Fairfield County 4-H Grows True Leaders: Youth Garden Club Serves the Community

Throughout the summer, 20 youth in the 4-H Community Garden Club have managed a one-acre garden in New Milford. They were led by leaders Anna Loor and her daughter Amira. Each youth worked eight hours every week at the garden and during 4-H time, learned the principles of seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting and garden pests. Critical thinking […]

UConn 4-H Announces Winners of Calendar Photography Contest

The winners of the 2020 UConn 4-H Calendar Photography Contest have been selected! Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the participants. We enjoyed viewing your favorite 4-H project pictures and are glad a wide range of 4-H activities will be represented in the calendar.  The 2020 UConn 4-H Calendar Photo Contest results […]

Ornamentals and Turf Short Course Offered Online by UConn Extension

This year has been unique for everyone. All of us have been impacted in one way or another. We at UConn Extension have been striving to put this course online for your convenience. While we understand that an online course is simply not the same as in person this is where we are in the […]

UConn Extension Releases Evidence-Based Information Sheets on the Impacts of Trails

UConn Extension and the National Park Service are pleased to announce the publication of the Impacts of Trails info-sheet series. As communities throughout the U.S. and the world cope with the devastating toll of COVID-19, the pandemic has brought a renewed focus on the importance of local trails.  These one-page color, downloadable resources provide evidence–based information […]

Hurricanes and COVID – 19

Preparing for the 2020 hurricane season or severe storms during the COVID – 19 pandemic requires more planning than usual.  First, make a “go kit” – a bag you can grab and go should you need to evacuate!  Pack a kit for each household member and pet with a 2-week supply of emergency food, water, […]

Apply to Become a UConn Extension Master Gardener – 2021 Class Will Be Online

Garden harvests are underway, and it’s a great time to plan ahead for next year. Apply now for the 2021 UConn Extension Master Gardener Program. Classes will be held in Bethel, Brooklyn, Farmington, Haddam and Stamford. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 16, 2020. UConn Extension Master Gardeners have an interest in plants, gardening, […]

Virtual Learning Circles – New England Women in Livestock Business

Tuesday, 10/06/2020 to Thursday, 10/15/2020 Virtual Learning Circles Join us for a two-day focus session where women livestock producers from around New England will tune in virtually to learn how to strengthen communication and improve negotiation skills to become an even more effective employer and business manager. During this program, women producers will have the […]

Italian Veggie Balls Recipe with UConn EFNEP

Heather Pease from our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) walks us through the process of making Italian Veggie Balls. You can make this delicious and nutritious recipe with a few simple items. It’s healthy and budget-friendly.  

Aquatic Invasive Species – Video Interview with Jim Straub Hosted by Lindsey Kollmer

Lindsey Kollmer, a summer intern with our Connecticut Sea Grant program and UConn Extension, interviews Jim Straub. They discuss the management of two invasive aquatic plants in Massachusetts, water chestnut and hydrilla, to potentially gain knowledge of successful techniques that can be used in Connecticut to control these plants.

Another Summer Chapter for a Climate Corps Student

By Sarah Schechter, UConn Class of 2021 In the fall of my sophomore year at UConn, I enrolled in EVST 3100 – “Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Municipal Policy and Planning.” This is a course about climate change that allows students to look at real world problems and learn how to solve them in a classroom […]

USDA FSA Farm Loan Program

Attention farmers: Agricultural producers throughout CT often struggle with limited lending options for their farm operations. The USDA Farm Service Agency has programs available to support farmers who are unable to obtain commercial credit for a multitude of reasons. Loans are available for both real estate and operating purposes and can serve both long-standing family […]

Joe Emenheiser Joins UConn Extension as Diversified Livestock Educator

UConn Extension is pleased to welcome Dr. Joe Emenheiser as our new statewide Livestock Extension Educator. Joe was raised in PA on a small family farm and got his start in the livestock industry with market lambs in 4-H. He built his own flock by shearing sheep and went on to attend Oklahoma State University […]

Meet Alyssa Benoit: Sustainable Food Systems Intern

Hi! My name is Alyssa Benoit and I am interning with Sustainable Food Systems Educator Jiff Martin through UConn CAHNR Extension. I am a rising senior at UConn majoring in Allied Health Sciences, and in the Fast-Track program for a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) through the Department of Public Policy. I help with communications on […]

4-H Dog Photography Contest

UConn is pleased to announce the 2020 NE Regional 4-H Dog Photography Contest! The NE Regional Animal Science 4-H Dog Program Working Group has invited member states to participate in the 2020 NE Regional 4-H Dog Photography Contest. Any UConn 4-H member age 9-18 can enter. You do not have to be registered in a dog project or have […]

Salmonella Testing – Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Salmonella testing at the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL). Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that targets the intestinal tract of humans and animals as well. Salmonella bacteria typically live in the intestines and are shed to the environment through feces. Backyard poultry and wild birds are susceptible to Salmonella species. They […]

Meet Marlena Takes: Windham County 4-H Intern

Hi! My name is Marlena Takes and I am excited to be an intern with Windham County 4-H and contribute to youth development and STEM programs this summer. I am an upcoming junior at UConn studying Allied Health Sciences and minoring in Spanish. While at UConn, I enjoy volunteering, especially with the Windham Heights After […]

Tropical Smoothie – A Healthy Recipe with Dianisi Torres

Dianisi Torres of our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) makes a healthy tropical smoothie with you using ingredients from the Dollar Store. The presentation is in English and Spanish. Dianisi Torres, de nuestro programa Educación Alimentaria y Nutricional Expandida de la Extension de UConn, conocido como EFNEP, hace un licuado tropical […]

Meet Kirsten Krause: Tolland County 4-H Intern

Hi everyone! My name is Kirsten Krause and this year I am the Tolland County 4-H summer program intern! I am currently a junior attending UConn Storrs as an Animal Science major on the pre-veterinary track, with hopes to attend veterinary school after completing my undergraduate degree. At UConn, I am heavily involved in many […]

Velazquez Answers Nutrition Questions on Radio Amor in Bridgeport

The global pandemic is challenging everyone. It’s made many of us more conscience of the threats surrounding us every day. Many people are more aware of the food they eat and health impacts of their nutritional choices. Extension educator Zoraida Velazquez is answering questions for Bridgeport and residents of surrounding communities each Friday morning on […]

Meet Klaudia Sowizral: Sustainable Turf and Landscaping Intern

Hi everyone! My name is Klaudia Sowizral and I’m the Sustainable Turf and Landscaping intern. I’m a rising junior here at UConn pursuing a double major in Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainable Systems, as well as a major in Sustainable Plant and Soil Science, and a minor in creative writing. My interests include […]

Food and Nutrition Security in Fairfield County

Seniors Eating Well Program: A community partnership between UConn Extension SNAP-Ed Food Security project, Elmwood Hall Senior Center, Danbury Farmers’ Market and Clatter Valley Farm provides a free produce box ($10 value) for seniors in need.  SNAP-Ed provides nutrition education materials following the Penn State Seniors Eating Well curriculum and includes a postcard with QR […]

Pizza – A Healthy Recipe with Dianisi Torres

Dianisi Torres of our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) makes a healthy pizza with you using ingredients from the Dollar Store. The presentation is in English and Spanish. Dianisi Torres, de nuestro programa Educación Alimentaria y Nutricional Expandida de la Extension de UConn, conocido como EFNEP, hace una pizza saludable con […]

Sugar Sweetened Beverages and You

Sugar sweetened beverages are prevalent throughout society, although they are not the best choice from a nutritional standpoint. Learn what a sugar sweetened beverage is, why they present nutritional challenges, and what are better alternatives. Video created by Caroline Thiede, UConn Allied Health Sciences student.  

Summer Library Program Brings 4-H STEM to New London County Youth

The 4-H Summer Library program in New London County started seven years ago with a program at the Waterford Library. The program added a few libraries every year. This year 12 libraries in the county are participating. Pamela Gray, the UConn Extension 4-H Educational Outreach Coordinator for New London County leads the program. Therese Foss, […]

Meet Bianca Castelan: Financial Literacy for Youth and Young Adults Intern

Hi, my name is Bianca Castelan and I am the Financial Literacy for Youth and Young Adults Intern for summer 2020 with the UConn Extension Financial Education Program. At UConn, I am studying Psychological Sciences with a minor in Spanish. During my two years working in the Community Outreach Program Jumpstart I had the opportunity […]

COVID-19 Resources: Hand washing & Activity Risk Chart

Are You Keeping Your Hands Clean? Keeping your hands clean is a good way to keep germs away. Make sure you are washing your hands effectively and are scrubbing every part! California.gov has published a graphic that details parts of our hands we often miss when handwashing. To view click here. Estas Manteniendo Tus Manos Limpias? Manteniendo sus […]

Connecticut stays on guard against toxic algae blooms

Article by Judy Benson If you’re a Connecticut shellfish farmer, your ears might perk up a bit when you hear the term HABs – harmful algal blooms. Toxic HABs outbreaks, sometimes referred to as “red tide” or “brown tide” because of the discolored water that can occur along with it, have caused recent shellfish bed […]

Discarded fabric, puppets are grist for marine-themed art

Two artists using different mediums have been awarded 2020 Connecticut Sea Grant Arts Support Awards to create works conveying messages about human connections to the sea and the threats it faces. The two artists were chosen to each receive a $1,000 award. The awards are funded by Connecticut Sea Grant and one is being matched […]

USDA Non-insured Disaster Assistance Program

  USDA Non-insured Disaster Assistance Program or “NAP” is accepting applications until Sept 1, 2020. NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops (such as shellfish) when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters. The annual fee is $325 and is free in some cases. Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and qualifying […]