Bonnie Burr, MSA

Department Head and Assistant Director

Extension

Bonnie Burr is Department Head and Assistant Director of Extension at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR). Ms. Burr works state and region wide, bringing together collaborative efforts that enhance and impact the land-grant mission of the College. She is responsible for the administration of eight Extension field offices around the state, as well as an additional satellite location hosted by a community partner. She works with Extension faculty and staff to develop and implement programs in alignment with the CAHNR strategic vision areas. In 2024, UConn Extension;

• Provided 500 different programs to Connecticut residents
• Supported over 893 farms as they increase efficiencies and economic opportunities helping drive the state’s agricultural sector
• Taught over 700 municipal land use committee members through the Center for Land Use Education and Research (CLEAR) Land Use Academy
• Trained and managed Extension volunteers in urban, suburban, and rural areas who have added over 174,000 hours of volunteer time valued at $6.4 million
• Created STEM, health, and leadership/community service programs to enrich the lives of 22,000 K-12 students

Ms. Burr also carries out initiatives with CAHNR faculty on agriculture policy on state and federal issues. She works with partners at a regional and national level to help teach political processes and to be more engaged in policy and legislative actions that impact their families, businesses, and communities.

Before coming to UConn, Ms. Burr was USDA Farm Service Agency Connecticut State Executive Director. Prior to that, Ms. Burr was Director of Government Relations for CT Farm Bureau. As their lobbyist, she worked with leadership and members to carry out public policy initiatives at the CT General Assembly and in Congress.

Ms. Burr is a very proud graduate of UConn with a degree in animal science. She was president of the Dairy Club, active in Block and Bridle, and was selected to be on the UConn Dairy Judging and UConn Livestock Judging teams. As a student winner of a National Dairy Shrine Award, she became active in their work and went on to become National Dairy Shrine President.
She has a Master’s in Public, Nonprofit Administration from Western Connecticut State University.