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EXTENSION UPDATE: An ongoing newsletter for staff and volunteers from John Pike, Dean & Director, regarding personnel, programs, finances and other Extension-related issues.
Paul Bonaparte-Krogh, UNH Cooperative Extension specialist, volunteer management is the 2012 eXtension Fellow.
Paul will study how volunteers can contribute to, and enhance, Extension programs by using various eXtension tools. As part of the fellowship, he also will look at Extension programs in a number of areas and then guide and train volunteers on eXtension tools of special interest and use to them.
He will be using pre- and post-assessments to determine the effects of the programs in which they volunteer.
Congratulations Paul!
4-H members Morgan King and Colleen McCormack of Epping and Brittany Wheeler of Concord attended the National 4-H Citizenship Forum in Washington D.C. over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.
This regional conference, which included about 80 participants from five states, was a youth and adult forum based around the National 4-H mandate of citizenship. Participation was made possible through funding from the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire.
The focus of the conference for these 4-H members was to learn about citizenship and civic engagement and create a plan to increase community involvement in their own counties. The conference also included a day of community service with projects benefitting veterans and their families as well as the Children’s Inn at NIH, a cancer treatment facility.
As members of the NH 4-H Teen Council, the teens are considering ways to incorporate lessons on civic engagement into their upcoming conference this summer. The teens hope that by bringing this information back to the 2012 Teen Conference they can create a ripple effect and increase civic engagement throughout the state.
Shown in the attached photo, left to right, are Brittany Wheeler, Concord, Morgan King and Colleen McCormack of Epping.
Catherine Violette, Extension specialist, food and nutrition, is the recipient of a $48,966 grant from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for “Food Safety from Farm and Garden to Preschool.”
Amanda Stone, Extension specialist, land and water conservation, is the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the N.H. Dept. of Environmental Services for the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition (NROC) program coordination and delivery project. NROC provides technical assistance, education and outreach to New Hampshire communities in the state's coastal watershed.
Charlotte Cross, Extension specialist, 4-H youth development, received a $23,000 grant from Kansas State University for the 2012 Military 4-H Club program.
As we head into a New Year, I want to thank you all for your dedication, commitment and hard work during a difficult and challenging period. Although this organization has endured more changes in the past year than in most previous years, you have met each challenge and continued to make a difference with the work you do on behalf of UNH Cooperative Extension.
There is much to celebrate and reflect on as we end 2011. We’ve achieved a wide variety of successful program accomplishments, continued to be highly successful in our external funding goals, built new partnerships and many of our staff and dedicated volunteers have been recognized by the university, their peers and external organizations for excellence in programming.
I continue to be proud to lead an organization that brings meaningful impact to the lives of so many people in New Hampshire. While we still face challenges, we remain committed to a reorganized, and re-energized, Extension and I am confident we will be successful and continue to gain recognition and praise for our role as a primary outreach unit of the University of New Hampshire.
As I extend my very best wishes to you all for a wonderful holiday season, I hope you take full advantage of the holidays to take a well-deserved break and enjoy your friends and family. Happy Holidays!
This year’s New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, held last week in Manchester, drew a record-setting crowd of over 1,500 to the three-day event.
Eager to learn new techniques at the more than 35 educational sessions, covering major vegetable, berry and tree fruit crops as well as various special topics, those who attended also were able to participate in several Farmer-to-Farmer meetings after each morning and afternoon session. These informational meetings broadened the discussions on certain issues to farmers.
UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist Becky Sideman, chair of the program committee for the conference, noted that this every-other-year conference is “special because it’s put together with close collaboration between growers and Extension from across the region.”
“The steering committee, which included growers and Extension personnel from throughout New England and New York, gathers the best speakers from within our region and across the country to tell you about the latest innovations and advances in the fruit and vegetable industry. Almost every session includes both farmers and research or extension personnel, so you are getting the ‘best of both worlds’,” she noted.
An important component of the conference provides Continuing Education Credits for certified crop advisors and certified pesticide applicators.
Farmers discovered how to be more profitable with their winter growing efforts, including the use of high and low tunnels, new varieties, planting dates, protection and marketing. Other topics include innovative crop rotations, strawberry basics, pumpkin production, pollination and protection, postharvest and storage, and root crops.
While many topics involve growing, farmers learned about estate and succession planning, farm business management, and how to better assess the profitability of different crop enterprises.
Conference sponsors include the Extension systems of the Universities of New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont, Cornell University, and the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
Two other major sponsors are the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers’ Association.Completing 24 years with UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development in Merrimack County, Nancy Evans will retire Jan. 6.
Her talents and achievements are many, stemming from her strong roots of being a community volunteer and business owner, as well as a 4-H parent, club leader and middle management volunteer.
Nancy’s skills in creative arts, basic animal and plant science, interest in the environment and a great motivator of volunteers put together with energy, sense of humor and hard work, positioned her well to be an effective 4-H team member in Merrimack County.
During her tenure, Nancy was on the BEST CYFAR project team, worked on the 1994 UNH Cooperative Extension Strategic Planning Committee, and currently is part of the 4-H Life Juvenile Justice project team in cooperation with Merrimack County Department of Corrections. This team, working collaboratively with the Sullivan County team, recently received the UNH Cooperative Extension’s Diversity and Pluralism award.
Nancy has always been excited to try new projects and supports the changing directions of the 4-H program as it reaches out to new audiences. She has worked to develop an effective middle management system in the animal science area of county 4-H programs, and taught 4-H volunteers and afterschool staff the elements of strong, positive youth development program.
She has had many leadership roles in the New Hampshire Association of Volunteer Administrators, and served on the committee and presented many workshops for the Governor’s Conferences on Volunteer Management. Nancy is highly respected in the state volunteer world and has served as a mentor for many volunteer managers both in and out of extension.
We wish Nancy success as she continues to expand her skills as a juried New Hampshire artist and active community volunteer.
A retirement celebration for Nancy takes place Jan. 20, 5-8 PM at the Merrimack county office. (Photo by Lynn Roy)
UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist Malcolm Smith is the recipient of an award from Every Child Matters for his child advocacy efforts. Smith was surprised with the award at a child advocacy training for UNH Family Studies students held recently on the UNH campus.
In acknowledging Smith’s contribution to New Hampshire’s families and children, Mary Lou Beaver, executive director of New Hampshire’s Every Child Matters, called Dr. Smith “a tireless, powerful advocate for children, who has helped our legislature pass key legislation, a passionate educator who has helped New Hampshire parents learn, and a unique researcher who uses his skills to make this state a better place to live.”
Smith was instrumental in helping New Hampshire pass a ground breaking anti-bullying law. He is a founding member of the Family Education Collaborative, a Manchester-based family resource center at the YWCA and he writes a regular column for the NH Business Review.
Every Child Matters is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 2001. It works to insure that public investments are made in children, youth and families on a national level. It also works with other advocacy organizations in New Hampshire to insure a secure future for New Hampshire’s children.
Extension Specialist Charlotte Cross is the recipient of three new grants. Two awards, for $20,000 each, are from Kansas State University, for the Operation: Military Kids local and regional network educational efforts. The grants stem from funding provided by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA and the Dept. of Defense. In addition, Cross received $77,295 from Kansas State University for the 2012 Operation: Military Kids program.
Extension Specialist Matt Tarr received $2,000 from the American Wildlife Conservation Foundation that will focus on the effects of invasive shrubs on insect abundance and breeding resources along power line corridors.
Extension Educator Seth Wilner received $34,253 from the University of Vermont for the project, "Demonstrating Sustainable Agriculture Through Farmer-Driven On-Farm Projects."
Sullivan County Extension Educator Gail Kennedy was recently awarded the “People Helping People” award from NH’s Southwestern Community Services (SCS).
SCS, based in Claremont and Keene, has been in business for over 46 years. Last year, it served almost 18,000 households in Cheshire and Sullivan counties. The award recognizes individuals, businesses and agencies whose partnership, collaboration and core values make a significant difference to empower people to lift themselves out of poverty and reach self-sufficiency.
In presenting the award Bill Marcello, CEO said “Gail Kennedy has been a valuable asset to SCS Homeless Programs over the past 10 years. Gail is always promoting UNH Cooperative Extension programs to the Homeless Program participants in the Claremont area. She has taught many classes in budgeting and nutrition in workshop settings. Case managers then have her educational program materials to reinforce these skills and concepts with residents on a daily basis. Gail has a way to capture her audience through her professionalism and enthusiasm.”
Congratulations Gail!
Mark Riel is this year’s recipient of the New Hampshire 4-H Alumni Award.
The award was presented to Riel, a resident of Pittsfield, at the annual meeting of the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire. His selection came by unanimous vote of the Foundation board and 4-H staff from throughout the state.
The alumni award is presented to someone who was a 4-H member as a child in any state. Riel has been involved with the Victory Workers 4-H club in Merrimack County, both as a youth and adult. This year marks Riel’s 30th year as a 4-H volunteer leader, teaching kids many project and life skills, and encouraging them to become involved in the community.
Riel has had pivotal leadership roles both at the county level in Merrimack County and with state-level 4-H volunteer positions. He had major leadership roles in the Merrimack County Leader’s Association and was past chair of the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire. He also served as chair of the Bear Hill 4-H Camp review committee. Mark has been a regular participant in the Tom Fairchild Friend of 4-H Golf Tournament and has secured sponsorship for the tournament as well.
Both Mark and his wife Andrea are active in their community. (Shown in the photo, left to right, are Mark Riel, Wendy Brock, Extension 4-H program leader, and 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire Chair David Bishop.
UNH Cooperative Extension was well-represented at Tuesday night’s Volunteer NH Spirit of New Hampshire awards celebration. Volunteer NH promotes volunteerism and community service, and UNH Extension relies on the 5,400 volunteers that help extend our educational efforts to meet the needs of New Hampshire residents.
Recognized in the Adult Service Award category were the following:
Robin Abendroth of Sunapee, who “knows what one person can do to make a difference in a child’s life and the important role parents play.” She was recognized for her volunteer work through our 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Resources programs. Through our Family Focus Parent Education Volunteer Program, Robin became certified to teach parenting education using our research-based curriculum in 1996. Besides running a 4-H family club, Robin became the new leader of the popular county "4-H teen club,” which brings teens together to participate in service projects.
Diane Post of Raymond also 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.
Recognized in the Senior Service Award category were the following:
Wendy Dailey of Dunbarton, recognized for her work as the organizational volunteer for the Merrimack County 4-H Club. A 4-H volunteer for 42 years, she carries on the tradition of volunteerism of her mother, Jean Hodgman. She also is active in her community, serving on the Historical Society, as well as superintendent for the Hopkinton State Fair 4-H sheep program for 24 years.
Recently retired Extension educator Julia Steed-Mawson, was recognized for her continuing training and support of the Student Conservation Corps facilitating the 4-H Afterschool programs. She also continues to run the NH Common Ground Garden, organizing dozens of volunteers to provide “enriching hands-on learning experiences for hundreds of New Hampshire youth, donating thousands of pounds of local produce to the NH Food Bank."
Recognized in the Adult Group Service Award category were the following:
Belknap County 4-H Fair board members, a group of “dedicated and caring people who helped ensure the success of the 68th annual Belknap County 4-H Fair.” This group of volunteers came together after a media-assisted plea to the public for volunteers to continue the annual event.
Elders on the Grow of New Boston, a group of volunteers who meet weekly under the direction of Master Gardener Maddie Perron, to develop gardening skills while teaching children and their families about planting, nutrition and insects, while still having fun.
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.
My congratulations to all those recognized at the awards ceremony.At the October State Advisory Council, I recognized Debbie Luppold as this year's recipient of the Maynard and Audrey Heckel Extension Educator Fellowship Award. Debbie was selected for her leadership of the Nutrition Connections program. Debbie, an Extension specialist/professor, receives a $1,000 award to "support/enhance the continued work of the chosen fellow within UNH Coop
erative Extension" as designated by the Heckels.
Debbie was chosen for her exemplary leadership to Extension’s ongoing efforts to reach limited resource families since 1986. Those who nominated her noted that her “commitment has never faltered, her depth of knowledge and experience has only grown, and her professional approaches always set a standard for excellence and quality.”
As ongoing funding for EFNEP and SNAP-Ed are based in part on meeting certain benchmarks or indicators of success, Nutrition Connections must comply with strict reporting standards. Under Debbie’s leadership, we have produced numbers and impact to meet our goals.
My congratulations to Debbie on this well-deserved award!
With the resignation of David Foote from UNH Cooperative Extension, I have asked Steve Judd to assume interim leadership responsibilities for the ITDE staff and its functions.
Steve already manages much of the operation in ITDE and he will serve in this new capacity until further notice. Like most of us, members of the ITDE staff have been asked to take on additional responsibilities with the loss of staff positions, so it's important to provide them with as much lead time on projects as you possibly can.
Close to 200 people this week will hear about the draft plan for the reorganization of UNH Cooperative Extension at three regional meetings and the State Advisory Council on Thursday, October 20.
If you weren't able to attend one of these meetings, you can download a draft summary of the plan here. Questions and comments were collected at each meeting on index cards, and although we weren't able to answer all of them, we'll put together a question and answer document based on these so all will have the benefit of the questions and answers (look for next week).
In addition to a print survey being handed out at the meetings, you can provide feedback on the draft through an on-line survey as well. Click or cut and paste on the following - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VQMVYQX
We'll be accepting feedback on this draft through Oct. 31, and at that time, the results will be compiled and shared with the re-Extension team for incorporation into a final draft, to be submitted to the UNH President and Provost by Nov. 30, with plans to release a final plan and begin implementation by early January, 2012.
Youth obesity is a major youth issue in New Hampshire. Almost 33 percent of New Hampshire children between the ages of 6-12 are identified as either obese or over weight, while 13 percent of those 10-17 years of age overweight.
The $55,000 Healthy Living Grant from National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation will move forward the Youth Voice: Youth Choice project, providing opportunities for a variety of 4-H audiences to meet and work together, whether in school, 4-H clubs, afterschool, Operation: Military Kids or camps. Use of the 4-H name and emblem will help demonstrate that the 4-H program of today is addressing relevant issues with youth and adult volunteers.
“We look to work closely with community partners to meet the goals of the grant. New Hampshire is considered a wealthy state but the recent slow-downs in economy shown by the closing of paper mills, layoff of teachers, and decrease in health related services have resulted in the rural poor emerging as a target audience,” according to Wendy Brock, Extension 4-H Youth Development program leader.
Partnerships and collaborations with other state and community organizations are key to reaching 2,000 New Hampshire youth. Many partnerships with local food banks have already been established, while Granite State Dairy Promotion and NH 5210 have been identified as partners with this project.
The focus of the project is a combination of nutrition education, an increase in movement, and an understanding of hunger and poverty within a wealthy state. It also will focus on having teens as mentors to create media messages with a youth voice and to inspire younger youth with their positive behavior.
A goal is to let youth know that healthy foods can taste good. Also planned are family events where the youth will prepare food and recipes for the families and in turn, duplicate them at home. Extension staff will use the 4-H method of “Hands-on Learning” to teach basic food preparation around MyPlate, to increase the skills and confidence of both the youth and their care givers. Teaching kits will be created to support the teaching efforts of teens, volunteers and afterschool providers.
Summer youth and community gardens will be a cornerstone of the project. The Junior Master Gardener curriculum will provide guidelines for vegetable production and nutrition education to expand their favorite foods list to include an increase in fruits and vegetables.
In the above photo, children are shown at a Sullivan County 4-H event learning more about eating healthy foods.