By Carol Quish for UConn Extension The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends creating a tick-safe zone. Ticks feed on blood of animals including humans. Tactics to reduce the attractiveness of animals traveling into your yard will keep the number of ticks dropping off of them reduced. Do not feed the birds […]
Family
The Importance of Healthy Friendships
By Cheryl Czuba – Retired Extension Educator Community Development, Families Why are friendships important and how does this fit into sustainable living? Throughout life we have opportunities to develop friendships. In a healthy friendship each person works to meet the other’s needs and supports one another’s growth and development as unique individuals. We also need […]
Another Award for Susie and Jerome
The book, Susie and Jerome Learn About a Healthy Home, has won the Healthy Homes Communication Star Award for best print medium, awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC) and its partners (including Rebuilding Together, HGTV, and DIY Network) at the National Healthy […]
Making Choices
By Diane Hirsch – Extension Educator Food Safety Local, Organic, Sustainable? How many of us really have the ability to grow all the fresh produce we need for a year? Just having a back-yard vegetable garden can be a luxury. Some of us don’t have the yard, the time or maybe even enough sunshine, to […]
Danbury PEP Graduates
On Friday, April 11th, 17 Danbury parents graduated from our People Empowering People (PEP) parent leadership program. At left are the graduates and their children who performed at the graduation held at Hatter’s Park. Many of them also traveled to Hartford in March for Early Childhood Advocacy Day, where they spoke with State Representatives Bob Godfrey […]
Be A Scientist for a Day
UConn Extension is hosting a large-scale statewide science project on May 8th On May 8, 2014, UConn Extension is asking the public to join our faculty, staff, 4-H volunteers, and master gardeners in a vast science project across the state, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of UConn Extension. One hundred years ago on […]
April Showers Awards on Healthy Environments for Children Initiative
April has brought not only showers (rain and snow) to Connecticut but also a bouquet of awards to the Healthy Environments for Children Initiative (HEC, www.hec.uconn.edu), staffed by Joan Bothell and Mary-Margaret Gaudio, of UConn Extension. First, the National Association of Environmental Professionals awarded HEC its 2014 Environmental Excellence Award in Education for the initiative’s Susie […]
Saving for a Rainy Day
By Faye Griffiths-Smith Extension Educator, Family Economics and Resource Management Though we can’t accurately predict the future in detail, we can anticipate that there will be events in our lives that will be challenging. The loss of a job, home repairs such as a leaky roof or the need to replace a furnace, major car […]
Mayor’s Day of Recognition
UConn Extension’s AmeriCorps VISTA Alison Shea was recognized by New London Mayor Daryl Finizio on April 7th for Mayor’s Day of Recognition for National Service. Along with Senior Corps members, they heard the Proclamation from the City of New London at the City Council Chambers. The City Council members and the AmeriCorps Supervisors also extended […]
Environmentally Friendly Lunches
by Sherry Gray – Extension Instructor Nutrition Educator, EFNEP Supervisor Foods and Nutrition They’re Healthy & Affordable With a little thought and preparation, it’s not hard to pack an eco−friendly lunch from home. You’ll end up with less waste and a healthier lunch. You don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive lunch containers. Pack […]
Wash Your Veggies (And Fruits)
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD UConn Extension Educator/Food Safety In recent months I have been reminded again that there are still many eaters and handlers of fresh fruits and vegetables who still do not take the risk of foodborne illness from these foods very seriously. Despite the fact that produce accounts for nearly half […]
2014 Albanian People Empowering People – Now Accepting Applications
Join Waterbury’s inaugural UConn Extension Albanian PEP (People Empowering People), a FREE, 10-week parent leadership and advocacy program. The program builds on individual life experiences and strengths to encourage growth in communication and problem solving skills, parent/family relationships and community involvement. Limited to 20 participants, it includes dinner, childcare and transportation assistance. The class meets weekly, […]
Eat locally grown, even in winter….
By Diane Wright Hirsch, MPH, RD UConn Extension Educator, Food Safety Photo: Tomatoes at Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford. Credit: Jude Boucher, UConn Extension After a food-filled holiday season (including, I must confess, raspberries, grown somewhere in South America, in a fruit salad…), it is time that many of us resolve to eat healthier and, perhaps, to attempt […]
Connecticut Saves Campaign Promoting Family Saving is Launched
Only 39% of Connecticut residents reported spending less than they earned in 2012. Fifty percent did not have emergency funds and 57% haven’t set aside money for their children’s college education according to the 2012 National Financial Capability Study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. UConn Extension is launching the Connecticut Saves Campaign as a […]
Keeping Food Safe During a Power Outage
When the power flickers and then completely goes out, your first instinct is to find a flashlight or light candles. Being able to see is a priority but, what you may not know is that bacteria will begin growing in perishable foods when the electricity is off. During the winter season, severe snow and ice […]
Snow Removal Tips
Photo and Article: West Virginia Extension Stay safe from slips and strains by following these recommendations for safe and effective snow removal. Shovel all sidewalks adjacent to your property to the bare pavement. This includes any sidewalks outside your fence lines and to the sides/rear of your property. Clear a path at least 36 inches […]
Recent PEP Graduates
UConn Extension’s People Empowering People (PEP) Program held a facilitator training led by Robin Drago in December. Participants came from Hartford, Danbury, New Haven, Coventry, New London and Mansfield and will offer UConn PEP for parents in those communities. UConn PEP is a personal and family development training with a strong community focus. Our most recent graduates […]
4-H FANs IM Success Stories
Connecticut Fitness and Nutrition Clubs In Motion (CT FANs IM), is a 4-H Afterschool program designed to reduce obesity rates in children ages 9 to 14, through sustainable interventions surrounding food and fitness. The program is a collaboration between the UConn Extension, and the Department of Kinesiology. CT FANs IM, was modeled after the original 4-H […]
Simple Tips for a Healthier New Year
By Brenda Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Try one or all of these easy tips in the coming year – every small change is a step in the right direction. Switch to fat-free or low-fat dairy foods. They have the same essential nutrients as whole milk with less fat and calories. Drink a cup […]
Pantry Pests and Their Control
Pantry or kitchen pests infest dry or stored food products in the home. Most are either beetles or moths. Infestations occur when these insects are found in some products, but more commonly when the adults are seen crawling or flying about the kitchen or pantry. The insects live and breed best under warm, humid conditions […]
Watering Houseplants
By Dawn Pettinelli, Manager, Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory Watering seems like such a simple but many are surprised to know that improper watering is the main cause of houseplant demise. Excess water will drain away in outdoor garden soils. However, houseplants are confined to a container and excess water remains in the saucer or cachepot […]
America Saves Week 2014
America Saves Week 2013 Campaign Led by UConn Extension America Saves Week (ASW) is an opportunity individuals and families to assess and improve their own savings status as well as a special time for organizations to promote good savings behavior. Nationally, it is coordinated by the Consumer Federation of America and the American Savings Education […]
Gift-Giving Simplified and Easy on the Wallet
As the holidays approach, are you concerned about keeping spending on gift giving in line with your other financial responsibilities? As this is a time when many people may be facing the same concern, it’s a good time to rethink your holiday gift purchasing habits. Here are ten ideas for gift giving that celebrates the […]
Talking Turkey
Tips for an unstuffed Thanksgiving: Eat breakfast and a light lunch if you are eating later, to ward off uncontrolled hunger. Have a plan. If you have been working on improving your eating habits, think of your meal just like any other. Use a small plate and take small portions. Be mindful of what you […]
Demystifying the Annual Rites of Turkey
Preparing a Thanksgiving turkey—whether it’s your very first or you are a (poultry) seasoned veteran—can be scary. There are so many ways to prepare a turkey. Brining and deep frying have become popular lately, but many still prefer a simple, old fashioned, golden roasted turkey. Buy/store your turkey Whether you buy a locally produced fresh […]
Hartford Job Corps Learns about FoodChoice
UConn Extension’s Heather Pease did a Food Day Photovoice Project on October 24th with Dr. Debarchana Ghosh from the Geography department at UConn as part of Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. The program was conducted at the Hartford Job Corps program and is the second Photovoice project the team has completed for Hartford […]
Danbury 4th Graders & Root Vegetables
“1…2…3…crunch!,”was the sound of children at Morris Street school in Danbury as the 4th graders bit into a fresh crispy radish slice followed by a soft sweet sliced beet. Students enthusiastically described the colors, tastes and textures of the root veggies as they explored new flavors this Fall at the Farmers Market. Heather Peracchio, Registered […]
4-H Mentor Memos
Fairfield County 4-H offers the following recommendations to adults who mentor youth. What are ways we can capture that spark that leads to a successful future? Mentoring adults need to take this information and capture a way to spark the teens we lead, to engage them in something they enjoy and want to learn about. […]
Buy Local
Senator Richard Blumenthal learns the 10% pledge at the Live Green Connecticut family festival in Norwalk on Sunday, September 15th. The Buy 10% campaign asks residents to spend 10% of their food and gardening dollars to locally grown produce. Find out more and take the pledge at buyctgrown.com – a partnership between UConn Extension and Cityseed.
Learning About a Healthy Home
Joan Bothell and Mary-Margaret Gaudio, from the Healthy Environments for Children Initiative at UConn Extension, have written a children’s book. Using text along with illustrations by Kevin Noonan from the UConn College of Agriculture, the book teaches children ways to maintain a healthy living environment. Photo by Sean Flynn, UConn
Program Plants Seed for Healthier Eating
UConn Extension recently completed an EFNEP program in collaboration with the Norwalk Health Department at a local community garden called Fodor Farm. The Norwalk Citizen highlighted the program. Read more about it on the Norwalk Citizen website.
Financial Literacy and the Financial Facts of Life
It’s back to school season and across Connecticut, families are getting young people ready for school so that they can learn what they need to know to become productive, responsible and successful adults. In their late teens and twenties, young people face many important decisions – among them may be signing a lease on an […]
Farm To School
Across the country, an increasing number of schools and districts have begun to source more foods locally and to provide complementary educational activities to students that emphasize food, farming, and nutrition. This nationwide movement to enrich children’s bodies and minds while supporting local economies is often referred to as “farm to school.” The term encompasses […]
Barnum School 4-H Garden
Since 1968, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has been funded by he United States Department of Agriculture and is an integral part of the UConn Extension. Currently, it is one of the federal government’s longest running educational outreach programs targeted to low-income families. Specially trained EFNEP Nutrition Assistants, who know their communities well, work with program […]
Survival 101: The Science of Survival
On June 1st, The Middlesex county 4-H Advisory Committee presented Survival 101 – The Science of Survival. This high energy and action packed workshop day included 10 different survival workshops focusing on the science and technology behind survival skills. The workshops included: Shelter Engineering, Fire Building, Survival Communication, Wild Game and Fishing, Wilderness and Survival […]
The Health Toll of Immigration
By SABRINA TAVERNISE — The New York Times — May 18, 2013 J. Michael Short for The New York Times A growing body of mortality research on immigrants has shown that the longer they live in this country, the worse their rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. And while their American-born children […]
SNAP-Ed Program
Susan Beeman, RD of the SNAP-Ed Healthy Aging Program, and Erica Benvenuti RD of the SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) /EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program), housed in the Norwich Extension Office participated in the holiday distributions sponsored by Groton Health & Human Services in southeastern Connecticut. They provided nutrition information and cooking […]
Saturday Morning Breakfast Club
By Edith Valiquette Every Saturday morning in Bridgeport, 4-H families gather for the Saturday Morning Breakfast Club. During this time, families eat together, have group discussions, and have fun. 4-H staff in Fairfield County created this program as part of its mentoring initiative because it saw the need to strengthen family bonds. The mentoring program […]