Rockingham County News & Publications

NEWS

JANUARY

New Hampshire 4-H Members Attend Citizenship Conference
4-H members Morgan King and Colleen McCormack of Epping, and Brittany Wheeler of Concord attended the Northeast 4-H Citizenship Forum in Washington D.C. over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. (UNH Cooperative Extension Update)

New Hampshire Natural Resources Conservation Service Partners with UNH Cooperative Extension and Local Foresters
The partners work together to improve forest management and create jobs in the Granite State. (usda.gov)

4-H Junior Rifle and Archery League is Growing
When Mike King took over the 4-H Junior Rifle and Archery League (aka 4-H Bullseyes Shooting Sports Program) at the Chester Rod and Gun Club about a decade ago, there were about 20 kids taking part, and interest seemed to be on the wane. Today there are more than 70 youths ages 8 to 18 signed up for the program, with more than 40 coming to the rod and gun club every other Saturday morning. This program is an opportunity for girls and boys ages 8 to 18 to meet on a regular basis in an indoor controlled safe environment to experience proper and safe firearm handling, and archery instruction. (UnionLeader.com)

Farmers Markets Flourish In Winter's Snows
UMass Extension and University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension are experimenting with different technologies to help farmers expand their winter harvests and sales. (NPR)

UNH 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. The partnership’s focus is on a six-session series, “Making Money Work for You.” (UNH Cooperative Extension News)

DECEMBER

4-H'ers Raise Funds for the NHSPCA
"I am a 4-H Cloverbud and every year we have to do a community service project. So this year we sold cat and dog toys at the two Christmas craft fairs in Deerfield. The money and leftover toys went to the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA). We chose to make these toys for the NHSPCA because we wanted to help the animals there. We collected $208.50!" (The Forum)

Rubin Recognized for Service on Rockingham County Advisory Council
Judy Rubin was recently recognized by the Rockingham County Advisory Council and UNH Cooperative Extension staff for her six years of dedicated service on the council. (fosters.com)

How Much is Enough: Practicing Money Mindfulness
Like many Americans, are you spending more and enjoying it less? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have, and the amount of time it takes to pay for, maintain, and store it all? Do you hardly know your neighbors and feel disconnected from your local community? How much quality family time do you have, or is that put aside in favor of HD television, cell phones and iPads, personal laptops and video game consoles? Do you often feel rushed with too much to do, not enough time to do it all, wondering if this is “all there is?” (UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County)

Sea Grant Programs Strike Balance between Protecting Species and Protecting Economies
Research sponsored by the Rhode Island and New Hampshire Sea Grant programs led to the development of the Eliminator Trawl - new gear that is extremely effective at reducing bycatch of cod, a fishery that has been overharvested, while allowing the capture of haddock, a recovered fishery. The Eliminator Trawl, which won the 2007 World Wildlife Fund International Smart Gear award, is estimated to have a $30 million impact on the New England economy. New Hampshire Sea Grant is working on a project to modify shrimp trawl design to reduce the catch of fish and smaller shrimp. In sea trials in the Gulf of Maine, the new gear reduced bycatch of herring by 90 percent. (NOAA Research)

2011 UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County 4-H Recognition Night
It is the time of year for giving thanks and pausing for reflection. In this spirit, youth members and volunteer leaders met on November 18 for the 2011 Rockingham County 4-H Youth Development Recognition Night. The evening's program appreciated the hard work of volunteer leaders, celebrated the activities of the over 25 active clubs and programs in the county, and congratulated 4-H members on their accomplishments at county, state, and national levels in a variety of project areas. Among the evening's award recipients were Kathy Shultz, Salem-based Rockingham Riders 4-H Club, Volunteer Excellence Award; Jenny Caverly, Junior 4-H'er of the Year; Morgan Allen, Dare Mighty Things Award; Maggie Kenter, 4-H Health Award; Kelsie Escobar, 4-H Heart Award; Chris St. Pierre, 4-H Head Award; and Ashley Casey, 4-H Hands Award. (UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County)

Fisheries Roundtable: Communications
The Fisheries Roundtable discussion — co-hosted by the Northeast Consortium and New Hampshire Sea Grant — focused communications within the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office, the New England Fishery Management Council, and with fishermen, providing a forum for fishermen to talk candidly about what might improve communication between the three groups. (New Hampshire Sustainable Marine Fisheries)

NOVEMBER

4-H Members Achieve Honors at National 4-H Horse Roundup
Hanna Moore and Meagan Moran from the Derry Nutfield Hunt 4-H Club of Rockingham County placed third in the Presentation Contest. (UNH Cooperative Extension News)

Extension Volunteers Recognized at the Volunteer New Hampshire Spirit of New Hampshire Awards Ceremony
Recognized in the Adult Service Award category was Diane Post of Raymond. Diane was recognized for her volunteer work through 4-H, where she has been a volunteer and leader for 25 years. Among her many endeavors, she currently serves as president of the Rockingham County 4-H Horse Leaders Association, a trustee for the Rockingham County 4-H Foundation, and president of the Rockingham County 4-H Horse Leaders Association. She also has organized numerous circuit horse shows and served as coordinator of the Craft Funshop. In the Champion Awards category, the 439 volunteers of the UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program were recognized for their work throughout the state, volunteering at schools and community gardens. In 2011, these volunteers reached out and helped over 25,000 New Hampshire residents through their efforts. (UNH Cooperative Extension Update)

Fall foliage lingers across Southern New Hampshire
Fred Borman has a few theories about the stubborn leaves. (Eagle-Tribune)

Derry Firefighters Host Farm Rescue Training
Many of the tools and techniques used by rescuers when dealing with vehicle and transportation accidents do not work with farm and construction equipment. (UNH Cooperative Extension News)

Fresh, Local, and Good for the Community
New Hampshire Sea Grant helps fishermen with local seafood branding and marketing. (NOAA Sea Grant)

School Lunch Director Dishes Up Local Foods
UNH Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and Exeter resident Margaret Theobald is a dedicated mentor and teacher to the high school Environmental Club members who tend the school garden. (Seacoast Eat Local)

Why Oaks Broke: Snow Clinging to Leaves can Add 3,000 Pounds
Two tree species were hit particularly hard by the Halloween snowstorm - one because it’s too weak, the other because it’s too slow. (nashuatelegraph.com)

OCTOBER

First-ever National Food Day October 24
In Rockingham County, Extension’s Terri Schoppmeyer is holding a six-week after-school series for middle schoolers in Seabrook, Eating Real - Cooking around the World. Youth visit a new country each week and prepare traditional foods. Students at Exeter High School this week are planting winter crops under the guidance of a Master Gardener, and the Nottingham School Garden and 4-H Club will also prepare a winter garden with some covered crops. (UNH Cooperative Extension News)

Extension's Malcolm Smith and Rick Alleva Receive a $132,372 Grant
The grant is a Rural Health and Safety Grant from the National Institute on Food and Agriculture to conduct a study of the effectiveness of a curriculum that addresses bullying and peer victimization in schools. Team members on this project include Extension educator Thom Linehan, Jeff Frigon from the Browne Center, and Patrick Shannon from UNH Social Work, who will evaluate the project. (UNH Cooperative Extension Update)

Ken La Valley Was Awarded the 2011 University of New Hampshire Presidential Award of Excellence
La Valley works tirelessly to develop innovative links between UNH researchers, New Hampshire fishermen, and consumers. One result: it’s far easier now to find locally- and sustainably-caught seafood in the region’s grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and restaurants. You might even recognize the New Hampshire Fresh and Local label on the next pound of haddock, bluefish, or shrimp you buy! (UNH Staff Excellence)

SEPTEMBER

New Hampshire Coastal Cleanup
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2011 NH Coastal Cleanup! It was a beautiful day to be on the beach, and we had many successful cleanups. Also, six different local schools participated in our annual student cleanup day. (New Hampshire Marine Debris)

Fishtival Cooks Up Good Eats and Local Support
The sights, smells, and touch of local seafood was abundant at the third annual New Hampshire Fish & Lobster Festival Saturday. The event celebrates 18 miles and 400 years of New Hampshire fishing communities and traditions. View a few scenes from this year's Fishtival (Seacoastonline.com and New Hampshire Sustainable Marine Fisheries)

4-H Afterschool/JC Penney Mini Grants Awarded!
Four organizations have been awarded grants submitted through the Rockingham County 4-H Youth Development Office to support youth participating in 4-H Afterschool Programs. These include the Epping Recreation Afterschool Program, the Raymond Coalition for Youth Club City Afterschool Program, the Seacoast Youth Services Seabrook Adventure Zone Program, and the Seymour Osman Community Center Afterschool Program at the Dover Housing Authority. (UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County)

Debut of a New Anti-bullying Curriculum October 4
“Courage to Care,” a curriculum designed to develop positive school culture and climate among middle school students, is the brainchild of UNH Cooperative Extension’s Dr. Malcolm Smith, Dr. Rick Alleva, and Thom Linehan, as well as staff from UNH’s Browne Center and Department of Social Work. (UNH Cooperative Extension News)

Retirement: Our Best Wishes go to Phil Auger – Extension Educator, Land and Water Conservation, Rockingham County
In his 35-year career with UNH Cooperative Extension, Phil has been involved in many initiatives, including his leadership with the Natural Resources Inventory Guide for New Hampshire communities, his efforts to help Extension move forward with issues programming, the cultural exchange he promoted with Costa Rica, and serving as a county coordinator in Rockingham County. Various awards Phil has received are testament to his efforts in forestry and land conservation, including the Pat Jackson award, Forester of the Year awards from Cooperative Forest Management and the Society of American Foresters, and the UNH Presidential Award of Excellence. Phil’s efforts over the years have strengthened Extension’s forestry program, and UNH Cooperative Extension overall. (UNH Cooperative Extension Update)


PUBLICATIONS

UNH Cooperative Extension publishes educational materials based on current research data. Information is reviewed for accuracy and currency. Whenever possible, UNH Cooperative Extension materials are available on the web. Printed copies of many publications are also available at your UNH Cooperative Extension – Rockingham County office.

Click on the following link to view available publications: http://extension.unh.edu/resources/