![adapted illustration/photo of ashley ellis, residential horticulture agent, uf/ifas extension sarasota county, examing and enjoying plant species at a botanical garden. [credit: ashley ellis]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2022/06/2022_Comms_blogEllisAshley_botanicalGardenGradient_EllisAshleyTINY.png)
We are excited to announce that Ashley Ellis has joined UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County as our new residential horticulture agent. Ashley brings expertise, experience and energy to a position key to Sarasota County Extension and one of ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, UF/IFAS Extension
Sarasota County Sustainability staff and Sarasota Housing Authority (SHA) kicked off the summer by completing energy- and water-efficiency improvements for the last three floors at SHA’s Annex building in downtown Sarasota. Our team ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Conservation, Home Management, Money Matters, Natural Resources
While venturing out for a walk with my dog yesterday evening, I made a big mistake. I did not apply insect repellent. Actually, it was a huge mistake. Within minutes, it was a battle for blood: me trying to keep it and the mosquitoes trying ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, Work & Life
Hoy, como cada 8 de junio desde 1992, muchas personas en todo el mundo celebran el Día Mundial de los Océanos. Este evento fue creado para abogar e inspirar a las personas, comunidades y naciones a tomar medidas sobre el uso sostenible, la ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife, Work & LifeToday, like every June 8 since 1992, many people around the globe celebrate World Oceans Day. This event was created to advocate and inspire people, communities, and nations to take action on the sustainable use, protection, conservation, and ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Natural Resources, Water, Wildlife![suds on hands clenched while washing. [credit: pxhere.com]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2020/03/2020_FCS_blogHandwashing101_pxhere01CROP1338x357.jpg)
In my last blog, we celebrated World Food Safety Day (June 07) and listed out the four food safety practices: CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK, and CHILL. This blog will focus on keeping things CLEAN, and some everyday habits that you can incorporate into ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![Food packed into a refrigerator and freezer. [CREDIT: Pixabay.com, pexels]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2022/06/2022_FCS_blogFoodSafetyRefrigerate01_pixabayPexels_crop1650x470TINY.png)
All along the food chain, from farm to food companies to our local grocery stores and restaurants, following food safety regulations helps to minimize the risks of a foodborne illness. But, it shouldn't stop there. We, too, need to follow these ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![thermometer checks temperature of grilling chicken. [credit: uf/ifas, tyler jones]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2019/06/2019_FCS_foodsafetyGrilling01_CROP1338x357.jpg)
In our last blog post on the four elements of basic food safety practices—CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK and CHILL—we discussed how to SEPARATE food and items to avoid illness-causing cross-contamination. Now, let's talk about COOKing foods to their ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![an array of kitchen cooking utensils, along with an assortment of plates. [credit: pixabay. conger design]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2022/06/2022_FCS_blogFoodSafetyKitchenUtensils02_pixabayCongerDesign_CROP1650x470TINY.png)
As we continue the discussion of World Food Safety Day, we turn our attention to another cornerstone of basic food safety practices: SEPARATE. As a quick recap, the four elements to basic food safety are: CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK and CHILL. ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life![an array of task-focused cutting boards (e.g., meat, fish, poultry), and a chef's knife. [credit: uf/ifas]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2022/05/2021_FCS_blogFoodSafety_cuttingBoards01_ifasJonesTylerCROP1650x470TINY.png)
World Food Safety Day might be right around the corner (June 7), but it's a good idea to be aware every day of how we handle our food. At home. That's not necessarily the case for many. As evidence, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ... READ MORE
Category: Work & Life