b'Partner TestimonialsBartlett Arboretum and Gardens The Master Gardener Program has provided significant value to the Bartlett Arboretum for many years. We rely on Master Gardeners to support our community outreach in so many different ways. Examples of their contribution include Master Gardener availability in Plant Clinic from May through September of each year to Partnerships are at the foundation ofaddress homeowner plant problems and issues. Master Gardeners conduct visitor Extensions work statewide in all 169tours of our gardens and our champion and notable trees. They provide Arboretum towns and cities of Connecticut. Wemanagement with ideas for plants in our gardens. All of these activities enhance the integrate with agencies and non-profitsvisitor experience at the Bartlett Arboretum and further its mission. in communities in a variety of ways.S. Jane von Trapp, CEO, Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in StamfordPhoto courtesy of Winter Caplanson.CT Department of Agriculture CT Economic Development Association For the benefit of Connecticut farmers, the Connecticut DepartmentThe Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) found a great Our partnershipsof Agriculture collaborates with UConn Extension across many disciplines.partner in UConn Extension as we rolled out the Best Practices in Economic From FSMA Produce Safety Rule education and outreach that expand marketDevelopment and Land Use Program that really asks, How do we do our jobs strengthen Extension,opportunities to Viability Grant funding of crucial research done by Extensionbetter? In economic development in Connecticut we face a fiercely competitive educations, our strong partnership will help to sustain and foster innovation forlandscape for jobs and investment. How we compete as a state matters, but at the and in turn increaseagriculture in our state. end of the day, a company locates in a community. We want our communities to be as well-prepared as possible, and thats something that UConn Extensions programs our statewide impact.Bryan Hurlburt, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture in Community & Economic Development is doing every day. CEDAS offered the platform to create a set of standards and the UConn team helped add the details. Our innovativeMore importantly, they were the support to our communities that wanted to get better. We can all want to do a better job at local economic development, but if collaborations allowtheres not someone there coaching and mentoring us along were not going to get there. UConn Extension was the helping hand that truly pulled our communities Extension and ourTown of Food Insecurity through the process and in the end, raised our standards for economic development East Hartford We are grateful to partner within Connecticut.partners to reachGarret Sheehan, CEcD, President Connecticut Economic Development Association, SNAP-ED and EFNEP to ensure the The information and assistancepeople we serve not only have access toPresident and CEO Greater New Haven Chamber of Commercerespective goalsprovided by CLEAR has enabled nutritious food but also have opportu-our town to save resources whilenities to participate in evidence-based together. complying with the requirements nutrition education. In food insecurity of the MS4 Permit. The templateprograms we can bring healthy food, and Mike ONeill, Associate Dean andfor the stormwater managementa pantry shopping experience directly plan alone saved us a significantto schools, senior centers and other Associate Director, UConn Extension amount of money by allowing staffcommunity-based organizations. Through to complete an acceptable plan in apartnerships with SNAP-ED and EFNEP minimal amount of time.clients can learn, sample healthy recipes Warren Disbrow, Assistant Townand then apply new skills to shopping. Engineer, East Hartford Jaime S. Foster, PhD, RD34 2019 HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTENSION 2019 HIGHLIGHTS OF EXTENSION 35'