Kimball Union Academy in Meriden was the site Monday for the second Sullivan County Conversation. UNH Cooperative Extension specialists and Sullivan County educators shared the efforts they employ to help sustain Sullivan County’s working forests, farmland, water resources and wildlife.

Early in the day, we toured Edgewater Farm, owned by Pooh and Anne Sprague, where we showcased how the Spragues use the expertise of Extension to improve their growing efforts.

We then stopped at the home of Richard Caruso, who owns 300 acres of fields, woods and wetlands in Sullivan County. Richard's primary goal is to provide productive habitat for deer and other wildlife. Extension staff helped showcase the several habitat management projects they helped him with that are improving the quality of the habitat for wildlife. 

The afternoon program began with Sara Poisson, Chair of the Sullivan County Advisory Council, welcoming the over 60 county advisory council members, public officials and volunteers attending.  UNH President Mark Huddleston addressed the group and said UNH is home to leading research in climate change, marine biology, biodiesel, natural resource management, and environmental engineering. The group applauded when he announced more than 40 UNH students from communities in Sullivan County earned Dean’s List recognition last semester.  In keeping with the day’s theme, he also noted “sustainability is one of UNH’s hallmarks”. 

Chuck Hersey and Seth Wilner, Sullivan County educators, and Matt Tarr, our Extension wildlife specialist were featured speakers during the program.  They focused on how research conducted at UNH is used to develop programs for the county.  The programs they highlighted help landowners identify and sustain natural resources and wildlife, and make informed decisions when managing agricultural land.  Darrel Covell, Forestry & Wildlife Program Leader, moderated a panel fielding questions ranging from carbon coding to county-owned land management to funding for UNH students and programs.  Chuck, Seth, Matt and President Huddleston did a great job answering questions. Congratulations, to all involved in planning and conducting the successful event.

Click here for a slide show of the event.

Click here for a copy of a newspaper article.