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Agriculture & Farming
Blueberry Pruning Guide
Whether growing blueberries commercially or in a home garden, regular and thoughtful pruning is one of the most important aspects of cultural management. Well-pruned blueberry bushes will produce high-quality, large berries for decades. This fact sheet provides a step-by-step guide to pruning blueberries complete with benefits, details on making cuts, and differences between pruning young and established bushes.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Ten Tips to Remember When Farming with Livestock During the Winter in Connecticut
The beauty of having four seasons in Connecticut also requires navigating the challenges presented with extreme winter weather, including freezing temperatures, high winds, or significant precipitation. This factsheet offers livestock farmers and producers recommendations to manage livestock and farm, and continue operating safely through the winter season.
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Food & Nutrition
Expiration, Use-By and Sell-By dates: What Do They Really Mean?
The dates on food packaging can be confusing. Most dates tell you when the food tastes best, not when it is unsafe. In fact, there are about 50 different date labels in the United States (U.S.), and none are regulated. The tips in this fact sheet will help you know if your food is still safe to eat.
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Food & Nutrition
Wisely Choosing and Incorporating Health Supplements Into Your Diet
Certain supplements may have harmful interactions with medications and other supplements. Taking multiple or combining supplements with prescribed medications can increase the risk of side effects or make your medication less effective. This is particularly true for senior citizens who are taking multiple prescription medications.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Weight Management in Horses – Slow Feeders
Some horses do not require as much feed as others to maintain a healthy weight, and also gain weight quickly. To avoid having horses gain too much weight, horse owners may want to consider the use of slow feeders, which regulate the amount of feed available at any given time. This fact sheet examines the various types of slow feeder available, along with the pros and cons associated with them.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Transitioning Your Horses from Winter to Spring
When the days grow longer, and snow has melted, it’s tempting to want to pick up the reins again. Not so fast! Here are some ideas for getting your horse ready for Spring.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Red Maple Toxicity and Your Horse
Many horse owners have concerns about red maple disease in horses. Fresh red maple leaves are NOT toxic to horses, but wilted or dried leaves and the bark are extremely toxic. Fortunately, red maple disease is not that common and often easy to prevent.
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Agriculture & Farming
Nutrient Management for Fruit Production and Beyond: Deficiencies, Excesses, and Current Technologies
Adequate nutrient management is essential in all fruit production systems. The availability of essential plant macro- and micronutrients influences the growth and development of plants, fruit yield, and subsequent fruit quality. The goal of a well thought-out nutrient management plan is to maximize output, while avoiding system deficiencies and excesses. This fact sheet explores some of the common complicating factors in nutrient management, the tools available to growers, and available resources.
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Crop Production
Fungicides for Bedding Plants in Connecticut
Connecticut has a robust greenhouse industry that produces a wide range of ornamental crops. Bedding plants are an important category and bring in significant revenue for greenhouse operations each Spring. There are many factors involved in the production of high quality bedding plants, including cultivar selection, fertilizer, light, temperature, and control of pests and diseases.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Signs of Health Problems: How to Determine if Your Horse is Not Well
Health problems in horses are not always easy to detect. If you know what is normal for your horse, then you may be able to tell when they are sick. Common ailments and their symptoms are included in this factsheet. This is not a comprehensive list. Be sure to consult your veterinarian when you notice something unusual.
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Food & Nutrition
Edible Mushroom Nutrition Facts
Mushrooms are popular in dishes not only for their unique flavors, but also for their nutritional and health benefits. While there are thousands of species of mushroom, only about two dozen are accepted for use as food. This fact sheet will review the commercially produced food types of mushrooms available, nutrition and health benefits, and mushroom supplements. This guide does not discuss wild mushrooms.
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Agriculture & Farming
Buying Vegetable Seeds: Do’s and Don’ts
This goal of this fact sheet is to share practical strategies, helpful tips, and key do’s and don’ts to guide Connecticut vegetable growers in selecting seeds that best match their farms. Most of the information is related to disease management.
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Food & Nutrition
Ten Food Safety Resolutions for the Year Ahead
Throughout the year, many of us resolve to eat healthier, cook more at home, or reduce food waste, among other breaking/creating habits resolutions. While the new year often gets the most attention for resolutions, you can start any time. One resolution that often gets overlooked, but protects everyone, is food safety.
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Agriculture & Farming
Pruning Brambles
Brambles are a diverse group of small, aggregate fruit-producing plants. The variety in color, flavor, and time of harvest make them highly appealing for both producers and consumers. However, these benefits are often accompanied by confusion over some of the differences in cultural management, specifically pruning. This fact sheet explores some of the key differences between various brambles, and how to properly prune each type.
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Health & Wellness
Staying Active During and After Cancer: What You Need to Know
Cancer continues to be a major public health concern in the United States, with roughly two million new diagnoses every year, yet there are ways for those impacted to improve health outcomes and quality of life. Exercise is one of these strategies. This factsheet is intended for use by exercise professionals and those affected by cancer, including survivors and caretakers, to discuss safe, evidence-based and effective exercise recommendations for cancer survivors.
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Health & Wellness
Keeping Your Farm Well: Bacterial Contamination
This factsheet explores how bacterial contamination in water can affect livestock health and productivity. It is the first in a three-part series outlining how bacteria, infrastructure, and agricultural runoff can potentially impact livestock health and productivity.
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Health & Wellness
Keeping Your Farm Well: How Water Quality Can Impact Livestock
This fact sheet is an overview of an upcoming, three-part series outlining how bacteria, infrastructure, and agricultural runoff can potentially impact livestock health and productivity. Each fact sheet will include recommendations for addressing specific parameters. This overview is intended to help you identify potential causes of water-related issues on your farm. Be aware that many of the issues described here are uncommon and may only occur in rare cases.
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Agriculture & Farming
Preparing Farm Operations for Extreme Fall and Winter Weather
Fall and winter weather events, such as frosts, freezes, and ice storms can create challenges for farm operations. Agricultural producers can prepare themselves and their farms for extreme fall and winter weather by taking actions to minimize losses. Agricultural producers have short-term, immediate responses for farm operations, in preparation for impending extreme weather events. This fact sheet focuses on preparation strategies for the fall and winter seasons.
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Food & Nutrition
Smart, Savvy, and Nourished: Eating Well on a Budget During Holiday Seasons
The holiday season is full of family meals, celebrations, and special treats, but is can also be a time when food costs rise, and healthy habits slip away. With a little creativity and planning, it’s possible to enjoy satisfying and nutritious meals without overspending. This fact sheet explores shopping strategies, which are the most nutrient-dense foods for the lowest cost, and include tips for finding the best food buys at the holidays.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Beef Cattle
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for beef cattle and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Dairy Cattle
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for dairy cattle and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Poultry
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for poultry and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Equine (Horse)
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for horses and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Swine
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for swine and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Rabbits, Cavies, and Other Small Mammals
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for rabbits and other small mammals and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Sheep
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for sheep and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Alpacas and Llamas (Camelids)
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for for llamas and alpacas (camelids) and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Goats
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for goats. and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Livestock, Dairy, Equine, & Poultry Handling
Conducting Animal Health Checks: Dogs
Health checks are the first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people. This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for dogs, and exhibitors to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation.
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Agriculture & Farming
Biosecurity Best Management Practices for Animal Exhibitors
Biosecurity is a set of procedures to reduce the spread of illness from disease-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses. Implementing biosecurity practices can increase the likelihood that animals, exhibitors, event personnel, and members of the public remain healthy and safe while engaging in agricultural events, and upon returning home. This fact sheet can be used by animal exhibitors to inform biosecurity decision-making before, during, and after an event.
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Health & Wellness
Clean, Sanitize, and Disinfect: Safe and Effective Practices for Animal Exhibitions
A quality cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting procedure can help protect animal and human health at exhibitions and events. It is essential to understand the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, why each step is important, and how they work together to create a safe environment. These guidelines can be used by animal event organizers, superintendents, exhibitors, and families to maintain a clean exhibition environment, and prevent disease transmission.
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Food & Nutrition
Understanding Vitamin A: Sources, Benefits and Cautions
Vitamin A is a critical and essential nutrient for human eye health, immunity, reproduction, and normal growth and development. In addition, vitamin A helps the heart, lungs, and other organs work properly. Vitamin A deficiency is a major nutritional deficiency worldwide, but is rare in the United States. The greater concern in the U.S. is getting too much vitamin A from diet and supplements. This fact sheet reviews vitamin A requirements, and sources from food and supplements.
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Food & Nutrition
Healthy Halloween Treats
Halloween is a time for costumes, fun and of course…. candy! How can you make the season festive and still provide healthy options? Whether you’re hosting a party with friends or trick or treating on Halloween night, you can find fun ways to include some healthy options for everyone.
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Home Gardening & Landscaping
Rose Pathology in the Northeast: Start with genetics, reinforce with IPM, use fungicides wisely
Roses are often planted as an integral part of Northeastern gardens, valued for their ornamental and cultural significance. Despite their popularity, they are prone to several fungal diseases that can reduce plant vigor, flowering, and landscape performance. Successful rose culture in this region depends on recognizing that plant genetics, cultural care, and judicious use of fungicides serve as guardians against disease. This fact sheet demonstrates that the guiding theme—start with genetics, reinforce with IPM, and use fungicides wisely—is more than a slogan; it is a proven framework for success.
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Health & Wellness
Permitting and Regulating Backyard Chickens in Connecticut: a One Health Perspective
Keeping backyard chickens has become popular in Connecticut, particularly in response to concerns about egg prices and availability related to ‘Bird Flu’, along with increased interest in producing and supporting the local food movement. This fact sheet is intended to inform local decisions about permitting chicken coops on residential lots for personal (non-commercial) use and aid local land use decision-makers in supporting interests in backyard chickens from a One Health perspective.
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Agriculture & Farming
Protecting Livestock and Crops from Black Bears in Connecticut
It is not uncommon to spot a black bear throughout the state and region. Livestock such as chickens and goats can be susceptible to black bear predation. Bears have also been found to damage beehives and crops. As a livestock producer, the best strategy is prevention. This factsheet offers livestock farmers and producers guidance and recommendations to safeguard their animals and prevent black bear incidents.
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Commercial Landscaping & Turfgrass
Invasive Plant Factsheet: Black swallow-wort, Pale swallow-wort
In the U.S., both species of Swallow wort are mostly found in the northeast region. Swallow-wort prefers full sun, but also grows well in woodland, even densely shaded, areas. Spreading quickly once established, it is typically found in disturbed areas, such as old pastures and fields or road ditches. Also common along roadsides, in gardens, meadows, urban areas, agricultural fields, and woodlands. Once established, it can spread across a site, displacing native species.
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Agriculture & Farming
Grant Writing Tips for Farmers
Money from grants can be instrumental for business expansion. Farmers might consider the use of grants to leverage current resources, invest in key infrastructure improvements, or move a project to the next level. This fact sheet provides farmers with grant writing tips to help improve their rate of success accessing grants.
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Crop Production
Alternaria Leaf Blight and Head Rot of Brassicas: Identification and Management
Alternaria leaf spot is an economically important fungal disease of brassicas, such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower, among others. In Connecticut, this disease is primarily caused by Alternaria brassicicola, though both A. brassicae and A. alternata have been identified as pathogenic in the state. Though not identified in Connecticut, A. japonica is can also cause ABHR, though it is currently on has been identified in California, Georgia, and South Carolina.
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Health & Wellness
Protecting People and Animals from Tick-Borne Diseases
Ticks and insect vectors can host a multitude of disease-causing agents that can harm the health of humans and animals. This fact sheet integrates a One Health approach to understanding and responding to vector-based health risks, and is designed for individuals and groups interested in learning how to protect themselves and their animals from tick-borne diseases.