UF IFAS Extension Manatee County Family and Consumer Sciences

09/05/2026

Intermittent fasting may offer potential health benefits from some people 👩👨👵🧓

Curious about intermittent fasting? ⏱️

This eating pattern focuses on when you eat, not just what you eat—and it may offer potential health benefits for some people.

Learn the basics, benefits, and considerations before getting started ➡️ edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS409

09/02/2026

🌱 Connecting Manatee County Residents to Our Local Food System Through GIS

Hey Manatee County Residents!

Looking to buy locally grown 🍓fruits and 🥔vegetables, locally raised 🐂 beef and 🐖 pork, locally caught 🦀 seafood, local 🍯 honey, or Florida-grown 🪴 plants?

We've got you covered!✅

Check out our ✨NEW✨ UF/IFAS Manatee County Food Systems Directory to find your nearest farmers' market, local farm, seafood vendor, or nursery. Support local, eat fresh, and strengthen our community!

The UF/IFAS Food Systems Map provides an interactive way to explore local farms, farmers’ markets, nurseries, and other food-system resources throughout Manatee County.

🗺️ Explore the interactive map:
https://lnkd.in/ecNbVHcZ

This project represents an excellent example of how GIS, Extension education, and County Government can come together to make local resources more accessible to the people we serve.

https://www.facebook.com/manateegov
#

08/29/2026

Great opportunity from the next generation of 18-35 years old leaders and 🧑‍🌾 in Manatee County!

Are you 18-35, living in Manatee county, and passionate about the future of Agriculture?🚜

The Manatee County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers are looking for enthusiastic members to join our committee! Whether you are actively working in agriculture, or simply dedicated to supporting our local farmers and ranchers, this is a platform to connect and make a difference.🐄🌾

If you are interested please feel free to send us a message!🤠

08/26/2026

We know how stressful 👨🏼‍🌾 farming and ranching can be; just know that you are not alone! Mind Your Melon: The Florida Farm Bureau Federation and the UF IFAS Center for Leadership have partnered with other industry leaders to conduct a survey to better understand the unique stressors and mental health needs of our agricultural community here in Florida. By taking this survey, you will help support farm families, as this is the first step toward providing farmers and ranchers with the resources and support they need now and for generations to come!
Click here to take the Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey➡️: bit.ly/MindYourMelonSurvey

Watch the video here➡️: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=482842621162968&ref=sharing

Learn more about Mind Your Melon here➡️: https://mindyourmelon.org/our-story/
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Manatee County, Florida Government UF IFAS Extension Manatee County

08/22/2026

Great description of the difference programs that we provide for the community😉

What is Family & Consumer Sciences? 💙

Discover how FCS empowers individuals, strengthens families, and builds thriving communities in this short video!

🎥 Watch now: https://bit.ly/4hRGfsT

08/19/2026

There are 180 days in the school year, which means some parents have to pack 180 lunches! Here are 5 ways you can save money on school lunches, minimize waste, and simplify the process.

🫙 Use reusable lunch and drink containers. On average, you can save about $250 a year by not using zip-top bags, paper bags, wax paper, and aluminum foil to pack lunches.

🍝 Turn dinner leftovers into lunch.

🛒 Buy in bulk instead of pre-packed foods.

🫘 Consider more affordable proteins. Some proteins have been less affected by inflation than others. Options like lentils, beans, chickpeas, and hard-boiled eggs might be a great alternative.

🗓 Consider preparing lunches on Sundays rather than the morning of. Have your child get involved with planning and preparing their meals, which will teach them an important life skill.
To learn more, visit ➡️ https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/2026/08/13/back-to-school-meals-and-snacks-part-1-keeping-nutrition-in-mind/

IFAS Extension EFNEP

08/15/2026

Helping families with the new return to school

Do you have clothes that don't fit anymore? Did your kids or grandchildren clean out their closets before going back to school? Bring your donations to our office for our FREE community clothing swap.

Our clothing swap is only one week away! You can bring donations ahead of the event to our office or bring donations with you on the day of the swap. We look forward to seeing you on August 21 and 22 from 9am-12pm for our clothing swap!

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

08/12/2026

Free online classes that you can take from the comfort of your home!

Today is a great opportunity to celebrate the sons and daughters who bring joy, challenges, and plenty of learning opportunities into our lives. Strong relationships with children are built over time, and having the right tools to guide behavior, encourage responsibility, and navigate conflict can make a meaningful difference.

Through our Family and Consumer Sciences program, we offer Positive Behavioral Management Skills, a free SMART program designed for families. Participants learn proven strategies for positive parenting and teaching, fostering healthy relationships, encouraging responsibility, and managing challenging behaviors.

Learn more about this free program and explore resources designed to help families support children as they grow HERE: https://tinyurl.com/3cf5tjk6

08/10/2026

One of the greatest investments you can make is in your community.

When you give your time, share your knowledge, mentor others, or support local initiatives, the returns often come back in unexpected ways:

• Stronger relationships
• New opportunities
• Greater trust and credibility
• A more resilient network
• The satisfaction of making a lasting impact

Communities thrive when people choose to contribute rather than consume. And over time, those contributions create value that benefits everyone, including you.

The best ROI isn't always found on a balance sheet. Sometimes it's found in the lives you've influenced, the partnerships you've built, and the positive change you've helped create.

It’s hard to beat that return on investment! Don’t you love it when your local investments come back to your community with true and tangible impact?

08/09/2026

Back to school tomorrow in some counties in Florida!

The kids are back in school tomorrow! Remember to slow for school zones and give yourself more time for traffic. And of course check out "A Parent’s Guide to a Smooth Re Start: Making the First Day Back in Elementary School a Real Success"

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/manateeco/2026/08/07/a-parents-guide-to-a-smooth-re-start-making-the-first-day-back-in-elementary-school-a-real-success/