UConn Extension connects thousands of people across Connecticut and beyond each year, with the research and resources of the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. We are comprised of more than 100 educators and a vast network of volunteers. UConn Extension works collaboratively to build more resilient communities through educational initiatives […]
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Holiday Greetings
Happy holidays from your friends at UConn Extension. We are committed to a sustainable future. Thank you for your partnership in creating transformational programming for Extension participants and stakeholders in all 169 municipalities of Connecticut.
December Activity Calendar
Make sure the kids end the year with fun STEM related activities! Find a printable pdf here.
UConn Extension: 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. UConn Extension educators work in all 169 cities and towns of Connecticut to help solve the problems that our residents, communities, and state face. Connecting people with agriculture, the natural environment, […]
Trails 101 Video Series Helps New Users Enjoy CT Trails
This time of the year, Connecticut residents are heading outside to enjoy the cool fall temperatures and beautiful New England scenery. Connecticut offers a wealth of outdoor spaces from city parks to rural area trail systems where people can engage in all types of activities such as hiking, biking, and nature watching while adhering to […]
Diego Marks: Engineering His Future
The Goshen Fairgrounds in Litchfield County stretches out in an expanse of open space, rings, and buildings that host the annual fair and other events. On Sunday, September 27th vehicles towing tractors slowly started arriving for the first annual Litchfield County 4-H Garden Tractor Pull. UConn 4-H, Extension’s youth development program in the College of […]
November UConn 4-H Activity Calendar
Participate in STEM-related activities with us all month long! Click here for a printable pdf.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds!
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Hannah Waxler The Fall season brings to us a favorite squash!! Pumpkin! Did you know it’s a squash? Pumpkin and the spices that seem to flavor it best are added to just about everything: pumpkin coffee, pumpkin muffins, and of course, pumpkin pie! As delicious as pumpkin treats are, did […]
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Webinars
This is a message from the Healthy Homes Partnership Welcome! Each year, the National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) outreach campaign is aimed at awareness, action, and prevention. We bring together individuals, diverse organizations, industry, and state, tribal, and local governments nationwide. NLPPW is held this year from October 25‐31, 2020. NLPPW highlights the many […]
October UConn 4-H Activity Calendar
Happy October! A new month means new ideas and activities for our 4-Hers and other youth. Each day has an activity for you to complete. Follow along and check off the days, or participate as you have time. For a printable pdf click here.
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 […]
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.
Flight of Honeybee with Zach Duda
Zach Duda, our UConn summer intern with the Litchfield County 4-H program shares the Flight of a Honeybee with us. You can head out and see if you can find some honeybees to watch their flight.
UConn 4-H September Activity Calendar
The 4-H activity calendar for September is now available! To download a printable pdf click here.
Planting a Seed with Zach Duda
Zach Duda, our UConn Extension summer intern with Litchfield County 4-H shows us how to plant a seed.
Tropical Smoothie – A Healthy Recipe with Dianisi Torres
Dianisi Torres of our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) makes a healthy tropical smoothie 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 un licuado tropical […]
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 […]
Building a Gum Drop Bridge – a 4-H STEM Activity with Zach Duda
Zach Duda, our summer intern with the Litchfield County 4-H program teaches us how to build a gumdrop bridge in the next installment of our 4-H STEM activity video series.
Sugar Sweetened Beverages and You
Sugar sweetened beverages are prevalent throughout society, although they are not the best choice from a nutritional standpoint. Learn what a sugar sweetened beverage is, why they present nutritional challenges, and what are better alternatives. Video created by Caroline Thiede, UConn Allied Health Sciences student.
Meet Bianca Castelan: Financial Literacy for Youth and Young Adults Intern
Hi, my name is Bianca Castelan and I am the Financial Literacy for Youth and Young Adults Intern for summer 2020 with the UConn Extension Financial Education Program. At UConn, I am studying Psychological Sciences with a minor in Spanish. During my two years working in the Community Outreach Program Jumpstart I had the opportunity […]
Healthy Family CT Website
Want to learn more about how to make healthy meals on a budget or how to keep your kids healthy? Our Healthy Family Connecticut website has various resources that can help. Visit: https://healthyfamilyct.cahnr.uconn.edu/
Making Slime – a 4-H STEM Activity with Zach Duda
Zach Duda, our summer intern with the Litchfield County 4-H program teaches us how to make slime in this 4-H STEM activity that’s fun for all ages.
CT Trail Census/UConn Extension Initiate CT Trail Finder Project
The Connecticut Trail Census, a project of UConn Extension, announced it is developing CT Trail Finder, a new one-stop web resource that will provide easy, fast, and centralized access to maps and reliable information about all of Connecticut’s trails! Slated to launch in May 2021, this new resource will be especially helpful for new hikers, walkers, […]
In a Paradise Threatened, Teaching Girls to Be the Change They Want to See
Tessa L. Getchis, aquaculture extension educator and aquaculture extension specialist for Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension for the last 20 years, spent last August through December in the Dominican Republic with her husband Ryan and their two school-aged daughters. While past trips to this island nation had been vacation-length recreational time, this was an […]
UConn 4-H August Activity Calendar
UConn 4-H has created an activity calendar for youth for the month of August. Participate in STEM-related activities with us all month long! A printable PDF is available at: UConn 4-H activity calendar-Aug 2020
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.
CDC COVID-19 Resources for Families
Are you having trouble deciding whether you want your child to do virtual or in-person learning this coming school year? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a School Decision-Making tool for Parents, Caregivers and Guardians to help you with your decision. This tool will help you weigh the risk and benefits of […]
New UConn Healthy Family CT Website Launched!
We have launched our new Healthy Family Connecticut website! Visit: https://healthyfamilyct.cahnr.uconn.edu/adults/
Winning at Adulting: How To Disconnect A Car Battery
Maryann Fusco-Rollins, one of our 4-H educators teaches us how to disconnect a car battery in the latest in her series on Winning at Adulting. Whether you are a 4-H member, or someone looking for a refresher before disconnecting your car battery, you can use this simple guide to help you through the process.
UVM 4-H Summer Online Programs
4-H staff in Vermont are offering programs on a variety of topics where youth can meet new friends and try new activities. CLOVERBUDS CONNECT CHALLENGE Cloverbud Connects Challenges are issued each Friday and are geared toward youth in grades K-2 (Flyer, PDF). Cloverbuds watch a video that demonstrates an activity and then we challenge you […]
Virtual Painting Event For Individuals With Phenylketonuria
Sherry Gray, from our Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, coordinated a virtual painting event sponsored by Ajinomoto Cambrooke on June 30 , 2020 for individuals with Phenylketonuria at the Metabolic clinics at CT. Children’s Medical Center and Albany Medical Center. Cambrooke is a company focused on low protein modified products and formulas for individuals with […]
People Empowering People
A UConn Program Partnering with Correctional Institutions UConn Extension has partnered with the Department of Corrections to offer the UConn People Empowering People Program at Correctional Institutions (UConn PEPCI) for over twenty years. UConn PEPCI is a personal and family leadership program modeled after the community UConn People Empowering People (UConn PEP) program and focuses […]
Riverfront Recapture’s partnership with UConn Extension’s CT Trail Census
Riverfront Recapture‘s partnership with UConn Extension’s CT Trail Census has advanced our mission to improve the quality of life and urban vitality for those who live, work and play in central Connecticut. Specifically, Trail Census data has supported successful funding requests, including our 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award, and was integral to our recent request to […]
Tour des Farms Annual Bike Ride Uplifts Local Farmers All Summer Long
Your Scenic Summer Ride Can Support Connecticut Farmers and Help Tackle Food Insecurity Statewide – Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development (CT RC&D) is a statewide nonprofit agriculture and environmental organization focused on sustainable Connecticut communities and rural prosperity. On July 1st, they’re launching the 3rd Annual Tour des Farms Fundraiser, a bicycle (2020 to include […]
Congrats UConn 4-H Video Contest Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the UConn 4-H video contest! Thank you to all the participants for doing a wonderful job sharing their 4-H skills and knowledge. We can virtually come together and learn from each other. To view the videos visit: https://bit.ly/4-HVideoContest. Our members demonstrate how to stitch, care for animals, plant seeds and […]
Educator Spotlight: Faye Griffiths-Smith
Financial Education Program Helps Participants Improve Their Lives Managing family and personal finances well is a common challenge. Findings from recent studies show cause for concern regarding Americans’ financial practices. According to the 2018 FINRA Financial Capability Study, nationally: 46% of individuals lack a rainy-day fund, 34% of individuals can answer four or five questions […]
Connecticut Trails Day 2020 Is..Every Day!
If gorgeous weather isn’t enough incentive to get you outdoors, gear up for a DIY Trails Day Experience – any day! Check out the over 200 trails and properties you can visit around the state, coordinated by the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association. Click HERE for info on enjoying the outdoors safely and responsibly during this health crisis. New to […]
Celebrate National Pollinator Week!
This week highlights the crucial role of pollinators in our food supply, crop success and persistence of the plants we admire. Pollinator activity is needed for the reproduction of over 85% of the world’s flowering plants including over 1,200 crop plants. We can take time to learn more about pollinators and reflect on the need […]
How Can You Maintain Hygiene Around Animals?
We all love our animals, and practicing good hygiene around animals is an important part of staying healthy. We offer tips on practicing good hygiene while still enjoying our animals. We also demonstrate the proper way to wash your hands.
Meet Neva Taylor: Extension Intern and Podcast Host
Hi! My name is Neva Taylor and I am one of the summer interns with the CT Trail Census and UConn CAHNR Extension. At UConn, I am a double major in Urban and Community Studies (UCS) and Sociology, and in the Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) fast track program. At UConn I am on the […]