Asparagus should not be harvested the first two years after planting. The third year, harvest is limited to 2 weeks. After that, it is safe to harvest for 4-8 weeks, then allow ferns to develop. Some people opt not to harvest the 3rd year, but it can be done. -Pamm Cooper
Agriculture & Farming
Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply
UConn Summer Riding: Community Polo Lessons 2023
Polo lesson registration is now open! Lessons are available to Intermediate or Advanced Level riders who can maintain control of their horse at the walk, trot and canter, and comfortable on different levels of horses. DATES Session 1: Jun 5 – 24 Session 2: Jun 26 – Jul 14 Session 3: Jul 17 – Aug […]
Did You Know? Crabapples
If a crabapple fails to produce fruit, but does have flowers, then either flowers were not pollinated or the tree has other issues and is stressed, and will then abort fruit. Crabapple trees in shade also tend to produce little to no fruit. -Pamm Cooper
Chloride is Crucial for Crops!
Article by Haiying Tao, PhD, UConn Assistant Professor, Soil Fertility & Health While we all are aware that the big three, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are needed for healthy plants, many of us don’t give much thought to the dozen or so trace elements that while needed in tiny quantities are also […]
Advancing Environmental & Climate Justice in CT
Romina Flores Diaz, a political science student at UConn Hartford, and Mayra Rodríguez González, our urban and community forestry assistant extension educator, advanced UConn CAHNR’s strategic vision through their collaborative research on Resilient Cities, Racism, and Equity. At the Undergraduate Research Conference in Storrs, Romina presented an evidence-based approach to achieve environmental and climate justice […]
UConn Extension Welcomes New Fruit Educator Evan Lentz
How can UConn Extension help you? Evan Lentz, the new assistant Extension educator of fruit production and IPM at UConn’s Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture wants to know. Lentz, a recent graduate of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, has expertise in commercial fruit production with an emphasis on small and some niche […]
Problem Solvers in the Aquaculture Industry
In attempt to meet the increased demand for seaweed, aquaculture producers are working to expand the North American seaweed farming industry. However, efforts to strengthen the industry have highlighted the need to address emerging challenges. “Processing capabilities, long term nursery production, and competition with imports” are among the most prevalent concerns says Anoushka Concepcion, an […]
Meat Science Program Merges Local Roots with Global Perspective
Connecticut may be best known as leaders in manufacturing and insurance, but one longstanding UConn program aims to help beef up the state’s meat industry. The meat science program in UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources teaches students about Connecticut’s unique industry profile while providing them with the skills to work anywhere. Established in the […]
Urban Farmer Training Course
UConn Extension, in partnership with CPEN, the Community Placemaking Engagement Network, is offering an urban farmer training course in New Haven scheduled to run from April to October. The course, taught by Jacqueline Kowalski, a UConn urban agriculture educator, will train locals to produce fresh food, manage a marketplace and develop as agricultural entrepreneurs and vendors. […]
Conserving Water by Eliminating Outdoor Irrigation
By Dr. Mike Dietz The one thing that people don’t want to hear is outdoor irrigation for watering lawns, and that is a waste, in my opinion. If you’re an agricultural producer or are growing a garden, that’s one thing, we need food, but if you are throwing that water on a green lawn, it’s just an absolute waste. That’s an area where we can make a […]
UConn Extension Internship Application Deadline Extended
The application deadline for our summer internships has been extended to March 26th. Get paid while learning and working in a career-oriented role. We offer internships in the following disciplines: Food Health Nutrition Sustainability Research Agribusiness Youth Education Community Development Marketing Click here to view internship descriptions. Most of these roles are for an average […]
From This Land: Honoring Native Foods of Winter
Along with Narragansett artist, farmer and educator, Dawn M. Spears, Put Local On Your Tray is pleased to announce a new campaign series called, “From This Land: Honoring Native Foods.” The first installment of the series looks at native foods of winter, including maple syrup! You can find more information about artist Dawn M. Spears, […]
Highlights of Extension
Our 2022 Highlights of Extension report shows how UConn Extension continues innovating to meet audiences and partners around the issues identified in the strategic initiatives set forth by the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. Youth programs, water quality, and geospatial education are all part of the sustainable landscapes and climate portfolios and […]
DIY Video Series
We’ve been working away in the background at getting some great videos pulled together for you. In our DIY Video Series, we visit farms all over the state and look at different projects they have tackled to make some of the costs a little easier on their wallets and more sustainable for their farms. Each […]
Deploying Sugar Kelp Seed String
The collapse of the lobster fishery in the late 1990s forced many lobstering families to find alternative ways to make a living on the water. While many transitioned into shellfish aquaculture, one lobsterman was interested in adding a new crop into his business: sugar kelp. DJ King (King Lobsters) cultivates shellfish and sugar kelp on […]
Deciding How Much to Make or Buy?
Save money and improve nutrition by deciding what to make and buy. Try buying in bulk, doubling recipes, using leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch/dinner or freezing leftovers for future meals! Ahorre dinero y mejore la nutrición al decidir qué hacer y comprar. Intente comprar al por mayor, duplicando recetas, usando las sobras para el almuerzo/cena […]
Recognizing Diane Gawronski, UConn Master Gardener, for Receiving Haddam Historical Society Award
We love sharing the accomplishments of Master Gardeners! Diane Gawronski, MG Middlesex Class of 2022, was honored this year with an award by the Haddam Historical Society. See their full post below: “This year the Haddam Historical Society acknowledged garden volunteer Dr. Diane Gawronski, DMD with the Founders’ Day Award. Diane has been responsible for […]
Holiday Giving With Fairfield County Community Nutrition
The Fairfield County Community Nutrition team assembled and delivered a can opener and ‘Canned Foods Fill MyPlate’ materials to the Jericho Food Pantry in Danbury. Seventy-five of Danbury’s most in need residents will receive the gift bags in time for the holidays.
CT GROWN MARKETING TOOLS: LIST YOUR CSA
Does your farm offer a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program? In the upcoming months the Connecticut Grown campaign will be promoting CSA’s and we want to be sure your farm is included. The Department of Agriculture maintains a list of Connecticut CSAs at https://portal.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74ef6c0c3fdcad5c83a78f294&id=343708bd23&e=075feba670. To add your farm to this list, or to update the information […]
Foundations of Shellfish Farming Training Course 2023
Registration: http://s.uconn.edu/shellfish Cost: $300 Foundations of Shellfish Farming is a training course for new and prospective farmers and those who simply seek to learn more about aquaculture practices and techniques. Topics that will be covered include: how to establish and operate a shellfish business; leasing and permitting requirements; considerations for gear, vessels, and facilities, shellfish biology, aquaculture techniques and best practices, and risks […]
Tis The Season
Tis the season! Did you know that Connecticut greenhouses grow many of the poinsettias you find in stores around New England. They are still shipping fresh plants. Learn more about the industry: Photos: Leanne Pundt for UConn Extension
Money Saving Cooking Tips
Learn how you can save time⌚and money💲with these simple tips! ¡Aprenda cómo puede ahorrar tiempo y dinero con estos sencillos consejos! ⌚💲
Give to Extension
Gifts to Extension support programs in all 169 cities and towns of Connecticut. Your contribution positively impacts the 4-H youth program, agriculture and food, climate, health, and sustainable landscapes. Support Extension today at s.uconn.edu/givetoextension #GivingDay
8 Essential “Always” of Holiday Food Safety
Read the updated version of this article. Article by Indu Upadhyaya, Ph.D., Assistant Extension Educator, Food Safety Holiday gatherings bring families and friends together, to spread more joy and happiness. While the merriment begins around Thanksgiving and continues until the New Years’, the food during holiday buffets, the party trays, the turkey, and other delicacies […]
Programas y Servicios en Español
¿Sabía que la Extensión de UConn ofrece programas y servicios en español? Si tiene interés en la salud, nutrición, horticultura, manejo integrado de plagas, y el desarrollo personal y comunitario nuestros programas están disponibles para ayudarlo a aprender! UConn EFNEP El Programa Ampliado de Educación en Alimentación y Nutrición (UConn EFNEP) ayuda […]
Spanish Produce Safety Training Videos
Produce Safety Training VideosAvailable in Spanish and English Attention Farmers: UConn Extension’s 2 farm worker training videos are available now in Spanish. These are to help you with training your Spanish speaking employees in produce safety practices. These resources will help make your employees follow proper food safety on farm and ensure a safe food production. The videos were […]
Can I make my own Sausage?
UConn EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) answers this common question and more. In its most basic form, sausage is minced meat with salt and other seasoning. It may or may not be stuffed into casings, can be made as a raw or cooked product and comes in all sizes and shapes. In many […]
Respecting Our Roots with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
A partnership between UConn and local tribes led to the development of Meechooôk Farm and other programs that strengthen the tribal community, their land-base, and self-sufficiency. Learn more about the project by reading this article. Financial support for this work was provided by the USDA NIFA Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP Awards 2017-41580-26950 and 2022-41580-37944). […]
Fall Updates from Extension
The changing seasons are a reliable time marker, and this fall, UConn Extension is experiencing our own transitions. It’s an exciting time as new educators join the team and continue implementing our statewide programs. Catch up on our latest updates: s.uconn.edu/fall-news
Keep Your Food Safe & Fresh: Simple Canning & Preservation Tips
Are you looking for a way to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer? Do you want to extend the shelf life of summer and fall foods from your garden? The webinar hosted in late September is now available for viewing online! Follow the link below to the webinar recording, and follow along with the […]
Novice or veteran, fishermen value safety & survival training
Participants in Safety at Sea training practice boarding a life raft. Story and photos by Judy Benson Dan Russell and Abraham Powell are at opposite ends of their fishing careers. While both work from vessels docked in New London, Russell is a boat captain who’s been fishing for 50 years. Powell is brand new, having […]
Indigenous People’s Day
Indigenous People’s Day celebrates the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples in the United States and across the world. It honors America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal nations that continue to thrive here today, recognizing their contributions and acknowledging their resilience and strength in the face of a centuries-long campaign of violence, […]
Nutrition Education in Action
Extension is out and about – and you may run into us at a local event. Our nutrition educators were at two events on Saturday, September 17th. First, the public learned how “Healthy Eating can Boost Your Immune System” through two on-site classes and cooking demonstrations at the Danbury Farmers’ Market. Participants learned how […]
Adventures in Agriculture with Mashantucket Youth and 4-H
As a part of the symbiotic partnership between the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) and UConn Extension and supported by USDA NIFA’s Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP), tribal youth engage in outreach opportunities designed to educate students about the origin of food and fiber. Programming during summer 2022 included a series of STEM activity […]
10 Ways to Volunteer with UConn 4-H
No matter how much time you have, volunteering with UConn 4-H makes a difference by helping youth explore and discover the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. There are lots of ways to get involved! Please note, your volunteer experience and/or opportunities may be happening virtually or in-person. Contact UConn 4-H for more […]
Help Wanted: Become a UConn 4-H Volunteer
UConn 4-H is Accepting Volunteer Applications UConn 4-H provides youth with life-changing experiences from flying rockets into space with NASA to organizing national conferences for other youth, and everything in between. These experiences are possible because of thousands of adult mentors and volunteers who work throughout the state and guide youth to reach their potential. […]
Safe Food Handling Practices for Farm Workers
Food safety is critical on agricultural operations. Dr. Indu Upadhyaya explains safe harvesting practices for farm workers. In part two of our food safety practices for agricultural operations training, Dr. Indu Upadhyaya explains safe post-harvest practices for farm workers.
Hyde’s Dairy Farm Named 2022 CT Outstanding Dairy Farm for New England Green Pastures
Hyde’s Dairy Farm LLC in North Franklin is the 2022 Connecticut Outstanding Dairy Farm. Owner Dave Hyde and his team will be recognized at the New England Green Pastures award ceremony at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Dave’s father, Harry, helps wherever needed, Samantha Hoffman is herdsman, and there are also three part-time employees. […]
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 […]
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 […]