The Department of Extension is seeking applicants for three full-time (11-month), non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Extension Educators. One position will target Food and Agricultural Literacy, one on Environmental Literacy, and the other will focus on Healthy Lifestyles Literacy. These three vacant positions are not specifically designated to an assigned location. Final placement will be negotiable, with one educator primarily based in each of the following locations: (a) the Fairfield County Extension Office in Bethel, (b) the New Haven County Extension Office in North Haven, and (c)the Windham County Extension Office in Brooklyn.
Its that time of year again! Please make sure to check your email over the next few weeks as we send out links to the annual 4-H survey. We use this information to improve our programming!
Adventures in Agriculture youth participants at the hydroponic greenhouse.
As a part of the symbiotic partnership between the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) and UConn Extension and supported by USDA NIFA’s Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP), tribal youth engage in outreach opportunities designed to educate students about the origin of food and fiber. Programming during summer 2022 included a series of STEM activity kits and field-trip experiences that promoted engagement with agricultural sciences in production settings.
A total of 250 ‘Adventures in Agriculture’ activity kits were distributed to the MPTN Department of Education & Recreation to be completed within
Youth participating in a ruminant digestion activity with their UConn 4-H Adventures in Agriculture program.
the Parks and Recreation camp program or to be taken home to assemble with household members. Five unique kit sets focused on entomology and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), wool production, aquaculture, animal identification and record keeping, and plant development. In addition to the materials and instructional videos necessary to complete the activities, kits were accompanied with Farming Connection Cards that discussed real-life applications and agricultural principles.
In early August, 29 MTPN youth gathered at Meechooôk Farm to engage in a UConn 4-H ruminant digestion simulation activity that involved the use of spaghetti, pop rocks, and soda. Students learned about the diet and eating behavior of cattle as well as the inner workings of their compartmented stomach. MPTN Department of Agriculture Director Jeremy Whipple and Meechooôk Farm Manager Cassius Spears, Sr. led an educational tour around the farm that involved a visit with the pigs and cattle and a peek inside the hydroponic high tunnels, where food is grown to support the tribal community.
Youth touring the UConn Storrs campus
Joined by UConn Extension faculty and staff persons, 15 youth and five chaperones from MPTN visited the UConn Storrs campus to learn about opportunities in higher education. The group participated in a tour led by Lodewick Visitors Center student staff that featured a trip to UConn’s Native American Cultural Center. The group also visited the horses and heifers, ate lunch at a dining hall, and were able to partake in tours of the floriculture greenhouses and the Kellogg Dairy Center. Before heading back to the MPTN Community Center, the group enjoyed ice cream from the UConn Dairy Bar.
Exposing youth to food and fiber systems with Extension outreach has the potential to spark a lifelong interest in learning and in agriculture while encouraging youth to contribute to their community. This programming aims to inspire future agriculturalists and informed decision makers as we work together towards a more sustainable future.
Financial support for this work was provided by the USDA NIFA Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP Award 2017-41580-26950). Learn more about the program at https://s.uconn.edu/mptn.
UConn CAHNR Extension has more than 100 years’ experience strengthening communities in Connecticut and beyond. Extension programs address the full range of issues set forth in CAHNR’s strategic initiatives:
Ensuring a vibrant and sustainable agricultural industry and food supply
Enhancing health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally
Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through anti-racist approaches
Designing sustainable landscapes across urban-rural interfaces
Advancing adaptation and resilience in a changing climate.
Programs delivered by Extension reach individuals, communities, and businesses in each of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities.
No matter how much time you have, volunteering with UConn 4-H makes a difference by helping youth explore and discover the skills they need to lead for a lifetime. There are lots of ways to get involved! Please note, your volunteer experience and/or opportunities may be happening virtually or in-person. Contact UConn 4-H for more information and apply to be a UConn 4-H volunteer today at s.uconn.edu/helpus.
Help youth lead a club
Assist a youth club leader with organizing meetings, speakers, and other logistics.
Assist and/or mentor a 4-H volunteer who is serving as a project leader.
Teach a skill
Organize a club, or share your skills by teaching a club meeting workshop, devoted to your area of specialty.
Judge projects
Serve as a judge for 4-H exhibits, competitions or performances, providing encouragement and suggestions for improvement.
Plan or help at an event
Volunteer at a county/state special event; from set-up or clean-up to serving food or taking registrations, there are a lot of ways to get involved.
Serve on an advisory board/committee
Sit on a local advisory or county governing board to help determine program priorities.
Help with a specific 4-H project
Advise a 4-H member in their project work: help youth identify and set goals, create and implement a plan, and reflect on what they learned and would do differently next time.
Assist with program delivery
Volunteer at an after school program, a summer program, camp program event or club meeting.
Volunteer on a fair organizing committee
Volunteer at a local fair – be inspired by the talents and creativity of the next generation while promoting the country’s largest positive youth development organization!
Work in the food booth or help in the 4-H exhibit hall or at the 4-H show ring.
Utilize your professional skills
Share your technical skills and knowledge to develop subject matter for curriculum/project sheets.
Utilize your professional skills to assist with with creating marketing tools, graphic art, word documents, webpages, videos, online training modules, etc.
Intern at your local Extension office with the 4-H program, a great resume builder.
Share your experiences
Share your hobby/passion – inspire a young person as a guest speaker or short-term instructor.
Share your career path – invite a 4-H’er to shadow you for the day.
Share your educational path/give a testimonial – how did you get to where you are? (If you are a college student – how did you choose your school, what are you pursuing, what are you aspiring to do?)
UConn 4-H is the youth development program of UConn Extension. 4-H has access to research-based, age-appropriate information needed to help youth reach their full potential through UConn’sCollege of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). The mission of 4-H is to assist all youth ages five through 18 in acquiring knowledge, developing leadership and life skills while forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of their families and communities.
UConn 4-H uses the thriving model in our Extension youth development programs, and these align with all the strategic initiatives in CAHNR. These include climate adaptation and resilience; promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; enhancing health and well-being; ensuring sustainable agriculture and food systems; and fostering sustainable landscapes at the urban-rural interface. Learn more at s.uconn.edu/4-H.
UConn 4-H provides youth with life-changing experiences from flying rockets into space with NASA to organizing national conferences for other youth, and everything in between. These experiences are possible because of thousands of adult mentors and volunteers who work throughout the state and guide youth to reach their potential.
Volunteer opportunities include club leaders, county fair advisors, mentors, project leaders, project evaluators, advisory committee members, and workshop presenters.
If you enjoy working with children, have a willingness to share your time and talents with young people in the community, like to have fun, learn new skills, and make a difference, then being a 4-H volunteer is for you.
“UConn 4-H is the best organization ever for my daughters and me. Both, they, and I, learned and grew with the involvement in 4-H. It has provided me with the ability to give back to other young folks up in coming in 4-H. The Trice girls swear by 4-H,” says Ken Trice, a UConn 4-H volunteer from Tolland County.
4-H volunteers play a significant role in helping youth reach their potential. Volunteers help youth learn leadership, civic engagement and life skills through projects and activities. Hobbies or interests such as photography, animals, plants, fishing, drama, community service, computers and technology, woodworking, fashion design, arts and crafts, robotics, or something else can be shared with youth through the 4-H program.
“UConn 4-H helped me develop a set of skills like; teamwork, problem solving, public speaking, dependability, leadership which I use every day in my career,” says Rachael Manzer, a nationally awarded educator, and UConn 4-H alumni and volunteer.
Volunteer training and recognition is conducted at local, state, and regional levels. New 4-H volunteers participate in a general orientation with UConn Extension. Meetings are held throughout the state several times each year to help new leaders and volunteers.
“4-H has been one of the most important aspects of my life and has shaped me as a person in more ways than I could ever imagine. Through this organization, I have been educated on necessary life skills, the significance of helping my community, and the key elements of leadership, just to name a few. But, most of all, 4-H has taught me the utter importance of responsibility,” says Ava, age 15, a UConn 4-H member from Fairfield County.
Just as we recognize the efforts of youth, the UConn 4-H Program recognizes and acknowledges its volunteers for their efforts at the local, state, and national level. The biggest reward is watching the transformation in youth and seeing them grow into engaged adults making a positive contribution. Apply to be a UConn 4-H volunteer today at s.uconn.edu/helpus.
UConn 4-H is the youth development program of UConn Extension. 4-H has access to research-based, age-appropriate information needed to help youth reach their full potential through UConn’sCollege of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). The mission of 4-H is to assist all youth ages five through 18 in acquiring knowledge, developing leadership and life skills while forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of their families and communities.
UConn 4-H uses the thriving model in our Extension youth development programs, and these align with all the strategic initiatives in CAHNR. These include climate adaptation and resilience; promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; enhancing health and well-being; ensuring sustainable agriculture and food systems; and fostering sustainable landscapes at the urban-rural interface. Learn more at s.uconn.edu/4-H.
Youth are invited to apply for a new biotechnology career readiness program with UConn Extension’s 4-H program. Cohorts of teen 4-H members will build knowledge and career awareness through the program, while also visiting laboratories, meeting with biotechnology professionals, and developing a biotechnology video game.
Applications are available now for this new program at s.uconn.edu/biotech – youth ages 14-18 with an interest in learning about biotechnology and exploring career opportunities are invited to apply.
Selected participants will join a cohort, visit agriculture, food, and biotechnology companies in the state (including participating in field trips), explore careers in food, agriculture, biotechnology and STEM, and help build online games. Each group is limited to 20 youth, ensuring that all participants receive ample opportunities to interact with program leaders and industry professionals.
“Our project is propelling innovative biotechnology and STEM career work in our 4-H youth development program to the next level. We will sustain project outcomes through ongoing support from our partners. This is a strategic growth area for the 4-H program and Extension,” says Jennifer Cushman, the principal investigator on the grant. Cushman is also the co-team leader for the UConn 4-H program.
Youth will also experience the 4-H fundamentals of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. These all align with a Whole Child approach through the 4-H Thrive Model. Evaluation will include the 4-H Common Measures validated instrument.
Visit s.uconn.edu/biotech for more information on the new project and for the youth participation application.
UConn 4-H is the youth development program of UConn Extension. As part of the University of Connecticut, 4-H has access to research-based, age-appropriate information needed to help youth reach their full potential. The mission of 4-H is to assist all youth ages 5-18 in acquiring knowledge, developing leadership and life skills while forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of their families and communities.
This work is supported by the Food and Agriculture Nonformal Education program, grant no. 2022-68018-36094 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
This summer I have been given the opportunity to work as a part of the UConn 4-H family, right near where I live in Middlesex County! One of my goals for the summer to spread the word about 4-H. As the largest youth organization in the country, 4-H has focused on helping youth to thrive, especially at a time when it is needed most. 4-H continues to provide support, recreation, and development for children and teens throughout Connecticut. We focus on engaging individuals in long-term projects through caring relationships with mentors.
Youth learn skills such as record keeping, public speaking, and civil responsibility which enables them to become the healthy, smart, active, and enriched individuals they were meant to become. But most importantly, becoming a part of UConn 4-H means joining a community and a family. My time with 4-H so far has been extremely valuable to me because of the amazing people I have met, and the incredible things they have taught me, such as how to show a horse. If you’re like me and are interested in learning more about how to get involved, check out our form:
My name is Heather Wirth, and I am excited to be an intern this summer through UConn Extension. I am working with UConn 4-H – Tolland County to plan this year’s edition of 4-H Food Revolution. My job is to create a curriculum for a four day youth summer program as well as recruiting participants. During this program youth ages seven to eleven are given the opportunity to experience hands-on learning by partaking in STEM activities relating to preparation of food, gardening, and sustainable living. This program is an important enrichment opportunity for children during the summer, and it creates a foundation for healthy living habits as well as awareness of ecological topics. Food Revolution is a fun way to connect with youth about important environmental matters and to get them out in the field to experience exciting topics.The Food Revolution program also includes lessons and activities to get children started on a Junior Master Gardener certification. I hope to make an impact on the youth of my community by providing an exciting program that sparks curiosity and lifelong learning.
During this internship, I am working on general recruitment of new members for Tolland County 4-H. By utilizing community based outreach, my goal is to spread awareness about getting involved in 4-H in order to bring in new adult volunteers as well as more youth participants. There are a vast array of ways for people to get involved and I would like to show those who are interested that they can bring valuable knowledge and skills to the 4-H community. I would like to implement educational sessions and resources (such as brochures and social media posts) to a broad audience to spur the interest of newcomers to the organization. Another major component of my internship program is to facilitate the Tolland County 4-H Fair in August. In preparation for the event I will serve as a resource for the youth participants, assist the fair board, and conduct general organization.
Volunteers are the heart of UConn Extension Master Gardener Program, UConn CLIR program, and our UConn 4-H program. We were honored to recognize a few of them for their contributions at an event on June 16, 2022. In total, our volunteers donated 156,597 hours (the equivalent of 6,524 days) to our programs in 2021. Thank you all for being a vital part of our Extension work! More information about our volunteer programs is available on our website. The following individuals were recognized for their contributions.
2022 UConn Master Gardener Acorn to Oak Award
Marlene Mayes
Marlene Mayes has been a constant at the Foodshare Garden at Auerfarm for the last two decades. She and the garden both began their Master Gardener relationship in 2004 when then-intern Marlene was one of the initial volunteers who dug, planted and nurtured the first rows of vegetables in a former hayfield at the Bloomfield farm. From those humble beginnings Marlene dreamed, encouraged, cajoled, taught and inspired literally hundreds of volunteers – both Master Gardeners and others – to help build the 50+ bed garden that exists today.
Throughout the years, Marlene has introduced countless would-be gardeners to the skills and satisfaction of growing healthy food, both for themselves and for those in need. The garden has yielded over one ton of food annually for Foodshare in several recent years, and volunteers from all walks of life have discovered the pleasures and the satisfaction of providing for those in need in our communities.
This year, as the garden undergoes a major renovation and upgrade, it is only fitting to honor the person who has been the constant, the rock, the teacher and the inspiration with the Extension Master Gardener Acorn to Oak Award.
2022 UConn Master Gardener Project Pollinator Award
Katherine Kosiba
Look carefully at almost any public garden project in the Colchester area and you will find that Katherine Kosiba was there at the beginning. A Master Gardener since 2007, Katherine has shared her passion for gardening and the environment with anyone and everyone who has shown an interest. Both as president of the Colchester Club and as a Colchester resident, her enthusiasm and inclusive attitude is on display throughout the area. Town parks, senior centers public road medians and the library are all beautified and ecologically healthier sites with diverse gardens and plantings spearheaded by Katherine.
Master Gardeners interns in the Haddam office are also the beneficiaries of Katherine’s energy and generosity as she guides many of them through their first outreach projects, demonstrating not only the nitty-gritty gardening details, but also the organizational and planning skills that are crucial to a successful endeavor. Additionally, she has provided many a nervous Master Gardener with a welcoming venue for their first public talk!
For her tireless efforts developing so many projects and moving from one to the next, and the next, we are delighted to present Katherine Kosiba with the Extension Master Gardener Project Pollinator Award.
2022 CLIR (Center for Learning in Retirement) Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award
Compton Rees
Compton passed away on March 14 shortly after being told of his recognition for his longtime service to CLIR. Compton is a charter member of CLIR joining immediately after his retirement as a UConn English professor. Over almost 30 years as a member of CLIR, he has presented many classes on Shakespeare’s works and served for years as a member of the CLIR Executive Council including as vice-president several times.
Howard Raphaelson
Howard has been a CLIR member for 25 years, serving on the CLIR Executive Council as Treasurer for several terms where he worked tirelessly to coordinate CLIR’s bookkeeping with UConn and State of Connecticut accounting practices.
Erika Kares
Erika has been a CLIR member for 24 years with more than a decade of service on the CLIR Executive Council.
2020 UConn 4-H Rising Star Award
Stephanie Bicknell
As a 4-H member Stephanie participated in many of the local, state and regional activities which support the 4-H dairy project. She became a volunteer shortly after aging out as a member and has taken on major leadership with her club “Herds ‘R Us” and serves as the organizational leader. She also continues to work with the Middlesex & New Haven 4-H Fair and serves as a Fair Program Advisor – one of the key volunteers working with the 4-H Fair Association and the Extension 4-H Staff. She supports all of the tenets of the 4-H program and epitomizes what the experience in the 4-H program provides for a young person.
Stephen Gustafson
Steve helped create and is the leader of the Paca Pals 4-H club. The Paca Pals are an alpaca club. Steve found a place for the youth to learn and grow in the Tolland Agricultural Center (TAC) 4-H Children’s Garden. The garden was established in 2002 and has been maintained by the 4-H club program for many years. A neighbor of the TAC property is the Creative Living Community of Connecticut (CLCC) greenhouse and vocational program. The work of CLCC is to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to work and learn together. Steve has been instrumental in fostering a partnership between the 4-H club and CLCC. Working with CLCC the 4-H club members learn vocational skills and working with diverse populations. Steve is able to weave science, healthy living and civic engagement into all aspects of the 4- H program through his dedication and hard work.
Megan Hatt
Megan has been a leader of the Happy Hoofbeats 4-H club since 2015. She is passionate about 4-H and horses. She is a positive influence on both the county horse program as well as the public speaking program. Megan is always ready to put teams together and arrange practice for the state horse contests and has served as the coach for 4-H teams participating in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup. She is very involved in the New London County 4-H Fair and has helped to create a Horse Exhibition at the fair which includes clinics and games and leadership opportunities for the youth involved. She is generous with her own horses, time and equipment and believes that 4-H helped her become a successful adult and wants to help others find these benefits as they grow.
2021 UConn 4-H Rising Star Award
Margaret Hall
Peg Hall has been an incredibly active, supportive and positive presence in Litchfield County 4-H since she established the Diggity Dogs 4-H Club 8 years ago. She has also helped to establish and is serving as a co-leader for a new club, the Grow Getters 4-H club. This new club, the first horticulture based club in Litchfield County drew over 20 new members to its first meeting. They exist because of Peg’s hard work and determination to help a local garden center owner who is new to 4-H get this club established. Peg also serves as a Litchfield County 4-H Fair Association director. Her involvement includes helping to plan and implement the fair as well as cleaning up the fairgrounds. Peg has also been instrumental in the success of the Operation Community Impact dairy distribution program which provides milk to over 1400 food insecure familes in Litchfield County.
Lauren Manuck
Lauren is an alum of the Hartford County 4-H Program. She is currently serving as a club leader of the 4-H Clovers. She has also jumped into action on the county level as well serving as a Hartford County 4-H Advisory Committee member and as a 4-H Fair advisor since 2013. Within Advisory, Lauren eagerly steps up and takes the lead on projects, ensuring that youth thougout UConn 4-H have numerous opportunities to participate in activities beyond the club level. She has been instrumental in the success of the Nutrition and Food Show, Hartford County Teen and Volunteer Banquet and Awards Night to name a few. She was a recipient of the 2020 Winding Brook Community Service Award for her efforts in assisting with the Operation Community Impact milk and ice cream distribution in Hartford County. She continues to see opportunities to provide nutrition education and work with youth.
2020 UConn 4-H Hall of Fame Award
Colleen Augur
Colleen is the organizational leader of one of New Haven County’s largest and most active 4-H clubs. Colleen works with 4-5 registered 4-H volunteers conducting 4-H meetings and teaching the youth how to care and manage their animals which are primarily dairy and beef. The member’s involvement does not stop at the club level. Yearly, they have 100 percent participation in the 4-H fair ad campaign, showing at the 4-H fair and other county activities. Her teen members become managers, superintendents and officers in the 4-H fair on a regular basis. Colleen often provides project animals from her own herd for members without animals of their own, helping the members transport their project animals to and from the fair. Colleen shares her love of farming, agriculture and 4-H with youth and the general public. She is a great example of what youth can learn and achieve with hard work and responsibility.
Stephen and Nancy Hayes
Some people choose to join 4-H, other, such as the Hayes family, are born into it. Stephen and Nancy Hayes have made a lifelong commitment to 4-H. Both are guiding forces for the Granby 4-H club and have been instrumental in many other aspects of the Hartford County 4-H Program. Nancy has served the goat program in Hartford County and UConn 4-H extensively. For 15 years Nancy has been instrumental in the very successful UConn 4-H Goat Day. In 2017 a robotics team was formed as part of Granby 4-H. Stephen became involved as a mentor to members, sharing his programming knowledge. Shortly after that Nancy became involved. Both Stephen and Nancy spend hundreds of hours meeting several times a week with the youth members. They are both skilled in empowering the youth to make decisions, allowing them to safely ask questions without hesitation, make mistakes, master their skills, then celebrate the successes as a team and individuals.
2021 UConn 4-H Hall of Fame Award
Wendy Kennedy
For over 35 years Wendy has been an active part of the success of the Litchfield County 4-H Program. She grew up in Litchfield County 4-H and has been the co-leader of the Busy Farmers 4-H Dairy Club for over 20 years. As a club leader Wendy makes sure her members hold regular meetings, participate in county and state-wide activities and that members are learning something while having fun. She has served as a director on the county 4-H Fair Association for many years. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Litchfield County 4-H foundation and has held many leadership positions on the foundation board. She has volunteered to chaperon many county and state-wide 4-H trips and was also involved in the Operation Community Impact dairy distribution project providing over 1400 food insecure families with dairy products. Wendy embodies the true spirit of 4-H in everything that she does.
Patricia Miele Bianchi
Pat grew up in a home where 4-H was a significant component of daily life and she was an active and enthusiastic 4-Her. She served as a club leader for 18 years and helped foster an interest in 4-H in many youth including her own children. Pat served as a Hartford County 4-H Camp Trustee holding numerous officer positions and participating on many committees. In addition to her work with 4-H camp, Pat is involved as a Director within the Hartford County 4-H Fair Association. Pat’s county-wide contributions include judging for the Nutrition and Food show, the Fashion Review as well as for the County and State Public Speaking Contests. Her experience with Toastmasters has contributed to the learning of public speaking contestants. On a broader level, Pat was active in the College’s Strategic Visioning process. She uses her first-hand experiences as a 4-H’er and volunteer to champion the positive impact that 4-H has on the lives of young people.
2020 4-H Salute to Excellence – Volunteer of the Year Regional Winner
Stephen Gustafson
Steve helped create and is the leader of the Paca Pals 4-H club. The Paca Pals are an alpaca club. Steve found a place for the youth to learn and grow in the Tolland Agricultural Center (TAC) 4-H Children’s Garden. The garden was established in 2002 and has been maintained by the 4-H club program for many years. A neighbor of the TAC property is the Creative Living Community of Connecticut (CLCC) greenhouse and vocational program. The work of CLCC is to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to work and learn together. Steve has been instrumental in fostering a partnership between the 4-H club and CLCC. Working with CLCC the 4-H club members learn vocational skills and working with diverse populations. Steve is able to weave science, healthy living and civic engagement into all aspects of the 4- H program through his dedication and hard work.
2021 4-H Salute to Excellence – Lifetime Volunteer Regional Winner
June Zoppa
June is a positive and integral part of the 4-H community in Hartford County. She is the only volunteer who serves or has served simultaneously on the Hartford County 4-H Advisory Board, Hartford County 4-H Fair Association and the Hartford County 4-H Camp, Inc. Board of Trustees along with being a club leader. Within her 4-H club, June works patiently with club members as they learn to master sewing projects. Many judges have rewarded the projects submitted by June’s club with ribbons, special honors, and awards. In addition, a major component of June’s 4-H experience is built upon community service and leadership development. June’s involvement as Fair Advisor includes helping the Fundraising Committee plan and execute an ambitious fundraising drive. She supports the youth in assessing decisions required to promote, design and print the premium book, roll out the sponsorship campaign and additional fundraisers. Her work ethic and compassion for youth has been demonstrated since her initial days in 4-H and has been evident in the relationships she has formed with members, parent, volunteers and mentees.
2021 4-H Salute to Excellence – Volunteer of Year Regional Winner
Rachael Manzer
Rachael Manzer exemplifies science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in 4-H. She understands the importance and need for STEM and Agricultural Literacy, and she has increased opportunities for STEM learning by establishing the only 4-H Vex Robotics program in New England. This robotics program has its own “Cinderella” story – big dreams, few resources and the amazing efforts of many to make it a success. Out of approximately 12,500 teams across the world, about 500 earn a spot to compete in the World Championship. At VEX World Championship, the largest robot competition in the world, teams from around the world compete. Rachael’s robotics program acheieved this honor three times. Rachael is also a very accomplished educator, astronaut and STEM teacher. She uses these experiences, knowledge, skills and networks to enhance the experiences and opportunities for her 4-H club members.
2022 – 4-H Salute to Excellence – Volunteer of the Year State Winner
Margaret Hall
Peg Hall has been an incredibly active, supportive and positive presence in Litchfield County 4-H since she established the Diggity Dogs 4-H Club 8 years ago. She has also helped to establish and is serving as a co-leader for a new club, the Grow Getters 4-H club. This new club, the first horticulture based club in Litchfield County drew over 20 new members to its first meeting. They exist because of Peg’s hard work and determination to help a local garden center owner who is new to 4-H get this club established. Peg also serves as a Litchfield County 4-H Fair Association director. Her involvement includes helping to plan and implement the fair as well as cleaning up the fairgrounds. Peg has also been instrumental in the success of the Operation Community Impact dairy distribution program which provides milk to over 1400 food insecure familes in Litchfield County.
Carol’s 52 year 4-H volunteer career began in 1970 when she wanted to expand upon her early 4-H experiences. She has established three 4-H clubs, including Snoopy’s Pals 4-H Club, serving youth from Connecticut and Massachusetts and she served in numerous other county, state and regional roles. Members of Carol’s club have earned showmanship championships, AKC certifications, record book awards, leadership medals and county fair fundraising awards. Club members have served in county Fair Association roles and as delegates for various award trips. With Carol’s careful guidance and commitment to positive youth development, club members and mentees demonstrate the traits of independence, confidence, leadership and perseverance. Carol’s leadership on the New England 4-H Dog Committee, and her pioneering partnership with the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), has ensured a three-day, two night 4-H dog program during The Big E. Carol has been a tireless 4-H volunteer who leads by example. Her compassion for youth has been demonstrated since her initial days in 4-H.
To celebrate our amazing volunteers, we are recognizing the work they’ve done. This April 24-30 is our #CommunityPromiseWeek, where we’ll be highlighting a few key leaders that make our programs possible. Thank you to Carol, Sandy, Ellen, Kim, Peg and Rich for all that you do! Stay tuned throughout the week as we highlight more of our volunteers.
The Department of Extension is seeking applicants for three full-time (11-month), non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Extension Educators. One position will target Food and Agricultural Literacy, one on Environmental Literacy, and the other will focus on Healthy Lifestyles Literacy. These three vacant positions are not specifically designated to an assigned location. Final placement will be negotiable, with one educator primarily based in each of the following locations: (a) the Fairfield County Extension Office in Bethel, (b) the New Haven County Extension Office in North Haven, and (c)the Windham County Extension Office in Brooklyn.
