UConn Extension has four major program areas: 4-H youth development, agriculture and food systems, family and community development, and land use and water. Each of these areas has an Extension educator that serves a two-year term as program leader.

New program leaders were recently announced for the Family and Community Development and 4-H teams. German Cutz is now leading the Family and Community Development team and Maryann Fusco-Rollins assumes responsibility for the 4-H team on October 1st. We extend our appreciation to Karen Filchak and Laura Marek for their past leadership of the respective teams. German and Maryann join Chet Arnold of the Land Use and Water team and Joe Bonelli, the Agriculture and Food Systems team leader.

The Family and Community Development team involves more than 20 UConn Extension faculty and staff. The team focuses on three major areas of action: Health and Wellness, Healthy Homes, and Sustainable Families and Communities. The goals of this team are: 1) to provide access to healthy foods and support systems to help diverse individuals and families to improve their wellbeing. 2) Improve the public’s health, reduce health disparities, and to foster a healthy and safe home environment. 3) Improve leadership skills, workforce readiness and increase community involvement.

The Connecticut 4-H youth program prepares youth to meet the needs of a global economy, while learning new skills, meeting new

friends and discovering new things about themselves and the world through UConn Extension’s research-driven programs. The 4-H team consists of 14 members, working in every county in the state. There are three focus areas in the 4-H program: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), citizenship, and healthy living. Last year, 20,180 youth and 1,191 adult volunteers participated in 4-H programs.

For more information on all of UConn Extension’s program areas, visit http://extension.uconn.edu