Category: UF/IFAS Extension

Meet Tish Sacks: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements and Zahir Ringgold Cordes

July 2, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate. Meet Tish Sacks Graduates form the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) routinely influence others with their knowledge of the natural world, ... READ MORE

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

The Med Way: Step 1 – Changing Your Protein

by Amber Daniels
June 30, 2026

The Mediterranean Diet (the Med Way) is a long-standing, recommended approach for balanced eating that supports optimal health and chronic disease risk reduction. A key focus for the Med Way is choosing whole-food sources and expanding protein ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Food Is Medicine, Health, Nutrition, Pgm_FCS

Beyond the Classroom: My Experience Interning with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

by Evelyn Spencer
June 15, 2026

My name is Evelyn Spencer, and I worked as an Environmental Education and Outreach Intern in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026 with the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Sustainability Program. I graduated in May 2026 from the ... READ MORE

Category: Professional Development, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Careers, Internship, Pgm_Sustain, Professional Development, Sarasota County Extension, Sustainability

Blue-Green Algae Are Blooming

by Mike D'Imperio
June 8, 2026

Here in Florida, we are no strangers to algae. It occurs naturally in both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems. Our warm climate, ample sunlight, and slow-moving, shallow waters provide excellent habitats for many algal species. If you have ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Work & Life
Tags: Algae, Algal Bloom, Blue-green Algae, Cyanobacteria, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Harmful Algae, Pgm_Water, Sarasota, Sarasota County, Water Quality

Meet Kristen Sturgeon: A Florida Master Naturalist Success Story

by Katherine Clements and Zahir Ringgold Cordes

June 3, 2026

Blog co-authored by Mary Ellen Boelhower, Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) graduate Meet Kristen Sturgeon Meet Kristen Sturgeon, an Environmental Specialist III with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources. In this ... READ MORE

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

Seven Simple Steps to a Healthier You

by Amber Daniels
May 29, 2026

Many people underestimate the power of small shifts in their daily diet and lifestyle habits. These changes can create meaningful improvements in your health in terms of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, reducing risk for chronic disease, ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Aging Healthy, Eating Locally Grown, Food Is Medicine, Healthy Eating, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Pgm_FCS

Building for the Future in Sarasota County

by Evelyn Spencer
May 22, 2026

Did you know a home or commercial building can be certified as sustainable? Here in Sarasota County, many of the county’s facilities are certified by the as green buildings through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Green Building, Pgm_Sustain, Sarasota County Extension, Sustainability

Celebrating Volunteers

by Karen Geis
April 20, 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

Welcome Our New Commercial Horticulture Program Specialist

by Jackie Lebouitz
April 10, 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, 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

Subscribe For More Great Content