Pinellas County Extension's Timely Topics

Pinellas County 4-H Teen Council

2009-07-06T11:03:00.004-04:00

By: Melissa Sharp & Andrew Yuan, Teen Mentors, Pinellas County Extension

Are you looking for a good reliable place where your teens can volunteer, one which will offer them leadership roles, help the community, and teach them to make responsible decisions? Then you should consider the 4-H Teen Council for your teens where we will be applying all of the above in a fun and safe 4-H environment.

The Teen Council will be an all year volunteering organization open to all 4-H members ages13 and up. Teens who are not currently 4-H members are encouraged to enroll in 4-H and become members of this exciting group. If you are familiar with the 4-H District Council, then you can expect the same types of activities from the 4-H Teen Council. These activities can include community service projects, working with younger youth in the 4-H clubs, and helping with county-wide events. The youth will learn and apply parliamentary procedure in every meeting so that they will become proficient in it. While the Teen Council is a youth adult partnership, it will be up to the youth to organize and run the meetings. Also if any 4-H’er was thinking of becoming a part of District Council, Teen Council would be a great segue because Teen Council will teach the youth the importance of leadership and give them hands-on skills to advance to the District or State levels.

The teens joining the Teen Council, whether they hold office or not, are a part of Teen Council and thus responsible for the workings of Teen Council. Everyone will be expected to participate, share their ideas, and come to meetings. This will teach youth the value of being in a group as well as being reliable. All decisions will be put to a vote so the youth must choose whether they’re for or against a topic and then act on that decision.

A very important concern for parents of teens is Bright Futures and volunteer hours. Because 4-H is a non profit organization, youth can receive credit for volunteering with the Teen Council. 4-H Teen Council is really trying to boost leadership, community service and responsibility in our teen 4-H members. Any teen age 13 or up in Pinellas County should consider becoming a member of our council. If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to contact us with the information below.

Andrew Yuan (ayuan@pinellascounty.org)(727) 582-2103 or Melissa Sharp (msharp@pinellascounty.org)(727) 582-2514

Build Your Brain this Summer! Attend Pinellas County Extension’s July Classes

2009-07-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in July are:

Solutions in 30:
July 1st - Coping Strategies for Stress
July 8th - Managing Credit in Tough Times
July 22nd - Solar Power in the Sunshine State
July 29th - Healthy Home, Healthy Family

Lawn & Garden:
July 8th, 2 pm and 6:15 pm - Butterflies 102
July 28th - Save Water with Drip Irrigation
July 28th - Drought Tolerant Plants

Sustainable Living:
July 16th - The Basics of Climate Change Webinar
July 16th – Lighting Your Way to Energy Efficiency Webinar
July 21st – Green Purchasing

Family Programs:
Starting July 16th – Step into the Kitchen: Families Cooking Together
July 23rd – Let's Get Growing with Family Vegetable Gardening
Starting July 28th – Step into the Kitchen: Families Cooking Together

Commercial (Pesticide/FNGLA/ISA) CEUs
July 8th - All About Trees
July 10th - Limited Pesticide License Training and Testing

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org. Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Think Your Drink and Save!

2009-06-30T13:43:00.002-04:00

As the summer heat rolls in, it is very important to drink enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Buying bottled drinks may quench your thirst, but leave you empty pocketed and may pose a risk to your waistline and the environment.

Save money!
Invest in an eco-friendly reusable water bottle. Bottled beverages can become a large expense quickly! If you were to buy a bottle of water, soda, tea or other beverage everyday for a year, you would spend almost $550!

Did you know that when you buy a bottle of water you are actually paying mostly for the bottle, lid and label? Only 10% of what you pay is for the water itself!

Reusable bottles can be purchased at grocery stores, department stores and sport/outdoor stores. Prices will vary based on the materials used to make the bottle and the size of the bottle. Some eco-friendly bottles to consider are bottles made from stainless steel or recycled plastic. Fill your bottle before you leave your house to avoid costly stops at convenience stores!

Save the earth!
Studies suggest that only 10% of plastic bottles that are created are recycled. This means that the majority of plastic bottles are either being burned or sent to our landfills. Plastic can release harmful chemicals into the air when burned. Landfills are reaching maximum fill capacity, as we continue to deposit plastic bottles and other recyclables into the landfill. About 11% of the landfill content is made up of plastic bottles. Scientists think that is takes hundreds of years for plastic to break down all the way.

Plastic and other trash is being dumped into the ocean in some areas, because landfills have been forced to close as they cannot hold any other waste. Plastic in the ocean causes many fish and sea creatures to die. This also causes beaches to become polluted. Recycling can help to save energy, money and the environment! For more information on kicking the bottled water habit check out http://pcethinkinggreen.blogspot.com/2008/09/kick-bottled-water-habit.html.

Save your waistline!
Bottled drinks such as juice and soda can have nearly 300 calories per bottle. So if you are looking to control your weight or even lose a little, think about what you drink. One recently published study suggests that liquid calories, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, may have a bigger impact on weight than calories from food. Researchers discovered that drinking just one fewer soft drink or sugary beverage a day was associated with significant weight loss in a 6 month period. The findings of this study really support the fact that cutting sugary drinks is a very easy and simple way to help you lose weight or avoid additional weight gain. Choose sugar free or unsweetened beverages such as water, unsweetened tea, or a powdered drink mix like Crystal Light or Wyler’s to cut back on calories.

For information on buying healthy beverages check out this publication from the Centers for Disease Control.http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/pdf/rethink_your_drink.pdf

You May Have Indoor Air Quality Issues If…

2009-06-22T11:01:00.004-04:00

Vestina F. Crayton, Urban Sustainability Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Your indoor space exhibits any of the following:

1. You feel better when you are outside of the space
2. The air is stagnant
3. Obvious odors are present
4. Mold is present
5. High humidity

Many times these symptoms are produced by the release of toxins into the air by objects in our indoor spaces. Some of the main air pollutants are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are emitted from many man-made products such as carpeting, paints, furniture, remodeling materials, cleaning products, and pesticides.

Now that you have identified that there is a problem, and the source of the problem, what is the solution? The solution depends on the source. Depending on the situation, the solution can range from a simple behavior change such as only smoking outdoors (not smoking at all is strongly encouraged) to a costly plumbing job due to a water leak that resulted in mold growth.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

It is virtually impossible to anticipate and plan for all of the unexpected events or elements that can compromise your indoor air quality; however, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has identified the following three basic ways to improve your indoor air environment (ranging from most to least effective): control the source, ensure proper ventilation, and utilize air cleaners.

Control the Source

Choose low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) products.
Although VOCs naturally occur, as mentioned above, many are man-made. Volatile refers to the way the compound behaves. It is released into the atmosphere at room temperature. This characteristic is of special concern because the average person spends most of their time indoors. The higher the temperature the quicker the evaporation or release into the atmosphere. Organic refers to the carbon element in the compound. Consumers are becoming more diligent about improving their indoor environment. Retailers are becoming more tuned in to the needs of their consumers and are providing low or no VOC products. Businesses are making sure that these products are highly visible.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Open the Windows
According to the USEPA, “Ventilation, either natural or
mechanical, is the second most effective approach to providing acceptable indoor air.” Generally speaking, an HVAC system is designed to push a certain amount of outdoor air inside. However, when there are periods of extreme hot or cold temperatures, the expense of cooling hot air and warming cold air is costly. To address the cost issue, some HVAC systems are designed to restrict the flow of outdoor air into a space. The result is increased levels of indoor air toxins. Since it is necessary to have a sufficient amount of fresh outdoor air into an interior space to control pollutants, opening a window allows the admittance of fresh air.

Get the Air Moving In New Constructions
Many new constructions are built with energy efficiency in mind. Creating a structure that is air tight ensures that excessive air does not slip in or out which directly effects the operation of the HVAC system. Unfortunately, being air tight can present its own challenges. An air tight space does not allow the proper flow of outdoor air into a space which helps to reduce the levels of indoor toxins. The USEPA created the Indoor airPLUS Label for New Homes for builders to address this concern. Builders that implement products and practices that serve to ensure healthy indoor air quality as well as energy efficiency can then designate the home Indoor airPLUS.

Utilize Air Cleaners

Clear the Air
In conjunction with source control and proper ventilation, using an air cleaner is an option. An air cleaner physically removes varying sizes and types of pollutants from the air. There are three types available: Mechanical filters, Electronic air cleaners, and Ion generators. In addition to the size and type of toxins being removed, flow rate, and how the equipment functions influences the effectiveness of the air cleaner.

Other Strategies

Regular Maintenance of HVAC Systems
Following the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer will help minimize the introduction of indoor air pollutants. Many companies will send a reminder for the annual inspection. Whether you are moving into a previously owned home or a rented space, ask about the maintenance history of the HVAC system.

Change Air Conditioning Filters Monthly
Make it a habit to change your filter each time you receive your power bill. A properly maintained filter will operate at its optimum by restricting the release of air pollutants into a space. A clogged filter allows air to pass into the space carrying pollutants.

This article simply highlights the basic approaches to achieving a healthier and safer indoor air environment. Make sure you do your research and evaluate the associated pros and cons before determining which method meets your needs. By far, source control is the most effective and cost efficient way to enjoy quality indoor air.

For more in-depth information about how to minimize indoor air toxins and create a healthier indoor environment, Pinellas County Extension will be offering a Healthy, Home, Healthy Family seminar September 12, 2009. Please check back for more details and to register at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/.

References
USEPA http://www.epa.gov/iaq/

GREENGUARD http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=118

UF IFAS My Florida Book 2.2: Keeping Your Home Healthy http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/CD047

Healthy Indoor Air for America Homes http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/indoorair-hazards/main.htm

Weed Control Made Easy

2009-06-16T08:43:00.000-04:00

By Jane Morse, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Weeds in Florida can be a nightmare. Abundant summer rains and scorching sunshine lead to lots of germinating (sprouting) weed seeds. Weed control in the fall isn’t too bad, but trying to keep up with weeds in the blistering heat of summer, while dodging rain storms, sweating, and swatting mosquitoes is miserable.

To control weeds we need to have a basic understanding of some of their differences and how we can use these differences to our advantage.

First, let’s learn about the types of weeds. There are broadleaf weeds. These types of plants generally have net-like veins in their leaves and many have showy flowers. Some examples are dollarweed, creeping beggarweed and Florida pusley. Grass weeds have hollow, rounded stems and nodes (joints) that are closed and hard. The leaf blades have parallel veins and they are much longer than they are wide. The leaf blades also alternate on each side of the stem. Some examples are crabgrass, torpedograss and sandbur. Sedges are “grass-like” weeds, but they are not true grasses. Sedges have a solid, triangular-shaped stem with leaves that extend in three directions. Examples include yellow nutsedge and purple nutsedge.

Plants are also distinguished by how long they live. Some are annual (they germinate, grow, flower, seed and die in one year). Others are biennial (it takes two years to complete their life cycle). The hardest to control plants are perennial (they live more than 2 years) because they have several means of reproducing. Not only may they reproduce by seed, but they may reproduce vegetatively by bulbs, rhizomes, stolons, or tubers.

There are two basic methods of weed control -- physical control and chemical control. Usually the best control is achieved using a combination of these two methods.

Physical weed control includes mowing, hand pulling, hoeing and mulching. Many weeds in turf can be controlled by proper mowing. In general, Bahia and St. Augustine grass should be mowed at a height of 4 inches and mowed frequently enough so that only 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed each time. Hand pulling can be used if there are a small number of weeds. Mulching is a good weed control method for flowerbeds, footpaths and other areas where there is no grass. Mulch works by smothering out weeds by excluding light. Mulch should be applied about 2 inches thick and kept away from the bases of plants.

Chemical weed control is the use of herbicides. There are different types of herbicides. Selective herbicides control certain plant types without seriously harming other plant types. A selective herbicide might kill broadleaf plants while not seriously harming grass plants, or vice versa. Non-selective herbicides kill most plants regardless of type. Roundup® (Glyphosate) is probably the most widely known and used non-selective herbicide. Then there are pre-emergent herbicides that prevent seedlings from growing and post-emergent herbicides that are applied to existing weeds when they are small and actively growing.

Selective herbicides can be very useful if, for example, you are trying to control grass weeds in a broadleaf planting, or trying to control broadleaf weeds in a grass planting. Grass-B-Gon® (Fluazifop) is a selective herbicide that kills unwanted grasses in and around broadleaf ornamentals. Manage® (Halosulfuron-methyl) is a selective herbicide for controlling nutsedge in turfgrass and landscaped areas.

Non-selective herbicides are most commonly used for killing plants in a large area. For example, if you were replacing a turfgrass area and wanted to clear the area of all plants a non-selective herbicide would be a good choice.

Pre-emergent herbicides offer very good weed control because they keep the weeds from sprouting and growing. Some weeds like crabgrass can only be effectively controlled with a pre-emergent herbicide. Pre-M® (pendimethalin) is a pre-emergent that controls some annual grasses (crabgrass, etc.) and certain broadleaf weeds. It can be used on St. Augustine or Bahia grass and on many ornamentals for weed control. The most important thing about pre-emergent herbicides is timing. They must be applied before the weed seed germinates. Therefore it is important to know the identification of the weed you want to kill and when it germinates.

Post-emergent herbicides are applied to already existing weeds. They work best on young, rapidly growing plants. Some herbicides control some weeds better than others. Again, it is important to correctly identify the plant you want to kill so the best herbicide can be selected to obtain effective control.

Whenever chemicals are used it is extremely important and crucial to read the label and follow the directions exactly. Not following the label directions can be harmful to the environment and people, and is against the law.

For more information or help selecting herbicides contact your local University of Florida Extension Service in Pinellas County at 727-582-2100. Visit our website at: http://pinellascountyextension.org or come to our office at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL. Office hours are M-F from 8AM to 5 PM.

Note: Use of brand or trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement of the products or criticism of similar ones not mentioned. Trade names are used herein for convenience only. Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the author.

Information for this article came from these publications: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/WG071 ; http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP141 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_wg058

Moving Forward with 4-H SET

2009-06-08T08:43:00.004-04:00

By: Andrew Yuan & Melissa Sharp 4-H Youth Mentors, Pinellas County Extension

What does 4-H mean to you? Do you think it’s all about agriculture and animal care? Not anymore it’s not. 4-H programs and clubs have progressed to include project areas outside the traditional agricultural beginnings. 4-H has evolved to keep up with modern times. As 4-H looks even more towards the future, it has adopted a new initiative: developing and implementing programs for 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology, better known as 4-H SET.

The 4-H SET initiative is being carried out through the 4-H Youth Development Program in response to increasing global competition in the field of science. In the United States only about 18 percent of high school seniors are proficient in science according to a 2005 National Assessment of Educational Program study. In addition, only 5 percent of college graduates earn degrees in science, engineering, and technology compared to 66 percent in Japan and 59 percent in China. 4-H SET could be the solution. With resources and connections to 106 land-grant universities and colleges, 4-H is in the perfect position to educate today’s youth.

In conjunction with the new SET initiative, last year 4-H successfully launched the national public service campaign, One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas.™ The goal of this campaign is to attract youth to the sciences and have one million new youth in 4-H SET programs by the year 2013. To date, 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology programs reach roughly 5 million youth with hands-on learning experiences with more than half a million adult volunteers providing their devoted support. These programs capture all sorts of subjects including but not limited to rocketry, computer science, bio-fuels, robotics, and renewable energy.

Another product of this initiative is 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD). The first NYSD ever was held last year on October 8, 2008. It was an official day recognized by Congress that emphasizes the importance of science and sparks interest in youth to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology. The 2008 National Science Experiment featured on that day focused on environmental science and water conservation. Look for upcoming details later this month on the second annual 4-H National Youth Science Day.

The 4-H SET initiative will ultimately increase science literacy and aptitude among the 4-H youth, spark their interest in careers in science, engineering, and technology, and prepare them to compete in a global community. 4-H SET will breed the next generation of global thinkers and technological innovation as we head into the future.

An example of a new 4-H SET curriculum is The Power of the Wind. This is a fun hands on book that teaches middle and high school youth the value of critical thinking and different ways of going green.

The Power of the Wind has many different activities. One activity is about making a wind power boat that could slide along a smooth surface when a fan was activated. This teaches youth the engineering process of planning, building, testing and then modifying an idea. By using interactive methods, youth learn fundamental engineering principles while having a great time! Another example in to build pinwheels in order to learn how turbines work.

Critical thinking is stressed heavily in this book. The activities encourage youth to come up with their own ideas about a problem, or design. For example, in one activity youth are asked to design and then build a wind power machine.

Going green is a big theme in society now, and this curriculum definitely fits into the green movement. The book discusses the benefit and workings of turbines and other wind powered machines as well as how much money turbines save on electricity cost, and why it’s so clean. The curriculum even touches briefly on solar energy, and why going green is good.

If you are interested in more information about 4-H SET, The Power of the Wind, or other project areas for the 21st century, please contact the 4-H office at 582-2215, ayuan@pinellascounty.org, or msharp@pinellascounty.org.

Sources: http://4-h.org/programs_mission_mandates/set.html
http://4-h.org/b/Pages/Layouts/GroupPage838b.html?SiteId=2316&PersistentTheme=4H

Univ. of Florida First LEED Platinum Facility in Florida

2009-06-02T08:53:00.003-04:00

Mary Campbell, Director and Urban Sustainability Agent, Pinellas County Extension

The University of Florida has raised the bar on Green by building the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified Platinum level athletic facility in the nation and the first Platinum green building in Florida. The project is an addition to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and a focal point for the football stadium.

According to UF, "The project consists of an approximately additional 30,600 square feet of new construction and 31,800 square feet of renovated offices, meeting rooms, weight room, Interactive exhibition/reception area, and support space for the University of Florida's football program."

LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building performs across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. LEED certified buildings use key resources more efficiently when compared to conventional buildings which are simply built to code. LEED certified buildings have healthier work and living environments, which contributes to higher productivity and improved employee health and comfort.

Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification and there are only 130 in the entire U.S. Studies have suggested that an initial upfront investment of 2% extra will yield over ten times the initial investment over the life cycle of the building. In other words – they save money in the long term and resources. Green buildings have better indoor air quality, use less energy and water, and are built with recycled products. Most of the building’s raw materials came from within 500 miles to stimulate the local economy and reduce transport emissions. Additionally, much of the building’s raw material is recyclable, and 78 percent of the construction debris was recycled.

UF’s athletic facility has energy-saving features that exceed state and national standards requirements by 35 percent and include low-e glazing on glass, insulation and reflective materials, which make the heating and air conditioning systems more efficient. It also contains energy-efficient lighting and light sensors that allow individual lighting preferences and turn off automatically when the room is empty. The facility also has a system for analyzing future energy use. Light-colored roofing and concrete pavement on the plaza keep temperatures lower in and around the building.

Native plants combined with low flow irrigation allow the landscaping to use 50 percent less water. The green roof of the weight room conserves energy and insulates as well by containing storm water for its plant life, rather than directing it to the sewer system.

The new complex has low volatile organic compound levels and carbon dioxide monitors in high-occupancy rooms, which bring in more fresh air if they detect high carbon dioxide levels. It also has Sanidoors, which open touch-free automatically, to reduce building users’ exposure to germs.

Carol Walker, assistant vice president of the UF Facilities, Planning and Construction Division, said, “UF is committed to providing a healthy building and environment for the people who utilize the facility. Long-term sustainability, responsible use of environmental resources, and a healthy and productive work environment are all important.”

Go Gators!

Resources:
UF Office of Sustainability- http://www.sustainable.ufl.edu/
USGBC LEED - http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19)

Beat the Heat! Attend Pinellas County Extension’s June Classes

2009-05-27T08:38:00.001-04:00

By: Margaret Deller

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in June are:

Solutions in 30:
June 3rd - Managing Stress in Tough Times
June 10th - Managing Money in Tough Times
June 17th - In Debt? . . . Tips for Getting Back in the Black
June 24th - Save Money By going Green

Lawn and Garden:
June 10th 2 pm and 6:30 pm - Good Bugs, Bad Bugs
June 20th - Compost Happens
June 23rd - How to Keep a Nice Yard and Conserve Water
June 30th - Palms – Keeping Them Healthy

Sustainable Living:
June 4th - Green Home Webinar
June 16th - Green Purchasing Webinar
June 18th – Lighting Your way the Energy Efficiency Webinar
June 24th – Green Office Webinar
June 30th – Green Home Webinar

Families Cooking Together:
Starting June 11th – Step into the Kitchen: Families Cooking Together

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/. Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Aisle by Aisle Savings at the Grocery Store

2009-05-26T11:54:00.003-04:00

In these tough economic times, saving money where you can is important. Since food is a flexible expense, there are some things you can do to save money at the grocery store. Here are just a few.

General tips:
Shop the perimeter. Fill your cart with the basics first—vegetables, fruit, protein foods and milk. These foods are nearly always found around the perimeter.

Arrange your list according to the store layout. This strategy is a big time saver as it prevents backtracking.

Look up, look down. Since food companies pay for prime shelving which are those at eye level look to higher or lower shelves for less expensive versions of a product.

Try the store brand. Sometimes the only difference between store brand and name brand is the label; sometimes it’s more. The only way to know if you’ll like a product is to try it.

Concentrate on buying the food, not the convenience. You can save money when you buy the basic ingredients in your recipes and meals and skip the prepackaged products.

Don’t venture down the “snack food aisle”. Stay out of the aisles where you find the empty calorie snacks like potato chips, crackers, candy, and soda. These items can put a dent in your family food budget, and provide little nutrition in return.

Breads and Grains
Look for whole grain
Whole grain products may cost a few cents more but the added nutritional value makes them a smart buy.

• Choose products with whole grain listed as the first in the ingredient: whole
wheat, whole rye, whole grain corn, whole oats, graham flour, oatmeal, brown
rice, and bulgur.
• Don’t choose by color alone. Caramel coloring may be
added to give
some bread products the appearance of being whole
grain.
• Look for products that have at least 3 grams of fiber per
serving.

Dairy Foods
Compare unit prices—larger containers tend to be the best buy but only if you use this amount.

Add your own fruit to yogurt. Fruit-flavored varieties may cost more and include jam-like fruit that adds extra sugar. Also, the sweetened fruit replaces some of the yogurt in the carton so you get less of the calcium-rich yogurt.

Protect your diary food investment by keeping the refrigerator at 40 degrees.

Fruits and Vegetables
Purchase fruit and vegetables in season for best price and quality. Consider frozen or canned at other times of the year.

Freeze extra fruit and vegetables if time and space allow.

Choose the smaller size when buying apples, oranges, bananas, and other individual fruits that are sold by the pound. The smaller size fruits are closer to the 1 cup serving size which helps with portion control.

Pre-cut fruit and vegetables are at least 3 times more expensive and spoil faster.

Meats and Other Protein Foods
Check store ads to see what meats are on sale and plan your meals around them.

Stock up if you have the freezer space. Meat and poultry can be frozen in their original supermarket packaging. If storing more than a month or two, place the store package inside a freezer-weight plastic bag or overwrap it with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper; label with contents and date.

Consider using canned or dried beans and peanut butter. Plant protein is generally less expensive than animal protein.

For other money saving tips, check out these publications.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY100300.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE67700.pdf
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE93400.pdf

Rain Harvesting

2009-05-18T09:13:00.002-04:00

By Dale W. Armstrong, Coordinator Florida Yards & Neighborhoods, Pinellas County Extension

The interest in rain harvesting just amazes me! Yes, we have filled up our rain barrel workshops at Extension in prior years, but never as far in advance as this year. All remaining workshops scheduled this year are full already. The extreme drought our region of Florida is experiencing is obviously a contributing factor as well as, I believe, more and more folks adopting sustainable lifestyles and the movement towards “living green”.

For those of you who the term Rain Harvesting is not totally familiar, let me explain. The basic concept is nothing more than several components working together to collect and store rainwater from your roof. The stored water is then used instead of the potable (drinking) water that you may now be using to water your landscape, or for other outdoor uses.

Components of a simple rain harvesting system are the catchment area (your roof), conveyance (your gutters and downspouts), and a storage system (rain barrel of approximately 55 gallon capacity). Rain barrels are typically used to fill watering cans or jugs, or in some cases a short hose may be used. But, keep in mind that since this is gravity-feed only, water will flow slowly from a hose.

A more complex system replaces a barrel with a cistern that hold hundreds or thousands of gallons. It may include filtration and a pump with a distribution system for hoses or sprinkler system attachment. A cistern may be installed above ground or below. Each location has advantages and disadvantages that must be compared to decide which is the better solution for your situation. Unless you are a seriously competent do-it-yourselfer, this more elaborate system is best left to the professionals, such as a cistern installation specialist and/or a certified irrigation contractor. Depending upon your installation you may need to obtain a permit for a cistern. And of course, don’t forget to check for any restrictions that your homeowner association may have.

Rain Harvesting may be the solution to how you can reduce or eliminate the use of potable water for landscape use. Since the workshops are full here at Pinellas County Extension, please see the resources below to help you learn more about rain harvesting as well as a list of local businesses that sell barrels.

Do It Yourself - Recycled Barrel Sources

Thomas King - 13042 Gibson Lane - Odessa - (813)920-8112
D & C Brothers (Chris) - Hercules Road - Clearwater - (727)447-1733
Don’s Marine Salvage - 5601 126 Ave. N. - Clearwater - (727)576-8577

Complete Rain Barrels

Twigs ‘n Leaves Nursery - 1013 Dr. MLK Blvd. S. - St. Petersburg - (727)822-5400
Wilcox Nursery - 12501 Indian Rocks Rd. - Largo - (727)595-2073
Carroll Brothers Nursery - 4950 38th Ave North - St. Petersburg - (727)527-5418
Country Club Nursery - 9850 Starkey Road - Largo - (727)397-4438
Dolin’s Garden Center - 801 62nd avenue N. - St. Petersburg - (727)525-3434

Resources
http://www.pinellascounty.org/tv/shows/rainbarrel/play-rainbarrels.ram
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/publications/files/rain_barrels_guide.pdf
http://www.arcsa.org/resources.html
http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/

Hurricane Season: Prepare the Entire Family

2009-05-11T09:16:00.003-04:00

By Jean Rogalsky, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Hurricane season will be here before we know it and family preparations should have already started. Most 4-H families have animal members of the family. Children and animals are naturally mutual admirers and animals can teach children a multiple of life skills. One way to teach your children to be responsible, compassionate, and caring, is to encourage them to be a part of their pets’ hurricane plan.

There is more to preparing your pets for hurricane season and possible evacuation than filling a bin with pet food, litter, leashes and toys. There are steps to take that involve you and your family members – human and otherwise. Carol Lehtola, University of Florida Associate Professor and Extension Safety Specialist has created a list of suggestions you should consider now, before a hurricane is on its way. In Helping Four-Legged Friends Survive the Storm, Dr. Lehtola focuses on readiness before the storm and evacuation with your pets. Consider these points:

Take Responsibility - You can’t leave it to the experts to take care of your pets during emergencies. It’s the owner’s responsibility to make decisions about their animals’ welfare. Encourage your children to share their thoughts on hurricane preparation.

Decide on Pet Evacuation - One of the first decisions that you need to make in disaster planning is whether to take your animals with you or leave them behind. Many factors come into play when making this choice. Are you dealing with household pets or horses? Is there room where you’re going for the animals? How will you transport the animals?

Making Preparations for Your Dog - Developing your animal disaster plan before an emergency can save precious time when every second counts. Your preparations should include getting all your pet supplies together if you have advance warning of an impending storm. You also need to find a safe haven for both you and your pet. Make sure you have a travel crate or sturdy leash for your dog. A dog in a shelter or visiting in a home should be socialized. Take your dog with you for outings. An investment in obedience training will benefit the dog and your family, even if a storm doesn’t force you to evacuate.

Preparing Your Cat for Travel - Cats can present special challenges when evacuating. A cat will do better during a disaster if you have helped it be comfortable around people. Does being placed in the carrier only mean one thing to your cat? If a vet visit is associated with the carrier, try planning short excursions and reward the cat upon returning home. This way being in the carrier and in a vehicle does not always result in an unpleasant experience. Plan on having other family members come for the ride. Think of it as a hurricane drill.

Evacuating Your Pets - As you develop plans for your pets, consider creating an emergency kit. You should include pet food, bottled water, prescription medications and a first aid kit. Keeping your pet on a stable diet is critical while it’s experiencing stress, so be sure to bring a supply of the pet’s normal food. If you know that your pet is stressful during storms or travel, ask your vet for medications to relieve stress. A list of items to include in the kit can be found at: http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/petpreparedness.htm#supplykit

Transporting Your Pets – Once you decide you will evacuate with your pets, consider how much room the animals, carriers or cages, and the rest of your family will take in your vehicle. Under normal conditions, the entire family will not be in one vehicle at one time. You may need more than one vehicle. Try a dry run with the empty carriers and the human members of the family to get an idea of what travel conditions would be like with everyone traveling together.

Finding a Place to Stay - Your shelter from the storm can range from boarding kennels to a friend’s house to hotels or motels. Be sure to check ahead of time and make reservations when the time comes. Several web sites list pet-friendly accommodations.

Hotels that accept pets in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi are listed at: http://www.petswelcome.com/

Information about traveling with your pets is available at: http://www.takeyourpet.com/

Papers and ID, Please - No matter where you take your pets, you should make sure that their vaccinations are up to date. You also should always have your pets’ license and identification tag on them. Take a picture of you and the pet to help in identification and to help prove ownership. A microchip is an excellent identification tool that will stay with the pet, even if the collar is lost. Microchips have been used with mammals, birds, and reptiles.
In conclusion, take the responsibility to plan ahead for all your family members. Make it a family project to prepare emergency kits and check that supplies are in good condition and paperwork is up to date. We can’t control the direction of a storm, but we can prepare in the event one does come this way.

Resources
Pinellas County http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/petpreparedness.htm
Florida Disaster Handbook http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/
Florida State Agricultural Response Team http://www.flsart.org/

Facts about the Swine Flu

2009-05-03T10:20:00.000-04:00

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs, but swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person. Some U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well.

Swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. However, swine flu infection can be serious.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It might include diarrhea and vomiting.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

· Fast breathing or trouble breathing
· Bluish skin color
· Not drinking enough fluids
· Not waking up or not interacting
· Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
· Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
· Sudden dizziness
· Confusion
· Severe or persistent vomiting

How does swine flu spread? There are two ways:

· From infected pigs or surfaces that are contaminated with these germs.
· From person to person, through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of antiviral drugs that are prescription medicines. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

The source of this information is Center for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information visit http://www.cdc.gov/

Pinellas County Extension’s May Classes

2009-04-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in May are:

Solutions in 30:
May 6th - Strong Families Work together in Tough Times
May 13th - Parenting Teens in Tough Times Part 1
May 20th - Parenting Teens in Tough Times Part 2
May 27th - Managing Stress in Tough Times

Commercial Horticulture:
May 19th - 4 hr ID Card Holder Training
May 19th (1pm-3pm)- 2 hr ID Card Holder Training
May 19th (3pm-5pm)- 2 hr ID Card Holder Training
May 21st - Limited Pesticide License Training and Testing

Sustainable Living:
May 6th - Green Office Webinar
May 19th – Green Purchasing Webinar
May 21st – Lighting Your way the Energy Efficiency Webinar

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascounty.org. Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Federal Stimulus Funding Available for Energy Efficiency Home Improvements

2009-04-27T09:19:00.000-04:00

By James Stevenson, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

The recently-passed Stimulus Bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) contains changes and additions to previous energy efficiency tax credits. These changes include:
· an extension of credits available for 2009 to 2010,
· a credit amount increase from 10% to 30%,
· credits formerly ascribed a dollar amount have been converted to 30% of the cost of the project
· maximum credit has been increased to $1500, except for some major projects like geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and solar water heaters
· the $200 maximum per window has been removed, but windows must meet stricter efficiency requirements than before

So what are you going to buy?

Windows and Doors
Exterior windows and doors that effectively reduce leakage, improve insulation and reduce heat transfer are eligible for credits. Exterior doors and windows are given a “U-Factor” rating. The U-factor is a measure of the heat transfer through a window or door (or skylight) and indicates how well the product insulates. The lower the U-factor the greater the resistance to heat flow in and out and the better its insulation value. U-factor values range from 0.25 (most efficient) to 1.25. To qualify for tax credits, windows and doors must have a U-factor of at least 0.30.

Another performance rating is the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or SHGC. This measures how well a product blocks out the sun’s heat. As with the U-factor, the SHGC is most efficient and effective when the rating is a lower number. SHGC is measured on a scale from 0 to 1 and values typically fall in the 0.25 – 0.80 range. As with U-factor, to qualify for tax credits, the SHGC must be at least 0.30.

The information on energy performance may be found on the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label that is required of all windows and doors. The NFRC is an independent non-profit organization that provides standards and consistent labeling for energy efficiency for the industry supplying windows, doors and skylights.

Storm windows and doors are also eligible for tax credits. The credit, as for external windows and doors would be 30% of the total cost (NOT including installation) up to $1500. Storm windows and doors must simply be in compliance with the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code or the 2004 supplement of the 2003 Code. This information would be found on the Manufacturer Certification Statement. This is a signed statement made by the manufacturer of a window/door that certifies that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. If you purchase storm windows/doors, be sure to keep a copy of this statement, although it is not necessary to submit a copy with tax returns.

Water Heaters
If your water heater has been working for the past 10 years or more, it might be time to retire it. Water heating is often the third largest energy expense in the home (after heating and cooling) and can account for 13-17% of your utility bill (FCS3277, 2008.) There are tax credits to cover 30% (up to $1,500) of your purchase of a gas, oil, or propane systems. For these systems, check for the EnergyStar label, and for an Energy Factor of greater than or equal to 0.82. The Energy Factor (EF) is the ratio of useful energy output from the water heater to the total amount of energy delivered to the water heater. The higher the EF is, the more efficient the water heater (FCS3277, 2008.)

Solar water heaters also qualify, but they must derive half of the energy necessary to heat the water from the sun. Luckily here in Florida that is not much of a problem!

Roofing and Insulation
As with most of the other qualifying home energy-efficiency improvements, there are tax credits for 30% or up to $1,500 (installation not included) for roofing and insulation improvements. All EnergyStar rated metal and asphalt roofs qualify.

In addition to the above products that can help your home become more energy efficient and reduce your monthly energy bill, there are others that qualify for Federal tax incentives.

Make sure you have done your research when making any home improvement purchases, and if you are interested in tax credits, the links below should be helpful.

Resources
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency – EnergyStar
Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit – IRS Form 5695
Tax Incentives Assistance Project
Energy Efficient Home Series – University of Florida /IFAS Extension

FDA sets up database of recalled pistachio products

2009-04-24T09:15:00.001-04:00

By Janice Wade-Miller, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

At Pinellas County Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences want you to be aware of all potential food hazards so that you can make knowledgeable decisions about the food you buy for yourself and your family. In an effort to keep you informed, we are releasing the following FDA pistachio update. Please follow the FDA’s instructions so that you are not affected by this foodborne illness.
The list of recalled pistachio products associated with a California processing plant where salmonella was found continues to grow. As it did with the ongoing peanut recall, the Food and Drug Administration has set up a searchable database of pistachio products that today features 73 products. That pales in comparison to the 3,878 recalled peanut products. Both recalls are expanding daily.The most recent pistachio recalls were made by Publix, Kroger and Whole Foods supermarkets.The pistachios used in the recalled products were supplied by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., which is recalling pistachios from the 2008 crop year. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat any brand of shelled or unshelled pistachios, or any food products containing pistachios, such as baked goods, trail mix, and other snack foods, until the agency determines the scope of the Setton recall.
The FDA’s ongoing list of recalled pistachio-containing products can be found on the website below.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/pistachiorecall/index.cfm

If you have any questions or concerns on this issue, please call us at 582-2100 and we will do our best to help you.

Some Common Nutrient Deficiencies of Plants in the Home Landscape

2009-04-20T09:00:00.001-04:00

Andy Wilson, Senior Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Plants need 16 essential nutrients to grow and remain healthy. Deficiencies of any of these can interfere with a plant’s normal appearance, growth and other characteristics. In this article we will look at 4 very common nutrient deficiencies of plants in our area, potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron deficiencies.

Potassium is used in large quantities by plants. It is important in healthy root growth, flowering, tolerance to drought and other environmental stresses. Potassium deficiency is especially common in palms.

The symptoms vary somewhat with different kinds of palms but in general, potassium deficiency causes a premature yellow to orange discoloration of the older lower fronds, with browning of the tips of the leaflets. On some kinds of palms, like the Canary Island date palm, yellowish translucent spots also appear in the older fronds.

Potassium deficiency is also very common on orchid trees on which it produces yellowing between the veins in the leaves (called interveinal chlorosis) with some browning at the edges of the leaves and often some areas of browning between the veins of the leaves also. With mangos the older leaves brown at their tips in a way that could be easily mistaken for a fertilizer burn or browning from drought injury.

Potassium deficiencies can usually be corrected with applications of complete fertilizers or by applying potassium supplements like sulfur-coated potassium sulfate. Mild to moderate potassium deficiency on palms can usually be corrected by applying an 8-2-12-4 palm fertilizer (specifically that analysis and with micronutrients that are in the sulfate form) at least 4 times per year.

Magnesium deficiency is very common on many kinds of plants grown in our area including some kinds of palms, ornamentals, citrus and vegetables. Magnesium is a component in chlorophyll, the green pigment that is found in plants. Plants deficient in magnesium usually show a premature yellowing of the older, lower leaves that begins at the edge of the leaves and works inward or with an interveinal chlorosis of the older leaves.

Magnesium deficiency is very common on Canary Island date palm. Magnesium deficiency in palms can be confused with potassium deficiency, however, in palms magnesium deficiency doesn’t cause browning of the leaflets whereas potassium deficiency does. Often both deficiencies are present.

Magnesium deficiency is also very common on poinsettias, often appearing late in the summer. As with many other plants, magnesium deficiency causes a yellowing of the older leaves, beginning at their edges and moving inward. On poinsettias, unlike palms, after the yellowing begins, the edges of the leaves begin to turn brown and roll up and die. Eventually the leaves drop from the plant and a poinsettia plant that is severely deficient in magnesium may eventually be bare of leaves along the lower parts of the stems with only a few leaves left at the stem tip.

To prevent or control magnesium deficiency, magnesium sulfate can be applied to the soil around the plants. For plant beds the amount usually recommended is about 2 cups (one pound) per 100 square feet of bed area. For palms, about 2 to 5 pounds per palm is needed per application. Magnesium sulfate can usually be purchased where fertilizers are sold. Kieserite is a slower release, longer lasting form of magnesium sulfate that is preferable where available.

A third common nutrient deficiency of plants is manganese deficiency. Although “manganese” and “magnesium” have similar spellings, deficiencies of these two nutrients produce different symptoms. Manganese deficiency produces a yellowing between the veins of the leaves and, unlike magnesium deficiency, the symptoms begin on the newer growth. Manganese deficiency is quite common in some kinds of palms, in which it is often called “frizzle top”, since the deficiency causes the new growth to be stunted and burned in appearance. Palms can eventually die if manganese deficiency in not corrected. Manganese deficiency can be corrected with soil applications of manganese sulfate, in some cases supplemented with spray applications of solutions of manganese sulfate.

A forth deficiency is iron deficiency, and like manganese deficiency produces yellowing between the veins of the newer leaves. The main difference in the appearance of these symptoms is that the green veinal areas produced by iron deficiency are relatively narrow while those produced by manganese deficiency are broader. Iron deficiency is very common on azaleas, gardenias and ixoras.

Being aware of these common nutrient deficiencies can help you to take action to correct them more quickly if they develop in your landscape.

Resources
Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms of Woody Ornamental Plants in South Florida

Walking Trees

2009-04-13T12:52:00.010-04:00

By Betty Lipe, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

Have you ever heard of the term “walking trees”? It was inspired by the red mangrove, Rhizaphora mangle. The red mangrove grows along the water’s edge and is easily identified by its tangled, reddish roots called prop roots. These roots have earned mangroves the title “walking trees”. The mangrove appears to be standing or walking on the surface of the water.

Black mangrove, Avicennia germinans usually occupies slightly higher elevations upland from the red mangrove. The black mangrove can be identified by numerous finger-like projections, called pneumatophores, which protrude from the soil around the tree’s trunk.

White mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, usually occupies the highest elevations farther upland than either red or black mangroves. Unlike its red or black counterparts, the white mangrove usually has no visible aerial root systems, although in the right environmental conditions, they will grow pneumatophores and prop roots. The easiest way to identify the white mangrove is by its leaves. They are elliptical, light yellow green and have two distinguishing glands at the base of the leaf blade where the stem starts. The glands, called nectarines, excrete sugar attracting and feeding many insects.

Mangroves are one of Florida’s true natives. They thrive in salty environments because they are able to obtain fresh water from saltwater. Mangrove systems help purify the water in estuaries by filtering the runoff that flows into the estuaries from upland regions. The relationship between mangroves and their associated marine life cannot be overstated. By trapping sediment, mangroves actually stabilize the soil while the roots and vegetation help prevent shoreline erosion. The mangrove prop roots create a maze-like “nursery” beneath the water where young crabs, shrimp and small fish such as snook and mullet can swim, but the large fishes that prey on them cannot. The prop roots also provide a place for oysters, barnacles and anemones to attach while birds like the top of the trees as roosting sites. Mangroves provide a multi-tiered habitat for a diversity of wildlife.

Tampa Bay is in the northern range of the mangrove swamp ecosystem. This is due to sensitivity to freezing temperatures. Mangroves can reach a height of 80 feet, hence the name mangrove forest. Mangroves help to buffer the storm waves and winds and provide protection to inland areas. Mangroves can be naturally damaged and destroyed, but there is no doubt that the human impact has been most severe. Scientists have been able to evaluate habitat changes by analyzing aerial photographs from the 1940’s and 1950’s and comparing it to current satellite imagery and aerial photography. Frequently the changes illustrate loss of mangrove acreage, particularly in the Tampa Bay area. As one of the ten largest ports in the nation, Tampa Bay has lost over 44 percent of its coastal wetlands acreage of both mangroves and salt marshes in the last 100 years. As mangroves are removed, invasive species such as Brazilian pepper and Australian pines have taken hold, further reducing the amount of native habitat.

Today mangroves on public and private lands are protected through local ordinances because of their value to the surrounding ecosystem. For further information on laws protecting mangroves go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/

Florida 4-H youth learn about mangroves and their ecosystems through the Forest and Marine Ecology projects and competitions. For more information on the 4-H marine programs go to: http://florida4h.org/projects/marine/index.shtml. For information on the 4-H forestry program go to http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/.

References:
http://www.floridaplants.com/horticulture/mangrove.htm
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Black_mangrove/blacmang.htm
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Red_mangrove/redmangr.htm
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4H/White_mangrove/whitmang.htm

Managing in Tough Times - Controlling Stress Through a Healthy Lifestyle

2009-04-10T09:41:00.003-04:00

By Jan Wade-Miller, Extension Specialist, Pinellas County Extension

During tough economic times, our stress levels increase, which makes eating well and being active more important than ever. Balanced nutrition is essential to overall good health, but it also can affect your ability to cope with stress. Stress can be a problem in itself. But stress can sometimes lead to unhealthy lifestyle patterns—which lead to more stress!

Can Certain Foods Increase My Stress?
You may not realize that there are substances which produce dietary stress in what you regularly eat and drink. For instance:

• Caffeine is a stimulant. It mimics the effects of adrenaline.
• A high sugar intake may increase stress, putting you on a blood sugar roller coaster.
• Chronic dieting and fasting can also add to dietary stress by placing extra demand on your hormonal system to maintain adequate body fuel levels in the face of inadequate food intake.

Some of the above substances are low in nutrients plus they rob your body of its stores of nutrients. Some also stimulate heart rate, affect mood, behaviors and brain chemistry and may compound the health issues associated with stress. Enjoy sweets and caffeine occasionally but avoid them during the day as you can experience huge dips and surges in your energy levels.

What Foods Should I Give Up?
You shouldn’t have to give up any food unless you have a particular health problem. Put variety into your eating plan. Make sure you eat from all the major food groups daily, including lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

What Foods Will Help with Stress Management?
The B-vitamins support the entire nervous system. The B-vitamins are also essential to energy production, provide support to the immune system and help maintain regular blood sugar levels, which may become high due to stress. Foods that contain B-vitamins include Brewer’s yeast, liver, soy, broccoli, legumes, fresh meats, unprocessed, whole grain foods, lentils, salmon, corn, nuts, sunflower seeds, egg and citrus fruit.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Most people know that vitamin C helps improve immunity, but it also has been found to reduce blood pressure and reduce the actual symptoms of stress. Foods that contain vitamin C include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, melon, tomatoes, broccoli, mango, and red and green bell peppers.

Protein-rich foods help maintain a stable blood sugar. Eating them slows down the rate at which sugar is released into your bloodstream and keeps your blood sugar balanced. It also keeps you feeling full longer, making you less likely to grab for a high-calorie sweet snack. Food such as cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs, fish, meats, legumes (beans and lentils), peanut butter, poultry and tofu should be included in your diet.

Magnesium helps with muscle relaxation and heartbeat regulation. Studies have shown that it helps with insomnia and anxiety, two issues common in people under chronic stress. Foods that contain magnesium include dairy, meat, eggs, fish, seafood, green leafy vegetables, nuts, tofu, and whole grains.

Essential fats like omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can only be obtained through our diet. They promote the flow of nutrients into cells and allow waste products to escape from the cells. Seafood such as salmon and other oily fish contain omega-3 fatty acids and appear to help relieve mild depression. Food sources of these essential fatty acids include nuts (almonds, walnuts), oils (canola, flax, soybean), oily fish (salmon, sardines, tuna), and seeds (flax, pumpkin).

Other stress fighting tips?

Go for walks. Regular exercise will burn calories, relieve stress and increase your sense of well-being.
Take a long, relaxing, warm bath
Take a yoga class to stretch those tense muscles
Use deep-breathing exercises
Stretch to help relieve tension
Develop a support network to rely on in times of need
Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings concerning the stressors in your life
Listen to music
Read for pleasure
Learn a simple meditation technique

Using some of these ideas can make a big difference in your physical and emotional reactions to the stresses in your life.

REFERENCES:
Stress Management: Understanding Stress http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_fy518
Stress Management: Strategies for Individuals http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_fy515

Is Your Family Built For Change?

2009-03-30T15:43:00.005-04:00

Vestina F. Crayton, Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability, Pinellas County Extension

Whether you are an architect, contractor, or simply a person who has an interest in how buildings are constructed, you understand that a building is only as strong as its foundation. The same principle applies to building a solid family. According to research conducted by the University of Florida, Institute of Agriculture and Science (IFAS) Extension the building blocks for a creating a strong family are their “commitment to each other; physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness; effective family communication; appreciation of all family members; meaningful and sufficient time together; and effective strategies to deal with stress.”

It is important to take the time to examine your family’s inventory of abilities and strengths. Take this moment to celebrate the qualities you currently possess and work on acquiring the ones you feel you lack. Having these characteristics will help families deal with unplanned changes. Change is inevitable. In a family, change can range from a child’s first day of school to the loss of a job. No matter the change, good or challenging, a family exhibiting these basic qualities is better equipped to handle the stress that comes with change.

Handling Unexpected Change

Acknowledgment
Have a candid discussion with your family about the situation. Be aware that each family member may deal with unexpected change in a different way. Researchers, at the Michigan State University Extension Office (MSUE) have identified five distinct stages that individuals will go through when dealing with life-altering loss:

Shock and Denial – “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” This is a natural initial response. Accept and acknowledge the loss. This will help you move towards recovery quicker.
Panic and Fear – “I don’t know what to do.” At first glance, the situation may seem insurmountable. Take a step back, breathe, and deal with one issue at a time.
Anger- “Why is this happening to me?” Be careful that you do not express your anger in an unconstructive manner. Find ways to vent such as taking a walk, counting to ten or taking deep breaths.
Hope- “This may be an opportunity to try something new.” Sometimes the excitement of the endless possibilities is attractive. Take the time to sit down and evaluate the pros and cons of each possibility. Be realistic. Examining your options objectively may eliminate further disappointments.
Despair – “It’s never going to get better.” For example if someone in the family lost their job, searching for a new job may take longer than expected. Don’t give up! Consider acquiring new skills during this time that will increase your marketability.

Determine what stage you are in. Understanding and knowing that what you are feeling is normal, can help you deal with it.

Identify Roles
Each family member has a role to fulfill. It does not matter how the family is composed, each member can operate in one of these roles: provide resources, manage the resources or provide support. Each role is critical to the effective functioning of the family as a whole.

Assign Roles
Make sure expectations are discussed. Make it clear that as time progresses and change continues expectations will change. Be flexible.

Handling the Loss of Income

Set Priorities: Needs versus Wants
In the event of a loss of income, setting priorities on how to manage your finances is critical. If priorities are not set, you run the risk of spending money unnecessarily. As a family, define and discuss the difference between “needs” and “wants.” To initiate your discussion use the following definitions provided by MSUE “A need is something that you must have; it is essential for living. Some examples of a need are shelter, warmth, good health, and food. A want, on the other hand, is something that is not necessary to survive, but you really desire. Examples of a want are a new car or a winter vacation.”

Set Goals
Decide what your short term, mid-term, and long term goals are. Short term goals are goals that you plan to achieve in a few days or weeks. Mid-term goals are goals you plan to achieve in one to six months. Long term goals are goals you plan to achieve in a year or more.

Create a Plan
Developing a plan requires decision-making. Start the process by answering the following questions:

· What do we want to accomplish?
· How will we do it?
· When will we do it?
· Who will be responsible for each assignment?

Every good professional builder takes inventory of the tools and materials they will need to erect a sound building. Building a stable foundation for your family is no different. Make it a priority and identify your family’s strengths. Taking the time to examine what tools you already have will provide encouragement and will highlight the areas that need improvement. Every change brings with it some level of stress. However, making sure that your family embodies the basic characteristics of a strong and resilient family will alleviate some of the stress and will help you be more optimistic about the future.

For more information on how to help your family build and enhance their strengths, visit Pinellas County Extension’s 4-H Family at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/.

References
Smith. Suzanne 1990 Building a Strong and Resilient Family
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/HE326
Furthering Families - Change is stressful!
http://www.fcs.msue.msu.edu/ff/pdffiles/familystress1.pdf
Furthering Families – Income Loss
http://www.fcs.msue.msu.edu/ff/pdffiles/financialmanagement1.pdf

Spring Vegetable Gardening

2009-03-24T11:41:00.003-04:00

Cindy Peacock, Horticulturist, Pinellas County Extension

If you have not planted your spring vegetables yet you still have time. The University of Florida/IFAS Extension Vegetable Gardening Guide for Florida can be accessed at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021 . In this guide there is a list of the spring vegetables that can be planted at this time.

To make room for your spring vegetable plants you will need to take out those vegetable plants that have stopped producing, that are sick with diseases like powdery mildew, that are loosing leaves, or are cold damaged. Some of your fall plants may still look good and are producing, so keep them in as long as you can. The broccoli will continue to give you small florets until the temperature gets too hot. Greens will slow down the hotter it gets. Tomatoes will continue to produce too, although when the night temperatures stay above 70 degrees, you will have fewer tomatoes. If your tomato plant is not producing, you can start over with a new plant. The small cherry tomatoes are a good choice for warmer temperatures since they will set fruit better in the heat. For more information about Tomatoes in the Florida garden, access the University of Florida/IFAS Extension fact sheet: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH028

Once you clear out those old plants you will have room to add more organic matter such as compost. You can also add more top soil. Be sure to mix it in with the soil.

Choose seeds of those vegetable that you like. Use the spring vegetable list. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021
Warm season vegetables such as beans, cucumbers, eggplant, southern peas, peppers, okra, summer and crookneck squashes can all still be planted. Carrots and radishes can be planted through March. This is a good time for cantaloupe and watermelon too. But remember, these two plants require a lot of space, so give them plenty of space to spread out. If you put in five seeds of cantaloupe or watermelon you should leave a 6 ft. by 6 ft. space for them to grow.

Be sure not to plant the seeds too deep, usually no deeper in the soil than the size of the seed. Keep them moist until you see them start to sprout, then cut back on the water. Your vegetable garden needs water two to three times a week. If we have rainfall, then you can skip that watering day.
Starter plants that you purchase can also be used. When planting tomatoes, bury the plant up to the first set of leaves.

Here are some things to look for in your garden. As the temperatures fluctuate, vegetables can develop problems due to environmental factors. Powdery mildew, a white powdery film that covers the leaves, is a disease that we tend to see on our vegetables in the spring. To help control this disease, you can use one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of a paraffinic oil (horticultural oil) per one gallon of water. Mix this well and spray on the leaves every five to seven days. This fungicide was developed at Cornell University.

As the plants get new tender growth you will see an increase of insects. Not all insects are bad. We have insects that help us keep the harmful insects away. It is helpful to know the difference. Look at the University of Florida /IFAS Extension fact sheets of harmful vegetable garden insects: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN006 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN007
Now review the fact sheets of beneficial insects: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_in002, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_in003, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_in012 and
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_in013. You will want to look for these beneficial insects any time you see the harmful insects.

Aphids and whiteflies can be a big problem with the tender new growth of your vegetables. These insects are tiny soft bodied insects that suck the juices from the plants. They also excrete a sugary substance that a black sooty mold uses for food. Sometimes you see the mold before you see the insects. These insects can be sprayed with a light horticultural oil. Before you spray look around for those beneficial insects. If you see lady bugs, or lacewings, or their larva, they will eat these insects for you. Check back in a couple of days to see if there are fewer of the aphids and whiteflies. If not, then you can use a horticultural oil, or insecticidal soap.

Wasps are good insects, too. They help to control caterpillars by feeding them to their young. Caterpillars can be a big problem in your vegetable patch. Look for them on cucumber and squash leaves, near the soil around peppers, beans, and eggplant, and those really large green hornworms on your tomato plant.
By picking them off and putting them in a sealed baggie, or in a can of soapy water, you will not have to use pesticides. If you choose not to pick them off, you can use a product containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), such as Thuricide or Dipel. These insecticides will kill the caterpillars, but will not harm pets or humans.

Over-watering can cause problems. Too much water can promote the development of fungal diseases that might cause plants to rot, or become diseased. Once your vegetable garden is established, watering two to three times a week is all that is needed. It is best to water in the early morning.

Tomato leaf curl virus is a disease that we have seen frequently. The new growth is shriveled and the leaf veins are yellow. Whitefly insects spread this virus. Once a vegetable plant has a virus it should be taken out because there is no cure. For more information about this virus go to University of Florida/IFAS Extension fact sheet: http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/files/pdf/publications/TimMomol/ManagementOfTYLCV.pdf

Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on the roots of vegetable plants (Root Knot, Sting Nematodes). Raised beds and containers that have organic matter (compost) added will help lessen nematode problems. Using clear plastic over the beds to solarize the soil during the summer will help sterilize the soil to keep the population of nematodes down. The University of Florida/IFAS fact sheet for managing nematodes can be accessed at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/NG005.

There are many other fact sheets available from the University of Florida/IFAS Extension that will help you with your vegetable gardening, see this topic area: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening

For problems that you need diagnosed, bring your sick leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and insects into the Lawn and Garden Help Desk at the Extension office in Largo and we can identify the problem and suggest treatment.

Vegetable gardening is a learning experience that is worth the work involved. Don’t let the insects and diseases scare you. We have plenty of the good insects to help control pest insects, and using the right cultural practices can control diseases. Just be patient and learn as you go. You will be amazed how good your own grown vegetables will taste.

Enjoy

Finding Quality Family Time in Everyday Activities

2009-03-18T13:56:00.003-04:00

Jean Rogalsky, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Pinellas County Extension

Recently a middle school teacher asked her students how they would like to spend more of their time, leaving it open to all possible responses. The surprising response was that they would like to spend more time with their families. Inspired by their responses, I asked a group of elementary school students what was the best part of the recent holidays. The most popular answer was that they spent time and did activities with their families.
This is certainly good news since youth learn from the example of others, whether it is the example of parents, other adults, or peers.

Spending more time as a family or with a particular child does not mean you have to plan special activities or even leave your home. There are many ways you can spend quality time with your family while doing everyday activities. Cooking can be a fun and educational activity. Younger children are usually eager to help in the kitchen. By using measurements asked for in a recipe, you can turn helping in the kitchen into a lesson in fractions and strengthening math skills. Simply use ½, 1/3, or ¼ cup measuring cups instead of the one cup measure. Multiple sets of inexpensive plastic measuring cups and spoons can be purchased to use during family cooking time. Look for a recipe with several ingredients that don’t have to be measured exactly. For example, salads, casseroles, or meatloaf recipes would be good choices. Ask the child to measure and set out the ingredients needed using the different size measurers. For example, use three 1/3 cups to measure one cup of chopped lettuce or a ½ cup measure and two ¼ cup measures. In addition to practicing fractions, and learning to prepare a recipe, your child will gain a sense of accomplishment and pride, from contributing to a task that benefits the entire family.

Just the act of sharing family meal time has benefits. Family bonds become stronger and family members tend to eat more nutritious foods. Younger children feel a sense of security and belonging. According to a Columbia University study, teens prefer to eat with their families than eat alone. Teachable moments abound at the dinner table. Discussing current family, school and community events strengthens communication and social skills. Incorporating special “dress up” meals throughout the year provides an opportunity to practice social skills and table manners during a less hectic time of year. This is a time for you to be the role model simply by showing good table manners.

One way to continue the mealtime theme is to expand it by growing some of the ingredients. What better way to teach the origins of food than to grow some food? Many vegetables grow well in containers and many salad ingredients are easy to grow. Let your child select from a list of easy to grow vegetables such as radishes, greens, onions, and New Zealand spinach. While planning the garden or waiting for the seeds to come up, take time to learn how plants grow. Try dissecting a fresh green or pole bean. Open the pod or cover and remove the seeds. Open up the seed and show how the seeds we eat contain the embryo of a new plant. Then compare it to the seeds you purchased to plant. By relating these two activities to each other, your child will develop a deeper understanding of the process of growing food and the process of how plants grow.

Please join me for a free Solutions in 30 webinar titled "Making the Most of Youth Activities" on March 25th from 12:15-12:45 to learn more about youth activities for your family or youth group/organization. You can register at www.pinellascountyextension.org and click on the online class registration button.

Additional ideas for activities can be found in 4-H project books, leader’s guides, and curricula. The seed activity is from the 4-H gardening project book “See them Sprout”. For more information on the value of family meals, please read: Family Nutrition: The Truth about Family Meals by Larry Forthun, assistant professor, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.

Pinellas County Leading the Way for Energy Conservation

2009-03-09T08:56:00.000-04:00

Mary Campbell, Extension Director, Urban Sustainability Agent, Pinellas County Extension

As energy costs climb and greenhouse gas emissions from power production are linked to climate change, governments are motivated to put policies in place that can have powerful impacts financially and environmentally. Pinellas County government, the first green local government certified in the state of Florida, took energy reduction seriously with the implementation of an Energy and Water Management Policy. The policy was put into place in January, 2008 with a goal to reduce electrical consumption by 18% and water consumption by 10% over the next 6 years. The County’s Real Estate Management Department concentrated efforts on reducing electrical consumption at all county-owned buildings with the exception of the Detention Facilities (due to unique operations requirements). For 2008, countywide electrical consumption was reduced by 2,539,283 KWh. This equates to an 18.95% in comparison to the mean of 2006 & 2007. Paul Sacco, Real Estate Management Director, said “this reduction is the combined result of the policy implementation, energy conservation projects and some moderate ambient temperatures in spring and early summer.”

So what are the policies that have helped make this such a big success? Almost 1000 occupancy sensors were installed in offices and meeting rooms to turn off lights automatically when there is no movement in the space. If you sit quietly the lights may turn off automatically but a quick movement turns them back on. These are a very simple and inexpensive ways. Each unit costs $55 to purchase and install. Progress Energy offers a $10-20 rebate per unit as part of their ‘Save the Watts’ program. Thermostats have been reset to policy requirements for heating and cooling. A couple of degrees energy change can make a big impact and dressing correctly in offices for either warm or cool days will become a standard. When buildings are shut down in the evenings or weekends, cooling and heating is reduced even further. Each employee is responsible to switch off computers, monitors and printers at the end of each day. Lighting, copiers, faxes and coffee pots are switched off in work areas when not in use. Investing in Energy Star certified products and looking at retrofits and Green Building (LEED) certifications for buildings are also part of the program.

This reduction in energy not only saves money but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions created from burning fossil fuels (coal) for power production. Greenhouse gas emissions are linked to climate change, which is of growing concern globally. Carbon dioxide and other gases build up in the atmosphere, which scientists now believe is causing changes in rainfall, temperature, and sea level. Impacts include increased flooding, movement of pests and diseases to new areas as global temperatures increase, and greater incidences of droughts, floods, forest fires and severe weather events.

For more information on saving energy and what you can do, contact Pinellas County Extension or Pinellas County Utilities or go to www.pinellascountyextension.org or www.pinellascounty.org.

Resources from the University of Florida:
Keeping It Safe: Energy Conservation =More Money http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY801
Energy Efficiency in the Home http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_saving_energy
Energy Efficient Home Series http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_energy_efficient_homes

April’s PCE Classes Will Put a Spring in Your Step

2009-03-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Pinellas County Extension offers residents a wide variety of classes to help them make sustainable decisions. Be sure to check out our lunch break on-line classes, Solutions in 30.

The classes being offered in April are:

Solutions in 30:
April 1st - Managing Stress Webinar
April 8th - How Sweet It Is . . .Webinar
April 15th - Diabetes . . Avoid Being a Statistic Webinar
April 22nd - Spin the Bottle Webinar

Commercial Horticulture:
April 29th – 30th - Palm University contact Dr. Monica L. Elliott, Professor and Associate Center Director, University of Florida – IFAS to register. phone: 954/577-6315 e-mail: melliott@ufl.edu

Families and Consumers:
April 11th – Get Cooking Demonstration: Blueberries: Fruit Pizza, Salads, Smoothies Oh, My

Sustainable Living:
April 7th - Green Office Webinar
April 16th – Lighting Your way the Energy Efficiency Webinar
April 21st – Green Home Webinar
April 21st – Green Purchasing Webinar

You can register for classes on-line at http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/. Please look for the “Online Class Registration” button on the right hand side near the top of the page.

Managing in Tough Times-Getting Control of Your Money

2009-03-02T09:07:00.002-05:00

Many of us feel added stress and anxiety about our financial future as talk of high consumer debt, falling housing prices, increases in the cost of living, and declining retail sales bring up worries about the nation’s economic health.

Learning positive money management techniques can help you and your family adapt to tough economic times. Sometimes people try to ignore financial problems and hide them from their family members. Not facing the problem can be destructive because the worry and stress caused by financial uncertainty and lack of cash may be worse than the financial problem itself. Despite the discomfort, it's important to look realistically at your situation and actively seek solutions to problems.

A spending plan is a tool to help people get control of their money and their lives. It can help you manage the money that you have and put the “needs “before the wants.

Three steps are essential before you begin to develop your spending plan.

Involve the family. Because spending decisions affect the whole family, talk with your family about the situation. Help them understand that all family members need to adjust their spending habits. Involve everyone in deciding spending priorities. If family members understand the tough choices that must be made and have a voice in making the decisions, they will be more willing to accept the decisions.

As your family talks about what is most important, be sure to listen to what they say. Supporting each other can help you pull together as a family and get through these tough times.

Designate a business area in your home. A home business center is a place in the home set aside for planning and filing your household business records, including your spending plan. A home business center is the first step to getting organized. It helps save time and energy as well as money by keeping all the records and necessary equipment in one place.

Collect information. Because people tend to overestimate their income and underestimate their expenses about your income and expenses for two or three months.
With facts in hand you can be more realistic in your planning.

Below is a publication to help you get started with your spending plan. It has information and worksheets on goal setting, tracking your cash flow and setting up a yearly an annual plan and spending chart.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FY/FY37300.pdf

More information on money and related topics is available at the following website.

Managing Money in Tough Economic Times-A great resource to help consumers during this tough economic time. This resource highlights tips and resources like stretching your food dollar; deciding what bills to pay first; building an emergency fund; and debt management in tough economic times, to name a few.
http://www.extension.org/pages/Financial_Security:_Managing_Money_in_Tough_Times

Next month, we’ll offer more ideas on managing in tough times.

Slow it Down! Reducing Stormwater Runoff

2009-02-23T11:07:00.004-05:00

Wilma J. Holley, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Educator, Pinellas County Extension

People often think that stormwater runoff just goes down the drain and we don’t have to think anymore about it. Why would we need to reduce runoff—don’t we want all of it to go down the drain? It’s not that simple. There are many problems caused by runoff and the pollution it ultimately carries. There are even books written about it as well as laws in place to deal with controlling runoff. Florida Yards & Neighborhoods program has nine principles for Florida-Friendly landscaping and –you guessed it—the eighth principle is “reduce stormwater runoff”. In order to better understand why it is so important the following definitions are in order.

Stormwater runoff: Rainwater running off impervious surfaces or water saturated landscapes, carrying with it sediments and pollution into stormdrains or nearby water.

Point source pollution: Water pollution discharged from easily identified sources such as discharges from factories or sewage treatment plants.

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution: NPS pollution is not easily pinpointed to a single source. Pollutants from our activities such as; gasoline and oil leaks, pesticides and fertilizer accumulate on the land. Then rainfall or excess irrigation carries these sediments and dissolved chemicals to waterways in stormwater runoff or by leaching or percolating through the soil.

You would think that with water resources so limited everyone would want to protect it. Three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, 97% of that is salt water, 2% is tied up in polar ice caps. Therefore we have 1% of the Earth’s water available for our use and it is imperative to protect it, and prevent it from becoming contaminated with stormwater runoff.

Since the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Water Act and subsequent amendments most of the point sources of pollution have been regulated or eliminated. Huge gains have been made in restoring water quality here in Tampa Bay and the rest of the United States. However, NPS pollution is not as easily regulated and maintained.

There are things we can and should do to eliminate as much of the nonpoint source pollution as possible. Some of them would take separate articles to write about such as watering efficiently, fertilizing appropriately, mulching, and managing yard pests responsibly. Reducing stormwater runoff is another method to eliminate some of the NPS pollution. One way of slowing runoff is directing downspouts onto pervious surfaces (mulched plant beds or lawns) so that water slowly seeps into the ground. Another method of reducing runoff is, where possible, use pervious surfaces for walkways and driveways. Pervious materials include; mulch, stepping stones, pavers, gravel, porous concrete and brick. These materials allow water to seep into the ground thereby filtering out pollutants. Also learn about and use rain harvesting techniques to eliminate some of the runoff. Not only do rain barrels reduce runoff they are an additional source of landscape irrigation water especially for hand watering. We offer rain barrel workshops here at the extension office. To find out the class schedule go to our website: http://www.pinellascountyextension.org/ and click on calendar in the title bar.

Following are a few more tips from “Stormwater Systems in Your Neighborhood” from Southwest Florida Water Management District:

Never dump oils and other chemicals from your home directly into stormwater drains,which are direct conduits to your stormwater pond or natural waterway. Contact your local government’s waste management department for a list of disposal facilities.

Keep vehicles tuned up and in good operating condition. Check for drips and repair leaks immediately to keep nuisance oils off pavement.

Buy low- or no-phosphate cleaners and detergents. Phosphates act as a fertilizer and
increase algae and aquatic weeds in stormwater ponds. When these plants die, they rob the water of oxygen and fish may die.

Wash your vehicles, bicycles and home equipment on the lawn, where soapy water can’t quickly run toward the nearest storm drain, picking up other pollutants as it goes.Wash your car with nontoxic, low-phosphate soap and use water sparingly.

Sweep walks and driveways instead of hosing them down.

Clean up pet wastes from which nutrients and bacteria can enter the stormwater drains and contaminate the water system. To download the entire document go to: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/publications/type/all.

In Florida much of our drinking water comes from ground water supplies, which often lies near the surface. Excess stormwater runoff could infiltrate our groundwater. It is crucial that we do our part to reduce runoff when possible. The following EPA website has many more in depth articles on what we can do to help: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/. Another source of information is the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at the following website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/nonpoint/index.htm.