Nicole Davidow recently joined our team as an Outreach Assistant for the Vegetable and Hemp Extension Program and is working alongside Shuresh Ghimire, our Vegetable Extension Specialist at the Tolland Extension Office. She is originally from Southington and received a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Fairfield University, focusing on humanitarian crises, social justice issues, […]
Agriculture & Farming
Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply
Final two Livestock Producer Listening Sessions
There’s two more producer listening sessions from 10am- 2pm, hosted by UConn Extension’s Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist, MacKenzie White. Join her to share your needs, challenges, and aspirations as a livestock producer in Connecticut. The next session is virtual, on Thursday January 23rd, 2025. Use https://s.uconn.edu/livestocklisteningsession to join! The final session is Tuesday […]
Meet Sara Tomis
Sara Tomis is our new assistant extension educator for One Health – Agriculture and Community Engagement. Sara is originally from Preston, Connecticut and earned a bachelor of science in agricultural education and outreach from UConn CAHNR and a master of science in agricultural education and communication with a specialization in Extension from the University of […]
Discover the Potential of Agritourism: Free Webinar on January 30
UConn Extension is excited to announce an upcoming agritourism webinar, offering farmers and agricultural business owners a unique opportunity to explore the possibilities of integrating tourism into their agricultural operations. This free, virtual event will take place on Thursday, January 30 from 2-4 PM, and will feature practical insights from seasoned experts and farmers who […]
CAES Announces Renewal of the Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine for Connecticut
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) in cooperation with USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) continued to detect expanding populations of the spotted lanternfly (SLF) in Connecticut through 2023. The Director of CAES hereby announces the renewal of the Order of Quarantine for SLF that was established 1 July 2021, effective January 1, 2025. More information […]
Business of Farming Online Course
The first cohort for our Business of Farming hybrid class is starting Jan 3- right as the new year kicks off! If you want to get the business side of your farm to feel a little more concrete, this should help! So why should you sign up for the Business of Farming? Even if you […]
2025 UConn Extension Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers’ Conference
Earlybird Registration closes on Dec. 29, 2024 Details When: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Where: UConn Student Union, Storrs, CT Registration Information: Regular: $50.00 (ends December 29, 2024 at 11:59 PM) Late (starting on December 30, 2024): $70.00 Student: $35.00 Register at: s.uconn.edu/vfcregistration Online registration will be open until January 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Walk-in registration may be available but […]
New Online Certificate – FARM RISK MANAGEMENT
New Online Certificate – FARM RISK MANAGEMENT: In-Depth Strategies for Effective Farm Risk Management This unique program from UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources focuses on critical topics for the agriculture industry, farm risk management. Farm risk management involves understanding and mitigating factors that can impact agricultural operations, such as climate change, pest management, […]
Say “Neigh” to Negativity: How Horses Can Help Us Find Lifelong Happiness
Article by Jenifer Nadeau As people that love horses, horses make us happy! This seems like a simplistic statement but when the pandemic hit I suddenly realized how much horses are a part of my own happiness. In the early days of the pandemic we weren’t really allowed to be on campus but I would […]
Meet MacKenzie White
MacKenzie White joined UConn Extension as our Diversified Livestock Field Based Extension Specialist on November 1, 2024. MacKenzie grew up in Shapleigh, Maine and earned her associates of applied animal science from the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture at UConn, a bachelor of science in agriculture and natural resources with a minor in animal science […]
HACCP for Meat and Poultry Processors
HACCP for Meat and Poultry Processors (Course approved by International HACCP Alliance) December 4, 5, & 6, 2024 Middlesex County Extension Center 1066 Saybrook Rd. Haddam, CT 06438 UConn Extension in cooperation with University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension is pleased to offer a three-day International HACCP Alliance approved Meat and Poultry course. This course […]
Apple Picking with the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program
As the air begins to get colder and fall crops become ready to harvest, apple picking is a great way to learn about food systems, support local agriculture, and engage in healthy eating behaviors. On October 15th, 2024, twenty youth and child development professionals from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) traveled to Holmberg Orchards […]
Did you know how good Squash is for you?
Did you know Squash Is rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber? As the temperature cools, it is the perfect time to explore the vibrant world of late season squashes. These nutrient packed vegetables offer a multitude of flavors with countless cooking possibilities. Here, we will share some facts, storage tips, delicious recipes […]
Fall Ornamental & Turf Short Course
Registration is now open for the UConn Extension Ornamental & Turf Short Course! This course will run from October 9th – December 18th. An instructor will meet virtually with students weekly on Wednesdays at 5:30-7:30 p.m. to review each module topic and answer questions. Registration Cost: $400.00, which includes the Pesticide Applicator Core Manual, Ornamental & Turf Category Manual, and […]
Meet Charles Krasnow
Charles Krasnow joined UConn Extension as an associate extension educator for controlled environment agriculture in September. He is originally from Newton, Massachusetts and earned his bachelor of science from UMASS Amherst and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. What is your area of interest and how did you get started with it? I love plant pathology, […]
The Diebold Family: Lifelong Supporters of 4-H and Agriculture
The Diebold Family are lifelong supporters of 4-H and youth interested in pursuing agriculture. The generosity of gifts provided by Dudley and Nonie Diebold and the Diebold Foundation to the UConn 4-H program have provided Connecticut 4-H youth with unique and exciting leadership opportunities at both the state and national level. These include conferences such […]
Protect Your Horse from EEE
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in Connecticut again this year and a horse has been infected. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) at UConn and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station are both monitoring the disease through mosquito testing. Clinical signs in horses include continuous walking, depression, and somnolence, to aggression and excitability. […]
Logue Farms is Connecticut’s 2024 New England Green Pastures Winner
Logue Farms, Inc. is the winner of the 2024 New England Green Pastures Award from Connecticut. This dairy farm has been in continuous operation since 1905, with fourth generation as the current operators and 10 children in the fifth generation. David and Debbie Logue own the farm with their sons Michael and James; their daughters […]
Free Poultry Workshop 8/23!
Join UConn Extension at the Tolland County Extension Center at TAC (Tolland Agricultural Center) in Vernon on Friday, August 23 for a free workshop on poultry production! Visit https://foodsafety.uconn.edu/ for more information. |Flyer| |Agenda| |Registration Link|
Ag Mechanics Classes Help New and Beginning Farmers
Connecticut’s new and beginning farmers face numerous tasks and expenses when starting their farm businesses. To support these farmers, UConn Extension’s Solid Ground program offers a comprehensive suite of workshops and programming. One of the standout offerings each winter for new farmers is the Ag-Mechanics series. Ag-Mechanics workshops focus on equipping farmers with practical skills […]
Meet Diane Dorfer
Diane Dorfer (’03 CLAS) joined UConn Extension as our Farm Viability Service Coordinator in June. She’s from Mansfield Center and owns and operates Cobblestone Farm. Diane earned her bachelor of science degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from UConn. What is your area of interest? One of the goals of my new position is to […]
Meet Fanny Hernandez
Fanny Hernandez joined UConn Extension as our Evaluation Specialist in April. She is from the Dominican Republic, and before moving to Connecticut, she lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for almost nine years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC) and a certificate in education in the Dominican […]
Biological Controls for Ornamental Growers: Aug. 15 in New Haven
We’re pleased to offer the Biological Controls for Ornamental Growers program again this year in partnership with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven. The details include: Biological Control Conference for Ornamental Growers Thursday, August 15, 2024 Jones Auditorium at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT Featuring: · Suzanne Wainwright Evans […]
Vegetable IPM Field Workshop: August 1, 2024 in Storrs
Vegetable IPM Field Workshop August 1, 2024 – 3 – 6 pm – rain or shine UConn Plant Science Research and Education Facility, 59 Agronomy Road, Storrs CT Join UConn Extension Faculty at the Plant Science Research Farm to learn about important vegetable pests and management options. Presentation topics include: UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab updates Bacterial […]
Pollinator Week
Happy Pollinator Week! We have resources to help you support pollinators in your yard and outdoor spaces: http://s.uconn.edu/pollinators – we’ll be celebrating them again in July for our annual Bug Week activities too (http://bugs.uconn.edu).
Eighteen Farms Chosen for Climate Smart Farming Microgrants
UConn Extension is delighted to announce that eighteen new and beginning farmers are receiving climate smart microgrants fueled by Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant. UConn Extension was one of 12 recipients and received a total of $500,000 with nearly half of that to be distributed through microgrants which will […]
Meet Amelia Magistrali
Amelia Magistrali joined our team as an Associate Extension Educator in soil health in May. Originally from Torrington, she earned a bachelor of arts in environmental studies from Middlebury College, a master of science in organic farming and food production systems from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, and a PhD from Newcastle University as […]
Direct From The Farm
Many of soils throughout Connecticut tend to be more acidic, formed as rocks were ground and deposited by glaciation. The pH of soils cultivated for vegetable growing typically declines (becomes more acidic) gradually from the removal of calcium, magnesium and potassium ions–by leaching and crop uptake–and from the use of acid-forming fertilizers. Testing every year gives a more complete evaluation and is also appropriate when significant changes have been made in the fertilizer program. Reviewing fertilizer labelling is essential.
Workshop: Pasture Based Systems Sustainable Livestock Production
Join UConn Extension for a tour of Pat’s Pastured, a Rhode Island pasture-raised livestock and poultry farm that serves both retail and wholesale customers. Following the tour, owner Pat McNiff will lead a presentation and answer questions regarding the economic analysis and decision making involved with growing, harvesting and marketing his products to ensure the […]
2024 Summer Internship in Fruit Production and IPM
2024 Summer Internship in Fruit Production and IPM with Evan Lentz Assistant Extension Educator in Fruit Production and IPM Young 116A Background: I am seeking an individual undergraduate student who will assist with ongoing pest monitoring research efforts around the state. Pest monitoring is one of the essential tools available to farmers and researchers who […]
Bird Health Webinar on Bolstering Biosecurity
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service invites you to join a webinar on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. ET for information about resources that may be helpful to producers seeking to enhance their biosecurity. The 30-minute webinar will feature a presentation from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) on loan programs that they […]
Small Farm Innovation Project
Española abajo UConn College of Engineering and College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, are developing a project-based learning curriculum that connects farmers to a collaborative team of students, faculty, Extension, and agriculture service providers, to help bring your ideas to fruition. Do you have an idea for a new tool, or a way to […]
Crop Talk
We are pleased to share the December 2023 edition of Crop Talk! Access it via the following link to view the full publication:https://ipm.cahnr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3216/2023/12/Crop-Talk-December-2023.pdf
Farm Risk Management Program 2023-2024 FREE Programs
UConn Extension is offering plenty of Farm Risk Management Programs in the upcoming 2024 year, and they are FREE! Options to Mitigate Farm Financial Losses When: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Where: CLiCK, 41 Club Rd, Windham, CT Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Crop Insurance Programs When: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Where: Tolland County […]
2024 Produce Safety Rules Training Courses
The 2024 FSMA produce safety rule/ produce safety alliance approved grower training courses are here! Course Summary: The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course has been designed to provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices knowledge that includes emphasis on co-management of food safety and environmental management goals, while outlining the requirements of the […]
Federal funds will enhance aquaculture education, kelp farming
Two federal grants totaling almost $600,000 will help launch two new initiatives considered crucial to the long-term viability of the state’s aquaculture industry. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant program will provide a $398,896 grant to Connecticut Sea Grant for a two-year project to assess workforce development needs. The grant was one of […]
Northeastern US Producer survey on agricultural water and floods
UConn Extension is seeking inputs from farmers on information regarding current irrigation and water testing practices. The survey focuses on agricultural water and flood impact on crop food safety in the Northeastern US. Your participation as a producer in this survey is valuable as it will help UConn Extension better understand the challenges and concerns […]
Build Scientific Understanding of Genetic Engineering with High School Students
UConn Extension has made available a standards-based curriculum aimed at addressing the misunderstandings about genetically modified foods. This curriculum, aimed toward science and agriscience educators, provides information about the applications of genetic engineering in agriculture and other fields. Both a formal and non-formal curriculum are available. The non-formal curriculum is a great tool that could be […]
Interview with Anoushka Concepcion: Barriers to Seaweed Expansion
Anoushka Concepcion was interviewed by Chaya Gaberria on April 26, 2023. Interview edited by Carla Schubiger. “I would encourage everyone, specifically women and POC, to establish support systems early in their careers.” – Anoushka Please introduce yourself (briefly; name, position, what are you working on)? My name is Anoushka Concepcion, and I am an […]
Solid Ground DIY series- Farming in Small Spaces
Hey Farmers! If you’re thinking about growing in a small footprint, or want to look at different ways folks are growing in their small space in CT, this is the video series for you! We visited with farmers throughout the state that were growing on a quarter acre or less and took a look at […]