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The College of Central Florida invites the public to the grand launch of the Biodiversity Trail at the 91��Ƭ Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Biodiversity Trail is a hybrid open-air/digital museum dedicated to the biodiversity and ecology of Citrus County and the Nature Coast of Central Florida. With 32 permanent physical exhibits, each paired with a unique digital exhibit, this STEAM museum incorporates music, photography and visual arts to teach visitors about the science of the community. Exhibits include animal and plant diversity, fire and wetland ecology, and economic impacts of local ecosystems on Citrus County residents.

The grand launch event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments and exhibit viewing, with the keynote presentation at 6 p.m. Steve Schenk, 91��Ƭ associate professor of biological science and the Biodiversity Trail creator, will present “The Stories I Could Tell,” which will focus on the trail’s origin, the contribution of students, staff and community members, and the importance of storytelling in education and our shared community experience. The multimedia presentation will feature music, videography and photo highlights from the trail.

“I call it BioDiT (pronounced ‘bye-odd-it-ee’) for short,” Schenk said of the Biodiversity Trail project he’s been developing since 2023. “At the heart of BioDiT Citrus is a collection of photography and artwork, mostly submitted by 91��Ƭ students and staff. This means that BioDiT Citrus allows 91��Ƭ students to build up their resumes and develop professionally useful skills while aiding in construction of an educational community resource.”

For more information about the Biodiversity Trail, visit .

The College of Central Florida will offer the state’s first Associate in Science degree in Precision Agriculture beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. The new curriculum, developed by 91��Ƭ faculty, was approved by the State Board of Education at its Nov. 13 meeting.

“The College of Central Florida is proud to be leading the way in agriculture education that prepares students to succeed in today’s high-tech agriculture industry,” said Dr. James Henningsen, 91��Ƭ president. “This new Precision Agriculture degree was developed to support Florida’s growing need for skilled professionals in our state’s second largest industry.”

While 91��Ƭ currently offers an associate degree in Agribusiness Management that focuses on agricultural operations and management, the new Precision Agriculture degree is meant to prepare technician-level practitioners of precision agricultural practices who employ cutting-edge technology including drones, sensors, robotics, artificial intelligence and automated equipment and harvesting in order to improve production and conserve natural resources such as land and water. Graduates will be well prepared for immediate employment in roles such as precision agriculture specialists, agronomic consultants, farm data analysts, drone operators and equipment technicians.

The new curriculum was developed by Tavis Douglass, 91��Ƭ associate professor and program manager for Agribusiness Management, with input from 91��Ƭ’s partners including University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Florida High Tech Corridor.

“91��Ƭ is emerging as a major partner in efforts to boost rural economies through agricultural technology innovation, technical assistance, entrepreneurial training, workforce development and business recruitment,” said Scott Angle, the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and head of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “91��Ƭ appreciates and supports the need to integrate technology into traditional production if agriculture is to remain the state’s number two industry. The new degree will make 91��Ƭ a stronger partner than ever in these efforts.”

91��Ƭ, which was designated a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture last year, gives students the unique opportunity to learn hands-on at the 103-acre 91��Ƭ Vintage Farm Campus, the only working farm campus in the Florida College System.

For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/Agribusiness.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone thinking about college to an open house on Monday, Dec. 1, from 3-6 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

Future students are encouraged to tour the campus and learn about more than 170 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs. Attendees can receive assistance with the application process and financial aid, and can register for the spring semester, which starts Jan. 7.

Students interested in the Respiratory Care program are invited to attend an information session at 4 p.m. to learn more about this high-demand health care career path.

Everyone who completes an admissions application at the event will have the $30 application fee waived and will be entered to win tuition for a 3-credit hour class at 91��Ƭ’s standard tuition rate.

Additional open house events will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, 3-6 p.m. at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland, and Wednesday, Dec. 3, 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/OpenHouse.

The College of Central Florida invites anyone thinking about college to an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 3-6 p.m. at the 91��Ƭ Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Future students are encouraged to tour the campus and learn about more than 170 academic pathways, including 70 job-training programs. Attendees can receive assistance with the application process and financial aid, and can register for the spring semester, which starts Jan. 7.

Everyone who completes an admissions application at the event will have the $30 application fee waived and will be entered to win tuition for a 3-credit hour class at 91��Ƭ’s standard tuition rate.

Additional open house events will be held Monday, Dec. 1, 3-6 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, and Wednesday, Dec. 3, 3-6 p.m. at the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road.

For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/OpenHouse.

Get on board for the 30th annual Trains at the Holidays imaginative holiday display. This free family favorite, brought to life by the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society (OMRRHPS), rolls into the College of Central Florida Webber Gallery Dec. 19-31. The elaborate network of moving model trains features miniature towns, countryside scenes and recognizable local landmarks.

“This beloved annual tradition continues to delight visitors of all ages,” said Jacqueline Bozman, 91��Ƭ Webber Gallery coordinator. “The OMRRHPS impressive collection, with its detailed craftsmanship and nostalgic charm, transforms the gallery into a lively landscape of motion and imagination.”

Trains at the Holidays will be on view Friday, Dec. 19, through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with special Christmas Eve hours of noon-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24. The gallery is closed on Christmas Day. The 91��Ƭ Webber Gallery is located on the Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. For more information, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/Webber or call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

Twinkling lights, themed trees, and timeless holiday charm — “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition” is back at the Appleton Museum of Art, on view November 1–January 11.

Joyce Urban’s love of Christmas began when she was a child in the city of Philadelphia. Every year she would go see the elaborate decorations at the department stores set up along the path she walked as she went to see Santa. This wonder of Christmas has stayed with her through the years. She began publicly displaying her collection in 1989 because she wanted to provide a place for children of all ages to come experience what she did as a child. Over the years, her Christmas Tour has raised money for many local charities including Harvest International, Interfaith, Pilot Club, Women’s Pregnancy Center and the Counseling Resource Center where she worked as a counselor. In 2012, Joyce opened Urban Counseling where she continues her legacy of helping others.

The family of Dr. Paul and Joyce Urban is honored to share a portion of their Christmas collection with the Appleton each holiday season. Visitors can enjoy beautifully decorated themed trees, the ever-popular Dickens Village miniature, an extensive nutcracker collection, handmade Santas from around the world, and much more. With new arrangements and details each year, the display offers something fresh for returning visitors to discover.

Adorning the first and second-floor galleries are trees decorated by community groups and organizations. This year’s participants include Alta Printing, Appleton Artspace, Art Approach, Arts in Health Ocala Metro, Better Together, Bridge to Hope, CAMPUS USA Credit Union, College Park Elementary, Crazy Foods, East Marion Elementary, El Bell’s Flower Truck, Hands Up Communications with LN Signs and Greater Marion County Association of the Deaf (GMCAD), Hiers-Baxley – Highland Memorial Park, North Central Florida Media Group, The LILAC Foundation and Urban Counseling.

Regular admission fees apply to visit. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month as part of the Free First Saturday program. Free First Saturdays are supported in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

Holiday Community Day
Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate the season at the Appleton Museum of Art’s annual Holiday Community Day, held on Free First Saturday, December 6. Admission is free all day from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the festive holiday atmosphere with A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition, along with additional holiday displays, special exhibitions, and hands-on crafts in the Artspace. From 10 a.m.–3 p.m., guests can enjoy Face Painting by Tonya, and Sensational Selfies returns this year to capture photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Each guest will receive one free printed photo and a texted image. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the auditorium will feature short holiday performances by Devotions Dance Company. Throughout the day, The Donut Express, Poppy’s Dogs and the Brew Hope coffee truck will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase, as well as El Bell’s Flower Truck and Humane Society of Marion County. This Free First Saturday/Holiday Community Day is sponsored by the Urban family and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit .

College of Central Florida theatre students invite the community to “come to the party … stay if you dare” as they present “Beware the House on Haunted Hill” live on stage Oct. 23-26. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

“This show is a clever parody of the 1959 film, filled with twists, turns and a few special surprises,” said Dr. Jason Longtin, 91��Ƭ program chair for Visual and Performing Arts and the play’s director.

The production features 11 theatre students on stage and a team of 10 more behind the scenes, working on tech and special effects. The set and costume designs evoke the spirit of old Hollywood camp, creating a look and atmosphere that will make audiences feel like they’re right in the movies.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for non-91��Ƭ students and can be purchased at or by calling 352-873-5810. Tickets are free for 91��Ƭ students, faculty and staff with valid I.D.

For more information about 91��Ƭ Visual and Performing Arts events, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/theatre.

The College of Central Florida Vintage Farm Campus is the 2025 Marion County recipient of the Florida Farm Bureau CARES award. The award was presented at the bureau’s annual meeting in September in recognition of the farm’s best management practices, which include being an efficient producer and a good steward of its 103 acres.

“The College of Central Florida is honored to receive this recognition for our one-of-a-kind farm campus, which is leading the way in agriculture and equine education,” said Dr. John D. Ash, 91��Ƭ dean of Business, Technology and Agricultural Sciences. “This award recognizes our ongoing commitment to protecting agricultural land and reflects the very morals and ethics that our programs not only instill in future agriculture and equine professionals, but also embody in our daily work. I could not be more proud of our 91��Ƭ team.”

CARES stands for County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, and 91��Ƭ was selected by the Florida Farm Bureau for its efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources.

For more information about the This Farm CARES designation, visit . For more information about 91��Ƭ’s farm, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/VintageFarm.