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 […]
Pantry Pests and Their Control
Pantry or kitchen pests infest dry or stored food products in the home. Most are either beetles or moths. Infestations occur when these insects are found in some products, but more commonly when the adults are seen crawling or flying about the kitchen or pantry. The insects live and breed best under warm, humid conditions […]
Successful Year for UConn Dairy Program
Mary Margaret Cole, Executive Program Director of the Kellogg Dairy Center (KDC) at UConn’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has had a very successful year. Cole and the KDC staff are setting the stage for top quality milk for Connecticut dairy producers. At the 2013 Eastern States Exposition Holstein Show, Cole was awarded champion […]
Watering Houseplants
By Dawn Pettinelli, Manager, Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory Watering seems like such a simple but many are surprised to know that improper watering is the main cause of houseplant demise. Excess water will drain away in outdoor garden soils. However, houseplants are confined to a container and excess water remains in the saucer or cachepot […]
UConn Creamery Excited to Return to Cheese Production
The UConn Creamery has been an integral part of the Animal Science Department since 1953. As the winner of countless “Best of” awards, the demand for the famous UConn ice cream is ever increasing. Meanwhile, throughout the United States, consumer interest in local foods including specialty and artisan cheeses continues to drive the explosive growth […]
Nigerian Visitors
Dr. YA Umar and Dr. DB Maikaje from the Nigerian Defense Academy (it is similar to West Point) traveled to the UConn Extension office in Haddam last week. They took our Geospatial Training Program’s 3-day Geographic Information System (GIS) training course with Cary Chadwick and Emily Wilson. Dr. Umar and Dr. Maikaje are both epidemiologists in the […]
Holiday Eating Choices
Be present this holiday season Change your holiday habits! Choose: Lower calorie appetizers, like fruit and vegetables Smaller plates and tall skinny glasses Stay on your regular schedule of eating, exercising and sleeping Know your limits: Eat before you go to a party or out holiday shopping. You will be less likely to overeat. Make […]
AFIDA Report
AFIDA-Distribution of the Report ‘Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land through December 31, 2011’ The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) became effective on February 2, 1979. In particular, the regulations establish a system for the collection of information by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) pertaining to foreign investment in United States […]
Pictures from the Beginning Farmer Program
Eero Ruuttila of our Scaling Up Programs took these photos at the Beginning Farmer Conference in McAllen, Texas.
Beginning Farmer Program
During November 13-16th the USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program supported by the National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA) held its 4th Annual Director Meeting. Hosted by the University of Texas-Pan American in McAllen, Texas, this year’s theme was: Cruzando Fronteras: Supporting Diversity in Agriculture. Attendees experienced first-hand agricultural issues and opportunities both […]
Online Learning for Fruit Growers
UConn Extension Fruit Production and IPM Extension Educator Mary Concklin encourages growers to do some online learning this winter: The winter months provide many learning opportunities for fruit growers with the CT Pomological Society educational program and the New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference in December, the UConn Vegetable and Small Fruit Conference in January […]
10 Tips for the December Gardener
This morning’s winter weather reminds us to check in on our gardens and house plants as well. Here are some helpful tips for your winter gardening needs: Tap the evergreen branches gently to remove snow and prevent the branches from breaking. Check fruits, vegetables, corms and tubers that you have in storage. Sort out any […]
4-H Saturday Science
Denise Coffey of the Reminder News covered the first 4-H Saturday Science Program at Windham County Extension: “The Windham County Extension Center in Brooklyn hosted the first 4-H Science Saturday on Nov. 16. Program Coordinator Marc Cournoyer led a group of youngsters through “Maps and Apps,” an exercise in map-reading and map-making. With nods to […]
Agricultural Law Center launches Legal Guide for Locally Grown
Agricultural Law Center launches online legal guide to help farmers deliver locally grown foods The Drake University Agricultural Law Center has developed an online version of “The Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing” (http://directmarketersforum.org). Thanksgiving is the perfect time to consider how Americans can connect with farmers and the food they grow. This website provides farmers […]
FoodCorps Program Update
The 2013 school year in Connecticut is turning out to be an interesting one. In New London, a giant apple showed up to a cafeteria to hand out apple chips, apple cider, and applesauce from apples donated by Palazzi Orchard in Killingly. At North Windham Elementary, 4th and 5th graders were seen standing outside on a […]
America Saves Week 2014
America Saves Week 2013 Campaign Led by UConn Extension America Saves Week (ASW) is an opportunity individuals and families to assess and improve their own savings status as well as a special time for organizations to promote good savings behavior. Nationally, it is coordinated by the Consumer Federation of America and the American Savings Education […]
Gift-Giving Simplified and Easy on the Wallet
As the holidays approach, are you concerned about keeping spending on gift giving in line with your other financial responsibilities? As this is a time when many people may be facing the same concern, it’s a good time to rethink your holiday gift purchasing habits. Here are ten ideas for gift giving that celebrates the […]
Vexing Voles
I’ve always rather liked most rodents. There’s a shy rabbit that we see in the back yard at times and sometimes I find a white-footed mouse or two in the garden shed or in a birdhouse. As both a child and a mom, I was charged with taking care of several guinea pigs and found […]
Talking Turkey
Tips for an unstuffed Thanksgiving: Eat breakfast and a light lunch if you are eating later, to ward off uncontrolled hunger. Have a plan. If you have been working on improving your eating habits, think of your meal just like any other. Use a small plate and take small portions. Be mindful of what you […]
10 Water Conservation Tips
Even with yesterday’s rain, it will take a while for water levels to catch up. There are many small steps we can all take to conserve water in our homes. UConn Extension has these ten tips for your lawn and garden. Take shorter showers Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads Use water only […]
Demystifying the Annual Rites of Turkey
Preparing a Thanksgiving turkey—whether it’s your very first or you are a (poultry) seasoned veteran—can be scary. There are so many ways to prepare a turkey. Brining and deep frying have become popular lately, but many still prefer a simple, old fashioned, golden roasted turkey. Buy/store your turkey Whether you buy a locally produced fresh […]
Extension Assists with 1st CT Grown Forest
UConn Extension Educator Tom Worthley recently assisted the Crescent Lake Recreation area in Southington to become the first Connecticut Grown Forest. The Hartford Courant wrote about the work being done at Crescent Lake.
Connecticut Food Justice Youth Corps
The Connecticut Food Justice Youth Corps (CTFJYC) is a team of five AmeriCorps VISTA’s increasing the collaboration and coherence of non-profits working the field of Food Justice. The strength of this collaboration begins and ends with an understanding of what each of these separate organizations seek to create: a community movement, driven by youth, to […]
More Awards & Honors!
Dr. Cathy Love received the Pharos Award from the APLU Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence to recognize her lifetime commitment to addressing issues of diversity, access and success. She and Dean Gregory Weidemann are shown on 11/10/13 at the APLU meeting in Washington DC. Dr. Jack Clausen received the USDA Teaching Award for the Northeast Region on […]
Congratulations Dr. Bull!
UConn Extension is proud to congratulate Dr. Nancy Bull on her recent induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Dr. Bull has been an integral part of UConn Extension and Connecticut 4-H for many years.
Spooky Science
UConn 4-H hosts Spooky Science activities at Community Event In Griswold More than 100 kids and their families stopped by the UConn 4-H booth at the Spooktopia day at Veterans Memorial Park in Griswold, CT on Saturday, October 26th to learn a bit of Spooky Science from 4-H STEM educator Marc Cournoyer. Dressed as a mad scientist […]
10 Tips for the November Gardener
1. Be sure not to store apples or pears with vegetables. The fruits give off ethylene gas which speeds up the breakdown of vegetables and will cause them to develop a strange taste. 2. Bring out the bird feeders and stock them with bird seed for the birds. Remember to provide fresh water for them […]
Hartford Job Corps Learns about FoodChoice
UConn Extension’s Heather Pease did a Food Day Photovoice Project on October 24th with Dr. Debarchana Ghosh from the Geography department at UConn as part of Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. The program was conducted at the Hartford Job Corps program and is the second Photovoice project the team has completed for Hartford […]
Fall Scenes
UConn Extension’s Jude Boucher, who specializes in Integrated Pest Management in Vegetable Crops took these pictures. The pumpkins are a Hijinks variety that are a past winner in the All-America Seed Trials. The tomatoes are packaged and ready for sale at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford. We also had a chance to enjoy some fall […]
Praying Mantis
Our Tolland County Extension office has had a lot of praying mantis in the gardens this year. Three more egg cases were found earlier this fall. Each case takes about five months to hatch, waiting for a few weeks of warmer weather, when they sense “summer.” The cases can hold anywhere from 100-200 tiny Mantises. […]
Fall Foliage Color: How it Happens!
Fall in New England. Even those of us who have lived here for years or grown up here look forward to the annual brilliant display of color. The duration and intensity of color and even the proportion of reds vs. yellows changes from one year to the next. What are the factors that initiate and […]
Will Halloween Be Ruined Again?
“Dad, is Halloween going to be cancelled again this year because of the weather?” It’s not a pleasant thought for kids dreaming of bags full of candy. Well, we are approaching the end of October, and for those of us who have been in Connecticut for the past few years, it seems appropriate to discuss […]
Danbury 4th Graders & Root Vegetables
“1…2…3…crunch!,”was the sound of children at Morris Street school in Danbury as the 4th graders bit into a fresh crispy radish slice followed by a soft sweet sliced beet. Students enthusiastically described the colors, tastes and textures of the root veggies as they explored new flavors this Fall at the Farmers Market. Heather Peracchio, Registered […]
UConn Extension and Next Gen
UConn Extension’s Joel Stocker visited with Governor Malloy yesterday at UConn’s Next Generation Connecticut Event.
4-H Mentor Memos
Fairfield County 4-H offers the following recommendations to adults who mentor youth. What are ways we can capture that spark that leads to a successful future? Mentoring adults need to take this information and capture a way to spark the teens we lead, to engage them in something they enjoy and want to learn about. […]
2013 Green Pastures’ Dairy Farm of the Year for Connecticut
The Green Pastures Award judging team visited three Connecticut farms on Friday, September 13, 2013 before making their decision to choose Arethusa Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut as the 2013 Dairy Farm of the Year. The annual award is presented at the Big E Green Pastures’ banquet where each New England state presents their winning farm. […]
Smartphones and GPS
by David Dickson Smartphones are the swiss army knife of the digital world. They have replaced countless single-function gadgets from calculators to cameras to pagers to, um, phones! But for mapping geeks, one of the gadgets they have not quite been able to shake is the handheld GPS unit—at least until now. The Geospatial Training Program […]
Fall is for Puffballs
Fall is the best time of year to go mushroom and fungus hunting. Among those you’ll find are different types of puffball. The fungi commonly referred to as puffballs fall mostly into three genera, Calvatia, Calbovista and Lycoperdon. When young and before spores begin to form inside, the flesh of a puffball is white and uniform, […]
10 Tips for the October Gardener
1. Use dried herbs to make fragrant fall wreaths and dried flower arrangements. 2. Pick bagworms from evergreen shrubs to eliminate the spring hatch from over-wintered eggs. 3. Cut down stems and foliage of herbaceous perennials after two or three hard frosts or when leaves begin to brown. 4. Squash and pumpkins should be harvested […]
Mulch Volcanoes: A Growing Problem
UConn Extension has noticed a growing problem in Connecticut landscapes – tree volcanoes. A tree volcano occurs when mulch is piled around the base of the tree and climbs up the trunk. The shape of the mulch resembles a cone or a volcano. Mulch volcanoes waste money and damage trees. Mulch is useful at the […]