TAVARES, Fla. — The UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County is kicking off the new year with educational classes and events, as well as a popular annual fundraising event.
Saturday in the Gardens Classes
Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In partnership with the City of Tavares, Extension agents and master gardeners will host three workshops during the city’s Arbor Day Celebration in Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares.
• 11:30 a.m. – Pruning Techniques and Tools presented by Extension Agent Brooke Moffis. January is the perfect time to prune many fruit and deciduous trees. Discover tools and pruning techniques used to maintain healthy and beautiful landscape trees and shrubs.
• 1:30 p.m. – Flowering Trees and Shrubs for Central Florida presented by Master Gardener Crandall May. Meet at the picnic pavilion in Wooton Park to see beautiful, unusual trees and shrubs and learn about which trees are easy to grow in the Central Florida landscape and their specific growing requirements.
• 2:30 p.m. – Tree Walk around Wooton Park led by Master Gardener Leslie Lightbourne. Participants will gather in front of the Woodlea House/Prop Shop 15 minutes prior to the tour, which will feature wetland and decorative ornamental trees in the Wooton Park landscape and gardens.
• The Lake County Extension Center’s Discovery Gardens, located at 1951 Woodlea Rd., Tavares, will also be open to the public. The Discovery Gardens is a four-acre, themed demonstration garden located just a short drive from Wooton Park. It typically takes an hour to complete a self-guided tour. Visitors are invited to have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful natural setting.
4-H Chili Cookoff
Friday, Jan. 26 from 6-9 p.m.
The 3rd Annual 4-H Chili Cookoff, hosted by the Sorrento Renegades, will take place at the Lake County Extension Center, located at 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares. Tickets are $5 to sample chili or $10 to enter a pot in the contest. To reserve a spot in the cookoff, call 407-319-1543. It is recommended to bring cash for raffles and the silent auction. 4-H is America’s largest non-formal educational program for youth, annually reaching approximately 6.5 million young people. The educational programs help children develop inquiring minds, learn practical skills, strengthen decision-making abilities and improve communications and interpersonal relationships. In the Florida 4-H program, youth are provided opportunities for awards, trips and scholarships.
Healthy Cooking for 1 or 2
Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Participants will learn how to make healthier choices, discover recipes and ideas for nutritious meals, and downsize and simplify meal preparation without sacrificing flavor. Register online at https://fcslake.eventbrite.com for this free class hosted by Mia Wilchcombe, Family and Consumer Science Agent, at Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont.
For additional details about any of these events, contact the UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County at 352-343-4101 or visit www.lake.ifas.ufl.edu. The mission of the UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County is to develop knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The Extension service provides free consultations, as well as educational programs on a variety of subjects.
–UF|IFAS Extension Lake County
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