![two hands of a child gently plant a seedling in a garden bed. [credit: uf/ifas]](/media/sfylifasufledu/sarasota/images/banner1650x470/2017_Comms_gardening01_ifas1650x470.jpg)
About Us
The national Cooperative Extension Service was established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. It is a partnership between state land grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the county governments throughout the nation. All of these groups share in the planning, financing, and operation of Extension programs. In Florida, the Cooperative Extension Service is administered by the University of Florida.
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County translates research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to six core areas: 4-H youth development; agriculture; gardening and landscaping; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and sustainability. We provide practical education to build a better future.
Read our 2024 UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Annual Report to learn more about the many ways we work with you to make better lives and improve our communities. Or, view our 2025 (CY24) UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Focus and Impacts for a condensed version, including the myriad programs, projects and other ways we connect with you.
Extension videos
Find more of our informational and educational videos, including webinars, at our Youtube channel: youtube.com/@ufsarasotaext.
Learn More
- About Us
- Blog posts
- Events, Camps, Clubs, Training and More
- Key Documents
- News, Notes and More
- Speakers Bureau
- Staff Directory
- Story Maps
- Timeline of Extension
- Videos
- Volunteers
- How Do I...
- ...Learn What Extension Offers?
- ...Find Events, Camps, Clubs, Training and More?
- ...Find Key Extension Documents?
- ...Find Youth and Family Opportunities?
- ...Get Soil/Irrigation Water Tested?
- ...Request a Speaker?
- ...Learn Best Practices for My Neighborhood?
- ...Explore with Story Maps?
- ...Use the Sarasota County Starter Kit?
- ...Tour Extension Virtually?
- ...Donate to Extension?