TAVARES, Fla. — Want to hop on the hops craze? Learn how to grow perennial flowers for brewing craft beer as well as other offbeat crops. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Lake County is offering the Alternative Crops for Central Florida program on May 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The course, taught at the Lake County Extension Center, 1951 Woodlea Road., Tavares, will show farmers not only how to grow and harvest the Humulus Lupulus plant (hops), but also crops such as tea, pomegranates, peaches, artichokes, blackberries and lemons.
“With greening disease killing off citrus and dramatically increasing the cost of production and risk, many are looking for alternative crops,” said Multi-County Commercial Fruit Production Agent Juanita Popenoe. “Although this class will be presented with commercial production in mind, the information is useful for anyone interested in trying some alternative crops in their landscape.”
Registration is available for $10 in advance at https://altfruit.eventbrite.com or $15 day-of, and lunch is sponsored by Farm Credit. Contact Popenoe at jpopenoe@ufl.edu for more information.
Additional programs and events throughout the month of May include:
- 4-H Tropicana Speech Contest
May 8 at 6 p.m.
Lake County Extension Center, 1951 Woodlea Road., Tavares
Lake County fourth, fifth and sixth graders who won their school competition will meet at the Lake County Extension Center to compete in the Tropicana Speech Contest. The winner of the elementary and middle school divisions will earn a scholarship to 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid in July. For more information, contact Dallas Daniels at 352-343-4101, ext. 2724.
- Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
May 16 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Cooper Memorial Library, 2525 Oakley Seaver Drive, Clermont
Learn how to eat the Mediterranean way and discover the health benefits this lifestyle provides. Register for this free class online at https://fcslake.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Mia Wilchcombe, Family and Consumer Science Agent at 352-343-4101, ext. 2721.
- Keeping the Pressure Down, 4-week series
May 17, May 24, May 31 and June 7 from 10 a.m. – noon
Lake County Extension Center, 1951 Woodlea Road., Tavares
Whether you have high blood pressure or are at-risk, this series will help you take steps to reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. Topics include: managing your risk factors, improving your diet, including an overview of the DASH diet, important minerals, reading nutrition labels, revising your recipes and stress management. The cost of the series is $15, and participants will receive program materials and recipes. Registration is required online at https://fcslake.eventbrite.com by May 14. For more information, contact Mia Wilchcombe, Family and Consumer Science Agent at 352-343-4101, ext. 2721.
- Discovery Gardens
Lake County Extension Center, 1951 Woodlea Road., Tavares
Discovery Gardens is open Monday – Friday and the third Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The 3.5-acre property is home to 23 themed gardens and is free to visit.
Those with food allergies should be aware that food items prepared or distributed as part of UF/IFAS Extension events may contain milk, egg, gluten, wheat, soybean, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish; and could be prepared in a facility that may be exposed to any of these ingredients.
For additional details about any of these events, contact the UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County at 352-343-4101 or visit http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lake/. 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.
–Lake County, Florida
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