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, CF 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 CF team.”

CARES stands for County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship, and CF 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 thisfarmcares.org. For more information about CF’s farm, visit CF.edu/VintageFarm.

“Slowcala?” Local photographer Tommy Cuevas thinks it’s time to retire the old nickname that went with Ocala’s reputation as a sleepy town with nothing to do. His upcoming solo exhibition, “There’s Nothin’ to Do in Slowcala!?” captures the everyday vibrance, human and hidden beauty of a community alive with activity and will be on view at the CF Webber Gallery from Oct. 27-Dec. 11.

“Tommy is a friendly and familiar presence in Ocala, and is rarely seen without his camera,” said Jacqueline Bozman, Webber Gallery coordinator. “Over the years, he has become known for his ability to turn ordinary happenings into extraordinary visual stories. His work shines a spotlight on the people who bring Ocala to life, revealing the personality, resilience and energy of a community that continues to grow and evolve.”

Visitors will see Ocala in a new light – through photographs that capture powerful demonstrations of spirit and expression, the grandeur of the renowned World Equestrian Center, and late-night moments of laughter at neighborhood hangouts – all documenting the heartbeat of a growing city in motion.

The community is invited to the opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Webber Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and admission is free. The Webber Gallery is located at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. For more information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1664.

The College of Central Florida invites tech professionals and beginners alike to dive into the future of business and technology at the Frontier Expo on Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the CF Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road.

Guest speaker Rachel Ludwig, vice president of talent development for the future of work at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, will present information about workforce trends and high-demand careers in our community and state. Attendees can participate in hands-on breakout sessions that will allow them to assemble a personal computer, get started with coding, and safeguard their digital life.

All attendees at this free event will have the opportunity to network with leading employers in the tech, government and business sectors, and can connect with CF admissions staff and advisors to apply to the college or ask questions.

This event is funded by the CF Foundation Charles P. (Chuck) Hiatt Endowed Chair and is sponsored by the Florida Chamber Foundation, the National Science Foundation and CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

For registration and more information, visit CF.edu/FrontierExpo.

Community members are invited to join College of Central Florida students and faculty on two study abroad trips in 2026. The first trip will be to Costa Rica, March 15-20, and will focus on service learning. The second trip will be to Austria, May 5-12, with experiences centered around music heritage.

The CF Study Abroad program, in partnership with the Study Abroad Association, is dedicated to facilitating education through international experiences that provide diverse and interesting opportunities for experiential learning.

The Costa Rica trip includes a turtle conservation service project, traditional Caribbean cooking lessons, a Cahuita National Park walking tour, visits to a Bribri indigenous community and Playa Negra Black Sand Beach, and local dance and calypso music demonstrations. The Austria trip includes a visit to Mozart’s birthplace, classical concerts and museums, and walking tours of Vienna and Salzburg.

Applications are open now for these educational trips. Being enrolled as a CF student is not required for participation.

Study Abroad trips include accommodations, all ground transportation, full-time local guides, 24/7 ground emergency support, travelers’ health insurance and liability insurance, tips and gratuities, and some meals.

For more information, visit CF.edu/StudyAbroad or contact Jean Scheppers at scheppj@cf.edu.

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, is excited to announce a brand-new schedule of fall art classes. Designed for all ages and skill levels, these classes invite the community to learn, create and be inspired in a safe, supportive environment. Held on-site in the Appleton’s art studios, each class is led by experienced educators and artists who provide guidance to help participants build and expand their artistic skills.

Fall painting classes for adults include a watercolor workshop on Sept. 20 with Lisa Russo, inspired by the work of Jeff Koons; a two-day abstract painting class with exhibiting artist Seth P. Benzel on Sept. 27–28; and a free online session on Oct. 14 that takes inspiration from the fall season. On Oct. 11, learn gel-plate printmaking with Deborah Horvath, or on Nov. 8, create a barn-quilt–inspired paper art project with E. Marie Fielding. For those interested in clay, options include a six-week wheel-throwing class from Oct. 18–Nov. 22 or a one-day ceramic luminary workshop on Dec. 13.

For pre-K children ages 2-5, the Museum & Me program will be held on Tuesdays, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. The Museum Happenings program, designed for independent and homeschool students ages 6-9, includes an educator-led gallery visit and hands-on artmaking activity. It is scheduled for Tuesdays, Sept. 30 and Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Both Museum & Me and Museum Happenings are free for children and Appleton members, and included with admission fee for adult nonmembers.

Multiweek classes for children will focus on developing students’ interest in art while learning new skills and techniques. Art Adventures for ages 5-7 meets on three consecutive Saturdays, Oct. 4-18, from 10:30 a.m.-noon. For ages 8-12, the Art Explorations program offers a six-week clay session on Wednesdays, Oct. 15-Nov. 19, from 3:30-5 p.m. Teens ages 13-17 can join a wheel-throwing and hand-building clay class held on Saturdays, Oct. 18-Nov. 22, from 2-4 p.m.

“Appleton art classes offer exceptional value and reflect the museum’s role as a statewide leader and resource for Florida residents,” said Hollis Mutch, museum educator. “With an entire wing dedicated to arts education and a team of educators whose combined experience spans more than a century, we are proud to provide high-quality classes for all ages.”

Registration is now open. For class descriptions, fees and registration, visit AppletonMuseum.org. For inquiries, please contact AppletonEducation@cf.edu.

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 AppletonMuseum.org.