WTNH Channel 8 news broadcast a story about Connecticut Sea Grant’s shell recycling initiative on its April 19 show. CTSG’s Tessa Getchis, aquaculture extension specialist, and Michael Gilman, shell recycling coordinator, were interviewed for the piece, titled “Connecticut oyster recycling program reinvigorates reefs.”
Author: Desch, Melanie
4-H Youth Survey
Are you a 4-H member who participated in 2023?
Are you between the ages of 13 and 18?
Do you want to share your experience?
Please help us gather feedback on our programming by filling out the anonymous Annual Index Survey at s.uconn.edu/4-Hindex23
Summer Horseback Riding Classes with Animal Science Department
Are you looking for activities to get you outside this Summer? Do you want more riding instruction to grow your skillset? The UConn Animal Science department is offering horseback riding classes to the public this summer and there is something for everyone! Learn more at the following link: s.uconn.edu/summer-riding
Lessons include Dressage, Hunt Seat, Polo, Trail, Western and more! Sessions begin May 8th and run through the end of August.
Windham Extension Council Annual Meeting
Join us for a celebration of UConn Extension work with the Windham County Extension Council. Dr. Joe Emenheiser, our livestock Extension Educator, will conduct a demonstration on considerations of sheep management with sheep onsite. Topics will include basic handling, body condition scoring, general management, and more! Stay for local apple crisp and refreshments.
Wednesday, May 10th 6:30-8:30
Windham County Extension Center, 139 Wolf Den Rd, Brooklyn CT 06234
Agenda:
6:30 – Livestock Presentation
7:15 – Refreshments and Apple Crisp from Holmberg Orchards
7:30 – Introduction and business meeting
8:30 – Adjourn
Meat Science Program Merges Local Roots with Global Perspective
Connecticut may be best known as leaders in manufacturing and insurance, but one longstanding UConn program aims to help beef up the state’s meat industry.
The meat science program in UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources teaches students about Connecticut’s unique industry profile while providing them with the skills to work anywhere. Established in the 1950s, the program continues to evolve to meet student and business needs.
Connecticut’s Unique Industry
Just like the state itself, the meat industry in Connecticut has an obvious difference from competitors in other parts of the country: size. Most Connecticut producers operate at a much smaller scale than in the Midwest, which has considerably more open land and less population density.
These different agricultural profiles have to do with history, geography, and corn, explains Joe Emenheiser, UConn Extension educator and animal science instructor.
“A lot of this is predicated on cheap food policy, and the cost of production and processing is cheaper where more land is available. All the costs between the animal level and the consumer level, they all matter,” Emenheiser says.
Historically, the meat industry developed first on the East Coast, often near cities. But as people moved westward, there was more space for raising livestock at a lower price. Plus, new transportation systems allowed food products to be shipped from the Midwest back East. Another big advantage the Midwest had over East Coast states like Connecticut is that it is much easier to grow corn, an important food source for livestock….
Read the rest of the article here
SAFER CEA Conference April 13th and 14th
Registration is open!
Join us on April 13th and 14th, 2023 for the SAFER Controlled Environment Agriculture conference! The Strategizing to Advance Future Extension and Research (SAFER) CEA conference aims to advance the science, knowledge and practice of food safety in the CEA produce industry. CEA industry stakeholders, regulatory partners and food safety research and extension professionals are invited to learn about past and ongoing CEA food safety projects and discuss research and extension priorities for the CEA produce industry. We want the SAFER CEA conference to enhance and encourage future collaborations between academia, industry and regulatory agencies. Check out the conference website.
Register at: https://foodsafety.uada.edu/2023-safer/
Are you unable to attend, but would like to stay informed and contribute to the conversation? Please subscribe to our newsletter for future events and information.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Amalaradjou (mary_anne.amalaradjou@uconn.edu) or Dr. Shaw (angela.shaw@ttu.edu).
Jardin Para Principiantes
¿Quieres hacer un jardin pero no sabes cómo empezar?
¡UCONN Master Gardeners pueden ayudarte! Ofrecemos un taller “Jardin para Principiantes” el 14 de marzo del 2023.
La presentación incluye como planificar tu jardin, la siembra, el mantenimiento, y la cosecha de sus vegetales, frutas o flores favoritos. También hablaremos de cómo hacer un jardin en un espacio limitado o en macetas. ¡No se lo pierdan!
¿Cuándo?: Martes, el 14 de marzo, 5:30pm-7:30pm
¿Donde?: Willimantic Public Library, 905 Main St, Willimantic
Job Openings at UConn Extension
Remember to check our jobs page with UConn Extension and consider the opportunity to join our team! There are several new faculty and staff openings encompassing varying backgrounds and specialties. The current open positions are below.
Connecticut Saves Week
Connecticut Saves Week is February 27th through March 3rd, 2023! Each day includes a financial theme that Connecticut Saves will be promoting alongside America Saves.
Monday, February 27: Saving Automatically,
Tuesday, February 28: Saving for the Unexpected,
Wednesday, March 1: Saving for Major Milestones,
Thursday, March 2: Paying Down Debt is Saving
Friday, March 3: Saving at Any Age.
Work towards being a more financially sound version of yourself! The overall goal of Connecticut Saves Week is to encourage people to take sound financial actions that will help them reach their goals. Visit Connecticut Saves on Tuesday, February 28, 10 AM -1 PM on the concourse at the Legislative Office Building for the Financial Education Expo hosted by the Connecticut Department of Banking.
On your journey to a better financial status, be aware that there are different methods and tools you can use to help you manage your money well. What works for one person may not work for you as your situation and what motivates you may be different. For example, have you used a spending plan (or budget)? Some people find using a spreadsheet helpful. Others like using an app. Based on what you know about yourself, how can you set yourself up for financial success?
A central part of financial literacy is pursuing the information you need to make wise decisions. Look at the intentions of authors that post specific tactics and methods to reach your financial goals. Financial information is widely available and much of it is for free. Make sure that the information you use is high quality and without bias toward specific products or services. Check out the library for personal finance books you can borrow.
America Saves will promote numerous free videos, articles, and resources to supplement each daily theme during America Saves Week. Each theme revolves around saving as the foundation for a more financially stable life. Setting up an automatic savings account can be a great way to motivate yourself to work towards your goals without putting in physical effort each month. A great way to encourage yourself to save is to take the Connecticut Saves Pledge. Located on the Connecticut Saves Website, it can take close to 5 minutes to sign yourself up. You can identify a goal, make a savings plan, and take the pledge to hold yourself accountable.
Once you’ve identified your goal, it is easier to save when you have something in mind to reach for. It can be a practical goal like a retirement fund or a social goal, like a concert. Saving isn’t limited to young adults and can help anyone achieve any financial goal. It is always important to remember that financial stability is not a linear journey. Financial setbacks happen. If you have set aside money for emergency savings, those funds can help you weather financial challenges more easily. Determining what your goals and priorities are now will help you begin to work on a plan for your financial future.
Seminarios Web para Trabajadores de la Industria de Invernaderos y Viveros Ornamentales – 2023
Le invitamos a atender a estos seminarios web (webinars) en español diseñados para trabajadores en invernaderos y viveros de producción de plantas ornamentales.
El programa incluye ocho presentaciones/videos de 30 minutos cada una.
Marzo 20: Saneamiento de superficies duras entre ciclos de cultivos en invernaderos que producen plantas ornamentales – Rosa Raudales
Marzo 2: Control de malezas como parte de las prácticas de saneamiento en invernaderos que producen plantas ornamentales – Carla Caballero
Marzo 22: Prácticas de saneamiento durante la temporada de crecimiento – Mayra Toro
Marzo 23: Monitoreo de tarjetas adhesivas amarillas en invernaderos – Carla Caballero
Marzo 24: Pasos de como iniciar un programa de control biológico para plagas de insectos y ácaros – Carla Caballero
Marzo 27: Enfermedad o desorden abiótico? – Carla Caballero
Marzo 28: Como regar cultivos de contenedor – Rosa Raudales
Marzo 29: Alimentando plantas – Mayra Toro
Hora: 11: 20 – 11:50 am
La inscripción es gratis en: https://greenhouse.uconn.edu/seminarios/
Si tiene preguntas sobre este programa, contacte a Carla Caballero (carla.caballero@uconn.edu)
Webinars for Spanish-Speaking Workers in the Green Industry – 2023
We invite you to attend to these eight webinars in Spanish (only). The content is designed for workers who work in the production of ornamental crops in greenhouses and nurseries.
The program includes eight 30-minute presentations/videos.
March 20: Sanitation of hard surfaces between crops in greenhouse producing ornamental plants – Rosa Raudales
March 21: Weed control as part of sanitation practices in greenhouse producing ornamental plants– Carla Caballero
March 22: Sanitation practices during the growing season – Mayra Toro
March 23: Inspecting Yellow Sticky Cards – Carla Caballero
March 24: Steps to Get Started in Biological Control – Carla Caballero
March 27: Plant disease or disorder? – Carla Caballero
March 28: How to irrigate containers – Rosa Raudales
March 29: Feeding plants – Mayra Toro
Time: 11:20 – 11:50 am
Registration is free at: https://greenhouse.uconn.edu/seminarios/
For questions about this program, contact Carla Caballero (carla.caballero@uconn.edu).