Meet Samuel Kocurek

Samuel is our Ecotypic Seed Supply Chain Intern this summer. His majors are Mathematics and Environmental Science – ’23 CLAS. I truly believe in developing a personal relationship with the land. So when I saw UConn Extension offering this internship I was immediately hooked. With this work, I am aiding a professor and doctoral student […]

Summer Program Updates

Empowering Connecticut Communities  Extension programs are in full swing this summer, both in-person and online. we are here to serve and empower our Connecticut communities, while co-creating solutions to the critical issues that residents and communities are facing. Programs focus on the expertise of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and incorporate […]

UConn 4-H New Haven County: Here to Be Healthy!

Do you need some tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Do you have a project that you are passionate about, but haven’t shown it off? Are you looking for a place to both learn and enjoy what you learn about? My name is Genesis Rosario and I’m the Summer 2022 Intern for UConn […]

Marketing Extension with Michael Wolf

My name is Michael Wolf, I am currently the Marketing Intern for UConn Extension and have been working on multiple projects focusing on growing our network and how we can continue to interact with the community. Extension is constantly growing our outreach through our various social media platforms where we advertise virtually all of the […]

Community Nutrition Outreach with Kate O’Brien

Hi! My name is Kate O’Brien, and I’m one of the summer interns with UConn CAHNR Extension. I’m currently working in clinical and community nutrition with organizations such as Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and Auerfarm under Sherry Gray. At UConn, I am a rising senior majoring in […]

Forest Silviculture Research and Extension in Action

Our forests are one of our most vital environmental, economic, and recreational resources, and we are fortunate to have abundant access to these wonderful spaces right here in Connecticut! The UConn Forest Crew works with Professor Tom Worthley in the UConn Forest and across the state to apply silvicultural practices, conduct maintenance work, and gather […]

Take Extra Care in Extreme Heat

During times of high temperatures, it is wise to take some extra precautions for your health. The UConn Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) would like to share some information from its USDA-NIFA funded project called Shelter from the Storm: Preparedness Education for Vulnerable Populations. The project is focused on reaching people who are unsheltered or […]

Expanding Access to Financial Literacy Resources with Naiiya Patel

Hey! I’m Naiiya Patel and this summer, I am working as the Financial Literacy for Youth and Young Adults intern at the UConn Extension New Haven County Center. The financial education program is run by Faye Griffiths-Smith. She teaches workshops across Connecticut educating the public and providing professional development opportunities related to important financial literacy […]

Helping Youth Understand One Health Concepts

Hi! My name is Jillian Bowen (’25 CAHNR), and I am a sophomore pathobiology major at UConn! This year, I am working as the 2022 One Health summer intern with UConn Extension in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). UConn Extension is an outreach program committed to educating communities about agriculture, climate, […]

Buzzworthy News: Bug Week Approaches!

Do you think that creepy crawlers are cool? How about ones that fly? Are you fascinated with insects and want to learn more about them in a fun way? As the vegetable entomology extension intern, I am working closely with Dr. Ana Legrand to create exciting outreach content for the upcoming Bug Week event ranging […]

Greenhouse Biological Control Conference in August

UConn Extension is hosting a Greenhouse Biological Control Conference on August 16th. Hosted by: Leanne Pundt and Rosa Raudales, UConn Extension Target audience: Commercial growers producing ornamentals or vegetable transplants in heated greenhouses. Location and Parking Information: Jones Auditorium, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT. The entrance to Jones Auditorium is on the north […]

What is SNAP-Ed? Intern Jenna Zydanowicz Explains

My name is Jenna Zydanowicz, I am a rising junior, and an Allied Health Science major. I have a passion for nutrition, engaging with the community, and trying to promote healthy lifestyles. I love being able to educate families, children, and adults on the importance of nutrition and still eating well on a low income […]

Top 10 Cool Season Tips to Get You the Best Yard

Clean up Gently In the spring, remove any large debris from the lawn that may have the potential to smother and kill your grass as it starts to resume growth in the spring.  Once excess debris is removed, rake your lawn to remove any dead grass. Get Rid of Bare Spots Reseed any bare patches […]

Transformative Life Experiences with Environmental Education

UConn’s Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) offers several educational programs for both children and adults, including the Conservation Ambassador Program, Conservation Partnership program, and Teacher Professional Learning program. Environmental education is a crucial part of working towards a more sustainable world. The first step in making positive environmental changes both locally and worldwide is making […]

Nutrition Education in the Community Through SNAP-Ed

Hello everyone! My name is Brooke Bosco, and I am a rising senior majoring in Dietetics. This summer I am an extension intern working with the UConn School and Family Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education Program (SNAP-Ed). UConn Healthy Family CT SNAP-Ed works towards accomplishing Connecticut’s goals and objectives to deliver nutrition education and […]

CT Trail Finder and GIS with Courtney Andreozzi

Greetings! My name is Courtney Andreozzi and I am honored to be the GIS intern for CT Trailfinder for Summer 2022. I am a rising senior at UConn studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). During this previous school year I worked in conjunction with UConn’s CLEAR and […]

Learning by Doing with Heather Wirth, Extension Intern

My name is Heather Wirth, and I am excited to be an intern this summer through UConn Extension. I am working with UConn 4-H – Tolland County to plan this year’s edition of 4-H Food Revolution. My job is to create a curriculum for a four day youth summer program as well as recruiting participants. […]

Ian Harrington – Agencia de Acción Comunitaria Access – Vacunarse

Ian Harrington de Access Community Action Agency en Windham explica por qué recibió la vacuna contra el COVID-19. La financiación de este proyecto fue posible gracias a Extension Foundation, USDA-NIFA, los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y UConn Extension. Watch the video in English at https://youtu.be/2UC8a9C0Bs0.

CT Sea Grant featured on WNPR talk show

WNPR’s “Where We Live” show on June 10 focused on Connecticut’s kelp industry, with host Lucy Nalpathanchil interviewing CTSG Aquaculture Extension Specialist Anoushka Concepcion, Stonington kelp farmer Suzie Flores and David Standridge, executive chef at the Shipwright’s Daughter restaurant in Mystic, where kelp is on the menu. Listen to the show here.    Post taken […]

Extension Recognizes Program Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart of UConn Extension Master Gardener Program, UConn CLIR program, and our UConn 4-H program. We were honored to recognize a few of them for their contributions at an event on June 16, 2022. In total, our volunteers donated 156,597 hours (the equivalent of 6,524 days) to our programs in 2021. Thank […]

Juneteenth (June 19th) – Jubilee Day, National Independence Day, Black Independence Day

June 19th is Juneteenth!  The word “Juneteenth”, a combination of June and nineteenth, also known as “Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, National Independence Day and Black Independence Day”.   The slaves were freed on January 1, 1863, but it took a long time for word to reach other parts of the United States.  On June […]

What can I do to stay safe during a hurricane? 

Hurricanes cause high winds and flooding, and it’s important to know the signs for either situation and take proper precautions. The signs of extreme winds include seeing and hearing wind gusts, trees swaying, sheets of rain or snow, and thunder and lightning. You should seek shelter inside, avoid being outside, avoid down wires, and stay […]

Soil-biodegradable plastic mulch: Is it right for you?

By Shuresh Ghimire, UConn Cooperative Extension and Andy Radin, URI Cooperative Extension Something important for you to consider: your use of plastic mulch in vegetable production. This is especially worthy to think about given that plastic mulch isn’t just for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant anymore. Most small-scale growers use it for onions, lettuce, herbs, and […]

Using Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

We are frequently asked if coffee grounds can be used in a garden. The short answer is yes, coffee grounds can be used in garden soil! Coffee grounds contain some major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as some micronutrients, so put them to work in your garden. Allow them to dry and then […]

Seedlings in a Lawn

Friend or foe? What are those seedlings coming up in your lawn? We are getting numerous calls and e-mails from people all around the state about seedlings coming up in their lawns and gardens. They believe, or are being told, that these are poison ivy, when in fact they are maple seedlings.   People need […]

UConn 4-H Escape Moves to the Next Level

The UConn 4-H program introduced escape rooms in 2019 as a tool for teaching concepts and content to youth in a fun and interactive manner. This saw great success among audiences of all ages and was repeated a second time in early 2020. Then March 2020 introduced the pandemic and shuttered all in-person 4-H programming. […]

A Community of Farms in Northeastern Connecticut

The UConn Extension Sustainable Food Systems program launched a new brand in Northeastern Connecticut to help connect residents in the region with farms and farmers providing products directly to consumers. This new brand “Grown ConNECTed: A Community of Farms in Northeastern Connecticut” consists of a new website (grownconNECTed.org) with multiple resources for finding farms that […]

Webinar by CLEAR

UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research is hosting a webinar on “Planning and Funding Brownfield Site Investigations” on Wednesday June 1st at 1pm. This webinar will provide an overview of the different phases of site investigation (typically called Phase I, II and III), typical costs for each and potential funding sources, how to […]

UConn Forest Providing Educational, Environmental Benefits

The UConn Forest is vital for teaching, research, and extension work. It also provides wildlife habitat, watershed protection and popular recreational hiking trails. The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) manages the forest.  Proactive management sustains and enhances the many benefits the forest provides. Thomas Worthley is an Associate Extension Professor with joint […]