Dairy & Livestock

Educational programs for livestock producers are available on an ongoing basis for a number of subject areas including nutrition, animal health and production, farm management, manure management, pesticide applicator training, and environmental regulations. Currently research is being conducted to determine the cost to farmers to develop and implement nutrient management plans mandated by environmental regulations. This is a comprehensive study of participating farms to document farm inputs of nutrients and removal through crop harvests and products sold (milk, meat, hay etc). By comparing inputs to exports we can determine the accumulation of nutrients within the farm to minimize the accumulation. Research in other states has shown that as nutrients accumulate on farms (usually within field soils) the risk of “leaking” those nutrients to water through runoff or leaching increases. This project is attempting to find management methods that farmers can use to maintain crop yields by maximizing the efficiency of on farm nutrient use, and minimizing the accumulation of nutrients in soils. 

4-H Youth Development

Leadership, citizenship and life skills are the basis of the 4-H club program in Litchfield County. There are over 30 active 4-H clubs in the county, run by over 100 adult volunteer leaders, in cooperation with the 4-H staff. 4-H is a youth development program open to children ages 7 through 18.  The 4-H program also sponsors the Litchfield County 4-H Fair in August, showcasing the project work of county members. Projects range from woodworking, photography and computer science to dairy cattle, reptiles, and dogs, with other possibilities covered in between! 

Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Program is a two-part educational and outreach program. Avid gardeners are provided many hours of intense home horticulture training and in return they "pay back" local university extension centers through volunteerism. Master Gardeners provide up-to-date information on horticulture and environmentally responsible gardening practices. They assist with garden lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, school and community gardening, phone diagnostic service, research and many other projects. If you are interested in making a positive impact on your community, consider becoming a certified Master Gardener. If you would like more information on the program click on the link above.

Parenting Apart Classes

Court mandated Parenting Apart classes are held monthly on Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.  They are also held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 am to 12 Noon.  The Litchfield County Extension Center is an approved provider of the court mandated parenting education program for parents in Northwest Connecticut including the Litchfield, Hartford, and Waterbury Judicial Districts. Cost of the program is $125 with payment made to the University of Connecticut with a bank certified check, money order or cash.  Class dates can be obtained by calling the Extension Center at (860) 626-6240.

Creative Art Workshops

The Litchfield County Extension Center and the Litchfield County Extension Council host a series of Creative Arts Workshops for youth and adults interested in learning new skills and creating gifts for upcoming holiday seasons. The workshops feature local instructors and participants complete hands-on projects in each class. These workshops are offered in the fall and spring and information may be obtained from the Extension Center at (860) 626-6240.

Sustainable Greenhouse IPM Program

The commercial greenhouse industry in Connecticut includes both wholesale and retail growers as well as garden centers. Growers produce flowering and vegetable bedding plants, herbs, specialty annuals, herbaceous perennials, garden mums, and pot crops such as poinsettias and lilies. Greenhouse crops are very high value crops that are grown for their ornamental value. Customers have a very low tolerance for any evidence of insect pests or diseases. Because of this, growers must produce very high quality, pest-free crops. In the enclosed greenhouse enviroment, pest populations can develop rapidly, so there is a need for timely up-to-date information to make pest management decisions.

The Sustainable Greenhouse IPM program is an educational outreach program for the statewide commercial greenhouse industry. It consists of intensive hands-on field training on integrated pest management, site visits to growers and retailers, as well as cultural and nutrient recommendations. Educational conferences and workshops are held across the state and in the New England region.

www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm

www.negreenhouseupdate.info

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, check our statewide database.