Nicole Davidow recently joined our team as an Outreach Assistant for the Vegetable and Hemp Extension Program and is working alongside Shuresh Ghimire, our Vegetable Extension Specialist at the Tolland Extension Office. She is originally from Southington and received a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Fairfield University, focusing on humanitarian crises, social justice issues, and human rights. Nicole credits a huge portion of her agricultural knowledge and growing experience to working at The Neighborhood Farm, a small scale all-natural farm in Massachusetts growing veggies, herbs and seedlings.
What is your area of interest and how did you get started with it?
My area of interest is supporting farmers in being successful – whatever that might look like to them – and doing my part in the local food movement to promote the longevity of growers throughout our region. What I love about agriculture is that it is so intersectional. I started farming out of a love of nature, a desire to learn, a concern for the hands that grow our food, and a passion for feeding others, and I continue doing this work for the same reasons.
What is your role with UConn Extension?
My role is to facilitate communication and collaboration among growers and UConn Extension Specialists. For example, one of my first projects is to invite growers to join us in a research collaboration, supporting farmers in their efforts to conduct on farm trials and collect data that can be analyzed, compiled and shared out to growers across the state. The goal is for this information to help inform farmers of the potential usefulness of new crops, seed varieties, mulches, fertilizers, etc. that could be incorporated into their own operations.
What excites you the most about working with UConn Extension?
It is really special to be able to work alongside such innovative and dedicated farmers, colleagues and educators that are equally invested in supporting the success of all growers throughout the state. I’m also very excited to get out in the field, visit farms and report back on learnings from our various collaborations.
What is one thing you hope people will learn from you and your work?
Farming can often feel like a Sisyphean task, as soon as you get something in place, something else happens and you feel like you’re back at square one. It can feel isolating and impossible at times. My hope is that my work will continue to build the network of resources farmers have available to them, so when things feel like they’re sliding back, they have resources and specialists to help hold them up.
What is the most unusual job you’ve had?
I’ve had a few so it’s hard to say, but one of my favorites was packaging coffee beans for a small coffee bean roasting company.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests?
I consider myself an amateur beekeeper. I have had my own hive for a little over three years now. I’ve loved learning about them and getting to be a little part of their world. I also enjoy hiking and being in the woods, and I’m hopeful that this year I can get my two year old into it too!