Story and photos by Judy Benson Connecticut shellfish farmers endured the precipitous sales losses that nearly shut their businesses down during the early days of the pandemic last spring. Now, as their normally slow winter season approaches, oyster growers like Dave Hopp, Steve Plant and Larry Fernandez are preparing to weather what could be even […]
Agriculture & Food
Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply
Solid Ground AG Mechanics Training Series
Attention all farmers! Are you interested in learning more about welding and chainsaw skills and safety? The Solid Ground Farmer training program is having two in-person trainings this month. Welding 101: https://bit.ly/34pQpLk Chainsaw Skills & Safety: https://bit.ly/37ObEsz
Let’s Talk GMOs: A New Online Course from UConn CAHNR
Are you confused or do you have questions about GMOs? Do you feel inadequate when discussing GMOs? Are you given opposing information of GMOs and not sure what is right? Do you wonder how the misinformation about GMOs spreads like a wildfire? UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is offering a new online […]
Virtual Workshop: Marketing Your Farm Online
Attention all farming businesses: Are you interested in learning more about how to market your farm online? Sign up for the Marketing Your Farm Online workshop today! Register Here: https://bit.ly/2Tbcirs
Extension Program Receives USDA-NIFA Grant to Help Beginning Farmers Prosper
Beginning farmers in Connecticut are changing the face of agriculture. With their values driven, sustainable-minded farming practices, they are filling the direct-to-consumer marketplace with high quality food grown intensively on small parcels. Since 2012, UConn Extension, part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and its partners have responded to the growing number […]
UConn Beef Cattle to Be Sold at Middlesex Livestock Auction This Year
Department of Animal Science UConn Beef Cattle to be Sold at Middlesex Livestock Auction Monday, November 2, 2020 In lieu of an auction held on the UConn campus, UConn beef cattle will be sold at the Middlesex Livestock Auction (488 Cherry Hill Road, Middlefield, CT 06455) on Monday, November 2, 2020 beginning at 7 PM. […]
Celebrate Seafood Month this October with these recipes
Jacques Pepin’s fish tacos, made with local black sea bass fillets, are an easy and delicious way to celebrate National Sea Food Month this October. Pepin, world-famous chef and resident of Madison, provided this recipe as part of two collections of 21 recipes from eight Connecticut chefs compiled by Connecticut Sea Grant. Connecticut Sea Grant […]
2020 Herb of the Year
RUBUS (Brambles) 2020 Herb of the Year Red Raspberry, Black Raspberry, Blackberry & Wineberry Article by Dana Weinberg, UConn Extension Advanced Master Gardener Since 1991, the International Herb Society has chosen an Herb of the Year. This year’s choice is the genus Rubus. The name comes from the Latin word ‘ruber’ meaning red. Indigenous to […]
Valley View Farm is Connecticut Dairy Farm of the Year
New England Green Pastures Connecticut Dairy Farm of the Year 2020 It is indeed a pleasure to announce that Ben and Tim Learned, owners of Valley View Farm, in North Stonington are the 2020 Outstanding Connecticut Dairy Farmers of the Year for the New England Green Pastures Award Program. Ben and Tim have accomplished the […]
Power Up with Breakfast! Go-Grow-Glow!
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Alyson Gaylord You have probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why? The term breakfast means “break- the- fast.” After 8-10 hours of fasting as you sleep, your body is looking for calories and energy. Scientists tell us that kids who eat breakfast tend […]
American Lobster Research & Extension Initiative newsletter
The first issue of the Connecticut newsletter for the American Lobster Research and Extension Initiative, a project of seven Northeast Sea Grant programs including Connecticut Sea Grant, is now available. The newsletter is part of the regional Lobster Extension Program to complement and enhance the research component of NOAA Sea Grant’s American Lobster Initiative. Read […]
Part-Time Agriculture Program Coordinator In-Training Position Open
We are seeking a part-time (20 hours/week) Agriculture Program Coordinator-in-Training to work on our Mashantucket Pequot Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP). The incumbent will work collaboratively with a team of Extension professionals, tribal members, and leaders to empower members of Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) and communities through nutrition education and youth engagement. This […]
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 […]
Wrapping Hay Bales with Zach Duda
Zach Duda, a UConn Extension summer intern with Litchfield County 4-H shows us the hay bale wrapping process.
Overnight Oats with Molly Basak-Smith
Molly Basak-Smith, a registered dietitian with our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) walks us through the process of making overnight oats.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
Food Safety with Megan Davenport
Megan Davenport, a UConn Extension summer intern with Hartford County 4-H teaches us about food safety and why it’s important for you and your family. Learn about the four guidelines to food safety, date labels, and much more.
Bell Pepper Pizza with Nikki Santillo
What’s for dinner at your house tonight? Nikki Santillo, a UConn Extension intern with our Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program walks us through the recipe for a bell pepper pizza.
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 […]
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 […]
Cucumber Salad Recipes with UConn EFNEP
UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program cooks! Learn to make cucumber salads! YUM!
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 […]
Meet Erin Korowotny: New Haven County 4-H Intern
Hello everyone! My name is Erin Korowotny and I am very excited to be the intern for New Haven County 4-H this summer! I am a rising senior in UConn CAHNR, studying Agriculture and Natural Resources. Currently, I serve as the Treasurer of the UConn Agriculture Advocacy Club. After graduation, I hope to pursue a […]
Baking 5 Ingredient Bagels with UConn EFNEP
UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program cooks! Learn to make this easy, fast, and only 5 ingredient bagel! YUM!
Cauliflower Fried Rice with Nikki Santillo
Nikki Santillo, a UConn student and intern with our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) walks us through the steps and provides the recipe to make cauliflower fried rice.
Virtual Story Series: Blueberries for Sal – Read by Zach Duda
Zach Duda, one of our UConn Extension interns with the Litchfield County 4-H program reads Blueberries for Sal in a virtual story series. Youth can learn all about blueberries, how to pick them, and what we can use them for.
There is Still Time to Garden
August is just around the corner, and somehow you never got your vegetable garden started. Perhaps you had a wonderful early-season harvest but didn’t plant any later-season crops. The garden bed is just sitting there, empty except for weeds. Don’t think the garden season is over! There are plenty of short-season crops and cold-tolerant veggies […]
Meet Ryan Morais: Vegetable Entomology Intern
I am a Senior undergrad environmental engineering major and ecology and evolutionary biology minor with a passion for entomology. This summer I will be working as a vegetable entomology intern through UConn’s Extension Internship Program. I work closely with Professor Legrand to develop an informational entomology website and outreach educational materials. Other than web development, […]
Meet Autumn Blasi: UConn EFNEP Intern
Hi! My name is Autumn Blasi, and I’m one of the summer interns with UConn CAHNR Extension. I’m currently working in clinical and community nutrition with organizations like the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), and the Human Resource Agencies (HRA) of Bristol and New Britain. At UConn, I major in Nutritional Sciences, with […]
Dairy Handling and Restraint with Megan Davenport
Megan Davenport, a UConn Extension summer intern with Hartford County 4-H, teaches us about dairy cattle handling and restraint.
Improving Health and Nutrition in Hartford
Participants at the Village Family Resource Center at Burns Latino Studies Academy in Hartford wanted more information on health and nutrition. Our Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program (EFNEP) partnered with the Family Resource Center to provide five educational outreach sessions in 2019. Community members wanted to learn about food security, healthy choices, feeding children, […]
Pasta Salsa Recipe with UConn EFNEP
Heather Pease from our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) walks us through the process of making Pasta Salsa. You can make this delicious and nutritious recipe with a few simple items. It’s healthy and budget-friendly.
Urban Agriculture in Bridgeport
Extension works on urban agriculture projects in cities including Danbury, Stamford and Bridgeport. We are collaborating with food accessibility and food justice organizations in Bridgeport to build capacity growing fresh vegetables. Growing sites include schools, community centers and capped brown fields. Partners provide healthy food and train underserved, diverse audiences in farming. UConn Extension offered […]