![group portrait of sarasota county extension volunteers and staff, gathered on stage during an annual volunteer appreciation party. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2026/04/2026_Vols_volApprnParty_group01_CROP1650x470TINY.png)
I want to share some amazing numbers: Sarasota County Extension’s 282 volunteers contributed 13,604 hours of service, worth over $448,000, in 2025. That volunteer service is equal to another 6.5 full-time staff, which, on our small ... READ MORE
Category: Work & LifeFor the global volunteer month in April, the Sarasota County Commissioners honored all county department volunteers March 24 for their outstanding efforts throughout Sarasota County in 2025. UF/IFAS Extension celebrated its volunteers April ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & LifeLocal UF/IFAS County Extension Offices have been providing a site for potential pesticide applicators to sit for pesticide exams for many years. However, your local testing at your favorite UF/IFAS Extension Office will be discontinued soon. ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, , Crops, Events, Farm ManagementBe safe and reduce your pesticide exposure. Whether you are a backyard gardener using pesticides or a professional pesticide applicator, precautions are necessary before and during the use of pesticides. The use of pesticides comes with significant ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture![sarasota county extension volunteers enjoy a dinner and conversation at a recogntion party. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/05/volsDinnerWide02CROP1650x470.png)
UF/IFAS Extension volunteers had a big day April 22. In the morning, Sarasota County commissioners showered them (and other county volunteers) with accolades for the services they have provided across a range of programs and activities. Then, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life![outdoor scene of water body with heavy vegetation on shoreline, and blue skies on horizon. [credit: sarasota county government]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2022/11/2020_Water_socialLakeApprecMo_sacoCROP1338x357TINY.png)
Homeowners associations (HOAs) and neighborhoods have critical roles to play in protecting local water quality. HOAs manage thousands of stormwater ponds and countless acres of landscapes across Sarasota County. The way those community assets ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Water![dr. maria portelos-rometo (left) smiles while chatting with a fellow attendee at an extension training event. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2025/06/IMG_0299_EDITS1650x470TINY.png)
On May 31, Dr. Maria Portelos-Rometo retired after a truly impactful career with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. Maria joined Sarasota County Extension in October 2007 as the Family Nutrition Program manager, after teaching family and ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching, Work & Life![exterior front of uf/ifas extension sarasota county office building, with surrounding landscape, set against a red-orange sky as the sun sets. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2021/03/2019_Comms_baseExtensionOfficeExteriorSunset01_CROP1650x470TINY.png)
All of us at Sarasota County Extension wish you a very Happy New Year. We have had a year of exciting new programs, new partners, and the pleasure of meeting many new community members to serve. I am proud to share some of our accomplishments ... READ MORE
Category: UF/IFAS Extension, Work & LifeMangrove CNP: A threat to Florida's mangroves? Background: Mangrove trees are essential to our dynamic coastal and estuarine environments. Found throughout tropical and subtropical regions around the world, mangroves are trees which exhibit ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources![closeup of the new president’s recognition passionvine award, a clay birdbath designed by becky coleman and made by molly bartlett. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2024/08/SAM_0867-2-minCROP1650x470.jpg)
At a recent Master Gardener Volunteer program meeting, the first President’s Recognition Passionvine Award was presented to Master Gardeners Diane and Pat Kearney, Marsha Davis and her husband George, and JoAnn Glazewski and her husband Bill ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS Extension