Don't Miss UConn Horse Auction, Tack Sale

The UConn Horse Auction is Saturday, April 27; preview, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Horsebarn Hill Arena, Storrs. Vendors, tack, equipment sale.

G.M. Thompson and Sons will also be at this year's auction offering up something special.

Winter World Walk Talk

Tracks tell stories. Photo, Moo Dog Press Magazine

A Winter World Walk & Talk co-sponsored by Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust will take place on Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Goodwin Forest in Hampton, Connecticut.

Pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register call (860) 455-9534 or e-mail juan.sanchezjr@ct.gov.

Joshua’s Trust and Goodwin Naturalist Juan Sanchez will lead a guided walk through the state forest in Hampton and talk about animal survival techniques as described in Bernd Heinrich’s book Winter World.

Refreshments will follow at the center.

Note: At the event, those interested may also sign up for a Joshua’s Trust walking group which will start up this spring.
The Goodwin Conservation Center is an environmental education facility owned and operated by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, along with a public/private partnership with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. The center is located in the James L. Goodwin State Forest, a 2,000-acre property with three ponds and 14 miles of maintained trails for hiking, cross country skiing and horseback riding.

Salamanders As They Adapt: New Study

Spotted salamanders exposed to contaminated roadside ponds are adapting to their toxic environments, according to a Yale paper in Scientific Reports. 

This study provides the first documented evidence that a vertebrate has adapted to the negative effects of roads apparently by evolving rapidly.

 Salamanders breeding in roadside ponds are exposed to a host of contaminants from road runoff. Chief among these is sodium chloride from road salt, which reaches average concentrations of 70 times higher in roadside ponds compared to woodland ponds located several hundred feet from the road. "While the evolutionary consequences of roads are largely unknown, we know they are strong agents of natural selection and set the stage for fast evolution," said Steven Brady, the study's author and a doctoral student at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. "These animals are growing up in harsh environments where they face a cocktail of contaminants, and it appears that they are evolving to cope with them."

 Brady found that salamanders in roadside ponds have higher mortality, grow at a slower rate and are more than likely to develop L-shaped spines and other disfigurements. In roadside ponds, only 56 percent of salamander eggs survive the first 10 weeks of development, whereas 87 percent survive in the woodland ponds.

A female spotted salamander. Photo by Steven Brady.

As roadside ponds become more toxic, the surviving salamanders may develop a genetic advantage over their counterparts living in woodland ponds. However, the salamanders that survive year after year in the roadside ponds appear to have adapted to the harsh conditions.

"The animals that come from roadside ponds actually do better-substantially better-than the ones that originate from woodland ponds when they're raised together," Brady said.

 That animals adapt to human activities is not altogether new. For example, fish have begun to mature at smaller sizes in response to commercial fishing. But whereas humans directly utilize fish for consumption, salamanders are just bystanders to human activities. This suggests that the majority of species, which are not specifically targeted for human use, may be experiencing profound evolutionary consequences. And it appears that even species not being driven to extinction-and seldom thought about-are changing. "

This adaptation is certainly encouraging for conservation," said Brady. "But our modern footprint is fundamentally changing species in ways we don't understand and, critically, we don't know if these adaptive responses will keep pace with environmental change."

 Brady observed the development of the salamanders in 10 ponds-five roadside and five woodland-at Yale Myers Forest and in the town of Willington, both in northeastern Connecticut. The paper, "Road to Evolution? Local Adaptation to Road Adjacency in an Amphibian (Ambystoma maculatum)," is available at www.nature.com/srep/2012/120126/srep00235/full/srep00235.html. To see more photos, visit this link to the author's album of images.

Shed Winter, Visit A Greenhouse

Discovery takes a drive, curiosity and a goal - the things found along the way - from food, shops, history and people - just make the going all the more worthwhile.

In winter, we long for humidity, soil and color - all of which can be found inside greenhouses. A list of greenhouses open to the public are included on the Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education's site www.NEFarmWays.org a gateway to interesting events and activities.

In Connecticut, the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology greenhouses on the main campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Note that they are closed weekends and most state holidays.

Logee's greenhouse in Danielson, Conn., is world famous for their tropical plants - including a Ponderosa lemon tree - and what an oasis for all who love to grow, especially this time of year.

Vegetable, Small Fruit Growers Conference

Connecticut Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Conference is set for Thursday, Jan. 19, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Tolland County Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Ave., Vernon. Sponsored by: University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension, USDA UConn Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, registration is $30 at the door Sessions include "Growing Your Market: Making the Most of High and Low Tech Media" with Janine Campisi DiNatale; "Managing Bird Problems in Fruits and Vegetables" Alan Eaton, UNH; "Upgrading High Tunnels and Greenhouses to Increase Production," John Bartok, Jr., agricultural engineer/consultant, UConn Emeritus and more. Trade show exhibitors include Rupp Seeds, Wellscroft Fence Systems, Harris Seeds, OESCO INC., Arthur Carroll Insurance Agency, Connecticut Farm Bureau Association, Crop Production Services, Brookdale Fruit Farm, Seedway River Valley Fencing, USDA Risk Management Agency, CT Ag Experiment Station, and buyctgrown.com.

Barns For Any Occasion Or A Wedding

Barns and wedding receptions? Yep. Meetings, social gatherings and more can be held inside a barn - a few notable places in Connecticut for your next event include:

The Historic Webb Deane Stevens Barn, Wethersfield, available May through October. The structure can accommodates 135 people; call (860) 529-0612 or e-mail info@webb-deane-stevens.org for bookings.

The Tyrone Farm, Pomfret, offers a 19th-century chestnut post-and-beam barn for the same number of folks as above. Call (860) 928-3647 or visit www.tyronefarm.com to learn more.

A 1790 barn in Granby is roomy enough for 150 persons; call (860) 982-1319 or visit www.connecticutweddingbarn.com.

UConn Huskies, Big East in Hartford

Big East Women's Basketball Tournament in  Hartford means five days with 15 games for the championship, happening at the XL Center from Friday, March 4 through Tuesday, March 8. 

All 16 Big East teams compete for the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

Tim Hayes Horse Clinic At UConn

The University of Connecticut offers a natural horsemanship clinic with Tim Hayes on Saturday, March 26.

Communicate with your horse for problem-solving and groundwork without force by learning how to observe how your horse is communicating.

Beginner to advanced, all disciplines.

Tim Hayes is a nationally recognized natural horsemanship clinician. He travels throughout North American and is currently a visiting instructor at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Animal Science.

Hayes has appeared in the award winning documentary “Natural Horsemanship with Tim Hayes” and been profiled in The New York Times and other media. Read more about his methods at www.hayesisforhorses.com.

Each clinic session is limited to 5 people; cost is $45 per person, one horse, each session. Sign up online at www.animalscience.uconn.edu/equine/extension/extensionIndex.php

Equine health form must be completed and brought to the clinic. Must have negative Coggins, a veterinary certificate (if out of state), rabies within 1 year, 28 days prior, Eastern/Western/West Nile virus/tetanus/flu/rhino within 1 year or a flu/rhino booster within 90 days of the clinic, and a three-day temperature log. Horses will not be allowed to unload until paperwork is reviewed.

ASTM/SEI approved helmets required for all participants.

Call Jenifer Nadeau at (860) 486-4471, FAX at (860) 486-4375 for information.

Deadline is March 18, 2011.

CT New Farmer Summit Feb. 11

Connecticut New Farmer Summit will be held at Auer Farm on Friday, Feb. 11, at the 4-H Education Center, Bloomfield, 2 to 6 p.m.

Farmer mixer and pizza social, 6 to 8:30 p.m., $5.

Designed for young and/or beginning farmers who are currently farming, either operating their own business or as employees of a farm (the USDA defines new farmers as farming less than 10 years and young farmer as 35 years old or younger), participants should have at least two seasons full-time farm experience and plan to be mostly employed as a farmer in the future.

Registration is required by Feb. 1. Call (860) 318-6813.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early.

Online registration is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CT_New_Farmer_Summit Limited to 50 people.

This summit is sponsored by UCONN Extension, Connecticut Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee, CT Northeast Organic Farming Association, Jones Family Farm, Sepe Farm, Farm Credit East, Holcomb Farm CSA, Massaro Farm, Hurricane Farm, and others.

Terra Firma Pig Roast Celebration

Terra Firma Farm will host a farm pig roast on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. at the farm, 330 Al Harvey Rd, Stonington, Conn.

Suggested donation is $20; $10 for a child.

Music, pumpkin carving contests and fun.

Area restaurants and businesses interested in contributing raffle items can get more information at (860) 535-8171 or visit www.terrafirmafarm.org.

All proceeds benefit the continuation of farm mission "to teach our children to grow through growing, to care by caring for, and to nurture by nurturing."

'Dragons' At Goodwin Forest Center

Dragonflies have been here since the days of the dinosaurs, and are still with us today.

Join naturalist Juan Sanchez on Saturday, Aug. 28, 9 to 11 a.m. to explore pond, field and forest edges, learning about the fascinating world of these mysterious and beautiful insects. Learn the basics of dragonfly identification.

Pre-registration is requested, but not required. For more information or to register call (860) 455-9534 or e-mail juan.sanchezjr@ct.gov.

The Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center and the Goodwin State Forest were gifts to the people of Connecticut from James L. Goodwin, one of America’s first professional foresters.

The 2,000 acres of forests and habitats, 14 miles of hiking and multi-purpose trails, 3 large ponds and a nature museum are managed jointly by the Department of Environmental Protection and The Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Inc.

The center is located off of Route 6 at 23 Potter Road in Hampton, Conn. From the intersection of Routes 6 and 198 in Chaplin, go east 3.1 miles on Route 6 and take a left onto Potter Road. From the intersection of Routes 6 and 97 in Hampton, go west 1.4 miles and take a right onto Potter Road.

Potato And Corn Festival in North Branford

Hot buttered corn on the cob, yes. Stuffed baked potatoes, you bet. And much more to eat, see, do and enjoy. The North Branford Potato and Corn Festival is set for Aug. 6 through Aug. 8 at Augur Farm on Route 22.

Tethered rides in hot-air balloons, along with bands, crafts and food vendors, free family games and amusement rides. Admission, free.

For more information, visit www.nbpotatofest.com.

There is a $5 fee for on-site parking; $10 for premier (limited) spots. Free parking and a shuttle bus at North Branford High School and Stanley T. Williams Elementary School.

Farm Bureau Tour, Whitney Ridge Stables

Whitney Ridge Stables hosts Middlesex County Farm Bureau Farm Tour on Sunday, July 25, 1 to 5 p.m. Free.

Located at 227 Little City Road, Higganum, the family-owned equine facility focuses on training and showing American Quarter horses at local and national levels.

Services available include boarding, training, sales, and English and western riding lessons for riders of any age and experience level.

There will also be talks by Dr. Stewart Beckett, DVM as follows: 1:30, managing parasites; 2:30, lameness, 3:30, acupuncture and chiropractic application; 4:15, heat stress and colic."

Tours of the facility, which opened in its new location in 2008, will be conducted throughout the afternoon. Informational displays and refreshments will be available.

For information e-mail semintz43@aol.com or call (860) 349-1250 prior to the event.

New Britain Rock Cats, Keep Farms Local

Support local dairy farmers and enjoy a day at the ballpark on Sunday, July 18 for the home game of the New Britain Rock Cats versus Red Sox affiliate, the Sea Dogs. Half the proceeds of each ticket sold for the fame will go to support New England's dairy farmers through the Keep Local Farms program.

The New Britain Rock Cats, Guida's and Keep Local Farms are partnering up for this event.

Use the promotional code, "DAIRY" to receive this offer and also be automatically entered to win opportunities such as throwing out the first pitch and meeting the Rock Cats players. To purchase tickets, call (860) 224-8383.

Yes To $500,000 Farm Reinvestment Grants

Connecticut farmers making long-term improvements to their operations are looking to approval of $500,000 in grant funds when the State Bond Commission meets July 13. Governor M. Jodi Rell has approved the measure, which would be awarded through the state Department of Agriculture’s Farm Reinvestment Grant Program.

Farmers who expand or improve their operations as part of a 10-year business plan and who complete the project within the year may qualify for matching grants of up to $40,000.

The grant awards provide seed money for projects that "enhance existing agricultural operations."

Projects may improve the farms’ operations cash flow, create new jobs, and expand municipal grand lists. Approved projects have included farm expansion through the greenhouse construction, new dairy facilities, cheese production facilities, commercial kitchens, wine processing and fruit and vegetable packing facilities.

It is anticipated that the $500,000 will be leveraged with more than $1.5 million in farmers’ funds for more than $2 million in total projects.

Going For The Record, "Ride For The Rescues"

Taylor Goucher on Whippoorwill Ariel on a trail ride, photo by Nora Chamberlain.

Want to be part of a group effort to set a new world's record for trail riders - and benefit worthy horse charities to boot?

Join in the "Ride for the Rescues" on Sunday, June 13 at McCulloch Farm-Whippoorwill Morgans, located in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Mary Jean Vasiloff, host of the ASCTHA Ride For Record to benefit horse rescue programs and the HSUS, will be there to help Connecticut and Rhode Island riders gather to try for the Guinness World Record for the largest trail riding competition.

All proceeds from this event go directly to equine charities.

Visit www.actha.us for details and to sign up or visit www.whippoorwillmorgans.com and follow the link.

Walk Into History, Griswoldville, Connecticut

Interested in old mills, dams and water power? An informative walk steps off at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center Saturday, June 5 in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Walkers will follow the course of Goff Brook to see ponds and former mill sites and the human history along the water courses.

Along the way, interesting sites and bird life will be pointed out. Topics include a former ice house and a modern-day turf farm.

Martha Mayer, executive director of the Griswoldville Preservation Association, leads the tour-walk.

The 2.5 mile loop walk is sponsored by the Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Griswoldville Preservation association and the town of Wethersfield. Free.

The walk is part of Connecticut Trails Day and is from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For information e-mail info@gmct.org.

Spring (and Ice Cream) - Not So Far Away

Why writing down stories is so important - one tale of ice cream at a classic dairy bar in Connecticut.

Name That Ice Cream Contest

One lucky entrant will win a summer's supply of ice cream from The Farmer's Cow - if they can create a great name for their new ice cream flavors that include:

• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Chocolate-Chocolate Chip
• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Strawberry
• Cookies & Cream
• Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip
• Peanut Butter Cup
• Cherry Vanilla
• Coffee

The contest is open until Feb. 14.

Visit www.thefarmerscow.com for all of the details, rules and to enter.

'Santa, Can You Help?' Shagbark Open House

All any animal ever wants is to be loved and belong to someone who will care for them. Each gives more back in return to a human who provides a good home.

Yet there are more pets, horses and livestock looking for that forever home than you might think - and some need a little more patience and kindness because of past history - so Shagbark Lumber & Farm Supply is hosting an open house this Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. (Santa has special treats for people who visit with their pets.)

Meet animals up for adoption and learn about the good work of Ray of Light Farm (horse and animal rescue, that's a photo from their farm, above), Cat Tails (cat rescue) and greyhounds and dauschund rescue groups.

Santa will visit Cromwell and "Cowlamity Jane" is all decked out to greet the Cromwell crowd - look for the cowboy-hatted cow outside the front door.

Shagbark also will host an open house at its Cromwell location on Shunpike Road - Santa will be there - but the rescue groups gather at the East Haddam location.