![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: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, 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 & LifeBe 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![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![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 & 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 ManagementMangrove 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![sarasota county extension volunteers and staff pose for a group photo at after a county commission recognition ceremony. [credit: sarasota county, steve dawson]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2024/04/20240318_VolunteerAppreciation_007_SD_WEB-2_CROP1650x470TINY.png)
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County honored a suite of high-performing volunteers at a March 19 ceremony, ahead of global volunteer month in April. At the event, held in the Sarasota County Commission chambers and including volunteers with ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Community Volunteers, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life![screenshot of sarasota county water quality story map landing page. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/wp-content/blogs.dir/40/files/2023/05/2023_Admin_screenWQstorymap_Lander01EDIT1338x357TINY.png)
As part of Sarasota County’s ongoing commitment to water quality and protecting area water resources, the county has launched an interactive web tool showcasing a variety of water quality preservation projects and initiatives. From county ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life