Compost Tea Workshop and Demo- Free, Oct. 21, Lebanon CT
UConn Extension Virtual Ornamental and Turf Short Course October 1- December 10
UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference Nov. 13 Storrs, CT
Session topics:
Who are Connecticut’s Specialist Bees: Tracy Zarillo MS., Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Come learn about Connecticut’s specialist bees and the plants they need, as well as other common bees to watch for in the yard.
Soil Microbial Allies in Managed Systems: Mia Maltz, PhD., Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut – This presentation will highlight suburban soil ecology and how it impacts native plant and pollinator health.
Knockout Natives: Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba Center Botanic Garden – Top performers and favorites of Phlox, Echinacea, wild hydrangea, Carex, Amsonia, and Vernonia from Mt. Cuba Center’s research trials will be discussed.
Seeing Nature: Andrew Brand, MS., Coastal Maine Botanical Garden – Draw gardening inspiration from images of plant and pollinator interactions captured beautifully and like you’ve never seen before.
Native Landscape Plants with Local Roots: Jessica Lubell-Brand, PhD., Professor, University of Connecticut – Native shrub selections that were discovered in and originate from New England will be covered.
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UConn 2025 Meat and Poultry HACCP course Oct, 28-30, Vernon CT
UConn College of Ag, Health and Natural Resources Greenhouse Research and Extension Biological Control Conference for Ornamental Growers September 18
Event Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Hosted by: Rosa Raudales & Charles Krasnow, UConn Extension
Target audience: Commercial greenhouse and nursery growers producing ornamental plants
Location: Jones Auditorium, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT.
Parking: Campus lots or street parking on Huntington Street and East Rock Road.
Registration: $70 per person. Registration includes a boxed lunch and six pesticide recertification credits for Connecticut and New England states for presentations marked with ♣.
Online registration at Greenhouse Training Store. Registration will end at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The registration fee is refundable 48 hours before the event. Please note that we have a maximum capacity of 70 attendees. Walk-in registrations are not an option.
♣ 6 pesticide recertification credits (categories PA, 1A, and 3C) have been approved for this program.
If you have any questions about the program, please email Rosa Raudales at rosa.raudales@uconn.edu.
This Program is Co-Sponsored by: the University of Connecticut, USDA CCPM project number 2024-70006-43570, and UConn partners to the Root Alliance.
Solid Ground Farmer Summer Skill Shares Sept. 15 (Newtown) and Sept. 30 (Ashford)
For more information or to sign up, visit: Solid Ground | A Program for New and Beginning Farmers
UConn Extension Master Gardener 2026 Applications due October 17
UCONN EXTENSION OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
UConn Extension is now accepting applications for the 2026 Master Gardener Program, a dynamic educational outreach initiative that blends horticultural science with community engagement. Applications are due by Friday, October 17, 2025, and must be submitted to the location where applicants wish to take classes.
The Litchfield County cohort offers a hybrid option, allowing participants to complete the classroom portion either in-person or online. All other program components, including office hours, outreach, and diagnostic sessions, must be completed in person. Accepted applicants will be notified by Monday, November 3, 2025, and must register and submit the $495.00 program fee by Friday, December 5, 2025. Classes begin the week of January 11, 2026.
The program includes:
All program requirements must be completed by September 2026. Graduates earn certification as UConn Master Gardeners and become registered volunteers with UConn Extension. Visit mastergardener.uconn.edu for full details and application materials.
Henry P. Kendall Foundation New England Food Vision Prize Applications Due September 12
Prize Timeline:
August 11: Application opens
September 12: Submission deadline
October 17: Awards announced
Learn More and Apply for the October Prize
The New England Food Vision Prize will support projects that build resilience, relationships, and capacity within New England’s educational institution food supply chain.
In response to the recent federal funding cuts and the related impacts to our regional food system, we have modified the structure and focus of this year’s Prize program.
The Prize will support new ideas and collaborations, while also safeguarding and supporting existing efforts. This year’s Prize aims to fortify recent progress and ensure that the region’s students, farmers, fishermen, and producers continue to benefit from farm to school and campus programs.
Modifications include:
Competitive applications will clearly demonstrate how the project or program will maintain or increase the amount of regionally produced food served to K-12 and college and university students. Specific and near-term benefits to farmers, fishermen, and/or producers should be detailed in the application.
The 2025 Prize is more accessible, featuring a streamlined application process and faster award notifications.
Prize awards will range from $25,000-$100,000.
CT Grown for CT Kids Microgrants and Full grants available
Applications Now Open, Key Updates Include Expanded Eligibility
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2026 Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant (CTG4CTK) guidance and application periods. With a total of $950,000 in funding available, this grant continues to support farm-to-school efforts that connect Connecticut children with local food while strengthening local agriculture and nutrition education. Full grant awards will be funded at up to $50,000, while Microgrants will receive up to $5,000 each.
New for FY 2026:
Highlights of the latest grant guidance include several key updates to streamline access, enhance program goals, and improve clarity for applicants. All updates are highlighted in yellow in the full guidance document for easy reference.
Updated Eligibility & Expenses
A live webinar and Q&A session will be held on September 5, 2025, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Following the webinar, virtual office hours and drop-in coaching sessions will be offered. Details will be announced during the webinar and posted on the CTG4CTK grant webpage.
For full guidance and applications materials, please visit the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant webpage. Questions may be directed to Hannah Carty, Program Coordinator at Hannah.Carty@ct.gov or 860-471-1620.
About CTG4CTK
The CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program supports Connecticut-based educational entities and community organizations in building sustainable farm-to-school programs. Eligible applicants include local and regional boards of education, child care providers, educational cooperatives, and now, colleges and universities and their student groups.
This is the fifth round of funding available for CTG4CTK, which was originally established as a two-year pilot program in 2021. Most recently, in June 2025, the legislature allocated up to $1 million annually in the FY26 and FY27 budgets.
USDA Free Webinars for Veterans: Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
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Register here.