The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) has been designated by the USDA to administer the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) activities. DSS, in turn, has contracted with UConn and the CT Department of Public Health to design and implement SNAP-Ed projects. Nutrition education and obesity prevention are provided for SNAP recipients and other eligible low-income individuals, focused on building knowledge and skills to help people make healthy choices on a budget and increase physical activity. The program is evidence based and consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.

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The Connecticut Trail Census is an innovative statewide volunteer-based data collection and education program that encourages data-informed decision making and promotes active citizen participation in multi-use trail monitoring and advocacy. The Trail Census includes trail use counts recorded by infrared pedestrian counters, trail user intercept surveys administered by trained volunteers, and public education programs. The project is statewide and serves community leaders and decision makers including local elected officials, planners, economic development professionals, trail advocates, trail maintenance professionals, environmental, health and outdoor activity advocates, as well as the general public. The program was developed as a partnership program between the University of Connecticut, the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, the Connecticut Greenways Council, and local trail advocacy organizations.

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The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) at the University of Connecticut is dedicated to providing top-quality diagnostic services to our clients, who are veterinarians; members of the agricultural industry; owners of companion, zoo, and aquatic animals; stewards of Connecticut wildlife; and residents of Connecticut, New England, and beyond. We strive to work cooperatively with federal and state veterinary agencies to enhance disease surveillance and response.

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Since 1968, EFNEP has been funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and is an integral part of the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System. Currently, it is one of the federal government’s longest running educational outreach programs targeted to low-income families. Specially trained EFNEP Nutrition Assistants, who know their communities well, work with program families in their homes or in small community groups to offer knowledge and skills to help people control and manage their food and nutrition practices for better health and quality of life. In combination with food assistance programs such as WIC and the USDA Food Stamp Program, EFNEP can make a difference in improving food choices and health.

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UConn EDEN seeks to reduce the impact of emergencies and disasters in Connecticut through research-based outreach education.

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The UConn Extension Financial Education Program provides a variety of workshops, professional development sessions, events, and resources to help Connecticut citizens as they strive to work toward a better financial future. Our financial literacy programming reaches adults and youth across our state with relevant, research-based information and tools to encourage them to adopt sound financial management practices..

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The CDC estimates that each year roughly 48 million people get sick; 128,000 are hospitalized; and 3,000 die of foodborne illness. The safety of our food supply is the responsibility of all who grow, process, sell, prepare, and eat food.

Choices made regarding the safe production, processing, preparation, and consumption of food should be based on current science-based safe handling guidelines.

Here you will find the food safety information and resources Connecticut consumers, producers, processors, retailers, and others need to help them produce and prepare safer food.

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The UConn Extension Master Gardener Program is an educational outreach program that is part of UConn Extension. The program started in 1978 and consists of horticulture training and an outreach component that focuses on the community at large. Master Gardeners are enthusiastic, willing to learn and share their knowledge and training with others. What sets them apart from other home gardeners is their special horticultural training. In exchange for this training, Master Gardeners commit time as volunteers working through their local UConn Extension Center and the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford to provide horticultural-related information to the community.

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UConn is joining other colleges and universities around the world in adopting a new approach to sustainable health. The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources along with UConn Extension promote the holistic concepts of One Health and believe that an integrative/inclusive approach to health is where solutions to complex problems may lie. Through educational, experiential learning programs, UConn aims to train the next generation of educators and environment-friendly citizens to address health issues using One Health principles. This is achieved through the expertise of program leaders in all disciplines including food production, food safety, and water resource management. The well-being of the planet as a whole is dependent on the interactions between humans, animals, and the environment, and One Health education provides knowledge to collaboratively address world-wide health issues.

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PATHS (People Active on Trails for Health and Sustainability) is an interdisciplinary team of University of Connecticut extension educators, faculty, and staff committed to understanding and promoting the benefits of trails and natural resources for health, community & economic development and implementing a social ecological approach to health education. The UConn Extension PATHS team works in a wide variety of departments and disciplines including public health, health education, nutrition, community development, and landscape architecture.

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The UConn People Empowering People Program is an innovative personal and family development program with a strong community focus. The UConn PEP program is for adults and older teens. The program is designed to build on the unique strengths and life experiences of the participants and emphasizes the connection between individual and community action.

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The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides benefits to participants who are 60 years of age or older OR disabled individuals under the age of 60 living in housing facilities occupied primarily by older individuals where congregate nutrition services are provided.

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UConn Extension hosts several programs to help build a sustainable food system that can supply fresh, healthy, local food to residents. Sustainability encompasses environmental integrity, economic vitality, and social equity. We are a small, hard-working team that values a diversity of perspectives and life experiences. Our progress is thanks to collaboration with state agencies, community-based non profits, municipalities, producer associations, and researchers/experts. We receive support through federal, state, and private grants.

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