New UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in Seminole County

Hello hello!

My name is Sara Murphy and I’m Seminole County’s new UF/IFAS Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent.
I am here to answer your questions about food, health and wellbeing, chronic disease prevention/ management, personal finances, and disaster preparedness. I will be offering educational programs related to these topics as well.

My Background:

I was raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I grew a very deep love of all things food related. Some of my most cherished memories include weeding our vegetable garden and cooking with my family. As I grew older, I started to learn more about nutrition as a science and how it impacts our overall health.

Education and Work Experiences:

I attended Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics. I continued my education at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) where I completed a Master of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences and a Dietetic Internship. At UNH, I was able to research examining LGBTQ+ college students’ relationship with food and eating. I am now a registered dietitian and licensed in the state of Florida.

In between my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I spent two years in Tupelo, Mississippi. While there, I worked with the Tupelo Public School District as a FoodCorps service member. In this role I taught elementary students hands-on cooking, nutrition, and gardening lessons. I also managed the school district’s greenhouse and helped source locally grown produce for the cafeterias. Once my service term was complete, I began working on a vegetable farm to learn more about the inner workings of our food system.

Contact Information:

I can’t wait to bring my knowledge and experience to serve the people of Seminole County. I look forward to getting to know this community and its needs. If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive updates about upcoming classes please fill out this short survey- https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9txW4ThoB8p1N2e.

If you have any questions or comments, I can be reached by email at saramurphy@ufl.edu or smurphy@seminolecountyfl.gov and by phone at 407-665-5560.