Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources News

A case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) was confirmed in March at the Golden Spike Events Center in Ogden.

Due to drought conditions throughout the state, Governor Spencer Cox recently issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for Utah. To date, 100% of Utah is in the moderate drought category, and 90% of the state is experiencing extreme drough...

Although Earl Creech grew up on what his father called a “true” family farm — no hired help from outside the family and no one doing an off-farm job for income — he didn’t know until he was in college that being a scientist who helps farmers could be a jo...

In response to social distancing guidelines, innovative Utahns have found activities that allow them to be with family and also explore new adventures. In 2020 during COVID-19, Utah state park visitation rates increased by 36% during recreation months com...

In a report released Jan. 20, 2021, researchers from Utah State University Extension and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) assess the potential for expanding meat processing capabilities in Utah and examine the potential demand for Utah b...

Only two days after making the first delivery of what will be more than 100,000 pounds of food to Utah’s Navajo neighbors, Farmers Feeding Utah is launching its second miracle project: Miracle Project Northern Utah.

Only two days after making the first delivery of what will be more than 100,000 pounds of food to Utah’s Navajo neighbors, with another delivery scheduled for Monday, Farmers Feeding Utah is launching its second miracle project: Miracle Project Northern U...

As a result of recent events, including the earthquake and coronavirus pandemic, more Utahns than ever are interested in growing and producing their own food. While this is a great opportunity to become sustainable, it should not happen at the cost of Uta...

In difficult economic times, many people consider purchasing chickens as part of their domestic safety net. Raising chickens, however, is distinctly different than stocking up on food storage or bottled water.

In order to better serve the agritourism industry in the state of Utah, Utah State University Extension has developed a survey to gather research on the needs of agritourism organizations.

A report released by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation touted that outdoor recreation in Utah contributes more than $12.3 billion to the economy and provides jobs from more than 100,000 people.

Leaf diseases have become a concern this spring because of the cool, wet weather, and rain provides an efficient way for fungal and bacterial spores to spread. Fungal disease symptoms generally include irregular brown, yellow or black spots on leaves. If ...

Leaf diseases have become a concern this spring because of the cool, wet weather, and rain provides an efficient way for fungal and bacterial spores to spread.

A multi-generational agricultural family in Salt Lake County plans to donate 100 acres to Utah State University Extension for the creation of a center dedicated to agricultural land preservation.

For many, the sight of a snake is what nightmares are made of.

In recent weeks, reports of an infectious disease in deer and elk, known as chronic wasting disease (CWD), have been confirmed in 24 states including Utah. The media has subsequently dubbed CWD as “zombie deer disease.”

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” The opening line of Charles Moore’s poem creates the impression of slumbering mice awaiting the arrival of Santa. In Anne Mortimer's book, “The C...

Utah Water Quality Task Force, a coalition of agencies, non-profit organizations and other experts, released a survey this week aimed at small acreage operations. Task force members request that those who own or manage a small acreage farm complete the su...

Utah is cougar country. The cougar, also known as the mountain lion, puma, catamount, screamer or panther, can be easily recognized by its tawny color, white muzzle and long tail.

As many rural Utah residents are struggling with unemployment or underemployment, a new pilot program has been implemented by Utah State University Extension to help residents in the southern counties develop the skills needed to compete for remote employ...

Utah State University Extension sponsors farming workshops on the USU Logan campus. Speakers from academia, industry and federal agencies discuss business planning and resources, direct and target marketing strategies, federal grant and loan programs, sit...

Cities along the Wasatch Front have recently passed ordinances allowing urban residents to raise backyard chickens. A link was shown between an explosion in the rat population in Eugene, Oregon, and the growth in backyard chicken ranching. Over this same ...

Recent media reports of wildlife attacking humans have many people reconsidering their time spent outdoors. Negative interactions with wildlife are becoming more common as humans are increasingly recreating in animal territory, and it’s important to not l...

The large population of wild horses creates a challenge for the federal agencies charged with managing the natural ecological balance of Western rangelands. Learn more about the impact horses have on rangelands.

With snow blankets at higher evaluations, wild animals are on the move. Most of them cross our roads during their seasonal migrations as they search for food, water and cover.

Utah State University Extension sponsors the Urban and Small Farms Conference February 21 to 23 at the Viridian Center in West Jordan.

On the first day of Christmas, your true love gives to you – a partridge in a pear tree. Great. Thanks. But who’s going to clean up after it?

Utah State University Extension recently received a grant worth $599,615 from the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to help increase the number of beginning farmers in the Mountain West.

Utah State University Extension hosts an Orchard Estate and Transition Planning Workshop Dec. 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Santaquin City Government Offices, 275 West Main Street in Santaquin.

H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel, “The War of the Worlds,” provided the material for the infamous 1938 Halloween episode of the radio series, “The Mercury Theatre on the Air.” Orson Welles narrated an adaptation of the novel as a series of simulated news bulletins ...

In recent weeks, there have been a flood of calls and emails about mysterious divots and diggings in flower beds and lawns. Most look like a small hole or divot caused by an errant golfer.

The more you know about the wildlife living in your area, their behaviors and how to respond to a close encounter, the better it will be for them and you. Consider these tips...

Unseasonably warm temperatures this year have caused snakes to emerge early from hibernation. So be aware that just because you didn’t encounter a snake on your outdoor adventure last spring at this time doesn’t mean you won’t this spring.

Utah State University Extension’s Utah Master Naturalist Program provides nature lovers an opportunity to attend educational field courses.

Utah is home to five national parks – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion – as well as many other amazing outdoor recreation destinations.

Utah Water Week runs from May 7-13, and is a perfect time of year for each of us to consider the importance of water in our lives.

Every year in the United States, it is estimated that nearly 600 million birds are killed from flying into windows. Some researchers say that number may be as high as 988 million, which is approximately 10 percent of the bird population in the country.

Research published by Utah State University Extension specialists shows that the removal of invading conifer trees from sagebrush habitats could help boost success for nesting and brooding sage-grouse.

Utah State University Extension sponsors a workshop on beginning and small farm profitability strategies on February 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eccles Conference Center on the USU Logan campus.

There’s a new bug in town. Since July 2014, Utah State University Extension’s Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab has received numerous calls about a small, brown and black insect gathering in and on homes.

In the wild, aspen are among the most beautiful trees with their almost snow-white trunks, shimmering leaves and yellow fall color.

Utah is home to 31 species of snakes. Of these, only seven are venomous and are commonly called pit vipers because of the pit located between their nostrils and eyes. Most pit vipers found in Utah have tails with a series of rattles, hence the name rattle...

Approximately two-thirds of Utah’s drinking water is used to water lawns.

The recent tragic loss of more than 550,000 acres of forest and thousands of homes in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, brings into focus the hazards that come with wildfire and its suppression and the risks firefighters take to protect life and property.

Utah State University Equine Extension hosts a horse grooming clinic featuring professional groomer Elena Nuila on Saturday, April 30, at the USU Livestock Pavilion.

Utah State University Equine Extension will host an intro to dressage clinic featuring Jan Lawrence, dressage instructor for Millbrook Farms, located in Fairfield, Utah, on April 9 at the USU Equestrian Center.

The Utah State Legislature made a powerful statement that water conservation is a high priority and a critical part of future water management and planning.

As a result of the growing popularity of sustainability, the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) is providing $15,000 for the 2016 Extension Sustainability Summit April 5-7 in Portland, Ore.

Effective March 1, Sally Tauber, director of development at Utah State University’s Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter in Park City, will join the university’s Salt Lake City central advancement office to focus on corporate and foundational giving.

Utah is home to three members of the deer family — mule deer, moose and elk.

Winter is here, and it is important to bundle up and be prepared for the cold weather. Your pipes are no different.

The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program is well on its way to reducing Utah’s water use even further as it partners with the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program.

Urban residents in Utah and other states are often waking up to the rasping calls and not-so-soothing coos of growing populations of feathered friends or in some cases, feathered fiends.

Utah State University Extension partners with USDA to sponsor a workshop on farm shop business and marketing opportunities on June 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Clark County Cooperative Extension building in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Skylar Pond, an urban-community fishing pond in Willow Park, welcomed 44 new rainbow trout fingerlings on Monday as part of the Utah Trout in the Classroom program.

Governor Gary Herbert praised Utah State University efforts while signing an order to protect sage-grouse.

To make 2019 a great new year, challenge yourself to try these simple lifestyle changes each month. Each aspect of sustainable living presented is not only good for the environment, but good for your health and wallet as well. Whether it is dusting off yo...