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! 

Parenting Apart Classes

Court mandated Parenting Apart classes are held monthly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm – 9:30pm.  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 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 workshop feature local instructors and participants would complete hand-on projects in each class. These workshops are offered in the fall and spring and information may be obtained from the Extension Center.

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