UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County -

Suncoast Grown and Gathered: May Apple Haws! Fruitful native and ecological powerhouse!

by Forest Hecker
May 5, 2026

At the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension Office, we've been cultivating a Food Forest to showcase the most productive, unique, and often underutilized fruits and crops suited to our distinctive southwest Florida climate. Through this ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Crops, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes
Tags: Agriculture, FFL, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Garden, Landscape, Landscaping, Nature, Pgm_HortRes, Wildlife

With Gratitude for Sarasota County Extension’s Volunteers

by Lee Hayes Byron
April 29, 2026

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 & Life
Tags: 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_Admin, Volunteers

Celebrating Volunteers

by kgeis
April 22, 2026

For 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 & Life
Tags: 4-H Volunteers, Master Gardener Volunteers, Pgm_Admin, UF/IFAS Extension

Your Guide to Earth Month 2026 in Sarasota County

by Michelle Marinangel
April 16, 2026

As our region grows, we observe impacts of climate change such as an increase in days with extreme heat conditions, number and intensity of storms and hurricanes, and water shortages. This brings to light how important our actions are in response ... READ MORE

Category: Events, Work & Life
Tags: Earth Day, Environmental Sustainability, Events, Pgm_Sustain, Sarasota County Extension

Welcome Our New Commercial Horticulture Program Specialist

by Jackie Lebouitz
April 13, 2026

At UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, we work closely with residents, volunteers, and professionals on a wide range of topics in horticulture, with a focus on promoting plant health through best management practices (BMPs) in the landscape ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, Professional Development, Turf, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Business, Commercial, Featured, Garden, Greenhouse, Growers, Horticulture, Nursery, Pgm_Chemicals, Plants, Professional

Meet Dr. Mary Davis: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Zahir Ringgold Cordes and Katherine Clements

April 6, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Dr. Davis This is Dr. Mary Davis, a retired PhD Ecologist and Sarasota County volunteer. She is also a Florida Master Naturalist Program graduate. ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Natural Resources, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Florida Master Naturalist Program, FMNP, Fmnp-in-srq, Nature, Pgm_EcoNR, Volunteers

Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – April 2026

by Erin Nadel, Sarah Davis and Kyle Perkins

April 6, 2026

Read below to learn about Sarasota County’s council, club, and state-wide updates. Feel free to reach out to 4-H@scgov.net if you have any questions or need more information. Refer to this link for previous ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers
Tags: 4-H, 4H, Club, Council, Pgm_4H, Youth

When the Garden Wakes Up, So Do the Insects: A Spring Story About Pests, Predators, and Paying Attention

by Ashley Ellis
April 5, 2026

On a warm spring morning in Southwest Florida, the garden doesn’t just grow—it hums. If you pause long enough, you’ll notice it. A leaf that wasn’t chewed yesterday now carries a series of holes caused by cabbageworm. Ants move steadily ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Pgm_HortRes

Ways to Reduce Plastics at Home

by Randy Penn
April 1, 2026

You might have heard about "microplastics," a term that has been in the news in recent years. But, do you know what microplastics are? What damage they can cause? Or, how to help lessen the impacts? We've got you covered. Microplastics ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Water
Tags: Aiaee26, Microplastic, Microplastics, Pgm_Waste, Plastic, Pollution, Recycle, Recycling, Reduce, Reuse, Waste Reduction

Recycling Trends in Florida

by Randy Penn
April 1, 2026

Recycling programs across Florida are influenced by a range of drivers, including political influences, social expectations, and economic realities. From a political perspective, governments play a crucial role by enacting legislation, setting ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Water
Tags: Aiaee26, Landfill, Pgm_Waste, Recycle, Recycling, Reduce, Reuse, Waste To Energy

Subscribe For More Great Content