Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program
The University of Connecticut received a Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) grant in 2017 through a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture program. The purpose and intent of this program is to establish an Extension presence and support Extension outreach on Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN). Since the start of the FRTEP Program, UConn Extension and the MPTN have been collaborating to enhance agricultural production, food security, and health of tribal community members. An Extension program involving several specialists in vegetable and fruit production, farm business management, marketing, youth development, health and nutrition, communications, evaluation and assessment is working with the MPTN on their goals.
News and Updates
As the air begins to get colder and fall crops become ready to harvest, apple picking is a great way to learn about food systems, support local agriculture, and engage in healthy eating behaviors. On October 15th, 2024, twenty youth and child development professionals from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) traveled to Holmberg Orchards in Gales Ferry, CT to partake in an educational activity focused on fruit production and agriculture. MPTN members harvested their own apples right from the branch and learned how apple varieties have unique purposes, such as snacking or baking. The youth enjoyed being able to harvest their own fruit to take home and share with their families. This activity is part of a partnership between Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and UConn Extension supported by the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP).
Financial support for this work was provided by the USDA NIFA Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP Award 2022-41580-37944).
Previous Updates
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Establishes Tribal Department of Agriculture
Originally published by UConn Today on December 22, 2021 | Read full article
September 13, 2019 UConn CAHNR Extension News
Growing Food and Health with the Mashantucket Tribe
Respecting Roots and Growing for the Future with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
Originally published by UConn Today on September 15, 2022 | Read full article
Join the Mashantucket Department of Agriculture Facebook Group
4-H Youth and Nutrition Education Programming
UConn Extension 4-H and Nutrition Educators have been working with the High Five project, and Parks and Recreation Center at the MPTN to engage youth and adults in a series of in-person gardening classes and virtual cooking/nutritional workshops. Several in-person gardening classes and more than a dozen of virtual cooking classes were held in 2021. Youth, their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends participated on those classes. Fundamentals of seeds and plant structures, and where does our food come from were some of the topics covered in gardening classes. Likewise turkey chowder and stuffing cups, quesadillas and salsa, impossible cheeseburger pie and blue berry slump, apple hand pies, Shepard’s pie, and cinnamon swirl pancakes with turkey breakfast sausage were some of the recipes discussed in those nutritional classes.
Adventures in Agriculture
Explore the exciting world of farming while building science-based activity kits.
UConn Extension educators work with members of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in a high tunnel. Photo: Shuresh Ghimire
Extension educators make the Three Sisters recipe with members of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.
Heirloom tomatoes grown by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Photo: Noah Cudd
Financial support for this work was provided by the USDA NIFA Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP Award 2022-41580-37944).