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UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION |
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Agriculture & Natural Resources
Gardening
Home & Community
4-H
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As we settle into the heart of winter, January is a great time to plan, learn, and prepare for the year ahead. At USU Extension Summit County, we’re kicking off 2026 with opportunities to support local agriculture, strengthen our community, and get a head start on the growing season.
In this issue, you’ll find information on upcoming programs, grant opportunities, and resources to help you start 2026 informed and ready. Whether you’re setting goals for your farm, garden, or household, we’re here to provide research-based resources and local support to help you start the year strong.
We look forward to working with you throughout 2026!
| | | Agriculture & Natural Resources | | |
Water Optimization Grants Open!
The 2026 application period is currently open through February 28th, 2026.
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Grill Your District
Join the Summit and Kamas Conservation Districts and Farm Bureau for dinner at Cattleman's Hall in Oakley on February 5th, 2026. Register below or call:
Parker 385-867-0123
Lloyd 435-300-5783
Colby 435-640-1563
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Soil Health in the West
The 3rd Biennial Soil Health in the West Conference will be held on February 10-12, 2026, in St. George, Utah. The conference will consist of a day of workshops on February 10th and the main conference on February 11-12th.
The 2026 Conference is the place to learn about soil care & testing, soil health in crop production, and regenerative grazing management. In 2024, we focused on grazing management, with supplementary tracks on crop production. This year, we are doing the reverse: we are hosting expert speakers on soil health-focused crop production, accompanied by a robust supplementary track on grazing topics.
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USU Small Farms Water Quality Improvement Program
Grant applications are now open!
USU Extension, in partnership with the Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ), is pleased to offer a grant opportunity to support the improvement of water quality on small farms. The Small Farm Water Quality Improvement Project offers a unique funding opportunity for small farms and agricultural operations to improve the state of their surrounding water quality. Farms located in any county in Utah are eligible to apply. Awarded funding can be used for projects that help with fencing, berms, corrals, and other best management practices that improve waste management and promote water quality.
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2026 Master Gardener Course
Tickets on sale now until February 2nd!
What: The Master Gardener program is an in-depth, research-backed course on all things gardening. It is a county-based program offered through USU Extension, and consists of one-part education, one-part service. While this course is quite extensive, NO PRIOR GARDENING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED!
When: Online classes run March 10 - April 21, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5pm - 7:00pm. Hands-on activities will be held AT LEAST monthly throughout the season (March - October), but often there will more than one event each month.
Where: Online via Zoom. Classes are recorded for later viewing if unable to join live. The USU Extension office in Heber City will also be open for those who want to watch the livestream together. Hands-on workshops, service opportunities, and workdays will be held at various locations around Wasatch and Summit Counties.
Cost: Earlybird - $160 + eventbrite fees (Ends February 2 at 11:30 pm MST)
Regular - $200 + eventbrite fees (Ends February 23 at 5:00 pm MST)
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Utah Veggie Review
Did you grow any vegetable varieties this past year that were especially delicious? any complete duds? Old favorites? Yearly repeats? We (and your neighbors) want to know about them! The Utah Veggie Reviews is a new program through USU Extension designed to facilitate information sharing on which vegetable varieties thrive (or not) in our state. This is the program's first season, and we'll be publishing the reviews submitted (over 240 so far!) early next year. Please help contribute.
Utah Veggie Review Survey:
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Wasatch Back Fruit Tree Project
For those of you who are currently growing apple or peach trees, or those interested in doing so, check out our local project - the Wasatch Back Fruit Tree Project. The aim is to provide data-driven recommendations for the best varieties of apples and peaches to grow along the Wasatch Back. To do so, we're enlisting those who are successfully growing apple and peaches to report on their fruit trees -- by doing so, we can aggregate local information to benefit our community! We're especially interested in any old trees you have growing. Reach out to wesley.crump@usu.edu if you'd like to participate - it's simple and fun! Some of the data are posted on our website, with more to come this month!
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Rental Items
Summit County residents can check out/reserve a variety of appliances, such as our freeze dryer, sewing machines, dehydrator, and other kitchen appliances. Check out what is available below, and call our office to reserve: 435-336-3217.
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Free Tax Preparation
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax assistance to taxpayers who made less than $67,000, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. To schedule an appointment in Coalville, Kamas, Park City, or Heber, contact our office: 435-336-3218.
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Marriage Celebration
Discover how to create a marriage filled with deeper connection, greater fulfillment, and more fun at the Utah Marriage Celebration - a virtual date night designed to bring couples closer together and help singles prepare for future relationships. Come join us on Friday, February 6th for an evening of online education from speakers across the nation and internationally recognized relationship expert Alexandra Solomon. Additional details and registration available below. Tickets are only $20 per couple through January 31st. Tickets purchased after January 31st will be $25 per couple.
| | | Remember to register through Zsuite for upcoming camps and clubs. | | |
USU Extension Summit County
45 E 100 N Coalville, UT 84017
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