Emily Picard (’09 CAHNR, ’10 NEAG) joined UConn Extension as the UConn 4-H educator for Fairfield County in June. She is from Killingworth and has a bachelor of science in agriculture and natural resources from the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. Emily has a master of arts in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in agricultural education from UConn’s Neag School of Education, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Saint Joseph.

What is your area of interest?

I love natural resources. Growing up in Connecticut, my family spent time hiking in Connecticut’s amazing forests, canoeing in ponds, swimming streams, sailing on Long Island Sound, and playing outside in general. I eventually started working on a local vegetable and flower farm in Madison, Barberry Hill Farm, because I wanted to work with the animals. I fell into 4-H and showing sheep, which led to attending Middletown High School’s Ag Science program and joining FFA. 4-H and FFA offered me opportunities to grow and develop leadership skills and an amazing community.

Attending FFA Camp (Camp Oswegatchie) as a teenager solidified that I could combine my love of natural resources with leadership and youth development. I planned my college path knowing I wanted to teach people about the natural world and mentor youth and came up with a plan that would allow me to seek several career paths while I waited for the dream job of 4-H educator to become available.

I am an environmental educator by trade and have strong interests in forestry, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. As a former Ag Science teacher, using the environment as a conduit to develop student skills in leadership and citizenship has been really rewarding.

What is your role with UConn Extension?

As a 4-H extension educator, I will be providing opportunities for youth in Fairfield County to develop their own projects, and skills such as leadership, citizenship, and public speaking. I will be collaborating with other extension educators to provide environmental literacy and horse program opportunities for 4-H members throughout the state.

What excites you the most about working with UConn Extension?

The opportunity to work with youth and adult volunteers, help youth achieve their goals and partner with other amazing CAHNR professionals.

What is one thing you hope people will learn from you and your work?

I hope to share my tech-savvy background with my co-workers and inspire my 4-H members to be active in their communities to “make the best better.”

What is your favorite thing to do in Connecticut?

My favorite thing to do in Connecticut is spending time outside. Whether it’s having a barbecue at Hammonasset, hiking in the forests, or, most often, working around the farm.

What is the most unusual job you’ve had?

Making ice cream, yogurt, and cheese at the UConn Dairy Bar!

What are some of your hobbies and other interests?

My family has a small farm where we board horses and make maple syrup. When we are not managing our farm, I enjoy hiking with my dog and paddling with my daughter and husband, Geoff Picard (CAHNR ‘05).

Anything else you think we should know?

4-H is a huge part of what made me who I am today. If it wasn’t for the support I received as a 4-H member, I wouldn’t have developed the skills necessary to achieve my goals! I am so happy to be able to give back and support the community that had such a positive impact on me.