By Jiff Martin – Extension Educator Sustainable Food Systems All this talk about checking out the latest seed catalogues, de-wintering the garden and predicting the date of the last frost can be frustrating for the land-poor gardener wanna-be. If you are an apartment dweller, a condo resident or simply garden-plot deprived, you may not be […]
Bluebirds
By Julia Cencebaugh Kloth for UConn Extension Beautiful and beneficial the population of the Eastern bluebirds declined in numbers from the late 1800s through the 1980s. One significant contributing factor to this decline was the lack of suitable nesting cavities. Competition for nesting cavities from introduced European starlings and house sparrows, the loss of open field […]
A New Focus on Communities & Climate Change: CIRCA 2014
January saw the announcement of a new institute at UConn dedicated to providing answers and assistance to the state’s communities as they struggle to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Connecticut Institute for Resiliency and Climate Adaptation, or CIRCA, is a partnership of UConn and CT DEEP, and its creation is in direct response […]
UConn Extension 4-H Partners with UConn Engineering Ambassadors
By Marc Cournoyer, UConn Extension 4-H Program Coordinator Two undergraduate students from the UConn Engineering Ambassadors stopped by the Extension Center in Brooklyn, CT on February 22nd to assist members of the Windham County 4-H Saturday Science club in exploring some of the science required to colonize Mars. Participants had an opportunity to create their […]
10 Tips for the March Gardener
1. Make plans to attend the UConn Garden Conference on March 21, 2014. Go to www.2014garden.uconn.edu for more information. 2. Carefully remove winter mulches from planting beds as snow melts and temperatures warm. 3. Add limestone, fertilizer or organic materials as recommended and incorporate into planting beds. 4. As ground becomes workable, de-thatch the lawn if you find an […]
Pest Forecasts Come to Connecticut
It hurts when codling moths riddle your apples, powdery mildew blasts your grapes, or anthracnose takes over your turf. But it’s really nettlesome when growers or groundskeepers mere miles away get off without a snag. Blame it on the weather: on a multitude of variables that we barely notice. Sophisticated weather stations can pick up […]
Wash Your Veggies (And Fruits)
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD UConn Extension Educator/Food Safety In recent months I have been reminded again that there are still many eaters and handlers of fresh fruits and vegetables who still do not take the risk of foodborne illness from these foods very seriously. Despite the fact that produce accounts for nearly half […]
2014 Albanian People Empowering People – Now Accepting Applications
Join Waterbury’s inaugural UConn Extension Albanian PEP (People Empowering People), a FREE, 10-week parent leadership and advocacy program. The program builds on individual life experiences and strengths to encourage growth in communication and problem solving skills, parent/family relationships and community involvement. Limited to 20 participants, it includes dinner, childcare and transportation assistance. The class meets weekly, […]
LID versus Green Infrastructure
If you deal with stormwater issues or land use planning, chances are you have heard the phrase “green infrastructure” mentioned a lot recently. It is rapidly replacing “Low Impact Development” (LID) as the phrase du jour in the stormwater biz. But before we all go willingly adopting this into our lexicon, we must first ask some pertinent […]
Build Your Network, Grow Our Future Event
How do we build our networks and help grow the potential for success in the future food economy? By bringing together farmers and service providers to meet each other, ask questions, listen and discuss. On February 19th, the New CT Farmer Alliance (NCTFA) did just this, in collaboration with several organizations and agencies: UConn Extension, […]
Eat Like A Bird
As a life-long New Englander I find that one of the most enjoyable parts of the winter season is watching birds at the feeder. We all know the importance of providing easily available food sources for the many avian species that remain in the area during the cold winter months but there are also species […]
Eat locally grown, even in winter….
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD UConn Extension Educator, Food Safety Photo: Tomatoes at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford. Credit: Jude Boucher, UConn Extension After a food-filled holiday season (including, I must confess, raspberries, grown somewhere in South America, in a fruit salad…), it is time that many of us resolve to eat healthier and, perhaps, to attempt […]
Pruning Blueberries
By Mary Concklin, Visiting Associate Extension Educator – Fruit Production & IPM I have heard the question many times, when is the best time to prune blueberries – fall, winter or spring? To answer that question let’s take a look at what is going on with the plant at these different times. I am […]
Connecting Sustainable Woodland Management and High School Technical Arts Programs: An Initiative Creating Educational Opportunities for Local Wood Utilization
-Article by Tom Worthley, Extension Forestry- During a conversation in 2010 between myself and a teacher from the industrial arts department at Haddam-Killingworth High School, the suggestion was made that the School District could continually grow, harvest and process a portion of the annual lumber needs for the shop class from part of of 150 […]
Where in Connecticut?
Connecticut (and the rest of the world for that matter) looks so different from above than from the ground. I spend a good deal of time looking at aerial imagery of Connecticut including different color combinations, times of year (leaves or no leaves) and different years to see change. There are many places that I […]
Connecticut Saves Campaign Promoting Family Saving is Launched
Only 39% of Connecticut residents reported spending less than they earned in 2012. Fifty percent did not have emergency funds and 57% haven’t set aside money for their children’s college education according to the 2012 National Financial Capability Study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. UConn Extension is launching the Connecticut Saves Campaign as a […]
Keeping Food Safe During a Power Outage
When the power flickers and then completely goes out, your first instinct is to find a flashlight or light candles. Being able to see is a priority but, what you may not know is that bacteria will begin growing in perishable foods when the electricity is off. During the winter season, severe snow and ice […]
10 Tips for the February Gardener
1. Visit our booth at the 2014 CT Flower and Garden Show, Feb 20-23 in Hartford. Bring ½ cup of soil for a free pH test and your garden questions for free advice. 2. When buying houseplants in winter, be sure to wrap them well for the trip home and, if possible warm up the […]
Reba Wishes Extension a Happy Birthday
We’re celebrating Extension’s Centennial in 2014! It’s going to be a great year, stay tuned for more details.
“Shape” Up On Your Winter Woodland Walk
Lori Ann Trovato, a UConn College of Agriculture and Natural Resources student posted these great ideas for enjoying your next winter woodland walk. An unseasonably warm winter day has boosted your energy level and a woodland walk is in the course of events for the day. Surely a hike is great for shaping up, but […]
Snow Removal Tips
Photo and Article: West Virginia Extension Stay safe from slips and strains by following these recommendations for safe and effective snow removal. Shovel all sidewalks adjacent to your property to the bare pavement. This includes any sidewalks outside your fence lines and to the sides/rear of your property. Clear a path at least 36 inches […]
Squirrel Issues
Until recently, Etienne Benson, an assistant professor in the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of History and Sociology of Science, consciously chose to investigate a creature that may be considered less exotic, and is certainly smaller for his latest publication. “I wanted to write about something a bit closer to home, about things we see and […]
Build Your Network, Grow Our Future
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 8:30am – 1:30pm East Windsor, CT Scout Hall Youth Center Admission Fee: Free A networking event to strengthen Connecticut’s agricultural community. This program is designed for farmers in their first ten years of commercial production. The program is a cooperative effort of UConn Extension, the Connecticut New […]
Stop Motion Animation
Connecticut 4-H members created stop motion animation at the Middlesex County 4-H Skill-A-Thon a few weeks ago. Watch all of their videos here:
Bird Feeder Care While You’re Away
Many people enjoy feeding the variety of birds we have in New England and watching them fly around the yard, or sing a song. But what do you do with your bird feeder if you’re planning to be out of town? Keeping bird feeders filled is important. Birds depend on the feeder as a food […]
2014 Vegetable & Small Fruit Grower’s Conference Draws Crowd
UConn Extension’s Connecticut Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers’ Conference was held at Maneeley’s in South Windsor on Thursday, January 16th. The annual event is co-sponsored by UConn Extension, UConn’s Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and USDA. Over 260 vegetable and small fruit growers from throughout New England […]
Road Salt Use in Connecticut: Balancing Safety & Water Quality
This conference is being organized by the NEMO Program, an outreach program of the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research. Additional support provided by the Connecticut Institute for Water Resources Friday March 28, 2014 8:30 am – 3:00 pm UConn Student Union REGISTER Chloride use in winter deicing has been steadily increasing. […]
Alumni Jennifer Cushman Honored
Jennifer Cushman, UConn Animal Science Alumni with a master’s in education, recently recognized with an “Outstanding Young Member” award by the National Association of Agricultural Educators. This award is one of six hundred given nationwide by the 8,000 member professional group for agricultural educators. Cushman is currently the head Agri-Science teacher at Glastonbury High School’s […]
NOAA and Sea Grant Announce Projects for $1.4M Coastal Storm Awareness Program
SILVER SPRING, MD, JANUARY 16, 2014 – Connecticut Sea Grant, New Jersey Sea Grant, and New York Sea Grant have awarded funds totaling $1.4 million to support ten social science research projects to improve community understanding and response to coastal storm hazard information as part of NOAA Sea Grant’s Coastal Storm Awareness Program. Despite the […]
Northeast Extension Directors Appoint Nancy Bull as Executive Director
Kingston, Rhode Island – The Northeast Extension Directors (NEED) today announced the three-year, part time appointment of Dr. Nancy Bull as its Executive Director effective January 1. In her capacity as Executive Director, Dr. Bull will lead the region in the creation of partnerships among the northeast land-grant institutions, focusing on collaboration and funding opportunities […]
Keep Your Butts Off Our Beaches
Recently a columnist in a local Southeastern Connecticut newspaper wrote about the things that bug him when driving. It included the usual gripes that we all have—people driving slowly in the passing lane, failure to use turn signals, merging on the highway with little consideration of the traffic already on the highway, able-bodied people parking […]
Ten Tips for the January Gardener
1. Protect your young fruit trees from hungry mice, who can chew the bark off at the soil line, weakening and possibly killing the trees Keep mulch several inches from trunks to keep the mice from hiding under it. Also, consider putting wire-screen mouse guards around the trunks of the trees. 2. Bring pruning tools […]
Dr. Carl Salsedo on the Search for Sustainability
Ever smell a tomato plant? Dr. Carl Salsedo did, and it changed his life. He was three at the time, visiting a greenhouse in Thomaston with his father. One whiff of that singular scent launched a lifetime love affair with plants, gardening, and the interwoven mysteries of the natural world. At six, Salsedo had his […]
New Greenhouse Pest Guide Web App
Try our new mobile optimized website app for commercial growers that contains options for biological control and pesticides for management of insect and mite pests common in commercial greenhouse production. This app can be used on your computer, smart phone or other electronic device. This was a cooperative project between Leanne Pundt of UConn’s IPM […]
Recent PEP Graduates
UConn Extension’s People Empowering People (PEP) Program held a facilitator training led by Robin Drago in December. Participants came from Hartford, Danbury, New Haven, Coventry, New London and Mansfield and will offer UConn PEP for parents in those communities. UConn PEP is a personal and family development training with a strong community focus. Our most recent graduates […]
4-H FANs IM Success Stories
Connecticut Fitness and Nutrition Clubs In Motion (CT FANs IM), is a 4-H Afterschool program designed to reduce obesity rates in children ages 9 to 14, through sustainable interventions surrounding food and fitness. The program is a collaboration between the UConn Extension, and the Department of Kinesiology. CT FANs IM, was modeled after the original 4-H […]
New York Produce Show
Thank you to Jim Prevor for inviting UConn College of Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty and students to the New York Produce Show and Conference. The Conference was sponsored by Produce Business and the Eastern Produce Council. UConn students attended the trade show, a career session, and toured Hunts Point Produce Market and urban agriculture in Brooklyn. […]
Simple Tips for a Healthier New Year
By Brenda Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Try one or all of these easy tips in the coming year – every small change is a step in the right direction. Switch to fat-free or low-fat dairy foods. They have the same essential nutrients as whole milk with less fat and calories. Drink a cup […]
Horsin’ In Stride
On December 7th the UConn Extension State 4-H Horse program hosted the Horsin’ In Stride workshop at the Storrs Campus for 4-H members and adults. This is the eighth year the event has taken place. Dr. Jenifer Nadeau and Emily McCabe Alger worked with the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee to plan and implement the […]
Barnum 4-H School Garden
This was originally posted by Organic Gardening 365. Question: What do you get when you cross the savvy leadership training skills of 4-H with a Bridgeport, CT school that wants to teach kids responsibility through gardening? Answer: The Barnum School 4-H Garden. The Barnum School 4-H Garden is a display of hard work and great […]