Significant Issues

With input from county stake-holders and campus-based colleagues, each county office and Extension program area (4-H, Agricultural Resources, Family and Consumer Resources, Forestry and Wildlife, and Sea Grant and Water Resources) developed statements that:

• described the significant issue,
• identify what public value Extension would contribute by addressing the issue,
• supporting data (such as demographics, needs assessments, and other agencies),
• ties to our mission, potential partners, and
• existing Extension programs that already address the issue.

Extension specialists, our State Advisory Council, and Extension administration then reviewed the list and began narrowing it to the most significant issues. The resulting high priority issues were shared with the State Advisory Council on April 30, 2009 and they added their support to the results.

Process for Identifying Significant Issues

Members of the Strategic Planning Implementation Team and the Leadership Team of UNH Cooperative Extension believe it is important to consider the significant issues identified and reviewed by our stakeholders and waste no time in strengthening or refocusing the many existing programs we already offer that address them, but also develop and support initiatives for new programs that will further address the issues – through existing staff, strategic grant opportunities, and partnerships with other UNH colleagues and state agencies. 

These highest priority significant issues will become the basis for re-framing existing programs (including the expansion of some), strategically seeking external funding resources to fund these key initiatives and for developing new programs in 2010 and beyond. These issue statements are deliberately DRAFTS and will remain so during the time that teams form and begin framing UNHCE's response.

Highest Priority Significant Issues

• High Stress on Community Members, Community Services and Civic Life (Sustainable Communities
• Excessive Reliance on Unsustainable Fuel Systems (Energy)
• Increasing Rates of Financial Instability among Families, Individuals and Seniors
• Increasing Rates of Obesity and Rising Health Care Costs
• Lack of Support and Infrastructure for Small Businesses
• Land Use Patterns that Threaten Natural Resources and Rural Character (Community Character and Housing)

June 24, 2009 - Significant Issues Meeting

• Presentation shared with staff
• Questions and answers about significant issues

ALL Significant Issues - originally submitted for review

County Significant Issues

• Grafton County
• Hillsborough County
  • Agricultural and Forestry Pressures on Land
  • Economic Insecurity of Citizens
  • Life Skill Education for Youth
  • Quality of After School Programs
• Merrimack County
• Rockingham County
• Strafford County
• Sullivan County

Program Area Significant Issues

4-H Youth Development

• Meeting Needs of Children, Youth and Families
• Preparing Youth for Productive Futures
• Promoting the Health and Well-being of Adolescents

Agricultural Resources

Community and Economic Development

• Achieving Food and Energy Sustainability in NH
• Civic Education
• Community Character and Housing
• Creating Entrepreneur-Friendly Communities

Family and Consumer Resources

• Achieving Financial Security
• Preventing Obesity
• Work and Family Balance
• Sustainable Communities (white paper from a national issue for consideration)

Forestry and Wildlife

• Energy Conservation and Sustainable Energy

Sea Grant & Water Resources

• Global Climate Change