The third Hillsborough County Conversation Monday gave guests an opportunity to get an up-close view of UNH research and Cooperative Extension efforts focusing on outreach partnerships, with a special emphasis on hunger and food sustainability.

Hosted by UNH President Mark Huddleston, Hillsborough County Commissioners and County Delegation, and the Hillsborough County Extension Advisory Council, the event involved a tour of four unique locations addressing the issues of hunger and food sustainability, before returning to UNH Manchester where those attending learned more about the outreach projects taking place in Manchester and in several surrounding communities.

Visits included the Massabesic Audubon Center, home to the NH Common Ground Garden Project, which integrates four major initiatives: the 4-H Green Thumb Team for Youth, Elders on the Grow for seniors at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home, Rooting for Families for families at the Pine Street Community Garden and Shared Harvest for the community, helping to develop or enhance gardening programs for youth, families and elders.

Also visited was the NH Food Bank and the Food Bank's production garden where a half-acre plot was developed this year to provide fresh produce to the Food Bank through the help of Master Gardeners, volunteers, and Food Bank staff. At the Food Bank, participants learned more about the crisis of hunger and poverty in New Hampshire, including the strategies of this program, sponsored by NH Catholic Charities, to address the problem.

There was a special focus on Cooperative Extension's role with Recipe for Success, the new culinary training program, Operation Frontline, and food safety training for those who staff food pantries, soup kitchens and various shelter programs from around the state.

A stop at the Refugee Community Gardens at Brookside Congregational Church rounded out the tour designed to inform delegation members, county commissioners, and other decision makers. At Brookside, the Rev. Carolyn Keilig, Megan Bracy from the International Institute of NH, Amina Abdullah, one of the gardeners, and Joan Bonnette, a Master Gardener, related their experiences with this growing community effort.

At UNH Manchester, Deb Spratt of the Hillsborough County Advisory Council provided the welcome. UNH Manchester Dean Kristen Woolever, John Pike, Cooperative Extension's Dean and Director, and UNH President Mark Huddleston greeted guests and discussed the significance of outreach projects into the larger community of Manchester.

Dr. Malcolm Smith elaborated on the philosophy and value of public partnerships by discussing the Family Education Collaborative, a Family Resource Center in development through the collaborative efforts of Cooperative Extension, YWCA, UNH Manchester, UNH and Child and Family Services.

A large array of exhibits documented the work of UNH Cooperative Extension in Hillsborough County. The six funded projects stem from the “engagement and outreach” priorities of the UNH Academic Strategic Plan, as well as academic program goals in UNH Manchester’s and Cooperative Extension’s Strategic Plans.

In addition the Family Education Collaborative, the projects include Reaching Green through Service Learning, New Hampshire Citizen Planner, An Evaluation of Real-Time Distance Learning Practices for Use in On-line Geospatial Training, Reconfiguring Computing Curriculum with Community Service Projects, and Whole Grain Foods: Developing a Curriculum with and for Older Adults.

Please enjoy the slide show of the tour and UNH Manchester event.