UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County Announces Upcoming Programs

Posted On: August 27, 2026

Looking to raise backyard chickens, buy your first home, or pick up some hurricane-preparedness tips? The UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County has you covered with hands-on programs for all ages.

Budgeting and Goal Setting: noon to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Learn how to make your money work for you through goal-setting strategies. This virtual program is offered without charge. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdh22949. For more information, contact Lisa Hamilton at 386-822-5778 or hamiltonL@ufl.edu.

Backyard Urban Chicken Program: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the UF/IFAS Extension Office,  3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand. Extension Agent Ashley Stonecipher will discuss chicken breeds, proper housing, general health care, nutrition, manure management, and food safety. She will also explain how to find out if your property is approved for raising backyard poultry. The registration fee is $15 per household. Each registration is good for all family members living at the same address. Registration and payment can be made at https://www.eventbrite.com/d/fl--deland/backyardchickeneventbrite/.

Hurricane Preparedness Workshop: 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach. Kalan Taylor will help residents get storm-ready with information about emergency kits, evacuation plans, home safety, and insurance tips. This class is offered without charge. Register at https://HurricanePrepared.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Kalan Taylor at 386-822-5778 or kagers02@ufl.edu.

First-time Homebuyer Classes: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 11 and 18. Extension Agent Lisa Hamilton will instruct this two-part online class, which consists of eight hours of education. Participants will receive a certificate of completion that will enable them to apply for a federal down payment and closing cost assistance program available through Volusia County and the City of Deltona. A Spanish-language class will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 17 and 24. The cost is $10 per household. Register at https://homebuyered.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Lisa Hamilton at 386-822-5778 or HamiltonL@ufl.edu.

Small Farm and Homesteading – Introduction to Ruminants: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. This is the third in an online, five-part series for small farmers and homesteaders looking to build a strong foundation in animal care, sustainable practices, and selling farm products. Classes will help them gain confidence in caring for livestock, poultry, and bees; learn practical, sustainable approaches to pasture and farm management; and understand the legal and food safety requirements for selling meat, milk, eggs, and honey. The cost for each class is $7.18. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/starting-strong-a-small-farm-homesteading-3-intro-to-ruminants-tickets-1986867590448. For more information,  contact Ashley Stonecipher at 386-822-5778 or ams2904@ufl.edu.

Discovering and Protecting Florida’s Coral Reef: 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16. Florida’s Coral Reef is the largest coral reef in the continental United States and can be found just beyond the beaches of the Atlantic Coast. Learn about some of the organisms that call the reef home and ways you can experience this unique ecosystem. This class is offered without charge. Register at www.floridasee.org/education. For more information, contact Carolyn Kovacs at 386-822-5778 or c.kovacs@ufl.edu. 

Sports Turf and Athletic Field CEU Day: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the UF/IFAS Extension Office, 3100 E. New York Ave., DeLand. This in-person event will focus on continuing education for amateurs and professionals involved with sports turf, golf course, and athletic field management. Register at https://share.google/ulvDrb4fZtsNfEy4E and pay the $70 fee at the door with check or cash. For more information, contact Karen Stauderman at 386-822-5778 or kstauderman@ufl.edu.

Ocean to Estuary Walk: 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Michael J. Crotty Bicentennial Park, 1800 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach. Take a guided tour from the beach to the estuary with Sea Grant Agent Carolyn Kovacs and learn about the importance of our estuaries. This program is offered without charge. Register at https://www.meetup.com/friends-of-volusia-florida-master-naturalist/events. For more information, contact Kovacs at 386-822-5778 or c.kovacs@ufl.edu.

Living Shorelines Practitioner Training: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the UF/IFAS Extension Flagler County. This course is designed for marine contractors, landscape architects, municipality staff, property owners, and others interested in learning how to permit and install living shorelines in brackish water environments. The two-day class will include a field visit to a living shoreline at Tomoka State Park. The cost is $50, and CEUs are available. Register at https://LivingShorelinesFlaglerCounty.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Carolyn Kovacs at 386-822-5778 or c.kovacs@ufl.edu.

The UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County is a partnership with state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. Learn more at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/volusia/.