Merrimack County - Programs

Cooperative Extension staff in Merrimack County make an important difference in specific ways, among them:

Nutrition Connections covers food, nutrition, food safety and basic money management. Through this program, every food stamp recipient in Merrimack County receives a newsletter containing tips on healthy eating and saving money at the grocery store.

Assistance to forest landowners focusing on forest stewardship and management of forest resources continues. Woodland exams covering wildlife habitat enhancement, silviculture, timber sales, estate planning and other topics were conducted recently for 60 Merrimack County landowners covering almost 5,400 acres.

The annual “Blackfly Breakfast” attracted clientele from the forest products community, updating them on the latest information on markets, programs, legislation, regulations and science.

Feedback from the family finance programs show a positive trend in personal financial behavior change. For example, last year, 57% of the participants established an emergency fund, 67% began saving money, 89% identified spending leaks, 42% obtained their credit report and 86% prepared and followed a spending/savings plan for a month. That's good news for families, the community and the state.

The Boscawen Elementary School Team (BEST) program has touched many parents and close to 100 youth. Working with the Boscawen Elementary School and community residents, Extension staff established a Family Resource Center and an after-school program in Boscawen. After four successful years, during which young participants improved their social behavior and academic skills, Extension turned the program over to the Concord YMCA.

4-H transforms young lives. Youth development educators Nancy Evans and Deb Cheever received this unsolicited note from a 7-year 4-H club member:

Great leadership skills don't just happen; they're something that takes time and practice to develop and improve. Leadership isn't something you'll use just in 4-H, it's something you need for school, jobs, and life. I wouldn't be as out-going and open-minded without 4-H. 4-H is a program designed to help kids of all ages become prepared for life and leadership plays a big role in that. I have improved on my communication, critical thinking, cooperation and people skills through leadership in 4-H.

Diagnosing at least 80 pest problems resulted in a savings of from $2,000 to $20,000 on individual crops. Extension’s Integrated Pest Management strategies also resulted in a reduction of algae in ponds by 75 percent.