Lunch & Learn | Cultivating Trust and Collaboration between the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and UConn Extension

Shuresh will share his experiences working with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation through the Federally Recognized Tribal Extension Program. He’ll discuss how trust and collaboration have grown through hands-on learning, cultural engagement, and building genuine partnerships between UConn personnel and the MPTN. Drawing from his own background in Nepal, Shuresh will reflect on the cross-cultural connections that have shaped his approach and highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity in agricultural education.

Shuresh Ghimire is an Associate Extension Educator specializing in vegetable crops and hemp at the University of Connecticut. Since 2019, he has led the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP)—a USDA NIFA funded project focused on enhancing food security, promoting human health, and fostering youth development—in collaboration with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Shuresh holds a PhD in Horticulture from Washington State University, where his research centered on biodegradable plastic mulches for vegetable production. Prior to working in Washington, he served as a Horticultural Development Officer for the Department of Agriculture in Nepal, gaining extensive experience working with diverse farmers.