Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

EFNEP, for low-income and limited resource families with children, promotes nutrition knowledge and adoption of healthier food practices and food budgeting through informal group and individual sessions.

4-H Youth Development

4-H offers youth both group and individual opportunities to wonder, explore, experience and grow in mind and body.  Membership is free.  Knowledgeable professionals and volunteers guide more than 160 Connecticut 4-H clubs in:  Citizenship and civic education; communications and expressive arts; consumer and family sciences; environmental education and earth science; healthy lifestyles and personal development; leadership; plants and animals; science and technology; and workforce preparation.

Food and Food Safety
Diane Wright Hirsch

A healthy, wholesome and safe food supply is essential to the well-being of Connecticut citizens.  Research based information about how food is produced, labeled and distributed can help consumers to make good food choices.  Working with farmers, processors, retailers, community groups, and consumers, food safety education and training programs inform about food borne illness, safe food production, sanitation, and safe food handling.  Contact us for food and food safety education and information resources.

Financial Literacy, Family Economics and Resource Management

Increasing the knowledge, skills and ability of adults, teens and youth to manage their money and other resources to reach their goals is the focus of this program. Some common topics addressed include financial literacy, financial planning, budgeting, family communication about money issues, household recordkeeping, spending, saving, household credit and debt management. A wide range of participants are reached through workshops. People making transitions in their lives or experiencing challenges are a special focus. Training for and collaboration with professionals, staff, volunteers, youth and community groups and organizations is an important aspect of these educational efforts. Financial literacy learning activities are developed to engage the participants in active, experiential and hands-on learning.

For more information, call (203) 407-3160.

Master Gardeners

The Master Gardener Program provides 90 hours of specialized training in horticulture and environmental science from January through April. Participants then provide a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer service from April through September by answering gardening questions from the public and conducting community outreach projects which serve a diverse population throughout New Haven County.  Upon completion of  the course, UConn Certified Master Gardeners may receive additional credits by taking Advanced Master Gardener Classes and continue active involvement with the program. 

For any gardening questions you can contact a master gardener at

(203) 407-3168 or e-mail at nhmastergardeners@uconn.edu.