The importance of wildness
On Friday, I ventured to the office for the first time in three months. I had a pretty good idea of the condition the agriculture demonstration gardens would be in: disastrous. But I was wrong…. Read More
FREE water! Tips for reducing irrigation during rainy season
Rainy Season Here at Last The pitterpattering of rain against the window is a soothing and welcome sound here in Sarasota County. Though it may have been painfully dry the past few months, June brings… Read More
Be counted: complete your census today
By Lee Hayes Byron and Kevin O’Horan UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County We’re well into the 2020 Census, and, thanks to your efforts, Sarasota County is currently at a 62 percent self-response rate. That’s about 3.5… Read More
COVID-19 and general agriculture updates: June 18
Hello again DeSoto and Sarasota County Producers! I have a small handful of updates for you this afternoon and they fall into these four categories: updates to the Paycheck Protection Program, call for nominations for… Read More
Storm Season 2020: Food safety
In 2018, one in six Americans got sick from eating contaminated food. That figure comes from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report. And, remember, that only accounts for reported cases of sickness…. Read More
Storm Season 2020: Post-disaster precautions
It might sound odd, but one key element of preparing for a storm is knowing what to do AFTER the storm. After a disaster, you might be without a range of services on which you… Read More
What is a carbon footprint, and why does it matter?
What is a Carbon Footprint? Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) that you directly or indirectly produce in your lifetime. Take the Environmental Protection Agency’s Carbon Footprint Quiz, Nature Conservancy’s Quiz, or our own Ecological Footprint Quiz to find… Read More
Welcome back! Sarasota County Extension reopens office
We are pleased to announce that the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office reopened for business, effective June 15, with office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitors are encouraged to schedule… Read More
Watch now: DIY Energy and Water Audit Kit demo video
Interested in learning how you can save energy, water, and money at home? Our Do-It-Yourself Audit Kit can help. Do-It-Yourself Energy and Water Audit Kit The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Energy and Water Audit Kit is available… Read More
Be-at-Home with Nature: Dog vomit slime mold
Is it vomit? Is it a fungus? NO! It’s a slime mold! Have you ever woken up, walked outside, and seen bright-yellow “vomit” on your garden?! If so, do not be alarmed. It might just be dog… Read More