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 […]
Agriculture & Farming
Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply
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 […]
Online Course Explores History of GMOs and More
UConn Extension is offering an online course, Let’s Talk GMOs: Creating Consistent Communication Messages. Participants are introduced to the basics of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They will learn how to create consistent communication messages and manage dialogue processes about GMOs with various audiences. The asynchronous course is available on-demand; it has eight online modules with instructors […]
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. […]
Spotted Lanternfly on the Move in Connecticut
The Spotted Lanternfly is on the move in Connecticut. In mid-August adults were confirmed in Norwich (New London County) and this week in two locations in New Milford (Litchfield County). These confirmed populations are in addition to the ones already known in Fairfield County (Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, Darian, Norwalk, Westport & Fairfield) and New […]
ConnCAP and SNAP-Ed/EFNEP
Article by Riley Courtney In July, Heather Peracchio, RDN and summer Extension intern Riley Courtney visited UConn’s Stamford campus for the purpose of providing nutrition and healthy eating education to teen members of the ConnCAP program. To start off, the two instructed the group on some principals of nutrition using the USDA’s MyPlate as a […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Meet Solid Ground’s new Program Co-Coordinator: Brittany Hall! Inbox
Hey Farmers! Just wanted to give a face to a new name you might see floating around to help with out Solid Ground Projects. Though we were so lucky and grateful to have Charlotte Ross for many years helping with the project, she has stepped down and Brittany Hall has taken her position! Here’s a […]
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 […]
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 […]
Multi-Faceted Approach to Nitrogen Management
We have a multi-faceted approach to nitrogen management in Connecticut that addresses land use issues, agricultural production, and water quality. Extension faculty from the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) are working on several applied research projects in support of better nitrogen (N) management. They are collaborating with the University of Rhode Island […]
Cultivation Tips for School Grounds Managers
Dr. Jason Henderson and Vickie Wallace of our Turfgrass Extension program provide research-based health tips for cultivation and managing school grounds in this first video of our new series.
Free Webinar on Export Assistance for CT Agricultural Producers
Free Webinar on Export Assistance for Connecticut Agricultural Producers! Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Time: 10:00am Eastern time Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required Register Here: Closed Overview: Join us for a free webinar to hear about state and federal resources available to assist Connecticut agricultural and food product companies interested in exporting. This webinar, […]
Food and Nutrition Classes at Home
Hartford County’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provided virtual nutrition education and cooking programs to limited resource adults and youth in 2021. We held the Cook and Chat virtual series for adults online. It included sessions on cooking basics, food safety, food budgeting, and nutrition topics over three to 12 lessons. Programs partners […]
Shellfish Habitat Restoration
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the aquaculture industry particularly hard. It was facing catastrophic sales losses that would have forced many out of business. Connecticut Sea Grant Extension helped keep industry members afloat during the pandemic by involving them in shellfish habitat restoration work. We kept people working at a time when the shellfish marketplace collapsed […]
Extension Donor Support is Growing Statewide Programming
The work of UConn Extension serves thousands of people across Connecticut. UConn Extension educators work in all 169 cities and towns helping Connecticut residents to solve problems in their communities and provide transformational learning experiences to program participants. This couldn’t be done without the financial support of generous donors, many of whom have experienced Extension […]
Registration Open: Urban Farming Course
Join us for an Urban Farmer Training Course. We’re coordinating with @GVInitiative to offer this course from May through October. Details: s.uconn.edu/urbanfarmingcourse This program is funded in part by USDA NIFA.
Jacqueline Kowalski Hired as Urban Agriculture Educator
Urban agriculture in Connecticut is growing! Urban farms, community gardens, and innovative practices such as hydroponics are all a part of the urban agriculture landscape. To help meet the needs of the urban agriculture community, Jacqueline Kowalski recently joined the UConn Extension team. She is based at the Fairfield County Extension Center in Bethel. Identified […]
Ask UConn Extension: All About Cheese
Can cheese be frozen? Some cheese can be stored in the freezer but it’s not recommended because it can change the texture. Harder cheeses like Parmesan freeze better than other types. Therefore, it is best to freeze harder cheeses that you intend to use for cooking rather than eating alone. It is best to freeze […]
Ultrasound Technology Improves Livestock Meat Quality
Article by Joe Emenheiser, Ph.D. Meat quality improvement can improve economic development for livestock producers. Ultrasound technology is used to evaluate body composition traits. This means livestock producers can check meat qualities in live animals. It leads to better livestock selection and breeding decisions. A three-year grant project on beef and dairy crossbreeding is improving […]
Ultrasound Technology Improves Livestock Meat Quality
Article by Joe Emenheiser, Ph.D. Meat quality improvement can improve economic development for livestock producers. Ultrasound technology is used to evaluate body composition traits. This means livestock producers can check meat qualities in live animals. It leads to better livestock selection and breeding decisions. A three-year grant project on beef and dairy crossbreeding is improving […]
EFNEP/4-H Special Interest group with Danbury Public Schools
UConn Extension in Fairfield County is leading a EFNEP/4-H special interest group with Danbury Public Schools at Rogers Park Middle School. EFNEP educator Heather Peracchio is engaging students with Teen Cuisine curriculum and hands-on activities in grades 6-8th. During National Nutrition Month in March students enjoyed learning about MyPlate healthy eating and made a Colorful […]
Joro Spider Information
You asked, we answered. We’ve been getting questions about Joro spiders. Gail Reynolds from our UConn Extension Master Gardener program answered: Joro spiders, Trichonephila clavata, have been sensationalized in recent news stories. The actual appearance of these spiders in Connecticut has not been documented. According to various reports, this spider was first noted in Georgia in […]
Ana Legrand: Educator Spotlight
Creating Sustainable Landscapes Through the Interactions of Plants and Insects Educator Spotlight: Ana Legrand Ana Legrand built her career around helping people understand the benefits that insects provide. Legrand is an entomologist and UConn Extension educator in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture. Entomology is the study of insects, and it plays a […]
Avian Influenza Frequently Asked Questions
This information is courtesy of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. What Is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)? Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is an extremely infectious viral disease that occurs naturally in wild birds and can spread to domestic birds. The virus has led to the disposal of about 48 million poultry in 21 Western […]
Soul Food Meal (y en Espanol)
Soul Food Meal: Chicken Creole, New Orleans Red Beans and Simmered Mixed Greens Download the recipe on our Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program website. Feb/2022 Written by and 📷Photo Credit by: U. R. Taylor, MS, RDN, CDN
Black History Month 2022 – Health and Wellness
Have your ever wondered about the history of Black History Month? Dr. Carter G. Woodson is credited with bringing to the forefront the importance of teaching about Black History, Culture and Life. Carter G. Woodson, was the son of former slaves, and as a child, worked as a sharecropper, a miner and other odd jobs […]
2021 Highlights of Extension Report
The past two years have challenged us more than anyone could have predicted. Extension adapted our services and programs to continue serving our audiences. We are addressing critical issues related to agriculture and food, climate adaptation, enhancing health and well-being, social justice, and sustainable landscapes. Extension is unique because the services we provide are […]
High Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the U.S.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020. Avian influenza does not present […]
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Tree Fruit
Evan Lentz of the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture discusses the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in tree fruit as part of our Fruit Crops Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. This video was made possible through the USDA NIFA CPPM Grant.
USDA Announces $1 Billion Investment in Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today at Lincoln University that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is delivering on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. […]
Food Safety and Refrigeration
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD UConn Extension Educator – Food Safety As I am writing this, it is snowing lightly outside my office window. I am thinking about the potential weather fluctuations. Lots of folks have filled their freezers and refrigerators in preparation for the storm. But what happens when the power goes out? […]