July Meeting - Caitlin Sollazzo - Pesticide Best Practices

July Meeting - Caitlin Sollazzo - Pesticide Best Practices: Application, Timing, and Safety

Meeting Date/Time: Monday, July 13th, 2026, 7pm

Location: Harlee Building/County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221

Our July speaker will be Caitlin Sollazzo, the Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent with UF/IFAS Extension in Manatee County. She grew up locally and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Entomology and Nematology and a Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) from the University of Florida. In her role, she supports nursery and ornamental producers with a focus on sustainable practices, integrated pest management, and plant health.

Caitlin’s topic will be Pesticide Best Practices: Application, Timing, and Safety. She will provide an overview of pesticide types, how and when to apply them effectively, common missteps, and how to protect pollinators and beneficial insects.

This is the third in a series of three talks on plant pests, diseases, and management strategies for the home grower, but for this presentation it is not necessary to have attended either of the first two talks last September and January.

June Meeting - Amanda Adams - Common Edible and Medicinal Plants in Southwest Florida

June Meeting - Amanda Adams - Common Edible and Medicinal Plants in Southwest Florida 

Meeting Date/Time: Monday, June 8th, 2026, 7pm

Location: Harlee Building/County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221

Our June speaker will be Amanda Adams, a Florida native and longtime gardener/farmer. Amanda is a Master Naturalist and a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, where she co-founded the Food Forest project in 2011.

Amanda will speak about the most common edible and medicinal plants in Southwest Florida-- plants that you likely already have growing in your yard or neighborhood! Topics covered will include best practices for foraging, identifying native and non-native plants, and how to use them for food and medicine.

Please bring fruit for the tasting table and/or plants to donate for the raffle (no citrus plants, please). Don’t forget to collect a free raffle ticket for your donation. Your participation is very much needed and appreciated.
A friendly reminder: If you bring a plant, please label what it is. Also, write your name and the plant on the Raffle list. If you win a plant, please put your name next to the plant on the Raffle list.

Meetings are not recorded. First time visitors are welcome! Become a member for only $12. Join online or at a monthly meeting. https://www.mrfc.org/p/become-member.html 

Slides from presentation