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Play Breadwinner and Learn about Financial Literacy

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Are you interested in learning more about financial literacy?

Want to practice budgeting and making sound financial decisions as an adult in Connecticut?

Play Breadwinner!

Breadwinner was created with the purpose of teaching others about how to manage your money in the Connecticut workforce. The hope is to get teenagers and young adults to practice budgeting and understand what goes into a singular month of living. You begin with finding an occupation and learn how much of your gross income you take home after taxes. All the data is based off of starting salaries in each occupation. From there you work through housing, utilities, and various expenses in the life of an adult. Test your ability to budget and learn what you value the most when making financial decisions.

The Breadwinner game app is in its testing phase and its creators would appreciate your feedback. UConn Extension financial literacy program is working on improvements and how to adjust the game to fit the needs of its target audience. If you play along and find areas of improvement or have suggestions for what to include, add them to the survey at the end. Play the game through the end and click the “Please help us improve the game” on the final results page to fill out the survey. If you are curious about learning more about the UConn Financial Literacy Program, please reach out to Faye Griffiths-Smith at faye.griffiths-smith@uconn.edu.

-Naiiya Patel

Summer Horseback Riding Classes with Animal Science Department

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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.

Infographic with a girl in a pink shirt on a horse advertising summer horseback riding lessons

Advancing Environmental & Climate Justice in CT

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Romina Flores Diaz, a political science student at UConn Hartford, and Mayra Rodríguez González, our urban and community forestry assistant extension educator, advanced UConn CAHNR’s strategic vision through their collaborative research on Resilient Cities, Racism, and Equity. At the Undergraduate Research Conference in Storrs, Romina presented an evidence-based approach to achieve environmental and climate justice in communities.

Achieving environmental and climate justice requires innovative strategies. What is the best approach?

  • Amplifying Community Voices
  • Promoting Inclusive Programming
  • Building Intergenerational Capacity
  • Centering Marginalized Identities
  • Promoting Equity In Management

Learn more about projects and efforts at s.uconn.edu/urban

Woman smiling with a research poster in the background
Romina Flores Diaz, Department of Political Science, University of Connecticut Hartford

UConn CAHNR is committed to improving quality of life and creating a sustainable future. Through scientific discovery, innovation, education, and community engagement the College has been working to achieve the set strategic initiatives: 

  • Ensuring a Vibrant and Sustainable Agricultural Industry and Food Supply
  • Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally
  • Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
  • Advancing Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate
  • Fostering Sustainable Landscapes at the Urban-Rural Interface

Read more at: https://cahnr.uconn.edu/strategic-vision/

Windham Extension Council Annual Meeting

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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

infographic with details about the event, with border of apples

Join Us in Celebrating the Month of the Military Child

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purple background with white textApril is designated as the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor the strength and the sacrifices of our military children.

UConn 4-H recognizes the importance of providing a supportive environment for military-connected children and youth to excel. We are proud to serve military families with our predictable military youth clubs on installations and in communities across the globe. Through our military partnerships we have developed educational and community engagement opportunities for thousands of 4-H’ers on-base and off-base. 

a group of young children holding a banner

We invite you to join the celebration by taking part in PurpleUp! For Military Kids. Wear or display purple to demonstrate your support. Purple combines each branch’s colors into one: the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard all use shades of blue, the Army uses green, and the Marines use red. Purple also references the joint environment of the military, encompassing all service branches, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veterans.

Click here to learn more about the Month of the Military Child.

Click here to learn more about UConn 4-H Military Partnerships.

 

National 4-H Annual Index Survey

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National 4-H Annual Index Survey (Teen Responses Needed)

We are conducting a survey of youth 13-18 who were enrolled in UConn 4-H in 2021, to measure the impact of UConn 4-H on youth and we invite your 4-H’er to respond. This survey is also being replicated nationwide by 4-H programs in other states and is described in greater detail below.

If you would like your youth to contribute to the success of UConn 4-H, please allow your youth to respond to the National 4-H Annual Index Survey. By allowing your youth to complete and submit their survey response, you have given your permission for your youth to participate in the National 4-H Annual Index Survey. Your youth can withdraw from the survey at any time, without giving a reason and without cost. Please review the Youth Assent information below with your youth before beginning the survey.

If participating, please complete the following National 4-H Annual Index survey by April 30, 2023 .

4-H dance squad members pose in the grass

UConn Extension Internship Application Deadline Extended

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woman with UConn shirt smiling, and navy blue & green text over a green background

The application deadline for our summer internships has been extended to March 26th. 

Get paid while learning and working in a career-oriented role. We offer internships in the following disciplines:

  • Food
  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Sustainability
  • Research
  • Agribusiness
  • Youth Education
  • Community Development
  • Marketing

Click here to view internship descriptions.

Most of these roles are for an average 18-20 hours per week over the 10 week summer period with some requiring a bit of weekend and/or evening hours, although these circumstances vary by position. Some of these positions for employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to intern with us this summer!

Click here to apply.

 

Highlights of Extension

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collage of pages from Extension highlights publication

Our 2022 Highlights of Extension report shows how UConn Extension continues innovating to meet audiences and partners around the issues identified in the strategic initiatives set forth by the UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Youth programs, water quality, and geospatial education are all part of the sustainable landscapes and climate portfolios and featured throughout this issue. In agriculture, we continue partnering with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, innovating aquaculture production in the state, and serving new and beginning farmers.

The work of our financial literacy program is needed now more than ever and aligns with our other health programming. All programs center diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and this work is ongoing. UConn Extension educators and volunteers continue to improve the lives of residents in all 169 cities and towns. Extension is steadfast in our commitment and will continue evolving alongside those we serve.

We invite you to explore the progress made over the past year and join us in future programs.

Read our report online at s.uconn.edu/highlights

Hungry or Full?

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Waiting too long to eat between meals or overeating at meals can make you question whether or not you are hungry or full. Not drinking enough water  throughout the day can also contribute to feeling hungry.
 
We’ve put together 5 tips to help you recognize whether your body is telling you that it needs food or not. Check in with yourself during the day and ask, “Why am I hungry?” 
black text over mint green background and pictures of fruits and cereal

Support Extension During UConn Gives

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UConn Gives logo 2023

Extension program participants everywhere know that we are committed to providing an exceptional experience. During UConn Gives, a 36-hour giving initiative on March 8-9, program participants, faculty, staff, and friends worldwide come together to give back and celebrate what they care about at UConn Extension.

Please join us in supporting our Extension programs - $5 is an immense help and unlocks matching gifts too.

master gardener volunteers in front of a garden

Extension Master Gardeners

Extension Master Gardeners share their knowledge and their passion for horticulture and the environment throughout Connecticut. Using the knowledge and the skills gained in the training portion of the program, Master Gardeners provide research-based information and assistance through classes, clinics, workshops, and community outreach projects, More than 9,000 participants have assisted and encouraged homeowners, schools, municipalities, and many other community groups.

Give to the Master Gardeners: s.uconn.edu/givetogardeners

master gardener volunteers in front of a garden

UConn 4-H

The 4-H Centennial Fund provides unique leadership, civic education and workforce preparedness opportunities through state, regional and national 4-H events. UConn 4-H reaches over 18,000 youth each year with exciting learning opportunities.

three images of youth in forest

Youth Environmental Changemakers

Your generous gift will enable high school students from underserved Connecticut communities to get paid while participating in our award-winning 9-month environmental education program! The Conservation Ambassador Program (CAP) includes a one-week action-packed, hands-on field experience at the Storrs campus, followed by a local environmental action project tailored to the student's interests and community needs.
Give to Youth Environmental Changemakers: s.uconn.edu/changemakers
woman running tests in laboratory

Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

CVMDL is dedicated to improving and developing state-of-the-art diagnostics for the protection and monitoring of animal health not only in Connecticut but across the United States. As part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and as the only Nationally Accredited laboratory in New England, CVMDL is at the forefront of disease surveillance. Advances in testing will ensure enhanced safety for our pets, our food supply, and people.
Give to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL): s.uconn.edu/give-cvmdl
Joe and Zhai in the meat lab

Animal Science Meat Laboratory

The UConn Meat Science Laboratory was built for college teaching and commercial service of slaughtering, processing, and meat packaging in the 1950s and has been primarily used for teaching and research since the 1990’s. The funds raised by UConn Gives will contribute to equipment repair and small upgrades in the UConn Meat Science Laboratory.
Give to the Meat Lab: s.uconn.edu/give-meat-lab