Agriculture & Food

Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply

Danbury Head Start and EFNEP Zoom Graduation

“Me encanto aprendí mucho.” “Fue de mucha ayuda y ahora lo pongo en práctica. Me ayudo mucho a comer más saludable y a gastar menos dinero comprando comida en ofertas.” “Tratare de integrar a mis comidas todos los consejos que aprendi en esta clase ya que son muy productivos. Gracias por compartir con nosotras todos […]

‘Completely Connecticut Agriculture’ Explores the Creativity and Resilience of Connecticut Farmers

It’s easy to take our food supply for granted while strolling through the abundant aisles of a grocery store. We do not often consider how our food gets to the store or where it comes from. A group of students in UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is bridging the communication gap […]

The Low Down on Selecting Tomatoes

Vegetable gardening is very popular these days, and even more so since the COVID outbreak.    Anyone new to this hobby is quick to hear some terms being thrown around when describing different types of vegetables. Knowing the meaning of these terms gives prospective gardeners some key information that helps them pick varieties of vegetables most […]

Job Opening: Evaluation Specialist/Academic Assistant II

Position Location: Storrs, CT Position Description: Reporting to the CAHNR Associate Dean for Extension, the Evaluation Specialist works with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff in UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). The Evaluation Specialist provides leadership to build Cooperative Extension’s capacity to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of Extension’s instructional […]

Getchis recognized with award for pandemic response efforts

Connecticut Sea Grant Aquaculture Extension Specialist Tessa Getchis will receive a Service Excellence Award in the University of Connecticut chapter of the American Association of University Professors’ 2021 UConn-AAUP Excellence Awards. The awards have been given annually since 1997 in six categories, and this year focused specifically on responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Getchis, who […]

Compost Sale

Spring 2021 UConn Compost Sale Details Pick-up date: Friday, April 16th 1-4 PM and Saturday, April 17th 10 AM – 3 PM Rain date(s): Friday, April 23rd and/or Saturday, April 24th $25 per yard. Customers must purchase a minimum of ½ yard. Payment must be made online by credit/debit card only. *Payments must be received […]

UConn EFNEP Celebrates National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month! This past year has proven that nutrition and health are more important to all of us than ever. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is UConn Extension’s outreach nutrition program in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). Since EFNEP’s inception as a USDA demonstration program […]

All Paws In – Join Us for UConn Gives

In a time of extraordinary circumstances, UConn has adapted by seeking new opportunities and new ways to keep UConn Nation connected in a socially distant world. Through all the change and uncertainty, there has been one constant—our commitment to providing an exceptional education to our program participants. During this year’s UConn Gives, a 36-hour giving initiative, […]

4-H Members Share Project at National Agriscience Summit

UConn 4-H Litchfield County was one of seven 4-H groups in the country to be selected to create and submit a five to seven minute video to be made available to participants at the 2021 National 4-H Agriscience Summit held earlier this month. The video highlights the county’s Community Action Plan entitled Operation Community Impact, […]

Job Opening: Urban Agriculture Assistant/Associate Extension Educator

Job Opening: Urban Agriculture Assistant/Associate Extension Educator   The Department of Extension is seeking applicants for a full-time (11 month), non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Extension Educator, primarily based at the Fairfield County Extension Office in Bethel, CT. Extension Educators are community-based faculty who make a difference in communities by connecting community needs with University resources. Position […]

Undergraduate Summer Internships with UConn Extension

Applications are being accepted for UConn Extension’s undergraduate summer internship program. Students: Get paid and gain valuable in-the-field experience in your chosen discipline at an in-state Extension office location. • Food • Health • Nutrition • Sustainability • Research • Agribusiness • Youth Education • Community Development • Marketing Learn where Extension offices are located across the […]

Amid pandemic challenges, recreational shellfishing thrived

By Judy Benson While the pandemic curtailed many favorite activities, recreational shellfishing remained popular and even surged in many shoreline towns last year. “Clamming is a very COVID-friendly activity,” said Peter Harris, chairman of the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission. “You’re outside, you have a nice long rake so you stay socially distanced, and you get […]

Extension Impacts – 2020

Extension is a part of UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR). We have over 100 years of experience strengthening communities in Connecticut and beyond. Extension programs cover the full spectrum of topics aligned with CAHNR’s strategic initiatives: Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply Enhancing health and well-being locally, […]

CT Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member Spotlight: Heather Peracchio MS, RDN, CD-N

Heather Peracchio MS, RDN, CD-N Do you have a current/past  position with the CT AND Board? I have been many positions on the CT AND board but currently I am the Food Security and Sustainability Co-Chair.   What inspired you to become a RDN? My first year at UConn I found the course ‘The Science […]

FoodCorps Service Member Positions

As a FoodCorps service member you will teach students in the classroom and garden, but you will also learn skills that will help you grow professionally and personally. Apply to serve at www.foodcorps.org/apply What is FoodCorps? What will you do as a service member? Click here to learn more. Click here to view position descriptions.

Making Maple Syrup in Your Own Back Yard CLEAR Webinar

As winter winds down, and you’re considering outdoor, low-risk activities, making a small batch of maple syrup at home with your family might be a fun and healthy choice. This webinar will provide all the essential information you’ll need to get started, from identifying which of your trees might be sugar maples, to tapping, boiling […]

Connecting Connecticut: A New Podcast from UConn Extension

  Land-grant universities have provided communities, organizations, farmers and individuals with practical knowledge rooted in research through the Cooperative Extension System since the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. Over the last 107 years a lot has changed with our Extension systems. The program has expanded beyond its agricultural production origin to encompass a […]

Connecticut Sea Grant’s Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report

Connecticut Sea Grant’s Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report is now available. With photos, graphics, and summaries of many  projects and initiatives, it’s a great way to get a quick overview of Connecticut Sea Grant‘s programs. It is available here. Original Post

2021 FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Remote Grower Training Course

2021 FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Remote Grower Training Course : Register here: http://cahnrconference.uconn.edu Date/Time of Event: Monday, March 8th, 2021: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 9th, 2021, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact Person Phone and Email: Indu Upadhyaya, 860-786-8191, indu.upadhyaya@uconn.edu Instructors Indu Upadhyaya, Ph.D., Food Safety Specialist, UConn Cooperative Extension Diane Hirsch, MPH, Food Safety […]

2021 Tri-State SARE Webinar Series

2021 Tri-State SARE Webinar Series – Improving Pasture Management for Sustainable Livestock Production The first webinar in the series is next Friday, February 19th! Register here: http://bit.ly/2021SARE The link to access the webinar will be sent a few days in advance of the webinar. If you have previously registered and no longer plan to attend, please […]

Farmland Mixer

Farmland Mixer Tuesday February 18, 6:30- 8:30  Over Zoom Sign up here:  https://bit.ly/farmmixersignup  If you are a farmer in the state that is looking for land to lease or buy, this is a great opportunity for you to talk to landowners and get other resources from service providers about how to prepare to lease or buy […]

Seeking to Contract an Urban Farmer Trainer

UConn Extension is actively seeking to contract with an expert to coordinate and lead learning events over 3 years (2021-2024) for urban farmers in Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven. By deepening skills through knowledge sharing and immersive day-long events, our vision is to build a network of urban farmers and urban agriculture service providers within […]

Aquaculture in The Northeast Webinar

Aquaculture in The Northeast When: February 1st, 12 p.m. EST  Click Here To Register  The Council on Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics (C-FARE) and the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association (NAREA) will host a free webinar at 12 EST Monday, February 1, to discuss aquaculture in the Northeast. Aquaculture provides an opportunity to pursue economic and environmental benefits […]

Mitchell Elementary School Receives UConn 4-H Tower Garden

A good side of the Coronavirus Pandemic, people want to eat and live locally. As we are becoming more and more aware of our neighboring farms, farmers, and small businesses a push to be local seems to have swept the nation. That is no different in Connecticut where Litchfield County UConn 4-H Extension Educator Bill […]

Growing Vegetable and Herb Transplants

With the increased interest in local food production, more growers are producing vegetable and herb bedding plants and transplants. The following online resources have been updated to provide you with the latest, most up- to- date information with easy to read tables to help you find information quickly.  Growing Vegetable Bedding Plants and Transplants by […]

The Gluten Free Diet. Is it for Me?

Written by Sharon Gray, MPH, RD, CD-N El artículo también está disponible en Español. Haga clic aquí para ver. Gluten free labeling is on many foods in the grocery store and following the gluten free diet is popular. It is estimated that over 30% of the North American population has embraced a gluten-free lifestyle. But […]

La Dieta Sin Gluten. ¿Es para mí?

Artículo por Sherry Gray, MPH, RD, CD-N Article also available in English. Click here to view. La etiqueta alimentaria sin gluten está en muchos alimentos en la tienda de comestibles y es popular seguir una dieta sin gluten. Se estima que más del 30% de la población de América del Norte ha adoptado un estilo […]

Improving Pasture Management for Sustainable Livestock Production Webinar Series

Calling all livestock producers, farmers, and service providers! Mark your calendars for this upcoming webinar series. Register here: http://bit.ly/2021SARE Please contact Rachel Bespuda with any questions rachel.bespuda@uconn.edu

Rooting for Winter – Put Local on Your Tray

Are you root-ing for winter? Winter roots include carrots, beets, potatoes, and more! Click here for ideas on how to incorporate these delicious roots into your meals. Put Local on Your Tray’s “Root-ing for Winter” campaign is working towards connecting schools with local farmers to increase the incorporation of local root vegetables in school meals. Click […]

What is Extension – New Video Released

UConn Extension connects thousands of people across Connecticut and beyond each year, with the research and resources of the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. We are comprised of more than 100 educators and a vast network of volunteers. UConn Extension works collaboratively to build more resilient communities through educational initiatives […]

2021 Vegetable Production Certificate Course

We’re offering a Vegetable Production Certificate Course, beginning on January 20th 2021. It is a fully online course for new and beginning farmers who have 0-3 years of vegetable growing experience or no formal training in agriculture. The participants will learn answers to the basic questions about farm business planning, planning and preparing for vegetable farm, […]

Farm Flavor Magazine Features Extension Programs

In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, farmers urgently needed access to the newest information on government compliance, health protocols, federal aid and more. UConn Extension put together its own website for COVID-19-related information for both farmers and consumers on production, distribution and processing. UConn Extension also responded by organizing an initiative that enlisted […]

Eat SMART in the New Year!

Written by UConn registered dietitian-nutritionist Donna Zigmont, RDN, CD-N   Source: Free goal setting clip art Every January, millions of Americans make New Year’s resolutions to make positive changes in their lives. After a very difficult 2020 due to COVID-19, we are hopeful that 2021 will be more promising for all of us. Many of […]