Summer 2015 - Miami-Dade County Extension Office

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Summer 2015
UF/IFAS Miami-Dade County Extension, 18710 SW 288th Street, Homestead, FL 33030-2309
http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu 305-248-3311
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Letter from the Director
By Teresa Olczyk, County Extension Director
Letter from the Director
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Volunteer and Become a Master Gardener
2
Dear Friends of Extension,
Hurricane Disaster Preparedness
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Millipede Migrations
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What’s New
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Contact Us
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This is the time of the year when I have an
opportunity to inform you about UF/IFAS Extension
educational programs in Miami-Dade County. When
you work at Extension, there is no summer break.
Our outstanding Extension staff members and

Conservation Unit team are conducting several
volunteers are extremely busy developing and
urban irrigation assessments and water
conducting workshops, classes, field visits, and
conservation educational programs per week.
programs for children and businesses, as well as
providing farmers with research based, unbiased
information and helping our clients with daily life

get ready for this year’s hurricane season while
our Expended Food and Nutrition Education
Summertime Agent Activity
Program and Family Nutrition Program staff
members are working year round with low
The 4-H Youth Development Program Extension
income families and children helping them make
Agents, along with support from other agents,
right food choices and to include more fruits
have begun conducting their summer programs
and vegetables in their daily diet. These two
for kids: day camps and fishing clinics in
programs are totally funded with USDA grant
several locations throughout the county.
funding administered through the University
Hundreds of children and young adults will
Florida with no county funding included.
participate in these programs, where they will
have an opportunity to not only learn, but also
have fun.

Our Commercial Agriculture and Horticulture
Extension Agents are preparing and conducting
classes and trainings for our agricultural and
horticultural producers, as well as the MiamiDade County landscape industry.

Our Sea Grant Agent will soon launch a new
Biscayne Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program
using Citizen Scientists volunteers to collect
water samples.
The Extension Family Consumer Science Agent is
conducting timely programs helping residents
challenges such as proper eating and nutrition.

The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods and Urban

The Homeowner Horticulture Program staff
members and Master Gardener volunteers seem
to be even busier now than any other time of the
year as plants burst forth due to the much
needed summer rain. During the summer
months, they field hundreds of requests from
residents for plant, weed, and pest
identification, and answer countless questions
from new and old county residents on a variety
of horticultural topics. A single question can
sometimes take several hours of research to find
the correct, research-based answer.
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from over 40 countries (and counting), my 20
The Global Reach of Extension
years of employment with the Cooperative
The Extension office receives requests throughout
the year from international visitors for meetings
and specific information about how the Extension
system works in United States and what makes it
so strong. In just the last few weeks, we hosted a
high-level government delegation from Germany
interested in Extension programming, and
agriculture and international trade issues.
One day after meeting with the Germans, officials
from two universities, the government, and NGOs
from Iraq were educated about Miami-Dade
County’s natural resources and our Extension
work on educating residents about the
importance of protecting these resources.
We also hosted a delegation from the School of
Agrarian Sciences from the Universidad Nacional
de Asunción in Paraguay. This group included the
Dean and Vice-Dean of the School of Agrarian
Sciences who are collaborating with UF on
developing and implementing a Women’s
Leadership Program in Paraguay.
Based on observations during my travels to other
countries, meetings with international visitors
Extension Service in Miami-Dade, I can say
without a doubt that there is no other educational
system in the world that can match the
Cooperative Extension model. Cooperative
Extension connects consumers directly with
unbiased research based information.
Our Cooperative Extension system is the model
for the rest of the world, and has been called the
“front door” to University of Florida. Together
with the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education
Center located just a few blocks to our north, we
provide a strong local presence in the agricultural
community, as well as, work with residents to
improve their quality of life all across MiamiDade County.
As always, we are counting on you, our clients
and friends of Extension, along with our advisory
committees to let us know what new topics and
issues we should address
using Cooperative Extension
programming in the future.
With warmest regards,
-Teresa
Program Spotlight
Volunteer and Become a Master Gardener!
Adrian Hunsberger, Urban Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Coordinator
Do you have spare time to volunteer? Do you like
Master Gardeners are individuals who are interested
Do you like to help others by sharing your
as making important civic contributions through
Master Gardener volunteer for Miami-Dade
questions on the phone at our Homestead office,
plants and want to learn more about gardening?
in gardening, educating, and helping others, as well
gardening knowledge? If so, you should become a
volunteer work. They help answer gardening
County Extension. Join this elite group of
help establish demonstration and school gardens,
County and help others solve their plant
more. Even if you aren’t physically able to do much
dedicated gardeners who volunteer across the
are plant consultants at local events, and much
problems.
gardening, we still have plenty of volunteer
opportunities for you.
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The title of Master Gardener is earned by
individuals who receive more than 70 hours of
Master Gardeners give their volunteer hours to the
horticultural
-Dade County Master Gardeners help residents by
University of
extension office or by troubleshooting plant
Master
Master Gardeners conduct plant clinics, teach 4‑H
training” learn
demonstration gardens, teach groups about
and vegetable
advise community gardeners, work with school
classroom and field training, along with in‑depth
county extension office in various ways. Many Miami
training from
answering telephone calls about plants in the
Florida faculty.
problems brought into the office. More advanced
Gardeners “in
youth about plants, plant and maintain
about: flower
landscape techniques to protect the environment,
gardening, fruit
garden projects, write articles for local newspapers
trees, Floridafriendly
Master Gardeners receive plant
questions (Master Gardener Program)
landscape care,
and magazines, and assist with public beautification
projects. Volunteering opportunities are at our
Homestead office and at other sites throughout the
insects, disease and plant identification, proper
county.
other horticultural topics.
How do you become a Master Gardener?
In return for the 70 hours of training, Master
Fill out the registration form and send it back to us.
pesticide and fertilizer use, along with several
Gardeners are asked to give 75 hours of volunteer
To make sure you are on the prospective Master
program is under the direction of the University of
225. Please allow a few business days to process the
service to their local county extension office. The
Gardener list, you can call Patty at 305-248-3311 x
paperwork.
Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of
Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Sometime in
If Master Gardeners with to remain active in the
year, you will
volunteer service annually, and are required to
about
Gardeners must continue to learn, as information
sessions during
on research conducted by the University of Florida
which include
August of this
program, they are asked to give 35 hours of
be notified
obtain six hours of training each year. Master
the preview
is constantly changing and being updated based
that month
an
and other science-based research institutions.
Many Master Gardeners join the program for a
variety of reasons: some are passionate about
growing plants and want to share their knowledge
Master Gardeners work various festivals
(Master Gardener Program)
orientation
where
prospective
Master Gardeners have a chance to ask questions
with others, and others want to volunteer in an
and learn more about the program. The orientation
reason, there is a common bond among most
about your special skills or past volunteering
area where they will be challenged. Whatever the
also includes an interview so we can learn more
gardeners and they are, quite frequently, an
experiences.
helping and educating others.
If you are selected to take Master Gardener training,
eager, nurturing group that has a shared love of
you will receive the class schedule, which begins in
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September and includes classroom training one
day during the workweek, from 9:00 AM to 4:00
PM, lasting from 11 to 12 weeks.
Please visit our Master Gardener page for more
details about this exciting volunteer program.
Learn, share and have fun too by joining the
Master Gardeners. Training takes place at our
Homestead office located at 18710 SW 288 Street.
For more information,
Master Gardeners teach youth about plants
(Master Gardener Program)
Hurricane Disaster Preparedness
Jacquelyn Gibson, Family and Consumer Science Agent
The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and
to help you start the recovery process quickly.
few seasons have been relatively quiet, we should
documents will give you peace of mind, ensure you
for the entire hurricane season.
information, and help you avoid additional stress
ends November 30 each year. Although the past
Taking time now to safe guard these critical
guard against complacency through preparation
have access to essential medical and prescription
during the difficult days following a disaster.
Family Document Kit
Take an inventory of your household documents,
contacts, and valuables.
Hurricanes cause extensive property damage (Wikimedia)
A written plan should be developed for your
household. The plan should be reviewed frequently
with all members of your household. Disasters can
happen anytime and when they strike you may not
have enough time to respond. The best way to
protect your life and property is to plan ahead.
Be Smart – Protect Your Critical Documents and
Valuables
When disaster strikes, your immediate concern will
be your safety and the safety of those you care
about. Once the immediate danger passes,
however, having your financial and medical records
and important contact information will be crucial
The checklist below will get you started:
A list of all important contacts – (family, doctors,
insurance agents, pharmacy information).
Housing: lease or rental agreements, mortgages,
any home equity line of credit, deeds
Proof of occupancy: such as a utility bill
Financial accounts: checking, savings, debit
cards, retirement, investment
Insurance policies: homeowners, renters, auto,
life, flood, as well as photos and a list of
valuables
Identification: passports, driver’s licenses, social
security cards, green cards, any other pertinent
identification or photo IDs
Wills: including living wills and advance directives
Medical information: lists of medications,
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immunizations, allergies, prescriptions, and
medical equipment
Financial information: account numbers and
companies, stocks and bonds, mutual funds
and CDs
Vehicle information: loan documents, VINs,
registrations, and titles
Educational records: diplomas and transcripts
Consider storing paper copies of important
documents at home in a fireproof and waterproof
box or safe, in a bank deposit box, or with a
trusted friend or relative.
Store electronic copies of important documents
in a password-protected format on a removable
flash or external hard drive in your fireproof and
waterproof box or safe, or consider using a
secure cloud-based service.
Millipede Migrations
Catharine Mannion, Research and Extension Specialist
Tropical Research and Eduation Center (TREC), UF
A common question I receive is what is the
organisms. Monkeys have been observed
difference between millipedes and centipedes?
intentionally rubbing millipedes on themselves to
Centipedes are usually brownish, elongated,
other pests.
one pair of legs per body segment (Fig. 1).
Introduced Species of Millipedes
potentially provide protection from mosquitos or
flattened arthropods one to six inches long with
Centipedes
Fig. 1. Centipede (L. Buss, UF/IFAS,
Entomology & Nematology)
are
Although millipedes are generally not considered
feeding on
can become
arthropods,
annoyance
insects, and
when they
predators
pests, they
other
an
including
or nuisance
are usually
migrate
found in
into
damp, dark
places. Centipedes can also bite and carry venom,
buildings in
high
Fig. 2. Millipede (L. Buss, UF/IFAS,
Entomology & Nematology)
which can cause temporary and localized pain.
numbers
Millipedes are visually wormlike, and are cylindrical
introduced species of millipedes have become
two pars of legs (Fig. 2). Millipedes typically feed on
buildings and many outdoor events. 1) The yellow
after rainy or cold periods. In South Florida, two
or flattened with many body segments, each with
frequent unwanted “guests” within homes,
decaying matter and are often found under stones
-banded or bumblebee millipede, Anadenobolus
the breakdown and decomposition of leaf litter.
2001. This millipede is brown with narrow yellow
and are considered a minor garden pest. Some
four inches long. 2) Trigoniulus corallines,
such as insects, earthworms and snails. Millipedes
observed in South Florida in 2005. This millipede
or under debris and can play an important role in
monilicornis, was first found in Monroe County in
There are a few species that feed on living plants
bands and has red legs (Fig 3.). It may grow up to
millipedes also feed on fungi or other organisms
sometimes called the rusty millipede was first
tend to move slowly and do not bite or sting. Some
species can emit a foul-smelling liquid, which has
now sometimes rivals the yellow-banded in being
(Continued on page 6)
been shown to be an irritant to insects and other
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(Continued from page 5)
a nuisance. The rusty millipede is about the same
size and shape as the yellow-banded millipede
but has red bands giving it an overall red color
(Fig. 4).
several insect groups, migration may be related to
among individuals. It is speculated that, similar to
earthworms, rains give the millipedes an
complaints
opportunity to move greater distances across
about these
surfaces than they could do through soil and to
two
mate above ground. Because the biology and
millipedes is
behavior of these millipedes is not well known, we
that they
extremely
find better locations. It is also possible, as seen in
breeding area or moving to increase contact
biggest
appear in
area that is too wet or too dry may drive them to
breeding; i.e. moving from a feeding area to a
One of the
can quickly
conditions. They prefer moist conditions, so an
can only speculate on migration behavior.
Fig. 3. Yellow-banded millipede,
Anadenobolus monilicornis (H. Glenn, UF/
IFAS TREC)
Millipede Control
high
What can be done about these mass numbers of
sudden, sporadic and can end as suddenly as they
houses and buildings? There are no easy answers.
and other structures as well as enter homes and
If possible, remove debris, leaf litter and other
homeowners and businesses. Because millipedes
Divert water away from buildings and avoid
for more than a day or two inside homes and
moist areas where the millipedes are more likely
numbers. These “millipede migrations” are often
start. The millipedes are known to crawl up walls
millipedes that suddenly show up in and around
buildings (Fig. 5) making them very visible to
favorable habitats around building foundations.
require high moisture, they usually cannot survive
overwatering landscapes. Focus on the shadier,
buildings
to reside. Seal cracks or openings into homes and
soon
when possible.
after
If the problem remains persistent and severe,
a home
Pyrethroid insecticides (i.e. bifenthrin, cyfluthrin,
building.
recommended for this use. Usually only shaded
buildings with weather stripping and caulking
and will
perish
entering
insecticides may help reduce indoor invasions.
or
lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin) are
Millipedes
have even
Fig. 4. Rusty millipede, Trigoniulus
corallines (B. Belliveau, FL Gulf Coast Univ.)
sides of the home need to be treated. Treating
entire yards is unnecessary and not
recommended. These products can be used as
been reported to ruin outdoor events such as
chemical barriers around a structure. Remember
other structures.
poison and you must read and follow the
Why we see these large millipede migrations is
is the law and must be followed precisely.
observed during the rainy season, but have also
Millipedes inside homes can be swept or
parties and weddings by falling from trees and
not completely understood. They are often
been seen under very dry and even drought
that if you decide to use an insecticide, it is a
instructions on the label completely, as the label
vacuumed; however, vacuuming may cause the
(Continued on page 7)
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(Continued from page 6)
millipedes to discharge an objectionable odor, so
sweeping is preferred. Physical barriers and traps
have been suggested but may not always be
feasible or successful in reducing the invasion. A
barrier that has a sticky surface may be able to
trap millipedes but would need frequent
replacement due to other debris covering the
sticky surface. Barriers with a smooth, slick
surface may prevent millipedes from climbing or
a barrier at the base of a house that turns back on
itself so the millipedes cannot successfully get
around it to the wall may prevent indoor invasion.
If the area they are migrating from can be
identified then a combination of factors such as
insecticides, barriers and traps may be the most
Fig. 5. Millipedes climbing up a wall (B. Belliveau, FL Gulf Coast Univ.)
useful in reducing the “stampede”.
(Article modified from PestPro 2015 article by C.
Mannion)
What’s New at Miami-Dade Extension
To use our Extension Calendar, please visit our
website http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu and
scroll through the calendar. There, you will find
all event information including how to register.
This newsletter is edited by Jeff Wasielewski and Cassandra Weston-Hainsworth. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]
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What is Cooperative Extension?
The Cooperative Extension Service is the liaison
between research conducted at the University of
ADMINISTRATION:
Teresa Olczyk, M.S.
County Extension Director
HORTICULTURE:
Adrian Hunsberger, M.S.
Urban Horticulture
John McLaughlin, Ph.D
Miami-Dade County. Our clientele includes growers
(agricultural and horticultural), homeowners, youth,
people interested in family issues or food and
nutrition, and marine industries.
Urban Horticulture Program Assistant
The University of Florida/IFAS Miami-Dade County
E. Vanessa Campoverde, M.S.
of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE & LANDSCAPES:
Commercial Ag/Ornamentals
Henrique Mayer, M.S.
Commercial Urban Horticulture
Jeff Wasielewski, M.S.
Commercial Tropical Fruit
Qingren Wang, Ph.D.
Commercial Vegetable & Pesticide Trainer
FLORIDA YARDS & NEIGHBORHOODS (FYN):
Jesus Lomeli
Urban Conservation Unit Program Assistant
Barbara McAdam
FYN Program Assistant
Laura Vasquez
FYN Coordinator
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE (FCS), FAMILY NUTRITION
PROGRAMS (FNP)
AND
PROGRAM (EFNEP):
EXPANDED FOOD & NUTRITION
Sandra Canales, M.S.
EFNEP/FNP
Monica Dawkins, M.S.
EFNEP
Jacquelyn Gibson, M.S.
FCS- Food, Nutrition & Family Finance
4-H:
Florida and other universities and end users in
Cassandra Weston-Hainsworth
Youth Development
Jeramy Smith
Youth Development
Extension receives direct funding from the University
Sciences (IFAS) and Miami-Dade County’s
Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
is the third partner in this cooperative agreement.
The Miami-Dade County offices are part of a
nationwide system of information, outreach, and
education offered by county governments and landgrant educational institutions in each state.
Contact Us:
ADMINISTRATION, COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE ,
HORTICULTURE,
AND
FYN
18710 SW 288 Street
th
Homestead, FL 33030
Phone: 305-248-3311, Fax: 305-246-2932
FNP & EFNEP
300 East 1st Avenue, Suite 113
Hialeah, FL 33010
Phone: 786-391-0539 (Monica)
786-391-0540 (Sandra)
4-H & FCS
401 E. 65th Street
Hialeah, FL 33013
Phone: 305-769-4050, Fax: 305-769-4052
SEA GRANT
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
SEA GRANT:
Lisa Krimsky, Ph.D
Sea Grant/Marine
Miami, FL 33149
Phone: 305-421-4017
Visit Us: http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity – Affirmative Action Employer authorized to provide research, educational information and
other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, IFAS, FLORIDA A. & M. UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING
For sign language interpreters or materials in accessible format or other ADA Accommodations please call our office at least five days in advance