These small paper “envelopes” are slow release “sachets” that contain beneficial predatory mites that attack young thrips larvae. (Thrips are very small insects (1-2 mm. long) with narrow bodies and fringed wings. As they feed they can deform flowers, leaves and shoots. Thrips are primarily a greenhouse pest and not a major pest in the home […]
We All Scream for Ice Cream
Alums Integral to Success of Operation Community Impact Ice cream is one of life’s simple joys and something every age group enjoys. It’s also a rare treat for those relying on food pantries for their meals—and one they enjoyed in May through the efforts of our 4-H alumni and UConn Extension’s Operation Community Impact. Meg […]
Making the Best Better
4-H Members Civic Engagement Initiative Has Statewide Impact Food insecurity spiked across Connecticut because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UConn 4-H team led and coordinated Operation Community Impact, a grassroots effort to help local families with food insecurity issues intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort also addresses surplus milk issues that negatively impact dairy […]
2021 UConn 4-H Virtual Public Speaking Contest Results
The 2021 UConn 4-H Virtual Public Speaking Contest results are in! UConn 4-H would like to thank all the presenters and judges for their time and commitment. All presenters did an amazing job displaying their public speaking skills while delivering outstanding presentations. A champion and reserve champion were selected in each division. All other youth […]
Colchester Area Trail Guide
Looking for some trails? Find trails and tips that will help you prepare for your hike on the new Colchester Area Trail Guide!
New Unpeeled Game Helps Consumers Navigate the Grocery Store Aisle
We developed a new game to help shoppers like you learn about genetically modified food with our partners at New Mexico State University. UConn Extension is dedicated to providing educational resources to consumers and we would like your input! We would appreciate it if you could play the game (https://unpeeled.nmsu.edu/) and tell us what you […]
New Interactive Tool Will Guide Shellfish Restoration in LIS
Oyster habitat in Long Island Sound is a bit like sunny summer days at the seashore—generally speaking, the more the merrier. These native bivalves help keep the Sound clean by filtering excess nutrients and shoring up shorelines with colonies that create structure and buffer wave action, while also creating habitat for juvenile fish and other […]
Highlights of Extension Report
Committed to a Sustainable Future Connecticut has faced challenges related to sustainable landscapes, food and agriculture, health, and the climate for generations. As problems are solved, new issues arise. Our educators faced the unprecedented challenges of 2020 and pivoted programs to offer life transformative education despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Programming moved to virtual environments through […]
Master Gardener Plant Sale
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2021 Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Place: Windham County Extension Center 139 Wolf Den Road Brooklyn, CT 06237 Perennials Annuals Tomatoes Vegetables Herbs Houseplants Soil Testing Kits for sale *Free Parking […]
Danbury Head Start and EFNEP Zoom Graduation
“Me encanto aprendí mucho.” “Fue de mucha ayuda y ahora lo pongo en práctica. Me ayudo mucho a comer más saludable y a gastar menos dinero comprando comida en ofertas.” “Tratare de integrar a mis comidas todos los consejos que aprendi en esta clase ya que son muy productivos. Gracias por compartir con nosotras todos […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Larry Pennington
UConn Extension is celebrating National Volunteer Week! Volunteers dedicate time to their communities, and we appreciate their contributions to make Extension programs successful. Dr. Larry Pennington is one of these people who embodies what a volunteer should be. He has volunteered his time for 23 years to UConn 4-H and his club, the First Town […]
Earth Day to feature audiovisual exhibit, puppet show
Several special events are planned for Earth Day (April 22) at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus, including audiovisual artwork projected on campus buildings and an original puppet show. Events will begin at 6:30 p.m. with music recorded by the five-person Connecticut-based group Hitch and Giddyup sponsored by the Avery Point EcoHusky club. At 7 p.m., […]
‘Completely Connecticut Agriculture’ Explores the Creativity and Resilience of Connecticut Farmers
It’s easy to take our food supply for granted while strolling through the abundant aisles of a grocery store. We do not often consider how our food gets to the store or where it comes from. A group of students in UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is bridging the communication gap […]
June Zoppa Wins the Northeast 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award
UConn 4-H has selected June Zoppa, a 46-year volunteer of the UConn 4-H Program as the Connecticut nominee for the National 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award. She won the Northeast 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award and now moves on to compete nationally. June Zoppa is an integral part of the 4-H community in Hartford County Connecticut. She […]
Rachael Manzer Wins the Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award
Rachael Manzer, a five-year volunteer with UConn’s Granby 4-H Club of Granby, a UConn 4-H Alum, and former NASA astronaut teacher, won the Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer of the Year after being selected by UConn. Hartford County 4-H Extension Educator, Jen Cushman notes, “Rachael’s dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of 4-H […]
A Guide to Planting Along the Connecticut Coast
Juliana Barrett, Ph.D. and Kiernan Sellars, 2021 This 35-page guide lists native trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and vines that are appropriate for planting in Connecticut’s coastal zone. It includes a map of that ecoregion and characteristics of each species, such as tolerance to salt water and salt spray, light and soil requirements as well as […]
Learn Gardening Fundamentals in New Online Course
Interested in how plants grow? Do you want a healthy, productive, and sustainable landscape for your home? UConn Extension now offers the Fundamentals of Home Gardening, an asynchronous online series of classes covering a wide variety of gardening topics. These classes explore the foundation of good gardening practices, and help explain the “why” of successful […]
Sea Grant, DOE, NOAA Fisheries partner to invest $1M+ to support research for the co-existence of ocean energy with Northeast fishing and coastal communities
The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office, and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, announces a research funding opportunity to improve understanding of offshore renewable energy interactions with fishing and coastal communities to optimize ocean co-use. This unique funding partnership will […]
The Low Down on Selecting Tomatoes
Vegetable gardening is very popular these days, and even more so since the COVID outbreak. Anyone new to this hobby is quick to hear some terms being thrown around when describing different types of vegetables. Knowing the meaning of these terms gives prospective gardeners some key information that helps them pick varieties of vegetables most […]
Mars Base Camp 4-H STEM Club Teaches Youth Skills for Future Careers
Life transformative education begins at a young age for UConn 4-H members. The 4-H project experiences provide a foundation of knowledge and instill enthusiasm for lifelong learning. A group of youth participating in the UConn 4-H Mars Base Camp STEM Club are learning about science, technology, engineering and math while launching rockets and building rovers. […]
Pick-Your-Own Revisited
Last year we held a virtual discussion on how to deal with Pick-your-own in the age of COVID. This year we will revisit this topic with several growers sharing what they did that worked, maybe didn’t work as well as expected or at all, will keep this year, or will drop because it may not […]
Getchis recognized with award for pandemic response efforts
Connecticut Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension Specialist Tessa Getchis will receive a Service Excellence Award in the University of Connecticut chapter of the American Association of University Professors’ 2021 UConn-AAUP Excellence Awards. The awards have been given annually since 1997 in six categories, and this year focused specifically on responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Getchis, who […]
UConn EFNEP Celebrates National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month! This past year has proven that nutrition and health are more important to all of us than ever. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is UConn Extension’s outreach nutrition program in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). Since EFNEP’s inception as a USDA demonstration program […]
Bug Month
Bugs are crucial components of many ecosystems. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the significant role they play in maintaining our environment. The UConn Extension Bug Month program provides educational resources and activities to help expand knowledge about insects. The program will host its 6th annual Bug Month virtually in July. You can learn more […]
All Paws In – Join Us for UConn Gives
In a time of extraordinary circumstances, UConn has adapted by seeking new opportunities and new ways to keep UConn Nation connected in a socially distant world. Through all the change and uncertainty, there has been one constant—our commitment to providing an exceptional education to our program participants. During this year’s UConn Gives, a 36-hour giving initiative, […]
4-H Members Share Project at National Agriscience Summit
UConn 4-H Litchfield County was one of seven 4-H groups in the country to be selected to create and submit a five to seven minute video to be made available to participants at the 2021 National 4-H Agriscience Summit held earlier this month. The video highlights the county’s Community Action Plan entitled Operation Community Impact, […]
LIS Blue Plan now in hands of CT Legislature
The Long Island Sound Blue Plan, a marine spatial plan for what many consider the state’s most valuable natural resource, has been voted out of the state Legislature’s Environment Committee and awaits a vote in the full House and Senate. Read about the plan and why many believe it should be approved in articles by […]
Eat & Move as I Like
Tweens and teens can learn about healthy eating choices and have fun with the game Eat and Move as I Like. This game was created by the SNAP-Ed program of UConn’s Allied Health Sciences. Check it out at http://bit.ly/EatAndMoveAsILike
Amid pandemic challenges, recreational shellfishing thrived
By Judy Benson While the pandemic curtailed many favorite activities, recreational shellfishing remained popular and even surged in many shoreline towns last year. “Clamming is a very COVID-friendly activity,” said Peter Harris, chairman of the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission. “You’re outside, you have a nice long rake so you stay socially distanced, and you get […]
Energy Saving Tips
Energy Saver Tip: Power Strip “Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point when you are done using equipment. Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity. U.S. households spend approximately $100 per year to power devices while they are in a low power mode, roughly […]
Virtual Connecticut Master Gardener Association Symposium
On Saturday, March 20th starting at 9:00 am, Connecticut Master Gardeners, guests and the public will have the opportunity to hear national and regional experts talk about “Gardening Any Time, Any Place” by virtually attending the Connecticut Master Gardener Association (CMGA) 28th annual garden symposium. Registration and information about the virtual event is available […]
Connecticut Trail Census Welcomes New Graduate Assistant
UConn Extension is excited to welcome Eniola Fasola as Connecticut Trail Census‘s newest graduate assistant. Eniola obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Economics at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and the University of Connecticut, respectively. Currently, she is doing her Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics at The University of Connecticut. Eniola will be […]
Extension Impacts – 2020
Extension is a part of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR). We have over 100 years of experience strengthening communities in Connecticut and beyond. Extension programs cover the full spectrum of topics aligned with CAHNR’s strategic initiatives: Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply Enhancing health and well-being locally, […]
CT Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member Spotlight: Heather Peracchio MS, RDN, CD-N
Heather Peracchio MS, RDN, CD-N Do you have a current/past position with the CT AND Board? I have been many positions on the CT AND board but currently I am the Food Security and Sustainability Co-Chair. What inspired you to become a RDN? My first year at UConn I found the course ‘The Science […]
Making Maple Syrup in Your Own Back Yard CLEAR Webinar
As winter winds down, and you’re considering outdoor, low-risk activities, making a small batch of maple syrup at home with your family might be a fun and healthy choice. This webinar will provide all the essential information you’ll need to get started, from identifying which of your trees might be sugar maples, to tapping, boiling […]
Healing and Empowerment Through a Connection with a Horse
A group of young Black men confidently guide their horses through the streets of Hartford’s North End. They smile and wave to friends and residents as they ride through the neighborhood. But this isn’t a chance encounter. They are members of the Junior Mounted Patrol Unit at Ebony Horsewomen, Incorporated, a non-profit equestrian and therapeutic […]
Connecting Connecticut: A New Podcast from UConn Extension
Land-grant universities have provided communities, organizations, farmers and individuals with practical knowledge rooted in research through the Cooperative Extension System since the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. Over the last 107 years a lot has changed with our Extension systems. The program has expanded beyond its agricultural production origin to encompass a […]
Indoor Air Quality Interactive Tour
Indoor air quality is important to a healthy home, especially during these cold winter months! Use this interactive home tour to identify ways to protect your indoor air quality. This tour is also available in Spanish! http://bit.ly/IAQTour
2021 UConn 4-H Volunteer Award Winners
Volunteers are at the heart of UConn Extension and are an essential part of UConn 4-H! We are grateful for each and every one of you who show a dedication to service, leadership, and above all community! Our 2021 UConn 4-H Volunteer Award Winners are: 4-H Alumni Award – Elaine Brodeur, Litchfield County Meritorious Service […]
National Heart Health Month
February is National Heart Health month! Hiking provides all of the classic health benefits you get from most cardio exercises. It improves blood pressure, lowers your risk of heart disease, decreases cholesterol, and helps control your weight. There is nothing better than getting some fresh air in Winter if you feel cooped up. Hiking is […]