UConn’s Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) offers several educational programs for both children and adults, including the Conservation Ambassador Program, Conservation Partnership program, and Teacher Professional Learning program. Environmental education is a crucial part of working towards a more sustainable world. The first step in making positive environmental changes both locally and worldwide is making […]
Urban Farmer Trainings in July
Hey Farmers! We are lucky indeed because we have a whole series of Urban Farmer Trainings coming up! Kicking it off on July 16 and 23rd, the I Got Next Farmers are teaming up with Keney Park Sustainability Project and UConn’s Solid Ground program to provide two full days of training (with lunch included!) from […]
Meet Emilie Caron, our 4-H Intern in Hartford County
Hey! My name is Emilie Caron, and I am so thrilled to be telling you all about the Hartford County 4-H Extension Program this summer! I work at the office in Farmington as the 4-H Summer Intern and work on the county programming closely with Jen Cushman. We work mainly in office on projects pertaining to […]
Nutrition Education in the Community Through SNAP-Ed
Hello everyone! My name is Brooke Bosco, and I am a rising senior majoring in Dietetics. This summer I am an extension intern working with the UConn School and Family Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education Program (SNAP-Ed). UConn Healthy Family CT SNAP-Ed works towards accomplishing Connecticut’s goals and objectives to deliver nutrition education and […]
CT Trail Finder and GIS with Courtney Andreozzi
Greetings! My name is Courtney Andreozzi and I am honored to be the GIS intern for CT Trailfinder for Summer 2022. I am a rising senior at UConn studying Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). During this previous school year I worked in conjunction with UConn’s CLEAR and […]
Learning by Doing with Heather Wirth, Extension Intern
My name is Heather Wirth, and I am excited to be an intern this summer through UConn Extension. I am working with UConn 4-H – Tolland County to plan this year’s edition of 4-H Food Revolution. My job is to create a curriculum for a four day youth summer program as well as recruiting participants. […]
Ian Harrington – Agencia de Acción Comunitaria Access – Vacunarse
Ian Harrington de Access Community Action Agency en Windham explica por qué recibió la vacuna contra el COVID-19. La financiación de este proyecto fue posible gracias a Extension Foundation, USDA-NIFA, los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y UConn Extension. Watch the video in English at https://youtu.be/2UC8a9C0Bs0.
Public comment sought on CT Shellfish Restoration Guide
Connecticut Sea Grant, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection are seeking comments from the public on a discussion draft of the Connecticut Shellfish Restoration Guide. The Guide is the state’s first and most comprehensive plan to lay the foundation for shellfish restoration in Connecticut’s navigable waters and […]
CT Sea Grant featured on WNPR talk show
WNPR’s “Where We Live” show on June 10 focused on Connecticut’s kelp industry, with host Lucy Nalpathanchil interviewing CTSG Aquaculture Extension Specialist Anoushka Concepcion, Stonington kelp farmer Suzie Flores and David Standridge, executive chef at the Shipwright’s Daughter restaurant in Mystic, where kelp is on the menu. Listen to the show here. Post taken […]
Extension Recognizes Program Volunteers
Volunteers are the heart of UConn Extension Master Gardener Program, UConn CLIR program, and our UConn 4-H program. We were honored to recognize a few of them for their contributions at an event on June 16, 2022. In total, our volunteers donated 156,597 hours (the equivalent of 6,524 days) to our programs in 2021. Thank […]
Juneteenth (June 19th) – Jubilee Day, National Independence Day, Black Independence Day
June 19th is Juneteenth! The word “Juneteenth”, a combination of June and nineteenth, also known as “Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, National Independence Day and Black Independence Day”. The slaves were freed on January 1, 1863, but it took a long time for word to reach other parts of the United States. On June […]
CT Blue Heritage Trail launched with installation of 8 signs
The Blue Heritage Trail, a collaborative initiative developed by UConn Maritime Studies faculty and students with guidance and support from the Blue Heritage Trail Advisory Committee, has launched with the installation of eight informational signs at key sites in southeastern Connecticut. The eight signs that were installed June 8 and 9 in Groton, New London […]
What can I do to stay safe during a hurricane?
Hurricanes cause high winds and flooding, and it’s important to know the signs for either situation and take proper precautions. The signs of extreme winds include seeing and hearing wind gusts, trees swaying, sheets of rain or snow, and thunder and lightning. You should seek shelter inside, avoid being outside, avoid down wires, and stay […]
Soil-biodegradable plastic mulch: Is it right for you?
By Shuresh Ghimire, UConn Cooperative Extension and Andy Radin, URI Cooperative Extension Something important for you to consider: your use of plastic mulch in vegetable production. This is especially worthy to think about given that plastic mulch isn’t just for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant anymore. Most small-scale growers use it for onions, lettuce, herbs, and […]
Job Openings with UConn Extension
UConn Extension is hiring! We have several positions open. Please visit the individual position links for full descriptions and information on how to apply: Assistant/Associate Extension Educator – Soil Health Associate Dean for Extension 4-H Youth Development Food and Agricultural Literacy Assistant/Associate Extension Educator in Water Quality Administrative Program Support 1, Storrs Campus Educational Program […]
Educational Program Assistant position open!
The UConn Extension Center located in Farmington, CT is seeking applications for one Educational Program Assistant 1. The full-time position is responsible for supporting and helping implement high-quality, comprehensive, Extension programming at different program sites throughout the region, with specific support to Forest Resources, EFNEP, Master Gardener, and 4-H programs. The Educational Program Assistant will […]
Meet Solid Ground’s new Program Co-Coordinator: Brittany Hall! Inbox
Hey Farmers! Just wanted to give a face to a new name you might see floating around to help with out Solid Ground Projects. Though we were so lucky and grateful to have Charlotte Ross for many years helping with the project, she has stepped down and Brittany Hall has taken her position! Here’s a […]
Beware of Poison Ivy
Warmer weather encourages many types of outdoor activities, it pays to be aware of certain plants that can make the outdoor experience unpleasant. Poison ivy leads the list of plants that cause skin irritation, or dermatitis. For those who are very sensitive to the effects of the oil produced by the poison ivy plant, direct […]
Hemp Fest Registration Open
Dear hemp growers, service providers, and businesses interested in the hemp industry, We invite you to join us for an educational and networking event on Thursday, June 2, 2022, from 3-7 pm at Running Brook Farms, Killingworth, CT. The educational portion will include farmer panel discussions covering Hemp IPM as well as reduced tillage for […]
FSA Job Openings
Hartford/Tolland County FSA Hiring for Two Temporary Program Technician Positions The Hartford/Tolland County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office in Windsor, CT is hiring two full time, Temporary Program Technicians (PTs). The deadline to apply is May 27, 2022. Duties include general office activities supporting FSA programs administered at the field level. These positions will support […]
Job Opening – Project Outreach Coordinator in Northeast Connecticut
Job Opening – Project Outreach Coordinator in Northeast Connecticut (Accepting applications until May 30, 2022) UConn Extension is actively seeking to fill a part-time, six month position of Project Outreach Educator in Northeast Connecticut. This is an exciting opportunity for the right person who is versatile, responsive, and demonstrates an interest in local food and […]
Ian Harrington: Why I Vaccinated
Ian Harrington of the Access Community Action Agency in Windham discusses why he received the COVID-19 vaccine. Funding for this project was made possible by the Extension Foundation, USDA-NIFA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UConn Extension.
Infant Formula Shortage
Infant Formula Shortage – y en Espanol Have you or someone you know been impacted by the infant formula supply shortage? You may be wondering how this happened and what to do about it. In February 2022, Abbott Laboratory, an infant formula company, recalled several of its formulas due to complaints about infants affected after […]
Soil Health Trailer Tour
Using Coffee Grounds in Your Garden
We are frequently asked if coffee grounds can be used in a garden. The short answer is yes, coffee grounds can be used in garden soil! Coffee grounds contain some major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as some micronutrients, so put them to work in your garden. Allow them to dry and then […]
Why I Vaccinated
Cande explains why she got vaccinated for COVID-19, https://youtu.be/yBca5K3FZVk Y, en Espanol, ¿Por qué es importante para usted recibir la vacuna contra el COVID-19? https://youtu.be/R5aP4kEUPag
Managing Bentgrass in Home Lawns
We’re frequently asked about Bentgrass. It’s the grass that looks dead when everything else is green, has the puffy appearance, and is squishy when you step on it. Pamm Cooper from our UConn Home & Garden Education Center explains what bentgrass is and how you can manage it in your lawn.
Green Snow Pro: Best Practices for Salt Application
The scientific studies continue to pile up, and confirm the same thing: road salt is causing lots of problems in our streams, lakes and groundwater. The majority of salt applied is sodium chloride, also known as rock salt. In the absence of a new “miracle” deicer, salt will continue to be the most cost-effective product […]
Seedlings in a Lawn
Friend or foe? What are those seedlings coming up in your lawn? We are getting numerous calls and e-mails from people all around the state about seedlings coming up in their lawns and gardens. They believe, or are being told, that these are poison ivy, when in fact they are maple seedlings. People need […]
Long Island Sound teacher workshop planned for May 21
Come tour and learn about Copps Island Oyster Company, Sheffield Island Lighthouse, the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge and how to take your students on an interdisciplinary field trip that incorporates NGSS, history and science into an unforgettable educational experience for all grade levels. Please see the flier attached here for details! Date: May […]
UConn 4-H Escape Moves to the Next Level
The UConn 4-H program introduced escape rooms in 2019 as a tool for teaching concepts and content to youth in a fun and interactive manner. This saw great success among audiences of all ages and was repeated a second time in early 2020. Then March 2020 introduced the pandemic and shuttered all in-person 4-H programming. […]
A Community of Farms in Northeastern Connecticut
The UConn Extension Sustainable Food Systems program launched a new brand in Northeastern Connecticut to help connect residents in the region with farms and farmers providing products directly to consumers. This new brand “Grown ConNECTed: A Community of Farms in Northeastern Connecticut” consists of a new website (grownconNECTed.org) with multiple resources for finding farms that […]
Webinar by CLEAR
UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research is hosting a webinar on “Planning and Funding Brownfield Site Investigations” on Wednesday June 1st at 1pm. This webinar will provide an overview of the different phases of site investigation (typically called Phase I, II and III), typical costs for each and potential funding sources, how to […]
Raising awareness to help sturgeon make a comeback in CT
UConn and Connecticut Sea Grant will unveil a sign at Hammonasset Beach State Park at 10 a.m. on May 7 to raise awareness of conservation efforts for the endangered Atlantic sturgeon. The ceremony will take place at the beach house at Meigs Point. The ancient and iconic Atlantic Sturgeon were once common in Connecticut waters. However, […]
UConn Forest Providing Educational, Environmental Benefits
The UConn Forest is vital for teaching, research, and extension work. It also provides wildlife habitat, watershed protection and popular recreational hiking trails. The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) manages the forest. Proactive management sustains and enhances the many benefits the forest provides. Thomas Worthley is an Associate Extension Professor with joint […]
Windham County Extension Council Annual Meeting
Dr. Joe Emenheiser, our livestock ExtensionEducator, will present on the use of ultrasound technology for meat quality improvement.Demand for local meat is at unprecedented highs, and ensuring quality meat products is vital for economic development. Ultrasound technology allows meat quality traits to be objectively measured in live animals, enabling livestock producers to make more informed […]
Multi-Faceted Approach to Nitrogen Management
We have a multi-faceted approach to nitrogen management in Connecticut that addresses land use issues, agricultural production, and water quality. Extension faculty from the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) are working on several applied research projects in support of better nitrogen (N) management. They are collaborating with the University of Rhode Island […]
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
It’s National Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Before you venture outside, learn about the precautions you should take from @uconnladybug newest blog post linked below. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) in the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science offers tick testing. Visit here for more info: https://cvmdl.uconn.edu/tests-fee/tick-testing/ @uconnladybug blog post: One early spring afternoon three years ago […]
New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide
New England greenhouse growers rely on the New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide for its unbiased, detailed information. It includes insect and mite management, disease prevention and management, weed control, and plant growth regulation. The Guide is updated every two years. Dr. Rosa Raudales and Leanne Pundt were co-editors for the 2021-2022 version. Raudales led the […]
EFNEP/4-H Special Interest group with Danbury Public Schools
EFNEP/4-H special interest group with Danbury Public Schools at Rogers Park Middle School has continued to meet throughout March and April. Teens tested their knife skills by using plastic knives to cut bananas and strawberries. Teens made fruit dip with cinnamon as a topping for their cut fruit. To learn more about bacteria on […]