Extension Express
Spring 2024
Reaching All Communities with UConn Extension
UConn Extension is everywhere: in libraries, public gardens, farms, schools, greenhouses, community centers, and nine Extension Centers located throughout the state. It’s never hard to connect with your local UConn Extension professionals. We help Connecticut’s communities improve their health and wellness, natural resource conservation, affordable and safe food systems, agricultural sustainability, recovery from natural disasters, and positive youth development. Our commitment is to engage every day with you in the places you live, work, and play. We extend our gratitude to so many of you who support us as volunteers, advocates, and as donors. Together, we anticipate another year of continued success.
This issue of our Express newsletter shares a few updates on our programs and commitment to Connecticut communities. Help us continue reaching all Connecticut communities with UConn Extension by supporting our UConn Gives campaign or one of the other campaigns in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, including several that support Extension programs and services.
New Fact Sheet Page Launched
A new UConn Extension publications site launched in March and provides fact sheets on topics affecting Connecticut residents, municipalities, and businesses. The resources provided by UConn Extension offer trustworthy guidance with the backing of university experts, from plant disease and pest management to food safety tips, managing finances, and more.
UConn faculty and staff within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources author the fact sheets. A subject-matter expert reviews each fact sheet before publication to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. All fact sheets are reviewed every five years to include the latest research and current best practices. Additional fact sheets will become available each month.
All publications are free of charge and can be downloaded or printed. There are fact sheet categories and a search feature to help users find the publications they need, and a website form allows readers to request new topics.
The Digital Experience Group at UConn built the site, including features to enhance user experience. The fact sheets are some of the many resources that UConn Extension has available on-demand, including over 600 educational YouTube videos, in-person workshops, webinars, and online certificate programs.
Community Nutrition
Find Tips, Recipes, and More with the Nutrition Corner Blog
Our Healthy Family CT program, based in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, offers a variety of resources and community nutrition information for residents. One of the most popular articles is the tips for storing oils and preventing spoilage, written by Karah Lewis, a dietetics alum from the department. She also provides a chimichurri recipe that can be used as a sauce or for marinating beef.
Production Agriculture Trainings Offered
The Solid Ground program for new and beginning farmers is offering a suite of trainings and programs this spring and summer. The Agro-Ecology and Ag Mechanics trainings are back by popular demand, and a variety of skill share sessions are also being offered this year. Extension professionals also offer consultations in areas including vegetable production, soil conservation and land use, fruit production, and other topics.