Author: Frances Champagne

Job Opening: New Farmer Business Specialist Program Assistant 2

Tolland County Extension is hiring! Seeking applicants for a part-time (19.25 hours per week) Educational Program Assistant 2 to serve as New Farmer Business Specialist in Vernon, CT. This position will perform customized technical assistance and group training to bolster farm business planning, financial management, access to grants and capital through established state and federal […]

Workshop: Pasture Based Systems Sustainable Livestock Production

Join UConn Extension for a tour of Pat’s Pastured, a Rhode Island pasture-raised livestock and poultry farm that serves both retail and wholesale customers. Following the tour, owner Pat McNiff will lead a presentation and answer questions regarding the economic analysis and decision making involved with growing, harvesting and marketing his products to ensure the […]

Workshop: Options to Mitigate Farm Financial Losses

Workshop Announcement: Join UConn Extension at CLiCK in Windham for a workshop on how to alleviate financial issues due to climate change and better understand United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs as well as crop insurance and farm finances. Tuesday, January 16, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon

Winter 2024 Ornamental and Turf Short Course

Registration now open!  Winter 2024 Ornamental and Turf Short Course Wednesdays 5:30-7 pm, from January 10 – March 13, 2024  Register Here More information at s.uconn.edu/ornamental-turf.  Ornamental and Turf Online Short Course Description  UConn Extension offers an online Ornamental & Turf Short Course in the fall and winter, which helps students prepare for the pesticide applicator supervisory exam.  […]

2024 CT Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers’ Conference

UConn Extension Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers’ Conference  January 9, 2024 UConn Student Union, Rooms 330 & 304 For full agenda and more information visit: s.uconn.edu/ctvfcprogram Early Registration $40.00, ends Wednesday December 20, 2023 at noon $60.00 after December 20, 2023 Matriculated Students: $30.00 with valid school ID Online registration will be open until January 3, […]

Roadside Revegetation

Earlier this month, Laura Urban presented a lecture to our CLIR (Center for Learnign in Retirement) community: The Roadside to a Thriving Native Ecosystem; we are pleased to announce that the slideshow portion of the presentation is now available to view on the CLIR website! Click the image above or the direct link below to access this informative […]

Meat and Poultry HACCP Course

HACCP for Meat and Poultry Processors (Course approved by International HACCP Alliance) This three-day International HACCP Alliance approved Meat and Poultry HACCP course will provide participants with the information they need to prepare a HACCP food safety program and plan for a plant under USDA/FSIS Grant of Inspection. *See additional information below flyer; click flyer […]

Upcoming Field Workshops on Improving Pasture Management for Sustainable Livestock Production

REMINDER: Our Tri-State SARE Professional Development Project is pleased to announce two summer workshops for Improving Pasture Management for Sustainable Livestock Production. Click the flyer image above or the link below for more information on the workshops. Please email Rachel.Bespuda@uconn.edu with any questions. Additional information on the SARE program can be found at https://livestock.extension.uconn.edu/sare/ Workshop […]

On-Farm Field Day

June 1, 1-4pm Join us at Cecarellis Harrison Hill Farm for an on-farm field day! 186 Old Post Rd Northford, CT 06472 Register at s.uconn.edu/fieldday Focus will be on low-to no-till implements, a new strip-type plastic culture implemented to battle climate change, along with other customized implements that fit the need for small farms. Implements […]

Free One-on-One Consultations for CT Farmers

Hey Farmers!  For those of you that are growing commercially, aka are a farm businesses, it’s time for you to sign up for a FREE consultations with some of the experts in the state surrounding a wide variety of topics! Check it out here: https://newfarms.uconn.edu/consultations/ These are free one on one consultations for Connecticut Farmers, with specialists in certain fields of […]

Free Poultry Seminar with UConn Extension

Improving Poultry Production Using Natural Interventions Wednesday, April 26, 2023 10:00-2:00 Tolland County Extension Center 24 Hyde Avenue, Vernon, CT 06066 Join UConn Extension and a team of experts for an informative presentation and discussion on poultry health and disease, the use of various additives in poultry production, and related topics. Click here to register! […]

Water Webinar March 30, 2023

Are you drowning with questions about agricultural water? Join us for our water webinar on March 30! Topics include compliance dates, new assessment tools, and harvest/post-harvest water. Speakers: Indu Upadhyaya, Food Safety Extension Specialist Diane Wright Hirsch, Emeritus Faculty Food Safety Click/tap here or on the flyer above to register!

UConn Cannabis Symposium March 16-17, 2023

UConn Cannabis Symposium March 16–17, 2023UConn Student Union The University of Connecticut has been a leader nationally in developing the first series of courses offered at a U.S. academic institution on cannabis production. Join us on March 16-17 as expert speakers cover topics related to cannabis such as: plant production, biochemistry and genetics, clinical impacts, […]

Getting to the Root Videos & Farmer Panels

From UConn Solid Ground: In 2022 we kicked off a new video series with the goal of raising the visibility of some of the many entrepreneurs among the new farmer community. Last year we learned about Cut Flower Farming at Eddy Farm and Niche Livestock Farming at BOTL farm. These videos as well as the […]

Solid Ground Stipend Program For Beginning Farmers

We are excited to announce our 2023 Solid Ground Stipend Program! UConn Extension’s Solid Ground Program and the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources – Strategic Vision Implementation Committee are pleased to join forces to offer up to $2000 in stipends to new and beginning farmers in Connecticut. This opportunity is intended for farmers […]

Substitutability of cash and in-kind benefit among the poor farming households in developing countries

  PI: Shuresh Ghimire The purpose of this study is to find the value of in-kind benefit respondent is willing to give up for less cash amount or vice-versa and identify the factors affecting the preference of cash vs in-kind benefit. Funded by: UConn’s OVPR Research Excellence Program This study expects to determine the degree of […]

2023 CT Farm Energy Workshops

February 1 3:30-5PM at the Audubon Center, 218 Day Road Pomfret Center, CT 06259 February 9 3-4:00PM (part of Climate Smart Ag Meeting) UConn Litchfield County Extension Center, 843 University Drive, Torrington, CT 06790 February 16 6-7:30PM at the UConn Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438 Visit www.ctfarmenergy.org to register for […]

Climate Smart Agriculture

Interested in making your farm more resilient? Concerned about climate change? Join us at the Litchfield County Extension Center on February 9 to learn about ways to enable your operation to be sustainable. Dinner provided! For more information and to register, visit: https://nwcd.org/events/ For special accommodations, please contact info@nwcd.org

CT NOFA Winter Conference – workshop previews

CT NOFA is proud to present our 41st Winter Conference, to be held the second week of March, kicking off on Monday, March 6th, 2023 with a week of live virtual workshops and concluding on March 11th with an in-person gathering and celebration at Wesleyan University. We’ll be offering a variety of live virtual workshops on farming, […]

Business Manager Job Opportunity with Foxwoods

Job Details Description Under the direction of the Executive Director Farm, the incumbent is responsible for designing business strategies and managing day to day operations to ensure company efficiency. Bachelor’s degree in business, business management or related fields. Five (5) years of experience with three (3) of those years in a management position. Experience in […]

Urban Farming Program in Hartford

  Live in the Hartford area and interested in growing your Urban Farming Experience? Running from March through November for 3 years, this program offers all participants both in-class and hands-on training and education on multiple farming techniques.  All participants become active farmers working together to supply produce to the Hartford Public Schools and individually […]

2023 Tri-State SARE Webinar Series Announcement

The 2023 Tri-State SARE Webinars will focus on soil nutrient management. All webinars will be held on Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 noon. Webinar Dates and Details: February 22: Principals of Nutrient Management Speaker: Kirsten Workman (Cornell Extension PRO-DAIRY) March 15: Integration of pasture management and nutrient management Speakers: Cheryl Cesario (UVM Extension) Rich […]

Creating Small Farms

Join a group of passionate farmers for a strategic planning and brainstorming session. We’re developing an onramp for farm ownership in CT.  DATE AND TIME Sat, February 04, 2023 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM EST LOCATION Sticks & Stones Farm 171 Huntingtown Road Newtown, CT 06470 Sign up here: https://realfoodct.kindful.com/e/creating-small-farms • Enjoy a complementary catered lunch, […]

Build Your Network, Grow Our Future

Join the New CT Farmer Alliance Build Your Network, Grow Our Future 2023! This annual event is a chance for farmers to connect with each other and with service providers who can help us in our farming journeys.   The Details: Saturday January 21st 10AM-3PM AuerFarm, Bloomfield, CT The event will have a keynote address, […]

Farm Succession School

The biggest hurdle in farm succession planning is getting the plan done. For senior farmers and farm partners in Connecticut, like Chris, who are looking toward retirement and farm transition, the Farm Succession School is here to help! This three-day winter course is for senior farmers who are ready to do the work and dig […]

CT Farm Energy Workshops

Interested in reducing your energy costs for on-farm consumption? Come learn about available programs and incentives in Connecticut through the CT Farm Energy program! Please register for the meeting you would like to attend here: Workshop #1: February 1 from 3:30-5pm at Audubon Center, Pomfret, CT https://www.eventbrite.com/e/504719017167 Workshop #2 February 9 from 3-4pm at UConn Extension, […]

Tri-State SARE Professional Development Needs Assessment

The Tri-State (CT, MA, RI) SARE Professional Development Program is planning activities for the next three years – through 2026. The project will focus on training agricultural service providers as well as farmers in CT, MA and RI on sustainable livestock production practices. Specific content areas will be determined based on the feedback and needs […]

Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference (FREE!)

The Northeast Disability and Agriculture Conference is a first-time regional event designed to educate and empower the agricultural community. Through workshops and presentations, farmer attendees will learn how to better advocate for themselves, and service provider attendees will learn how to identify potential distress risks within the community. Together attendees will learn how to build […]

Invest in Your Health: Cultivating a Healthy Mind Train the Trainer Workshop

Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. According to the CDC, rates of depression and anxiety climb significantly during the ages of 12-17. Suicide is the second leading cause of death […]

UConn Extension in partnership with E&G Community Builders

Leaders of Color in Conservation Training Project is Hiring: Project Coordinator Info: 10-12 hrs/week $25/hour Mostly remote work with some travel Excellent organization and communication skills Comfortable with events, photography, and digital platforms Apply at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tJFTK3_Bm0W_24TM3ilPHXCyzmjz8zjS/view?usp=sharing  

CT GROWN MARKETING TOOLS: LIST YOUR CSA

Does your farm offer a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) program?  In the upcoming months the Connecticut Grown campaign will be promoting CSA’s and we want to be sure your farm is included. The Department of Agriculture maintains a list of Connecticut CSAs at https://portal.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74ef6c0c3fdcad5c83a78f294&id=343708bd23&e=075feba670. To add your farm to this list, or to update the information […]

NEW online Soil Course: Soil Health and Climate Adaption for CT Growers

As part of UConn Extension’s Solid Ground program we are sharing a NEW online Soil Course: Soil Health and Climate Adaption for CT Growers, led by the one and only soil scientist, Kip Kolesinskas! Sign Up HERE This 10-module online course is for growers looking to learn more about analyzing their soils, understanding soil health, assessing […]

Job Opportunity: Southern New England Farmers of Color Collaborative

Southern New England Farmers of Color Collaborative is Hiring! Deadline to Apply:  December 9th, 2022 SNEFCC Job Opening The Southern New England Farmers of Color Collaborative (SNEFCC) is reaching out with exciting news that we are hiring three positions! Please help spread the word among your networks or consider applying. This is an exciting opportunity […]

Northeast Disability and Agriculture 2023 Conference Survey

Hey Farmers! In order to help with the planning process of the Northeast Disability and Agriculture 2023 Conference Survey (Encuesta Para La Conferencia Noreste 2023 Sobre Discapacidad y Agricultura) would you please consider taking 3 minutes to fill out/ share this survey and help the steering committee (One of our local farms! ) to know what you want […]

Newest Crop Insurance Program

Small-scale, diversified farmers – have you heard the news? There’s a new insurance program available from USDA called Micro Farm insurance, available specifically for farmers making up to $350,000 annually. If you’ve thought federal crop insurance didn’t apply to you before, well, things are starting to change! Learn more here: https://thecarrotproject.salsalabs.org/microfarmworkshop20222023/index.html CT will have an in-person […]