During the last decade, plant-based butters (nut and seed) have become more popular. In addition to peanut butter, there are numerous options from which to choose. Nut and seed butters have expanded in production, in part to provide options for people who are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts and offer new options. This fact sheet provides a review of the nutritional benefits of various options.
Survey for Backyard Poultry Flock Owners
Are you raising a backyard flock? This survey is for you! Since March 2024, 70 cases of avian influenza A(H5) (H5 bird flu) have occurred in humans in the United States, mostly among workers exposed to infected dairy cows and commercial poultry farms. However, cases have also occurred among people exposed to birds kept in […]
Mosquito Season Alert: CT Horse & Livestock Owners Advised to Guard Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Preventative Measures are Key to Protection The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) reminds the state’s horse and livestock community to take preventative measures to protect against mosquito-borne diseases this season, including West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). While Connecticut has not had any reported human or horse cases this season, the […]
Healthy Interactions with Animals at Fairs and Other Animal Events
Fairs and other events involving animals can be memory-makers for the whole family. However, understanding how to keep everyone healthy while attending is important, especially when engaging with the animals and their handlers. This fact sheet is for people interested in learning proper hygiene practices for interacting with animals in public settings.
Phrases to be Wary of When Reading Horse Classifieds
The first-time, prospective horse buyer might benefit from some insight into what you may read in an equine classified. Keep in mind the classified ad might mean just what it says. Included are some potential alternate definitions for some key phrases. They are broken them into categories that include discipline, training, horse’s condition, and owner’s preference.
Things to look for when selecting a horse; key questions to ask
Horse ownership is an exciting prospect. If you are now at the point where you know that you have the means to financially support a horse, you have the knowledge on how to care for the horse, and you are able to ride, wanting to own your own horse that will meet your riding goals and needs is the next logical step. This fact sheet includes some Ideas for ‘screening’ your potential new horse.
Questions to ask a Prospective Trainer
The role of a horse trainer is to prepare the horse so that the horse is safe and responsive to your cues. This fact sheet contains a list of questions you should ask when looking for a trainer. It is important that you are on the same page, and you both agree on methodology.
Managing Botrytis on Bedding Plants
Bedding plants comprise an important segment of the Connecticut greenhouse industry, worth close to $350 million annually. These crops, which include pansy, geranium, bedding impatiens, New Guinea impatiens, snapdragon, coleus, and others are popular with home gardeners and in beautiful landscapes, and are sold in retail and wholesale outlets throughout the region. This fact sheet covers the identification of gray mold and its cause, and the impact and management of Botrytis cinerea in bedding plants.
Survey: CT Native Perennial, Tree & Shrub Availability List
UConn is seeking your input on the impact of the Connecticut Native Perennial, Tree, & Shrub Availability List! We are seeking your feedback to explore the impacts of the resource as well as areas for improvement. This survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Complete the Survey at: https://uconn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0dE8XrXCL2hCG6a Thank you for your input! The Connecticut Native […]
Farm Biosecurity Tip: Write Out a Biosecurity Plan
Farm Biosecurity Tip: Write out a biosecurity plan. Thinking about biosecurity is a great first step–developing a well-thought-out plan is next. Make sure that all family members, employees, and other personnel that interact with animals on your operation know how to follow the biosecurity plan, and have the resources and training to do so. Review […]
Equine Flying Insect Control
Flying insects are always a nuisance, but their activity definitely increases in the summer. New fly control options, where we are defining new as non-traditional, involve combining the use of chemical or organic methods with manure management.
Meet Giulia Gambale
Giulia Gambale recently joined our team as the Master Gardener Coordinator for New Haven County. She is originally from Peabody, Massachusetts, has a bachelor of arts in communication, and became a certified UConn Extension Master Gardener in 2023. What is your area of interest and how did you get started with it? Definitely vegetables, fruits […]
UConn Equine Extension Deworming Education Survey
The UConn Equine Extension Program is conducting a study to gather insight into the current deworming practices used by horse owners and equine professionals. We invite you to participate in a brief, 10-minute survey to help our team assess knowledge and awareness of deworming practices within the horse industry. Your input will help us better […]
July 17: School IPM Workshop
UConn Extension invites school and municipal grounds professionals to the annual School & Municipal Turf/Grounds Workshop on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the UConn Turf Research Facility in Storrs, Connecticut. This full-day event delivers science-based presentations and hands-on learning designed to help professionals manage healthy, sustainable landscapes in schoolyards, parks, athletic fields, and other public […]
Farming is Hard. Really Hard.
By Jean Cardinale “Farming is hard work.” As a volunteer farmers’ market manager for 20 years, I said that phrase countless times. I knew from talking to farmers each season that they were dedicated to bringing their products to the public each week, no matter what challenges they faced, and that fueled my pursuit to […]
Hay Analysis: Its Importance and Interpretation
Having hay analyzed is the only way to determine the actual nutrient content of it. It is important to know this so that you can be sure your horse is consuming an adequate diet. There may or may not be a need to feed grain depending on the quality of the hay. The better the quality of the hay, the less grain you will need to feed, which can be a significant savings.
Level Up Your Life Skills with Breadwinner
Can You Be a Breadwinner? Find Out in This New Financial Literacy Game Balancing work, groceries, bills, and your family’s health is no easy task, especially when time and money are tight. Breadwinner, a free online game developed by UConn Extension, turns these real-world challenges into a fast-paced and engaging simulation for teens and young adults. […]
Pasture: Evaluation and Management of Existing Pasture
By managing horse pastures more effectively, horse managers can increase forage production, lower production costs, improve aesthetics, and promote a healthier environment.
Managing Flood Risks on Farms
This article provides flood-related information to Connecticut growers, particularly relevant to vegetable and fruit growers in flood-prone regions. It offers strategies to prepare for, respond to, and recover from flooding events, covering what actions to take, when to implement them, how to execute them, and why they are essential.
Staying Safe on the Farm: Heat, Fire, Machinery & Animal Care
Connecticut farmers work hard year-round, but summer brings risks that demand extra attention. At UConn Extension, we’re committed to helping you protect your family, farm crew, pets, and livestock from summer hazards. Working in Extreme Heat Human and animal health are both vulnerable to summer’s soaring temperatures. Heat stress can lead to serious illness in […]
Farm Biosecurity Tip: Follow Reporting Guidelines
Farm Biosecurity Tip: Follow reporting guidelines for sick and deceased animals. If you notice a wild animal that is exhibiting signs of illness (such as HPAI) or a group of deceased birds, report your observations to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) State Veterinarian […]
Meet Jacqueline Crepeau
Jacqueline Crepeau joined our team this year as the Middlesex County Master Gardener Coordinator. She’s originally from Gainesville, Florida (Go Gators!) and is a lifelong learner. What is your area of interest? My primary area of interest is community-focused horticulture, particularly creating engaging and educational gardening spaces that foster collaboration, sustainability, and respect for the […]
Bug Week 2025: A Celebration of Insects Across Connecticut
Bug Week 2025 is Here – and It’s Buzzing with Excitement! From July 13–19, UConn Extension invites you to explore the incredible world of insects through hands-on events across Connecticut. Whether you’re curious about edible bugs, want to explore stream ecosystems, or just love creepy crawlies, there’s something for everyone. Event Highlights: July 14: Crunch into […]
Developing an IPM Plan for San Jose Scale
The San Jose Scale (SJS) compromises fruit quality and, in instances where they are allowed to establish, pose a significant risk to production. This fact sheet highlights the components of a year-long IPM plan for managing San Jose Scale populations, and provides relevant background and resources.
Online Gardening Course Available
UConn Extension is excited to announce that the Fundamentals of Home Gardening online course, designed to help gardening enthusiasts of all levels cultivate thriving home gardens, is available for home gardeners who want to expand their knowledge and skills. The course is divided into four modules covering essential gardening topics: CORE – Water, Soils, and […]
Gene Editing: Impact and Application for Agriculture
Selective breeding of plants and animals began 10,000 years ago. Early efforts in selective breeding focused primarily on improving crops for food production. Over time, the focus expanded to enhance desirable traits in animals. Today, technological advances have made gene editing (also known as genome editing) far more precise than traditional breeding techniques. This fact sheet will explain how gene editing works, why it’s effective, and how it can benefit farmers as well as those interested in this cutting-edge technology.
Hit the Trails and Earn Badges with CT Trail Finder
Connecticut’s trails just got even more rewarding! UConn Extension, in collaboration with CT Trail Finder and UConn CLEAR (Center for Land Use Education and Research), invites you to lace up your hiking boots, get outside, and earn digital Trail Badges for your adventures. The CT Trail Finder is a free, interactive mapping site that helps […]
June 9: Compost Tour in Ridgefield
Our partners at the CT Compost Alliance are hosting Compost Tours again this year. Join us on June 9th in Ridgefield for the latest compost tour. These events highlight different composting operations, offering learning opportunities for both beginners and those with experience. The event at the Ridgefield Transfer Station on Monday, June 9th at 2:00 […]
Meet Rebecca Bleiman
Rebecca Bleiman recently joined our team as the Program Coordinator for the UConn Extension Master Gardeners in Lower Fairfield County at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. Rebecca grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, graduated from Ithaca College, and completed the Master Gardener program in 2024. What is your area of interest? I retired from a […]
Save the Date – Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo
Save the Date – Northeast Greenhouse Conference and Expo November 12 & 13, 2025 DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel and Expo Center Please save the date for the largest greenhouse educational event and trade show in the Northeast! This fall, we will be back in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire within easy walking distance to […]
Brush Fires in Connecticut: Be Aware, Be Prepared
In many parts of Connecticut stretches of warm, breezy weather with little rainfall can be the norm. While these conditions may seem typical and easy to take for granted in daily routines, they can become especially concerning during the spring season (before leaves have fully emerged), as well as during the autumn months (as dry leaves fall and accumulate). Drying leaves create a blanket of combustible material across landscapes. The combination of dry fuels and windy conditions increases the risk of forest and brush fires in both rural and suburban areas. Similar dry conditions are uncommon but possible during other months and can also lead to brush fires.
Best Practices in Agritourism: Business Planning and Risk Management for Farmers
Agritourism is defined as a commercial activity, conducted on a working farm, that is designed for visitor enjoyment and provides supplemental income for the farmer. It offers farms a valuable opportunity to diversify their income, by welcoming visitors for unique on-farm experiences. Agritourism merges agriculture with tourism—and sometimes entertainment—while showcasing the farm’s products, people, and purpose. Before adding agritourism elements, farmers must consider two foundational components: business planning and insurance.
Homemade Pesticide Issues: Understanding the Science
As the gardening season gets underway, lots of homemade weed-killer ‘recipes’ crop up on social media, usually containing some combination of vinegar, Epsom salts and Dawn dishwashing soap. These are often accompanied by a comment such as ‘no need for pesticides’. It may feel good to use familiar household items to control pests in your garden, but it’s important to understand the science behind such mixes—and the potential risks.
Defining Extension Programs at UConn: Smith-Lever Legislation
By Amy Harder, Associate Dean & Associate Director, UConn Extension Smith-Lever Funding UConn Extension provides nonformal education through the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs intentionally designed to address critical issues relevant to the people of Connecticut. Critical issues are determined on a five-year basis and outlined in the University of Connecticut Research and Extension […]
Equine Botulism – Causes, Signs, & Prevention
In 2008, there were many reported cases of botulism, or suspected botulism, in the United States, including horses suspected to be affected in Connecticut. This illness can be a serious problem, so this fact sheet will discuss the causes, signs, and prevention of botulism.
Understanding Bird Flu: What You Need to Know
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly referred to as bird flu, is making headlines again as it affects poultry populations across the United States. Whether you’re a backyard poultry keeper, a commercial producer, or a consumer concerned about food safety, it’s important to understand how this virus spreads and what you can do to minimize […]
May 31: Spring Gardening Event in Newtown
Join us for a Spring Gardening Event offered by the Fairfield County Agricultural Extension Council, Inc and the Horticulture Club of Newtown on Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am until 1:00pm at 45 Main Street in Newtown, in front of the Edmond Town Hall. The Fairfield County Agricultural Council, Inc (FCAEC), and UConn Extension Master Gardeners […]
Get Trusted Answers from Local Experts with UConn Extension
Have you ever stood in your garden wondering what’s wrong with a plant—or looked at a canning recipe and felt unsure if it’s truly safe? Maybe you’re a new landowner trying to make environmentally sound decisions, or simply want to grow better agricultural crops this season. Whatever your question, UConn Extension is here to help—with […]
Protecting Beehives from Bears
Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional beekeeper, one thing is certain: bears love honey. They’re also drawn to other food sources like apples and pumpkins, especially during the fall. The right precautions can protect your bees and keep bears at bay. This fact sheet is for beekeepers and shares some important tips to help protect hives from bears.
Residential Gardens and Flooding
Seasonal flooding in Connecticut impacts many, including residential gardeners. Included in this factsheet are answers to some questions specifically pertaining to home gardeners.