By: Jessica LaRosa, Hartford County 4-H Member This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the 2017 Citizenship Washington Focus with 38 other 4-Hers from Connecticut. The trip was held in Washington D.C., and focused on our nation’s Legislative Branch in government, along with looking at how to become better leaders and citizens in our […]
Education
Sheep Shearing School
The Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association Inc. in conjunction with the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service are again offering a one-day shearing school. Saturday, October 14, 2017 UConn Beef Barn (Livestock Unit 1) Horsebarn Hill Road 8am-4:30pm This program is offered for those individuals who have a strong interest in learning how to […]
Worm Day
Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Fairfield County Extension Center from 10 am to 1 pm. Want to learn more about invasive earthworms in Connecticut? Ever thought about making a worm bin to recycle kitchen scraps into rich vermicompost? Join us for Worm Day! It is free and open to the public. Following presentations on […]
My 2017 Climate Corps Summer Internship
By Nikki Pirtel The shoreline community of Westbrook, Connecticut, situated halfway between New Haven and New London, is home to approximately 7,000 residents while supporting seasonal tourists with numerous beaches and shopping stores in the town’s outlet. It is also the municipality I was assigned to research and create a vulnerability assessment for during my […]
UConn Extension Encourages Water Conservation with the 40 Gallon Challenge
By Angie Harris UConn Extension is inviting all Connecticut residents to join the 40 Gallon Challenge and take on new practices to increase water conservation. The 40 Gallon Challenge is a national call for residents and businesses to reduce water use on average by 40 gallons per person, per day. The challenge began in 2011 […]
Videos Showcase Farm Energy
Renewable energy has a lower environmental impact than energy generated by burning fossil fuels. Connecticut has a goal to secure 27% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Recently, four videos on farm energy were produced to showcase different options available to Connecticut Farmers. Ace Begonias in Bethany has an energy-efficient lighting project. Full […]
Welcome New Trail Census Coordinator Kristina Kelly!
We welcome our new Trail Census Coordinator Kristina Kelly! Kristina has experience coordinating volunteer data collection programs such as DEEP’s Riffle Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV), and has developed a passion for citizen science as away to involve the community in environmental education, protection and advocacy. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Geography […]
Healthy Homes an International Conversation
Dr. Hyun-Jeong Lee, Associate Professor, Department of Housing and Interior Design, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea, and Sohee Moon, Graduate Student, visited the University of Connecticut on August 24, and will be visiting University of Georgia and NIFA in Washington, D.C. to learn about the Department of Extension housing programs. Team members of the […]
Can You Hear Me Now? Smartphone Maps (That Work) Off The Beaten Path
By Cary Chadwick It’s summer. Family vacation time. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for this all year. We had planned to take the family west for two weeks in the mountains. Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Off the beaten path. Round up the kids, pack […]
America’s PrepareAthon
Yardwork, like trimming your trees, cleaning your gutters, and clearing debris from drains, can protect your home from wind and water damage during a storm. Share these tips with your neighbors: https://go.usa.gov/xNMMu
Why Farmers Are Pleading: Leave Your Dogs Home
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH UConn Extension Educator – Food Safety Over the years I have worked with many fruit and vegetable farmers, as they have become the focus of new food safety regulations. Some of these farms sell their product through pick-your-own (PYO) operations, some at an on-farm stand; others have CSA (community supported […]
Super Tracker App
Did you know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has an app to help you track your food, fitness, and health? Download SuperTracker. With it you receive a personalized nutrition and physical activity plan, can track your food and physical activity; and receive tips and support to help you make healthier choices and plan ahead.
Become a Master Composter
Become a UConn Master Composter! The purpose of the Master Composter Program is to provide local compost enthusiasts with the tools and information necessary to educate and teach interested community members about composting and reducing the amount of solid waste sent to the state’s incinerators and landfills. Participants would attend classroom sessions at the Fairfield […]
Join the Big Bug Hunt to Beat Garden Pests
Major citizen science project tracks garden bugs to identify when and how they spread Key points The Big Bug Hunt is an international research project to track when and how garden bugs spread. Participants are helping to create a pest-alert system that will warn gardeners when pests are heading their way. Anyone can take part […]
Food Safety for Artisan Cheesemakers
Dr. Dennis D’Amico has been working with North Carolina State University to convert his cheese food safety workshop into an online program. They recently launched the online course: Food Safety for Artisan Cheesemakers. The course will be offered at no cost until the end of the year by using the code INTRO-FREE. To enroll : https://foodsafety.ncsu.edu/food-safety-basics-artisan-cheesemakers/. The […]
Lifelong Learning in September
CLIR, a lifelong learning program offered in collaboration with UConn Extension, will hold the following classes in September, most in Vernon Cottage on the UConn Depot Campus: Memoir Club Thursdays from Sept 7 10:15 – 11:45 An Introduction to the Socio-Cultural Roots of Climate Change Sept 11, 18, 25, 7:00 – 8:30, at CLiCK […]
CT Needs a Passport to the Parks
What is the Passport to the Parks? The Passport to the Parks is a $10 charge added to your 2-year motor vehicle registration which would generate an estimated $14.3 million each year for the operations, maintenance, and improvement of your State Parks. In return for paying this charge every other year, all motor vehicles with […]
Benchmarking and Risk Management
Farmers: Learn more about benchmarking and risk management http://s.uconn.edu/3th with Extension educators and Farm Credit East.
So, You Want to Preserve Your Famous Salsa…
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD Extension Educator/Food Safety Every year, about this time, I am spending time on the phone, talking people out of canning. Well, not exactly. I strongly encourage canning as a way to preserve summer tomatoes, peaches, apples and cucumbers (often as pickles). But, invariably I will answer the phone and […]
Hike Safe
From the Hike Safe website: Wherever you hike, no matter what season or whether it’s a short hike or a multi-day trek,be safe: Follow the Hiker Responsibility Code. You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared: With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you […]
Keeping Farm Fresh Veggies and Fruits Fresh
Keeping those farm fresh veggies and fruits fresh By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH Senior Extension Educator/Food Safety Recently I had a call from a mom asking if she should wash her berries before storing in the fridge. Her 30-something daughter, who, of course, knows everything, insisted that she should wash first. The mom wasn’t […]
Got Ticks?
UConn is on the front line in the fight to control the spread of tick-borne diseases. At the state testing lab on campus, UConn scientists are tracking established and emerging diseases carried by ticks from around the country.
Elsie Woolam Named 2017 National 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee
By Nancy Wilhelm Congratulations to Elsie Woolam for her selection as a member of the 2017 National 4-H Hall of Fame. The National 4-H Hall of Fame honors 4-H volunteers, extension professionals and staff employees, donors and others who have made a significant impact on the 4-H program and /or 4-H members through the contribution […]
2017 UConn PEP Graduates
The University of Connecticut People Empowering People program (UConn PEP) is a personal, family and leadership development program that began in 1996, and is through the Extension program in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. Empowerment is a way that individuals and social groups express their needs, present their concerns, and devise strategies […]
Tackling Turfgrass
Article by Stacey Stearns Turfgrass is often overlooked by residents – but is one of the most abundant crops in the state, and an important part of Connecticut’s economic engine. Direct sales from the turfgrass industry are around $2.5 billion, with a total economic impact of $2.9 billion. Lawn care services are the largest turfgrass […]
Tools for Healthy Living Receives National 4-H Award
The purpose of the Excellence in Urban 4-H Programming Award is to recognize outstanding efforts by members in urban programming and to strengthen the commitment to urban programming curriculum. The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Member Recognition Committee selected the Tools for Healthy Living program as the national award winner for the competition. This afterschool program, […]
Confronting Tough Issues
Three times each academic year the Center for Learning In Retirement (CLIR) volunteers develop a course schedule that often includes classes on tough issues facing our society, providing members with expertise from knowledgeable presenters, as well as a forum to ask questions. One such topic is the huge problem of crumbling home foundations, currently being […]
Gypsy Moth Update
Gypsy Moth Update from Extension Educator Tom Worthley: “On Friday, I observed these live adult female gypsy moths laying eggs along Chaffeeville Road in Mansfield. Obviously some caterpillars managed to survive the fungus and other predators and develop to maturity in some spots. If people are so inclined they could kill moths they can reach, […]
Food Safety and Foodborne Illness: There Will Always Be Surprises
By: Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH Senior Extension Educator/Food Safety I took on food safety as a focus of my Extension programming in the early 1990’s: little did I know that for the next 20-plus years my food safety educator life would be full of surprises. Early on, the issues were what a consumer would […]
Preparing Agricultural Leaders for Drought
Article by Kim Colavito Markesich Originally published by Naturally.UConn.edu While Connecticut residents live in a state with ample water resources, we are beginning to notice some changes in precipitation trends. “Connecticut is very fortunate as we’re actually quite water rich,” says Angie Harris, research assistant in UConn Extension. “We are getting rainfall, but there’s […]
Getting Ready for Home Preservation Season
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH Senior Extension Educator/Food Safety As the end of June looms, back yard gardeners and farmers alike are beginning to see the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. Already we are enjoying locally grown spinach, lettuces, herbs and other greens, peas, and perhaps locally grown broccoli and cabbage. Asparagus season is over, […]
Have Fun, Grow Healthy, Get Fit
Connecticut Fitness and Nutrition Clubs In Motion (CT FANs IM) is a 4-H STEM after-school and summer program and integrated research project, educating third and fourth graders in nutrition, fitness and gardening. The program is presented in collaboration with area 4-H clubs. CT FANs IM is supported by a five-year $2.5 million grant from USDA’s National […]
Prepare for Storms
We had hail on the UConn campus in Storrs during last night’s storm, as did many other towns in the state. It serves as a reminder to prepare for storms and other events ahead of time. Visit the UConn EDEN and Ready.Gov websites for resources and information.
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Update
From Extension Educator Tom Worthley: “The attached photo is of a 26-inch diameter oak near my home with lots of caterpillars on it, and all of the caterpillars are dead. They exhibit symptoms of the fungus that attacks gypsy moth caterpillars, particularly when populations are high. So while I cannot say it with absolute certainty, I […]
4-H Club Grows Bountiful Harvest
Article by Kim Colavito Markesich Orginally published by Naturally.UConn.edu Amy Walker, third grade teacher at W.B. Sweeney Elementary School in Willimantic, serves as adult leader for the school’s new 4-H Club. Funded through CT FANs IM 4-H STEM grant, the program started last winter with the planning and construction of six raised bed gardens. “This […]
Bug Out This Summer With UConn Extension
UConn Extension’s Bug Week is right around the corner, from July 24th to 29th, and we have programs for the whole family. Bugs are the unsung heroes of our ecosystem, providing services such as pollination and natural pest control. However, bugs don’t stop at environmental benefits. They have also impacted our culture through the manufacturing […]
Volunteer Involvement
Volunteers are a critical component of the 4-H Mentoring program. Dr. Robert Beaudoin is one such volunteer. He started volunteering with the Connecticut 4-H Mentoring Project conducted at the Waterbury Youth Services, Inc. in 2011. He is the CEO of Beaudoin Karate Academy in Waterbury and has provided the support of his school and trainers […]
4-H Mentoring Project
Article by Ede Valiquette “I never miss 4-H, my mentor thinks I’m special” says a mentee from the Connecticut 4-H Mentoring project. A parent says, “my child is never sick on 4-H day.” The Connecticut 4-H Mentoring Project is a prevention program designed to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, building character, and developing life skills […]
Tree Wardens Celebrate 25th Anniversary
On April 28, 2017, the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut, Inc., celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding with a gala event at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. The organization was founded by Bob Ricard, Senior Extension Educator, as a result of his findings in a statewide needs assessment he conducted in 1991, the […]
25 Years of Lifelong Learning
Article by Kim Colavito Markesich Orginally published by Naturally.UConn.edu This fall, the UConn Extension Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary of providing interesting and engaging lifelong learning activities for retirees and other adults. The milestone was celebrated October 19 with a luncheon at the Deanston House in Storrs. The UConn Board […]