The Trail Finder website is the go-to website for finding trails across the state. Use the search options to find trails by location, activity (hike, bike, horse, etc.), distance and difficulty, accessibility, and features like waterfalls and nature trails. Trail Finder posts (both the information and map) are ALL approved by trail managers. Recently, the […]
health
Flooding Resources
Updated on July 24, 2023 Many of our communities are affected by the statewide flooding from the Connecticut River after heavy rains in New York and Vermont. Flooding conditions continued after more rain arrived. UConn Extension has the following resources to support agricultural producers, consumers, residents, and others affected. You can also sign up for […]
Can the wildfire particles get into the soil and our food?
Can the particles in the air currently from the Canadian wildfires get into the soil and then into our food being grown locally? Smoke and ash from current Canadian wildfires have raised questions about the safety of produce growing on farms and gardens in Connecticut and beyond. While the number 1 concern from wildfire smoke […]
Protecting Indoor Air from Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke can damage your lungs, heart, eyes, nose, throat and immune system. Smoke can enter homes and contaminate indoor air. Protect yourself by staying indoors and taking steps to reduce indoor air pollution. Here are tips on how to protect the air in your home. Why is smoke harmful? In a wildfire, the major […]
Sesame in the News
Article by Sharon Gray MPH, RD As of January 1, 2023, Sesame is now required to be labeled as an allergen on packaged foods, including dietary supplements. This has been the culmination of efforts for years among food allergy advocates. Sesame is now the country’s ninth major allergen, affecting approximately 1.6 million people (about the population […]
Questions About Feeding Your Family?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may be difficulty when you are worried about the affordability of healthy foods and creating nutritious meals. UConn EFNEP, UConn Healthy Family CT, and SNAP-Ed are dedicated to helping you and your family achieve health goals. Scan the QR code to learn more or visit communitynutrition.cahnr.uconn.edu
Invest in Your Health: Cultivating a Healthy Mind Train the Trainer Workshop
Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. According to the CDC, rates of depression and anxiety climb significantly during the ages of 12-17. Suicide is the second leading cause of death […]
Respecting Our Roots with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
A partnership between UConn and local tribes led to the development of Meechooôk Farm and other programs that strengthen the tribal community, their land-base, and self-sufficiency. Learn more about the project by reading this article. Financial support for this work was provided by the USDA NIFA Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP Awards 2017-41580-26950 and 2022-41580-37944). […]
Visit Extension at the Gather New Haven Festival
Our UConn Extension Master Gardeners will be at the 1st Annual Gather New Haven Festival on Sunday, September 18th, celebrating health, wellness, and nature. Stop by and visit us to learn more about the program, ask your plant and horticulture questions, or pick up an application for our 2023 class. — The First Annual Gather […]
UConn 4-H New Haven County: Here to Be Healthy!
Do you need some tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Do you have a project that you are passionate about, but haven’t shown it off? Are you looking for a place to both learn and enjoy what you learn about? My name is Genesis Rosario and I’m the Summer 2022 Intern for UConn […]
What is SNAP-Ed? Intern Jenna Zydanowicz Explains
My name is Jenna Zydanowicz, I am a rising junior, and an Allied Health Science major. I have a passion for nutrition, engaging with the community, and trying to promote healthy lifestyles. I love being able to educate families, children, and adults on the importance of nutrition and still eating well on a low income […]
Ian Harrington – Agencia de Acción Comunitaria Access – Vacunarse
Ian Harrington de Access Community Action Agency en Windham explica por qué recibió la vacuna contra el COVID-19. La financiación de este proyecto fue posible gracias a Extension Foundation, USDA-NIFA, los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y UConn Extension. Watch the video in English at https://youtu.be/2UC8a9C0Bs0.
Ian Harrington: Why I Vaccinated
Ian Harrington of the Access Community Action Agency in Windham discusses why he received the COVID-19 vaccine. Funding for this project was made possible by the Extension Foundation, USDA-NIFA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UConn Extension.
Infant Formula Shortage
Infant Formula Shortage – y en Espanol Have you or someone you know been impacted by the infant formula supply shortage? You may be wondering how this happened and what to do about it. In February 2022, Abbott Laboratory, an infant formula company, recalled several of its formulas due to complaints about infants affected after […]
Why I Vaccinated
Cande explains why she got vaccinated for COVID-19, https://youtu.be/yBca5K3FZVk Y, en Espanol, ¿Por qué es importante para usted recibir la vacuna contra el COVID-19? https://youtu.be/R5aP4kEUPag
Umekia “Mickey” Taylor: Educator Spotlight
Merging Fitness and Nutrition to Create Healthy Lifestyles Umekia “Mickey” Taylor ’83 (CAHNR) merges fitness and nutrition to help people create healthy lifestyles. She is a community nutrition extension educator and the supervisor for Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in New Haven County. “UConn Extension’s nutrition outreach education is valuable because we […]
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 […]
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 […]
What is Extension – New Video Released
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 […]
UConn 4-H in 40: Surviving the Holidays
UConn 4-H presents 4-H in 40 A Series of Virtual Workshops for Adults the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. These workshops are open to any interested adults- volunteers, 4-H leaders, parents, and community members. The opportunity to register will continue through the year. Each presentation is 20-30 minutes long, followed by 10-20 minutes […]
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 […]
Mystic Aquarium and CVMDL are Enhancing Animal Health and Learning Experiences
Visiting an aquarium transports people to another world, an underwater world filled with many different plants and animals. Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut cares for 5,000 animals from over 355 species, from octopus to beluga whales and sea lions. Studying these animals offers a unique opportunity to learn about conserving these species in the wild, […]
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 […]
Fall is Here – Stay Hydrated
Written by UConn Dietetics Masters Student Shawn Lada We may be having cooler days now, but it is always important to stay hydrated. Keeping your body hydrated helps your heart, brain, muscles, and joints to stay healthy, along with keeping you regular and preventing urinary tract infections! During hotter days and summer months your body […]
Cholesterol Education with the UConn Dietetics Program
Written by UConn Dietetics student Madeline Fulton 93 million U.S. adults age 20 or older have total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dL. Nearly 29 million adult Americans have total cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.1 Too much cholesterol circulating in your blood can put you at risk for developing heart disease and stroke. What […]
What to Eat (and Drink) Before, During, and After Exercise
Article by Mackenzie Lane, UConn Dietetics Student Do you ever stop to think about taking a bite of a granola bar before your morning jog? Or force yourself to skip a mid-hike snack so you can feast at the next meal? Or think post-workout meals will make you gain weight? No need to look any […]
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 […]
Velazquez Answers Nutrition Questions on Radio Amor in Bridgeport
The global pandemic is challenging everyone. It’s made many of us more conscience of the threats surrounding us every day. Many people are more aware of the food they eat and health impacts of their nutritional choices. Extension educator Zoraida Velazquez is answering questions for Bridgeport and residents of surrounding communities each Friday morning on […]
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/
New UConn Healthy Family CT Website Launched!
We have launched our new Healthy Family Connecticut website! Visit: https://healthyfamilyct.cahnr.uconn.edu/adults/
Improving Health and Nutrition in Hartford
Participants at the Village Family Resource Center at Burns Latino Studies Academy in Hartford wanted more information on health and nutrition. Our Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program (EFNEP) partnered with the Family Resource Center to provide five educational outreach sessions in 2019. Community members wanted to learn about food security, healthy choices, feeding children, […]
CVMDL Identifies Asian Longhorned Tick Submitted from NY
The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) at UConn is reporting the identification of the Asian longhorned tick. This is the first time that CVMDL has identified this tick species. The ticks were submitted to CVMDL for identification and testing from the State of New York. Our laboratory notified New York State Animal and Public Health […]
Recipe: Southwestern Bean Burgers
Heather Pease from our UConn Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) walks us through the process of making Southwestern Bean Burgers. You can make this delicious and nutritious recipe with a few simple items. It’s healthy and budget-friendly.
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.
Partner Testimonials
Partnerships are at the foundation of Extension’s work statewide in all 169 towns and cities of Connecticut. We integrate with agencies and non-profits in communities in a variety of ways. “Our partnerships strengthen Extension, and in turn increase our statewide impact. Our innovative collaborations allow Extension and our partners to reach respective goals together.” ~ […]
Mental Health Resources / Recursos Para Su Salud Conductual
The COVID-19 virus has struck the nation unexpectedly. We recognize that taking care of your behavioral health during a pandemic can be a challenge. Worrying about your health and the health of your loved ones can cause extreme stress, fear, and anxiety. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has provided many Mental Health […]
UConn Extension Hand Sanitizer Distribution
The CT Department of Agriculture secured a limited amount of free hand sanitizer from FEMA through a donation from Exxon. The CT Department of Agriculture has been working to distribute to farmers markets via the Hartford Regional Market. They have given part of the donation to UConn Extension to disperse to on-farm markets/CSA’s and PYO operations. It is on […]
Cows’ Milk Alternatives – What you need to know about plant–based milk alternative options
People choosing plant-based drinks in place of cows’ milk has surged over the past eight to ten years. The popularity has fueled increases in sales and there are many options to choose from in grocery and health food stores. The biggest reason many people choose plant-based drinks is that they don’t tolerate dairy or want […]