Have you ever gone outside at night and wished you could see more stars? In the United States, 99% of the public cannot experience a natural night sky because of light pollution (Dark Sky, 2016). Light pollution is caused by inefficient ... READ MORE
Category: Home Management, Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension, Wildlife, Work & Life
A Short History of the Energy Upgrade Program The Energy Upgrade program was established in 2012 to educate homeowners in Sarasota County on energy and water efficiency. In 2016, based on community research, the program expanded to include ... READ MORE
Category: Community Volunteers, Home Management, Money Matters, Professional Development![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
This Thanksgiving, we want to show our gratitude by highlighting some amazing programs and organizations in Sarasota County that help our community all year-round. We’ll go over local assistance available for utility bills, financing programs ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Money Matters, Work & Life![assorted fresh fruits and vegetables for sale in a farmers market display. [credit: unsplash.com, alexandr podvalny]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/10/2024_FCS_produceAisleFresh_unsplashAlexandrPodvalnyCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Many Florida families and farmers are struggling to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Feeding Florida’s Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) wants to ensure that individuals and families shopping with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ... READ MORE
Category: Health & Nutrition, Money Matters, Work & Life
The United States has celebrated National Energy Awareness Month every October since 1991, when President George H. W. Bush encouraged our country to be conscious of our nationwide energy usage. We still honor this presidential ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Money Matters, UF/IFAS Extension![fresh produce spills out from a reusable shopping bag laid on a tabletop. [credit: unsplash.com, ratul ghosh]](https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/files/2024/07/2024_Ag_produceAssortedCarrybag_unsplashRatulGhoshCROP1650x470TINY.png)
Consumers spend billions of dollars at the grocery store annually on heavily marketed products that promise exciting health benefits. Of course, we want to eat healthy, protect the environment, and buy food that is safe for our children. We ... READ MORE
Category: Agriculture, Health & Nutrition, Money Matters
Hurricane season is here, and we might (or did) experience a loss of power in the event of a storm. Have you thought about how long your food stays safe in the refrigerator if the electricity goes out? There are things you can do to prepare ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Food Safety, Money Matters, Work & Life
You have made it through a storm and now you are dealing with fraud. Fraud is something that happens all too often and many times we are not aware we are victims until it's too late. Being aware of the "red flags" can help you avoid from being ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Money Matters, Work & Life
Great news! As residents of Florida, we have another opportunity to purchase qualifying supplies related to disaster preparedness without sales tax. The tax-free savings begin on Saturday, August 26 and end on September 8. This is a good time ... READ MORE
Category: Disaster Preparation, Money Matters, Work & Life