Head to This Year's NH Farm and Forest Expo

When the temp drops below 30 – again – and you're shoveling your driveway for the third time this week, what do you do? Fight back and take a break!

Bundle up the family and head for the 2012 New Hampshire Farm & Forest Exposition. Dubbed "New Hampshire's Greatest Winter Fair" since 1984, the Expo showcases the diversity and importance of the state's farms and forestlands.

This year's Expo takes place Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4, at the Radisson Hotel/Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. Admission is $7; children under 15 get in free both days.

Exposition
The giant Expo features dozens of equipment and product vendors, as well as booths that showcase the work of many forestry, agricultural, and environmental organizations, including many from UNH Cooperative Extension. And don’t forget to stop by the 4-H Foundation of NH ice cream booth, the Foundation’s annual fundraiser at the event.

Workshops
Visitors can choose from among dozens of educational workshops that include buying local lumber, exotic plants and wildlife, and a question and answer session about the Master Gardener program.

Seminars
In-depth seminars include some very interesting topics, from “Powerlines, Beaver Meadows and Other Shrubby Places: Critical Habitats for NH Wildlife,” to alternative models for saving historic farm properties, “Women in Agriculture,” the backyard hog and more. There are sessions on backyard maple sugaring and grant programs for agricultural and small business operations.

The Expo is sponsored jointly by UNH Cooperative Extension, the Division of Forests & Lands, and the Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. 

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Cooperative Extension establishes partnership with More Than Wheels

Financial literacy, like reading and writing, is a necessary tool if you want to be successful , especially in the challenging economic times which we exist in today. Financial literacy education also has long been a key component of UNH Cooperative Extension’s training for youth, individuals and families.

Consumer debt has grown steadily for the past 40 years. Since the mid-1960s, total outstanding consumer credit relative to disposable income has fluctuated in ranges of 16-21 percent. That means anywhere from 16 to 21 cents of every dollar goes toward debt. Many Americans find themselves only a paycheck away from financial difficulty.

New Partnership

A new partnership between UNH Cooperative Extension and More Than Wheels will open doors to New Hampshire residents looking for better financial security.

The partnership’s focus is on a six-session series, “Making Money Work for You,” that teaches financial management skills, basic budgeting concepts, a better understanding of credit, developing a good relationship with your financial institution, and learning how to better track your spending while increasing your savings.

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Take In These Upcoming Workshops

New Hampshire’s family farms are a valued source of local food, land preservation and other natural resources for future generations.

Through two upcoming workshops, UNH Cooperative Extension hopes to strengthen the long-term viability of our state’s family farms.

NH Small Farm Conference
First up is the New Hampshire Small Family Farm Conference Jan. 5 at the Holiday Inn in Concord. The conference focus is on energy efficiency and alternatives. Greenhouse growers who attend will learn more about how to save energy, and farmers will discover new ways to make their farms more energy efficient.

Other topics of interest include how to secure funds for on-farm efficiency and alternative energy, on-farm alternative energy practices and experiences, and electricity, retail versus wholesale – why should you pay more?

Women in Agriculture Conference
Next up on Feb. 3 is the 2012 NH Women in Agriculture conference at the Farm and Forest Expo in Manchester, with a focus on empowering women in agri-business today.

Guest speaker Dafna Michaelson, founder and president of JourneyWomen for the 50 in 52 Journey, a project for which she traveled across America to find America’s problem solvers and idea “generators,” is the featured speaker.

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