![a digital meat thermometer reads 165.3 degrees fahrenheit while checking chicken on a barbecue grill. [credit: uf/ifas, tyle jones; edit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/07/2017_FCS_foodsafetyGrillingThermometer01UPDATE165F_ifasJonesTyler_CROP1650x470.jpg)
Every year, I get invited to participate in the Alligator Creek Festival. During this annual festival, attendees learned about sustainability, environmentally friendly practices, conservation efforts, and community engagement, among other ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Work & Life
Join me for an herb-alicious good time at your local Sarasota County library. Our “Breaking the Rules – herb trio” One Seed classes are scheduled November 2025 through January 2026. These classes are a bit social so whether you are a novice ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Let’s Ex.plore what we’ve been up to! We’ve been busy at our UF/IFAS Sarasota County extension campus located in Twin Lakes Park off Clark Rd. We’ve added an edible garden demo area featuring different garden beds of varied heights ... READ MORE
Category: Events, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
As our world becomes more digitized and urbanized, it may seem more challenging to choose to spend time outdoors. Yet, spending that time outside and connecting with nature on a deeper emotional level provides numerous proven benefits for ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources
Today’s youth are spending less and less time outdoors connecting with nature. Why does this matter? For both nature lovers and those who may be a little hesitant when it comes to spending time outdoors, there are a variety of mental, physical, ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Relationships & Family
Breaking the Rules- why just one when you can have three? Herbs, that is! Okay- maybe we aren’t breaking a ‘rule’, but instead of just sharing one type of crop to grow - we are busting out a trio of herbs in our ‘One Seed’ packets ... READ MORE
Category: Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Work & Life![amber daniels, family and consumer sciences agent, stands beside an office sign in front of the uf/ifas extension sarasota county building. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/09/2025_FCS_blogAmberIntroPostCROP1650x470.png)
![The author, New Family Consumer Sciences Agent, Amber Daniels, is standing at a walking path using hand gesture to invite viewer to join her in the path. [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/09/Amber-Intro-Blog-Pic-Walking-1.1-Ratio-scaled-50x50.jpg){kind=avatar}
We are excited to welcome Amber Daniels as the new FCS Extension Agent in Sarasota County. Amber joins us after over a decade of career experience in food assistance programming, nutrition education, public health, health coaching, and weight ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & LifeFor many of us, nature is a place to play, enjoy, be amazed, connect with others, or find solitude. Nature offers an abundance of opportunities that provide positive benefits to our physical, mental, and emotional health. With increasing urbanization ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Natural Resources![a mound of canned food products. [credit: unsplash, jacob mcgowin]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2025/03/2025_FCS_cannedFoodAssortedPile_unsplashJacobMcGowinCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Want to save money on your grocery bill? Well, saving money on your grocery bill actually starts with your pantry and refrigerator. Knowing what foods and ingredients are already in your pantry and knowing what is about to expire means that ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Money Matters, Work & Life
Mushrooms are often celebrated for their unique flavors and textures, but their versatility extends far beyond the kitchen. These fascinating fungi offer numerous health benefits and serve as sustainable alternatives in various dishes. In this ... READ MORE
Category: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Work & Life