Community

Meet Nikki Santillo: New Haven County Farmer’s Market Intern

Hello, my name is Nikki Santillo. I am interning with the New Haven County farmer’s market. I am a rising junior majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Food Science. In the fall semester, I was able to connect with an after school program the nutrition club supported. I helped inform the children about […]

Tour des Farms Annual Bike Ride Uplifts Local Farmers All Summer Long

Your Scenic Summer Ride Can Support Connecticut Farmers and Help Tackle Food Insecurity  Statewide – Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development (CT RC&D) is a statewide nonprofit agriculture and environmental organization focused on sustainable Connecticut communities and rural prosperity. On July 1st, they’re launching the 3rd Annual Tour des Farms Fundraiser, a bicycle (2020 to include […]

Meet Carl Johnson: Plant Diagnostic & Horticulture Intern

Hello! My name is Carl Johnson I am the Plant diagnostic & Horticulture intern at the UConn Plant Diagnostic Lab. I am a graduate of the Ratcliffe Hicks plant science program(RHSA) and am going into my senior year as a Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems (SPSS) major. Before enrolling in UConn I worked as a […]

Meet Jade Hardrick: CEDAS & Best Practices in Economic Development Program Intern

Jade Hardrick is a rising junior at the University of Connecticut and is from South Windsor, CT. She is currently double majoring in economics and urban & community studies. Her interests include urban planning, business, and law. She plans to obtain an advanced degree in at least one of those listed fields. On campus, she […]

Meet Sydney Collins: NRCA Intern

Hello all! My name is Sydney Collins, and I am excited to announce my partnership with UConn Extension as a NRCA Intern for the Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) in Summer 2020.  More about me, I am a rising sophomore at the University of Connecticut studying Environmental Science with a keen interest in Urban and Community Development. […]

Conservation Training Partnerships

Connecting Generations for Conservation The Cheshire Land Trust’s largest conservation property, Ives Farm, is a working 164-acre farm along the Quinnipiac River that includes picturesque public hiking trails through 80 acres of woodlands with mature stands of oak, mixed hardwoods, and old field cedars. In recent years, the trails became overgrown, impassable in spots and […]

Celebrate National Pollinator Week!

This week highlights the crucial role of pollinators in our food supply, crop success and persistence of the plants we admire. Pollinator activity is needed for the reproduction of over 85% of the world’s flowering plants including  over 1,200 crop plants. We can take time to learn more about pollinators and reflect on the need […]

Meet Neva Taylor: Extension Intern and Podcast Host

Hi! My name is Neva Taylor and I am one of the summer interns with the CT Trail Census and UConn CAHNR Extension. At UConn, I am a double major in Urban and Community Studies (UCS) and Sociology, and in the Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) fast track program. At UConn I am on the […]

Partner Testimonials

Partnerships are at the foundation of Extension’s work statewide in all 169 towns and cities of Connecticut. We integrate with agencies and non-profits in communities in a variety of ways. “Our partnerships strengthen Extension, and in turn increase our statewide impact. Our innovative collaborations allow Extension and our partners to reach respective goals together.” ~ […]

On the Trail Podcast

Did you know that the CT Trail Census is starting a podcast? Well they are! It is called “On the Trail” and each week they focus on a different path having to do with trails and nature in Connecticut. This week’s episode features an interview with Cary Chadwick, a geospatial educator, about how to find […]

What is It?

What is it? The Spotted Pine Sawyer Beetle. It is right on time with adults appearing in June. It’s look alike is the Asian Longhorn Beetle, but the adult stage for the ALB occurs during August, says Carol Quish from our UConn Home & Garden Education Center. Ask us your question at: http://bit.ly/AskUConnExtension_form Our colleagues at University of […]

UConn PEP: Empowering Communities

The UConn People Empowering People Program is an innovative personal and family development program with a strong community focus. Created by Cheryl Czuba, UConn Extension Educator, and coordinated by Cathleen T. Love, Ph.D, UConn Professor of Extension, The UConn PEP program has graduated over one thousand people in over fifteen years. The UConn PEP program […]

A Message to the CAHNR Community

Dear Friends and Colleagues – The events of the past few weeks have brought sadness and outrage to communities across our nation. The senseless killing of black men and women demonstrates that as a nation, we need to make further and strong progress toward our aspirations of a diverse and inclusive society. The College of […]

Wethersfield Residents Grow With UConn PEP Program

Around the state, organizations have found a way to continue UConn Extension’s Parent Leadership Training, part of our People Empowering People (UConn PEP) program. With technology, determination and creativity PEP facilitators are keeping their parent leaders connected and informed during this difficult time by offering the UConn PEP program via Zoom. One such program is being run by […]

UConn 4-H and Partners Move Over 78,000 Pounds of Dairy Products

UConn 4-H and Partners Move Over 78,000 Pounds of Dairy Products to Support Connecticut Communities UConn 4-H, the youth development program of Extension in the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources has moved 78,894 pounds of dairy products to date – the equivalent of six full-size elephants – during Operation Community Impact. 4-H […]

Highlights of Extension

UConn Extension has collaborated with our partners, communities and stakeholders for over 100 years. We are proud to serve all 169 cities and towns in Connecticut. The worldwide pandemic involving COVID-19 (coronavirus) has produced unprecedented challenges in the UConn community and around the world. Our services continue during this challenging time. All of our educators […]

Family and Food Resources from UConn EFNEP

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) helps families learn about healthy eating, shopping on a budget, cooking and physical activity. EFNEP staff strive to empower participants, providing knowledge and skills to improve the health of all family members. Participants learn through doing, with cooking, physical activity and supportive discussions about nutrition and healthy habits. EFNEP […]

Communities Feed Kids

There are amazing stories from across Connecticut about the efforts being made to feed our communities. Responding to COVID-19 requires generosity and ingenuity. We recognize, more than ever, it is clear the roles schools play and the necessity of school meal programs to connect and serve healthy and local food with our communities. Put local […]

Home With Chickens: Enhance Your Poultry Skills With Us

Chickens are increasing in popularity with many residents, and for good reason. Owning poultry provides a source of fresh eggs, and is fun. At some point, you may have questions while you are home with chickens UConn Extension, part of the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources has a suite of resources for […]

Operation Community Impact: 4-H Helps Distribute Milk Statewide

UConn 4-H, the youth development program of Extension in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is organizing Operation Community Impact. This afternoon, 4-H members and volunteers are working with community partners and the UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to deliver 7,200 half-gallons of milk donated by Dairy Farmers of […]

Headphone Etiquette on the Trail

Headphone etiquette on the trail: With the world situation changing daily, more people have been finding their way out to trails. Some it maybe their 1 st time riding or walking trails. There are still some rules and etiquette that need to be followed. Most of us enjoy listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks to […]

Recommended Cleaning Agents to Kill Coronavirus in your Home

Your kitchen cabinet may be stocked with adequate cleaning supplies to kill Coronaviruses, but you need to be careful as not all chemicals will work. Each disinfecting chemical product has its own specific instructions. An important rule is that you should not immediately wipe a cleaning solution off as soon as you have sprayed it […]

Dairy Foods Outreach

Our UConn 4-H program coordinated with dairy cooperatives, 4-H members and volunteers, and the UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program- EFNEP to have dairy products donated and delivered to food pantries statewide. These products are helping feed families in need throughout the state. We’ve had two days of dairy donations and deliveries and our efforts will continue. […]

Updates from the Connecticut Institute of Water Resources

In a state like Connecticut where water seems plentiful, it is easy to take water for granted. As long as clean water comes out of the tap, water issues may not rise to the top of our list of concerns. Although we do have plentiful water for the most part, there are still many reasons […]

Litchfield County 4-H Helps Distribute Dairy to Families in Need

Litchfield County 4-H to Help Distribute Yogurt and Sour Cream to Families in Need Background Facts: Because 30% of the fluid milk gets sold to restaurants, schools and institutions that are now closed, there is a huge surplus of fluid milk on the market now that cannot be further processed into more shelf stable products […]

Looking for Open Farm Stands? Use this Map

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, CT Northeast Organic Farming Association has partnered with the CT Dept of Agriculture to expand the list of farms, farmers’ markets, and farm stands beyond the current CT NOFA membership – free of charge and online. It is a joint effort to promote the availability of all Connecticut farmers who can provide food […]

Litchfield County 4-H Helps Distribute Milk to Families in Need

Background Facts: Because 30% of the fluid milk gets sold to restaurants, schools and institutions that are now closed, there is a huge surplus of fluid milk on the market now that cannot be further processed into more shelf stable products like dried milk and butter fast enough. The price of milk for the farmers […]

Happy 50th Year of Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Earth day is dedicated to raising awareness and support for environmental protection. This year it is a little different as there are no outdoor events. Luckily, you can still celebrate from home! Maggi Anstett, one of our UConn CAHNR students, suggests many ways you can demonstrate your support.

Make Your Own Energy Trail Mix

Check out this awesome recipe shared by our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program- EFNEP Educator Erica Benvenuti! Energy Trail Mix Many prepackaged trail mixes are very expensive, plus they might have extra added sugar or salt that you don’t need. You may never buy a bagged trail mix again after you try our […]

Lower Fairfield County Master Gardener Program

The Lower Fairfield County Master Gardener Program wants to partner with you! Whether you are already a passionate gardener who would like to take your learning to the next level, a beginning gardener in search of a knowledgeable resource, or a community/group with a gardening need, the Master Gardener program is here for you.  The […]

Agricultural Stress Management

We understand many of our Connecticut farms and families have been dealing with stress long before this pandemic took place. Through a collaborative of UConn Extension faculty and staff along with some of our critical partners (Farm Credit East, ACA, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Connecticut Farm Bureau, CT NOFA, Eggleston Equine, and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) […]

CT Trail Census Releases COVID-19 Trail Impact Report

UConn Extension is pleased to release the latest data on how several of the state’s most popular multi-use trails are being impacted by COVID-19. The new report documents trail use during March 2020 at 13 sites on multi-use trails in Connecticut, and compares use with the same period in 2019, as one indication of the […]

New Guidance on Essential Employee Safety

New Guidance from State on Essential Employee Safety Just released guidance from State of Connecticut on health recommendations for essential employees. In addition to already widely available social distancing and sanitary recommendations, highlights are as follows: Control and monitor external visitors on work site Discourage carpooling Increase physical space between employees and customers (drive throughs, […]

CLEAR Mini-webinar Series

In a small attempt at lessening the pain of social distancing, CLEAR has been hosting a “mini-webinar” series since late March. There are two 30-minute webinars per week, on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. So far, we’ve held 5 and had almost 500 people in attendance. The webinars are also taped and posted on the website. […]

CARES Resources for Small Businesses

Senator Murphy suggests if business or nonprofit owners/CEOs have questions about what they qualify for or help with the applications, they can reach out to any of these offices for assistance: SBA CT Office Website: https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ct/hartford 860-240-4700 Interim SBA CARES rule Small Business Owner Guide to the CARES Act, providing info on SBA major programs and initiatives […]