington County at 850-638-6180
- UF/IFAS Extension Calhoun County at 850-674-8323
Download the printable flyer with agenda & details:
by Carrie Stevenson | Jan 19, 2016
In 2014, five Extension agents involved with www.naturallyescarosa.com launched the first Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference. Over sixty business owners and members of the hospitality industry met to discuss marketing, sustainable tourism, and how to handle insurance and liability in an industry that involves outdoor exploration.
Back by popular demand, we have organized a second one to be held February 18-19 at the Gulf Power Building in Pensacola.
We have a dynamic group of speakers from all over the southeast to discuss the economic opportunities available in this line of work.
Due to partial grant funding, registration (includes meals and materials) is only $25!!! Anyone involved in the agriculture (U-pick operations, fresh produce markets, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, etc.), nature (paddling, camping, fishing, etc.) tourism or hospitality industry is encouraged to come.
Click Here and Buy Tickets today!
For more information on the 2016 Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference, contact Chris Verlinde (850) 623-3868 or Carrie Stevenson (850) 475-5230
by Carrie Stevenson | Oct 9, 2015
Corn and sorghum mazes are great family fun in October. Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson
October is a glorious time of year in northwest Florida. Temperatures are cooler, skies seem bluer, and the summer crowds have left the still-warm waters of the Gulf mostly to us locals. It is also the perfect time to explore the many local, state, and national parks nearby, or visit farms that share their harvest with the community. Santa Rosa County’s “Beaches to Woodlands” tour, now in its 12th year, is a perfect example of the many events and opportunities available to residents in our area. A schedule of 40 places and events over the next month can be found at the Beaches to Woodlands website.
As the summer heat fades, the weather is great for hiking! Photo credit: Abbie Seales
Escambia County will also host its annual Farm Tour this month, which highlights local growers of peanuts, cotton, and forestry. There are still spots available for this day-long tour of north Escambia County available online.
The newly released Naturally EscaRosa smartphone app, available free for iPhones (App Store) or Android (Google Play) lists 101 locations that provide outdoor adventure for every age and interest. From corn mazes and pumpkin patches to monarch migration and water sports, many local businesses provide services and products that are perfect for celebrating autumn in Florida.
Take the time this month to get outside, visit a farm, eat some locally produced food and explore the trails and wildlife in the area. You won’t regret it!
by Rick O'Connor | Oct 1, 2015
Do you have any exotic pets you can no longer care for? Would you like the opportunity to surrender those pets without any penalties or fines? Then join the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for an Exotic Pet Amnesty Day on Oct. 3 in Fort Walton Beach.
This free event is open to the public and will be held in front of Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Admission to the park is not included. Surrendered animals will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. These animals will be checked by a veterinarian and made available for adoption by experienced individuals who are capable of caring for them.
Animals that will be accepted for surrender include reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates. Domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, will not be accepted. For each animal surrendered, individuals will receive two free admission passes to the Gulfarium.
Animals will be available for adoption after 2 p.m. Exotic pet adopters must be experienced and must have already applied and been approved by the FWC prior to the event. Potential adopters need to bring their acceptance letters with them. People can find adopter applications at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives. Becoming an adopter is free, but people are required to register a minimum of five days prior to the event to adopt an animal.
Experts from the FWC, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park and other local organizations will be on hand with information about caring for exotic pets, responsible pet ownership and potential ecological impacts of invasive species in Florida. Families can enjoy the opportunity to see several species of exotic animals and participate in crafts and games.
For additional information about this event, call the FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681). Exotic pet owners who cannot attend this event may call this number for assistance in finding a new home for their animal.
For more information about Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, call 850-243-9046 or visit http://www.gulfarium.com/.
by Carrie Stevenson | Sep 12, 2014
The UF/IFAS Extension Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and Naturally EscaRosa would like to invite agritour and ecotour providers to the 2014 Agri/Eco-tourism Business Development Conference on November 5-6, 2014. The conference is geared for businesses wishing to enhance and develop their offerings.
Owners, operators and employees of u-pick operations, fresh produce markets, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, wildlife/bird watching, paddling, camping, fishing, etc. tourism businesses or those considering starting a similar business are invited to attend this event.
The conference will be an exciting blend of informational sessions, hands on activities, and an opportunity to explore local agritourism and ecotourism businesses. The conference will provide important information for new business startups as well as long established companies in the field.
The keynote speaker, Eric Eckl, will provide information on messaging and direct marketing campaigns. Other topics in the educational program include: starting a business, liability, local success stories, liability, staffing, benefits, & healthcare.
The conference will be held at Adventures Unlimited at 8974 Tomahawk Landing, Milton, Florida 32570. The conference begins at 9 am Nov. 5 and runs through the afternoon of Nov. 6, 2014. Conference registration is $25.00, to register go to: http://santarosa.ifas.ufl.edu/agritourism-ecotourism-conference/
For more information on the 2014 Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference, contact Chris Verlinde (850) 623-3868 or Carrie Stevenson (850) 475-5230.
