Extension educator Thomas Worthley says, “The UConn Forest has a long history of human intervention.” On this week’s #AskUConnExtension Showcase, we show how Forest Managers preserve the natural landscapes and beauty of the UConn Forest as a key educational resource for students. Learn more about CT Forestry at s.uconn.edu/forestry Text: The UConn Forest, located around […]
Education
Songbird Alert
CVMDL (Drs. Mishra, Reinhardt, and Frasca) in UConn CAHNR are working with wildlife biologists of the CT DEEP to investigate this illness of songbirds; it is a disease concern throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. CVMDL – the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory – is coordinating sampling and testing with CT DEEP, who are working with […]
UConn Extension is Strengthening Immunization Excitement Through USDA-NIFA, CDC Grant Funding
UConn Extension received funding to strengthen immunization excitement in Connecticut through a grant funded project by USDA-NIFA, the Extension Foundation, and the CDC. The UConn project focuses on residents in Windham, Middletown, East Hartford, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and Groton. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided $9.95 million in funding to the […]
Job Opening: Assistant/Associate Cooperative Extension Educator Urban 4-H
Job Opening: Assistant/Associate Cooperative Extension Educator Urban 4-H UConn 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 level/rank will be commensurate […]
Heat Kills! Problems and Solutions from our EDEN Team
We are in a period of extreme heat and heat kills! Our Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) team shares problems and solutions for dealing with extreme heat. The Problem: Know the Signs Profuse sweating Dizziness Confusion The Solution: Take Action Seek shade (outside) or air conditioning (inside) Drink fluids (water is ideal) Rest Learn more […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Lynn Keller
UConn CAHNR Extension typically holds Bug Week in July; however, this year Extension has designated July as Bug Month. The UConn Extension Master Gardeners and Master Gardener interns participate. Bug Month is an educational outreach activity that promotes insects in the environment (bugs.uconn.edu/). Volunteers like Dr. Lynn Keller make this educational event fun and successful. […]
Job Openings: Educational Program Assistants
Search #: 495338 Please Apply Here: https://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/cw/en-us/job/495338/educational-program-assistant-1-tolland-county-extension Educational Program Assistant 1, Tolland County Extension Search #: 495338 Work type: Full-time Location: Tolland County Extension Ctr Categories: Academic Programs and Services JOB SUMMARY The UConn Extension Center located in Vernon, CT is seeking applications for two (2) Educational Program Assistant 1 positions – one full-time position and one part-time position (75%). These […]
Dr. Larry Pennington: 23 Years of Volunteering to the UConn 4-H Program
Volunteers are the backbone of the UConn 4-H program and are who keep the program vibrant. “Volunteer helps grow true leaders” Dr. Larry Penington of the First Town Veterinary Science 4-H Club of Hartford County 4-H has volunteered 23 years of service to this program. An interview was conducted with him and below are his […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Nate McMullin of Hartford County 4-H Camp
Hartford County 4-H Camp, located on 100 acres in Marlborough, Connecticut has been offering camp experience for over 56 years to youth ranging from age 7 to 15. 4-H camp offers various options and sessions throughout the summer months and hosts small team building events in the off season for teenagers. Bring-your-own horse camp is […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Steve Kenton
UConn Extension’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) provides meaningful and serious intellectual activities for retirees and other adults from all walks of life, conducted in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. Volunteers work to put together interesting speakers for various sessions through the year. One of these volunteers is CLIR President, Dr. Steve Kenton. With […]
¡Sí Se Puede! Empowering Families with Monica Jimenez
As a child, Monica Jimenez would have fun pretending to be a teacher. In high school, her interests shifted from teaching to law. Soon after beginning law school she realized that path was not for her. She then found her true passion, Special Education. Monica graduated from La Universidad de Azuay in Ecuador with a […]
¡Sí Se Puede! Empoderando Familias con Monica Jimenez
De niña Monica Jimenez jugaba a ser maestra. En la escuela secundaria, sus intereses pasaron de educación a la abogacía. Poco después de comenzar la escuela de leyes, se dio cuenta de que ese camino no era para ella. Luego encontró su verdadera pasión, la Educación Especial. En 1996, Monica se graduó de La Universidad […]
Elevating Voices with UConn PEP
UConn PEP Goes Online Our communities are stronger when all voices are elevated and included. UConn Extension’s People Empowering People (UConn PEP) program elevates voices by empowering individuals through community-based parent leadership training. People Empowering People builds on the unique strengths and life experiences of the participants. The program emphasizes the connection between individuals and […]
Socially-Distanced Community Conservation Partnerships
Over the past four years, the University of Connecticut Conservation Training Partnerships program has engaged more than 220 high school students and adult volunteers in applying innovative geospatial technology to address real-world conservation issues, resulting in over 70 local environmental projects throughout the state. Due to COVID-19, the program transitioned to an online format this […]
Local Food and Agriculture
Connecting Farmers and Consumers in the Northeast Corner Local food and agriculture took a spotlight in 2020 as residents avoided grocery stores and sought out contactless and close to home food options during the unfolding of COVID-19. Coincidentally, just months earlier, UConn Extension launched a new federally funded project to increase direct-to-consumer sales for farm […]
N-Sink Online Tool
A New Way of Looking at Nitrogen Pollution Extension educators from the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) and their partners have developed an online tool that helps land owners and land use decision makers better understand the direct connection between their land and nitrogen (N) pollution in coastal waters. The tool, called […]
Educator Spotlight: Indu Upadhyaya
Supporting Farmers, Businesses, Students and Communities With positive vision and great ambition, Indu Upadhyaya joined UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources in June 2019 as an Assistant Extension Food Safety Educator. Indu obtained her Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (equivalent to DVM) and a Master’s degree in Veterinary Biochemistry from Rajiv […]
Frontlines of Extension
Meet Some of our Staff Extension serves over 124,265 individuals statewide every year. Our staff are essential to the success of our Extension programs— ensuring that participants, volunteers, and educators have what they need. We’re pleased to introduce you to a few of the faces on our frontlines. Maria Camara Haddam Office “I support all […]
UConn Environment Corps
Connecting Students to Communities Riverfront climate resilience. Low impact development practices to reduce stormwater runoff. Brownfields redevelopment grant proposals. Forest resilience planning. The impact of sea level rise on marinas. What do all these things have in common? They are all the focus of projects conducted for Connecticut communities by undergraduates enrolled in the Environment […]
Resilience Through Partnerships
Enhancing Food Security in Fairfield County Food insecurity is not a new phenomenon, but the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the situation for many residents, including those in Fairfield County. Food banks and pantries across the state expanded their services to help the increasing numbers of food insecure families. The pandemic introduced Heather Peracchio, an Assistant Extension […]
Making the Best Better
4-H Members Civic Engagement Initiative Has Statewide Impact Food insecurity spiked across Connecticut because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UConn 4-H team led and coordinated Operation Community Impact, a grassroots effort to help local families with food insecurity issues intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort also addresses surplus milk issues that negatively impact dairy […]
Extension Services
Connecticut Environmental Conditions Online (CT ECO) CT ECO is a mapping website that contains environmental and natural resource geographic information for Connecticut. The site encourages, supports, and promotes informed land use and development decisions in Connecticut by providing local, state and federal agencies, and the general public with convenient access to the most up-to-date and complete natural resource […]
New Unpeeled Game Helps Consumers Navigate the Grocery Store Aisle
We developed a new game to help shoppers like you learn about genetically modified food with our partners at New Mexico State University. UConn Extension is dedicated to providing educational resources to consumers and we would like your input! We would appreciate it if you could play the game (https://unpeeled.nmsu.edu/) and tell us what you […]
Highlights of Extension Report
Committed to a Sustainable Future Connecticut has faced challenges related to sustainable landscapes, food and agriculture, health, and the climate for generations. As problems are solved, new issues arise. Our educators faced the unprecedented challenges of 2020 and pivoted programs to offer life transformative education despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Programming moved to virtual environments through […]
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 […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Larry Pennington
UConn Extension is celebrating National Volunteer Week! Volunteers dedicate time to their communities, and we appreciate their contributions to make Extension programs successful. Dr. Larry Pennington is one of these people who embodies what a volunteer should be. He has volunteered his time for 23 years to UConn 4-H and his club, the First Town […]
‘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 […]
June Zoppa Wins the Northeast 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award
UConn 4-H has selected June Zoppa, a 46-year volunteer of the UConn 4-H Program as the Connecticut nominee for the National 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award. She won the Northeast 4-H Lifetime Volunteer Award and now moves on to compete nationally. June Zoppa is an integral part of the 4-H community in Hartford County Connecticut. She […]
Rachael Manzer Wins the Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award
Rachael Manzer, a five-year volunteer with UConn’s Granby 4-H Club of Granby, a UConn 4-H Alum, and former NASA astronaut teacher, won the Northeast Region 4-H Volunteer of the Year after being selected by UConn. Hartford County 4-H Extension Educator, Jen Cushman notes, “Rachael’s dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of 4-H […]
Learn Gardening Fundamentals in New Online Course
Interested in how plants grow? Do you want a healthy, productive, and sustainable landscape for your home? UConn Extension now offers the Fundamentals of Home Gardening, an asynchronous online series of classes covering a wide variety of gardening topics. These classes explore the foundation of good gardening practices, and help explain the “why” of successful […]
4-H Biotechnology Project Area Survey
Are you interested in biotechnology? UConn 4-H is pursuing grant funding in STEM programming about biotechnology and gene editing with career focus in agriculture and food sciences. Programming would include hands-on biotechnology activities along with the opportunity to educate others through the creation of a digital game on biotechnology/gene editing for high school age youth. […]
E-Corps Two-Part Workshop at the UConn Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Please join your UConn colleagues for two one-hour virtual CETL workshops in April on: The Environment Corps: an engaged scholarship model that combines classroom instruction, service learning, and Extension (an act in two parts) Workshop Description: A partnership at UConn that reaches across college and departmental lines is engaged in a project that seeks to […]
Mars Base Camp 4-H STEM Club Teaches Youth Skills for Future Careers
Life transformative education begins at a young age for UConn 4-H members. The 4-H project experiences provide a foundation of knowledge and instill enthusiasm for lifelong learning. A group of youth participating in the UConn 4-H Mars Base Camp STEM Club are learning about science, technology, engineering and math while launching rockets and building rovers. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Bug Month
Bugs are crucial components of many ecosystems. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the significant role they play in maintaining our environment. The UConn Extension Bug Month program provides educational resources and activities to help expand knowledge about insects. The program will host its 6th annual Bug Month virtually in July. You can learn more […]
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, […]
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 […]
Eat & Move as I Like
Tweens and teens can learn about healthy eating choices and have fun with the game Eat and Move as I Like. This game was created by the SNAP-Ed program of UConn’s Allied Health Sciences. Check it out at http://bit.ly/EatAndMoveAsILike
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 […]