CT Saves Campaign February 24- March 2nd Take the Connecticut Saves Pledge by texting “CTSaves” to 877877 or pledging online at www.ConnecticutSaves.org. Save with a plan. Did you know savers with a plan are twice as likely to save successfully for things like retirement and their (or their children’s) education? Save the easy way…automatically. Never miss a beat when […]
Education
Mental Health & Farm Stress
Farming is both a risky and dangerous business. From the hazardous nature of the seemingly regular day-to-day tasks to the volatile and unforgiving markets on which many farms rely for income, farmers have no shortage of stress. Add in unpredictable weather and crop yields and you have the makings of what the USDA, OSHA, and […]
NL team captures first Quahog Bowl win, heads to nationals
After a day dominated by time clocks, buzzers, science judges and the powers of quick recall of all things related to the ocean, the team from the Science and Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut gushed with unfettered joy. “Now we’ll be able to go to the nationals and compete again,” said team Captain […]
February is Heart Health Month – Hit the Trails for Your Heart
February is heart health month – to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it. Walking is one easy way to increase physical fitness. Every step counts. Most adults should try for at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) a week of moderate intensity activity. 30 minutes of brisk walking on at least […]
Extension Interns Receive Award
Casey Lambert (’19) and Evan Lentz (’19) won 2nd place honors for their poster and presentation at the national meeting for the USDA-iPiPE project (Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education) held in Raleigh, NC February 4-6. Mary Concklin, Fruit Extension Educator, PSLA, is the grant PI. The primary focus of the project was to […]
My 4-H Story: Chelsea Weimer
The term “4-H” was an organization that I had heard about for many years. I knew the name, but I didn’t really know what it was. Around five years ago my mom saw an advertisement for a 4-H club called Bad to the Bone. This club showed dogs. I decided to go to a meeting […]
New Training! Intro to ArcGIS Online & Storymaps
The CLEAR Geospatial Training Program (GTP) has just launched a brand new workshop! It is called Introduction to ArcGIS Online and Esri Story Maps and includes presentations, demos, hands-on exploration and hands-on exercises. The morning of the day-long workshop covers ArcGIS Online and the web map in particular. Topics include: Introduction to GIS and ArcGIS Online The ArcGIS Online Web […]
‘New normal’ of flooded roads presents complex challenges
Story and photos by Judy Benson With frequent downpours flooding many of the state’s coastal roads throughout the fall and into January – including the previous day – the workshop could hardly have had more relevance and timeliness. “I spent yesterday dealing with countless calls to my office from people saying they couldn’t get to […]
My 4-H Story: Samantha Smith
4-H has impacted my life by teaching me that even in the hard times you should hold onto your project and never let go. 4-H has also taught me how to do math. 4-H has helped me with my spelling. Through my 4-H years I have learned a lot. I have learned patience while working […]
Applications Open for FoodCorps CT
Are you ready to #serveupchange in your community? Apply now for a year of service with FoodCorps Connecticut! The deadline is March 15, but aim to submit early: we’re reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Go to http://foodcorps.org/apply to apply yourself (or share this post with a leader who shares our passion for healthy food in schools!)
CT Trail Census Receives Grant
Our Connecticut Trail Census program recently received $206,049.50 in grant funding from the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Trails & Greenways Program and the Connecticut Greenways Council. UConn Extension’s Connecticut Trail Census is a statewide volunteer-based data collection and education program implemented as a pilot from 2016-2018 on 16 multi-use (bicycle, pedestrian, equestrian) trail sites across the state.
My 4-H Story: Olivia Hall
When I joined 4-H 5 years ago, I thought that I would just be learning about animals. I had no idea that I would learn leadership, citizenship and public speaking skills that I would apply to many situations both in and out of 4-H. I never imagined that when I joined 4-H, I would meet […]
School of Business Partnership Strengthens Extension
Extension brings the research of the land-grant university to communities statewide. Other departments at UConn are helping Extension grow and impact new audiences with the research and resources they produce. We have built a partnership with the Department of Marketing in the School of Business that has transformed the marketing initiatives of UConn Extension, and […]
Workshop Series: Sustainable Livestock Production
Nutrition’s Role in Sustainable Livestock Production Practices 2019 A new workshop series on pasture management and infrastructure and the nutritional needs of livestock raised on pasture All workshops held in the training room at Farm Credit East, 240 S Rd. Enfield CT Monday, February 11, 2019 8:30 am to 1 pm (Snow Date: February 13, […]
My 4-H Story: Maria Grillo
4-H has, in a sentence, taught me how to be myself and to tap into my full potential. I was once a quiet kid who desperately wanted to speak out and have an impact but didn’t know how. Now, I am a determined, confident young adult who can be heard the minute I walk into […]
New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide is Available
The 2019-20 edition of the New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide is now available. Order your copy today! New England greenhouse growers have long relied on the New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide,for its unbiased, detailed information about insect and mite management, disease prevention and management, weed control, and plant growth regulation. The Guide is updated every two years to ensure that […]
We Want You to Volunteer with UConn 4-H
Do you enjoy working with children? Want to share your time and talents with young people in the community? Like to have fun, learn new skills and make a difference? Then being a 4-H volunteer is for you! 4-H volunteers play a significant role in helping youth to reach their potential. As a volunteer, you […]
My 4-H Story: Hannah Platt
For the past eight years 4-H has taught me many things that I probably would not have learned without it. I have experienced how the association for the fair works over the past few years. I learned that without it, the fair would not happen. Every one of the officers has their own role and […]
Tackling the climate change challenge, one place at a time
Climate change is perhaps the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced, and just thinking about it can make someone feel exhausted and overwhelmed. How can the next generation of environmental professionals be prepared to deal a problem that big? One answer could be found this fall in the Climate Corps class taught at the University […]
Job: New Haven County Master Gardener Coordinator
Position Description Master Gardener County Coordinator New Haven County The UConn Extension Master Gardener Program is seeking applications for the position of Master Gardener New Haven County Program Coordinator. This is a 16‐hour‐per‐week position and is a temporary, six‐month appointment. Renewal is optional pending coordinator review and availability of program funding. Responsibilities include but are […]
Tailored Messages Improve Health and Nutrition in Windsor Students
Technology is ubiquitous, and a team of researchers at UConn are harnessing our everyday technology to address obesity issues in children and young adults (Poulin & Peng, 2018). Social media and text messages are a common communication tool among multiple populations, and can positively influence behavior change in health and nutrition (Hsu, M.S.H., Rouf, A., […]
My 4-H Story: Hailey Osika
Seven years ago, a friend of mine suggested that I join her 4-H group. Eventually, I was convinced and decided I would try joining the group and “test the waters” so to speak, in order to decide if I wanted to be a part of it permanently. To be honest, I didn’t go in […]
Solid Ground Farmer Trainings in January
The following Solid Ground Farmer Trainings are scheduled for January. BF 106: Vegetable Production for Small Scale Farming – January 5th BF 240: Pesticide Safety for Conventional & Organic Producers – January 9th BF 270: Welding Basics for Agriculture – January 12th – FULL BF 110: Growing Crops in Low, High and Movable Tunnels – January […]
Stormwater Corps: Looking for Green Stormwater Opportunities
If you were out and about in the towns of North Haven, Milford, Hamden, West Haven or Cheshire this summer, you may have seen a team of four young adults writing on clipboards, snapping pictures of parking lots, laying their phones down on the sidewalk, and peering down into storm drains. These four intrepid UConn […]
My 4-H Story: Elizabeth Hall
To some people my 4-H story might seem dull, but to me it has been an exciting adventure! 4-H has taught me responsibility and how my actions can positively affect my community. I have also learned leadership and citizenship skills that I have been able to incorporate into activities outside of 4-H. Setting goals in […]
Chicken Questions?
Do you own chickens? Our poultry care video series with retired Extension Educator Dr. Mike Darre can answer your questions. There are 10 videos, topic include: how to hold your birds, how to inspect your birds, determining if your chicken is a good layer, watering systems, nest boxes, feeding, housing and heating, bird litter, housing, […]
My 4-H Story: Chloe Smith
I Found Myself at 4-H Camp It’s not very often that someone reflects on defining moments in their life but when I take a moment to reflect on my life so far, the biggest influence that comes to mind is the eight years I’ve spent in the 4-H program and how the 4-H program has […]
Pre-Register for Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers’ Conference
SOUTH WINDSOR, CT – UConn Extension’s 2019 Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers’ Conference will be taking place on Monday, January 7th, 2019. The conference will be held at Maneeley’s Conference Center on 65 Rye Street in South Windsor. The day will include 9 educational sessions, an extensive trade show with over 30 exhibitors, and plenty […]
Preventing Early Childhood Obesity
Preventing obesity in early childhood is a critical issue being addressed by a multi-disciplinary team from UConn. It’s one of three complementary projects led by faculty in Allied Health Sciences, and is funded by a grant from the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut. The project focuses on preventing obesity in early childhood by […]
Holiday Food Shopping on a Budget
It is that crazy, stressful expensive time of year. But planning for that holiday meal shouldn’t be on that list. Here are a few steps to help ease the process and cost: Clean out the refrigerator and freezer of unneeded or wanted items. This will make room for items for the big meal. Also it […]
Lifelong Learning with CLIR Begins Again in January
The Center for Learning in Retirement, otherwise known as CLIR, is one of the many programs offered through the University of Connecticut (UConn) Extension, part of the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. CLIR is a lifelong learning program that provides meaningful and serious intellectual activities for adults of retirement age. Individuals from all […]
We Want You to Volunteer with UConn 4-H
Do you enjoy working with children? Want to share your time and talents with young people in the community? Like to have fun, learn new skills and make a difference? Then being a 4-H volunteer is for you! 4-H volunteers play a significant role in helping youth to reach their potential. As a volunteer, you […]
Urban Agriculture Graduation
UConn Extension in collaboration with Green Village Initiative offered the Urban Agriculture Program in Bridgeport, Connecticut from November 2017 to November 2018. A new group of urban farmers graduated on December 7, 2018. The UConn Extension urban agriculture program consists of three components: classroom instruction, hands-on vegetable production, and entrepreneurship. To complete the program students […]
National Hand Washing Week
As part of Marc Cournoyer’s involvement with the Healthy Homes Partnership, he created a poster contest to recognize national hand washing awareness week which runs from Dec. 2-8. Some of the kids from the Windham Heights 4-H club created posters to educate the public on the importance of hand washing. Marc is a UConn Extension […]
Livestock BCS Video Series
We have a new video series on Body Condition Scoring (BCS) for livestock. Our Tri-State SARE project produced videos for beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. You can view the entire series at: http://s.uconn.edu/bcs The Tri-State SARE project, Nutrition’s Role in Sustainable Livestock Production, focuses on animal nutrition as it relates to health and well-being of […]
Bedding Plant Program for Greenhouse Growers Offered
UConn Extension offers Bedding Plant Program for Greenhouse Growers Get the latest information on insect and disease management, proper watering techniques and mixing pesticide formulations and network with fellow growers. This educational program will feature the following topics of interest to those who produce spring ornamental crops in the greenhouse: Watering: Air and Water Balance […]
CT’s First Stormwater Utility
Earlier this summer, New London became the first municipality in Connecticut to establish a stormwater utility which goes into effect January 1, 2019. This means they will begin charging all property owners a fee for their contribution to the city’s stormwater runoff. Previously, New London relied on property taxes to fund maintenance of their stormwater […]
A Marsh Migration Buffer Takes Shape
Dodge Paddock Beal Preserve is a small oasis in Stonington Borough and is owned by Avalonia Land Conservancy. With tidal wetlands, coastal grassland and a rocky intertidal area, the area has much to offer visitors. The preserve has been the focus of many efforts involving the land trust, CT Dept of Energy and Environmental Protection, […]
Food Safety – Approved Grower Courses Available
FSMA Produce Safety Rule/Produce Safety Alliance Approved Grower Training Course December 5 and 6, 2018; December 7, Snow Date 8:30 am through 3:30 pm Middlesex County Extension Center 1066 Saybrook Road Haddam, Connecticut 06438 Registration Deadline Monday, November 26 Space is limited to 30 participants. REGISTRATION: Course fees are $50 for Connecticut Farmers; $150 […]
Communicating Towards Improved Health and Nutrition
Obesity is increasingly affecting residents of Connecticut. Recent statistics report that 20% of children and 36% of young adults are afflicted by obesity (Poulin & Peng, 2018). A team of Extension educators, faculty, and graduate students in Allied Health Sciences are working with community partners to take a multi-faceted approach to addressing health and nutrition […]