Extension Update: May 2003 Archives

Cooperative Extension staff from throughout the state enjoyed a full day of workshops and activities last Tuesday during our annual conference at the Courtyard by Marriott in Concord. Outstanding speakers and entertainment by the Extension Chords were key factors in making our day of learning, laughter, and recognition a memorable one. Highlights included the awarding of the second Maynard & Audrey Heckel Extension Educator Fellowship to Jeff Schloss; the formal introduction of Paul Bonaparte-Krogh and Nancy Franz; informative and motivational presentations by Lew Feldstein, David Butler, and Ann Weaver Hart; recognition of Judy Bush's Presidential Award of Excellence; the announcement that the 4-H Foundation of NH met its Centennial fund raising goal of $100,000; and recognition of Ed McAllister for his years of dedication and service to UNH Cooperative Extension. Another highlight of the day was the unveiling of the new "face of New Hampshire". Thanks go to the Conference Planning Committee for organizing and leading the event: Bob Edmonds (chair), Cheryl Smith, Faye Cragin, Tina Savage, Suzann Knight, Deb Cheever, Lynn Thurber, Tim Fleury, Bob Craycraft, Siobhan Craig and Holly Young.

It isn't uncommon for youth athletic programs to bring out atrocious behavior in "grownups." Such was the case last August when the Great North Woods League (baseball) asked UNH Cooperative Extension for help. Larry Barker worked with the League last fall to explore potential solutions.

According to Larry, "It is really a commonsense request because the 4-H program is, in many aspects, way ahead of the curve on issues relating to youth development." As it turns out, many Extension tools have been adopted and adapted to address the situation. This spring the League instituted new protocol which includes a volunteer application, codes of conduct for players, parents, spectators, and coaches, and formal coach training. Extension conducted much of the training, incorporating many components that focus on positive youth development.

How about the results? Well, many parents and coaches have commented on the improved attitude and atmosphere at practice and games this season. Additionally, the teaching of positive youth development principles has had an impact. One community recreation department has changed its thinking about competitive tournaments for players under the age of 8 and restructured a longstanding tourney. There are now requests for applying these concepts for other sports. It appears we've discovered a thirsty new audience.

The New England Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) project is a collaborative regional effort to test the effectiveness of three food safety educational methods. With funding from USDA/CSREES, the grant targets fruit and vegetable growers with information and practical tips on how to enhance food safety at each step of their operation - from production and harvesting to processing and retail sale directly to consumers.

The food safety educational methods being tested include workshops, on-farm audits, and audits verified by a third party. In New Hampshire, voluntary on-farm audits are conducted by interdisciplinary teams of Agricultural Resources and Family Development Educators and Specialists. To date, eight on-farm audits have been completed. During a recent joint Agricultural Resources and Family Development staff meeting, GAP teams developed plans for on-farm audits this summer.

To test the effectiveness of the food safety educational approaches, produce samples of three commodities (strawberries, lettuce, apples) from six different farms participating in the project will be tested pre and post on-farm audit educational program. Before the on-farm audits were conducted, all produce samples tested negative for three potential pathogens implicated in other foodborne illness outbreaks related to fresh fruit and vegetables. Post education produce samples from three of these farms were analyzed last year and similarly to the pre-education samples, no pathogens were found.

In addition to the on-farm audits, GAP presentations at the Farm & Forest Expo and twilight meetings helped expand awareness of the program. Nada Haddad and Catherine Violette discussed the GAP audit and the importance of hand washing stations with approximately 50 growers attending a twilight meeting at J & F Farm in Derry on May 27.

A series of GAP fact sheets addressing food safety concerns of manure use, water sources, worker health and hygiene, and sanitation is now available at the following link: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/foodsafety/index.htm . The GAP project, implemented by the New England Extension Food Safety Consortium, continues until October 2004. For more information, contact Catherine Violette.

I look forward to seeing you all at our 2003 Annual Professional Development Conference on May 20. All staff are expected to attend unless you have discussed conflicts with your supervisor. The day features distinguished speakers, training workshops, and numerous posters and exhibits highlighting our work throughout the state. Along with President Ann Weaver Hart, a number of special guests will be with us for the lunch and recognition program. Again, thanks to the conference committee for planning an outstanding event.

During the opening session I'll comment on the progress we've made in implementing the 2001-2006 Strategic Plan. You can review the Progress Report prior to the conference at: http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/Admin/Secure/PRrep03.pdf

Congratulations to the following PAT (Professional, Administrative & Technical) staff and Extension Educators (EE) honored for Years of Service during UNH's Annual PAT & EE Awards Ceremony yesterday:

30 Years
Bill Lord - Extension Professor and Extension Specialist, Fruit

25 Years
Phil Auger, Extension Educator, Land and Water Conservation - Rockingham County
Deb Cheever, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - Merrimack County
Sumner Dole, Extension Educator, Forest Resources - Belknap County
Paula Gregory, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development - Moiles House
Julia Mawson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - Hillsborough County

20 Years
Claudia Boozer-Blasco, Extension Educator, Family Development - Rockingham County
Tom Buob, Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources - Grafton County
Deborah Maes, Extension Educator, Family Development - Grafton County
Nory Parr, Extension Educator, Forest Resources - Grafton County

15 Years
Steve Adams, Communications Coordinator, Sea Grant Program - Kingman Farm
Rollie Barnaby, Extension Educator, Sea Grant & Marine Resources - Rockingham County
Karen Blass, Extension Educator, Family Development - Rockingham County
Christine Bozak, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development - Strafford County
Faye Cragin, WWW & Media Specialist, Information Technology & Distance Education - Taylor Hall
Nancy Evans, Extension Program Associate, 4-H Youth Development - Merrimack County
Nada Haddad, Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources - Rockingham County
Jonathan Nute, Extension Educator, Forest Resources - Hillsborough County
Judi Strauss, Computer Network/Systems Manager, Information Technology & Distance Education - Taylor Hall

10 Years
Julia Peterson, Extension Specialist, Water Resources - Kingman Farm

Presidential Award of Excellence
Judy Bush was awarded the annual UNH Presidential Award of Excellence for an Extension Educator by Ann Weaver Hart at yesterday's award ceremony. Judy is Extension Educator, Family Development, in Merrimack County, and Strengthening NH Communities Project Coordinator. Two PAT staff, William Conk and Tom Oxford, also received the President's Award of Excellence. Congratulations, Judy!

The following information is an update to budget information that appeared in the last Biweekly Update (May 2). I refer you back to that Update if you have not read it since the information remains current (http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/common/documents/bw5203.htm). I urge you to rely on the Biweekly Update for current and accurate funding information rather than react to speculation and rumor. Please know we are not planning to implement the total budget cut, once known, on July 1. Yes, we will have to reduce our FY04 budget. However, we plan to use some of our financial reserves to give us time to make good, informed decisions. Additionally, program leaders will involve their respective staff for input, especially as it affects programs.

The 5% reduction in current state funding as proposed by the Governor and House is still being considered by the Senate. Once voted on, the budget will likely move to a "Committee of Conference" sometime in June for reconciling the differences between the Senate and House versions of the budget bill. At that point, it may be signed, vetoed or permitted to become law without signature.

We are still developing our UNH FY 04 budget based on the 5% reduction model with a 3.5% salary increase to take effect in September. The new freshman class size has come in slightly lower than what was budgeted and the mix is more heavily weighted toward resident vs. non-resident students which results in lower overall budgeted tuition revenue. Cooperative Extension, however, is still being considered to receive a percentage of this revenue if the increase in student tuition is higher than the FY04 budget proposal.

We are still actively pursuing approval for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) for staff in the Civil Service Retirement System, and hope to make it available in the new fiscal year. Again, I remind you to contact Jim Grady if you are interested or want more information. I do need to emphasize that once we know our final budget amount, we will offer retirement incentives only until the budget is balanced. Retirement incentives exceeding the value of six months salary will not be offered now or in the future.

The UNH Alumni Association recently sent the following web link to its members with encouragement to contact legislators regarding the need to maintain affordable tuition and high-quality academic programs at USNH institutions: http://www.alumni.unh.edu/volunteer/networks/advocates/ . This site provides biennial budget background information and details about the importance of maintaining UNH programs and services.

As part of the Strategic Plan implementation, a committee has been formed to review and revise Cooperative Extension's performance appraisal system. Members are Debbie Luppold, Steve Turaj, John Porter, Charlotte Cross, Dan Reidy, J-J Newman, Deb Maes, Charlene Baxter, Bruce Clement, Amy Ouellette, Nancy Franz and Ed McAllister The committee will meet by PictureTel on June 11, and conduct the bulk of its work via our computer network. All staff can provide input and will have opportunity to review and critique draft procedures and forms as they are developed. The committee will create a profile of the following during its first meeting:

1. Strengths of the current UNH CE performance appraisal system
2. Weaknesses in the current performance appraisal system
3. Procedures or components to be dropped, revised or added
4. Tools/forms to be dropped, revised or added
5. Other suggestions for improving the performance appraisal system

All staff are invited to submit responses to these questions though any committee member listed above. Please provide this information prior to June 11.

Detailed procedures for hiring benefits-eligible and temporary staff have been created and are effective today, May 16, 2003. All staff involved in hiring employees, including grant funded positions, are expected to become familiar with and adhere to these procedures. They are posted in the protected area of our web page under "Policies & Procedures" at http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/Admin/Secure/HirePr03.pdf

Applications for UNH staff professional development grants are awarded four times each year. Applications for the fourth quarter of the year are due on June 2. Information and grant application materials can be accessed on-line at: http://www.unh.edu/hr/pdfs/staffdev.pdf

Executive Councilor Ray Burton, working with David Foote, is hosting a video-conference with our US Congressional delegation. Planned to address "Homeland Security and County Government", the conference is scheduled for June 3 from 9:00-10:00 AM. All four Congressional representatives (Gregg, Sununu, Bass and Bradley) are scheduled to participate. Ray Burton and Leo Lessard, chair of the NH Association of Counties, are inviting all county commissioners to participate. All Cooperative Extension P-Tel sites, NCEF in Gorham and Crotched Mountain in Greenfield are scheduled for this conference. Contact David Foote if you have questions.

Over 35 people participated in the Dummer Community Profile (Coös County) on May 9 and 10, with the following action teams created: Designate and Develop a Town Forest, Large Land Sale Contingency and Communication-History and Volunteerism.

Thanks to Sam Stoddard who serves as the county steering committee liaison; Sue Buteau, the small group discussion leader trainer; and Helene Grobman for facilitating/recording both days. Also thanks to Larry Barker and Steve Turaj for facilitating and recording Friday night, and Charlie French, the large group facilitator for the event. The follow-up meeting to bring all the action groups together in the community, coordinated by UNH Cooperative Extension, takes place May 19.

Upcoming Profiles will be held in Troy (Cheshire County) on June 6-7 and Sandown (Rockingham County) on Sept. 19-20.

The 2003 KIDS COUNT data book, Measuring the Gap: Disparities in the Well-Being of New Hampshire's Children, will be released at a breakfast May 28, 7:30-9:45 a.m., at the Holiday Inn in Concord. Measuring the Gap contains information on 39 different aspects of children's lives, from birth through adolescence. It demonstrates what demographic changes mean to public services, and shows where a child lives in NH can have tremendous impact on his or her life. An expert panel will discuss how to better align policies with needs. Moderated by Ally McNair of NHPTV, the panel includes Education Commissioner Nicholas Donohue, State Sen. Richard Green, Gorham Town Manager William Jackson, Executive Councilor and Providian National Bank Vice President Peter Spaulding, Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Vailas, and State Rep. Mary Jane Wallner. KIDS COUNT books can be ordered for $15 (Children's Alliance member or multiple copies) or $20 (non-member and single-copy rate). To register for the breakfast and/or order books, go online to: http://www.childrennh.org/kc2003_event_reg.php or call the Children's Alliance at 225-2264 for more information. Seats and/or copies of the book can be held only for those who send payment within 10 days of registration.

UNH Cooperative Extension and Maine Cooperative Extension will co-sponsor "Meeting the Needs of Children, Youth and Families in a Media Age" May 30 from 9-4 p.m. at McConnell Hall on the UNH campus. Dr. Michael Rich, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, will speak on "Media and Child Health: Peril and Promise." Various media-related workshops will be held throughout the day. The $40 fee includes lunch and refreshments. To register or for more information, contact Karen Blass at 679-5616, (800) 248-6672 or karen.blass@unh.edu. Enrollment is limited.

The NH Dept. of Corrections Family Connections Center hosts a video-conference, "Children of Prisoners: Children of Promise," June 18, 11:30-3 p.m. at UNH in Durham. Promoted by the National Institute of Corrections in conjunction with the UNH Family Studies Dept. and UNH Cooperative Extension, the video-conference identifies the problems and greatest needs of incarcerated parents and caretakers with regard to their children, the problems and issues that put children of prisoners or former prisoners at risk, and evidence-based approaches to supporting and building on the strengths of these children. To attend, contact Kristina Toth, the Family Connections Center program administrator, by May 14 at frc@together.net.

CIS has added to and changed its computer training offerings since we published our ITDE newsletter. Please note the following changes. The Photoshop classes on May 16 & 23 will use Photoshop version 7, rather than 6. The following new offerings have been listed:
Word 2002 (XP) - Level 1 June 13
Word 2002 (XP) - Level 2 June 20
Word 2002 (XP) - Level 3 June 27
Adobe Acrobat Version 5 - Level 1 June 25

Word Training - Note that these use the current version of Word, which is or will be on all Extension computers. The cost for each of these is $79. To register, click on http//www.cistrainingcenter.unh.edu/

The Family Development staff will meet on Monday, June 30, in Boscawen at the Merrimack County UNH Cooperative Extension office. This meeting will take place from 9-3:30. An agenda will be sent to staff around June 1.

This Biweekly Update feature describes resources available through the UNH Library including a wide variety of databases and electronic journals directly related to our programs. You can access the on-line resources featured below at:

http://www.library.unh.edu/tools/ (master list of all databases)
http://www.library.unh.edu/onlinejournals/ (master list of online journals)
http://grinnell.unh.edu/digibio.html (list of COLSA oriented resources)
http://library.unh.edu/ (online catalog for UNH Dimond Library and branches)

This installment focuses on a library database providing online access to digitized versions of older volumes of journals. JSTOR is an archival collection of full-image, full-run academic journals divided into six categories: Arts and Sciences I + II, General Science Collection, Ecology and Botany Collection, Business Collection, and Language & Literature Collection. The coverage of each journal begins with the first issue and continues to JSTOR's "Moving Wall," which is a fixed period of time ranging, in most cases, from two to five years prior to the current year.

For example, every issue of Science is available from 1880 on. Many other well known titles, such as Ecology, are also available. It is important to note every word in these titles is searchable, which allows for historical searches that cover many more years than subject-oriented index databases usually cover. The longest run digitized so far is Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, where every issue from 1665 is available online.

Please send questions, comments and suggestions to David Lane, Biological Sciences Librarian, Biological Sciences Library, Kendall Hall, UNH or send email to david.lane@unh.edu

Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, while commonly used for navigation, can also be used to accurately map features on the earth. The location information generated by a GPS can be combined with other mapped data by using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. UNH Cooperative Extension offers workshops in GIS and GPS. The GPS workshops include instruction on using both low-cost GPS receivers and higher end mapping-quality receivers. In addition, Extension loans out mapping-quality receivers free for non-profit projects to workshop participants. Participants have used Extension's GPS receivers to map a wide variety of features including:

* Natural resources in Canterbury, New Boston and Barrington
* Sewers in Plaistow o Facilities at NH Army National Guard sites and at the UNH-Durham campus
* Potential non-point sources of pollution on the Merrimack and Piscataquog Rivers
* Utilities and storm water management facilities in Somersworth
* Home ranges of spotted turtles in Durham, Newmarket and Barrington
* NH Fish and Game wildlife management areas
* Milfoil in Northwood Lake and Lake Wentworth
* NH Audubon sanctuary trails in Antrim, Marlborough and Moultonborough and Tern Restoration sites on the Isles of Shoals
* Trails in Conway, Belmont, Amherst, Lebanon and the Moose Mountains Region

Additionally, the receivers were used by students at UNH, New England College, Colby-Sawyer College, McKelvie Middle School in Bedford, Souhegan High School in Amherst and the Gilmanton School. More information about the Sea Grant and Water Resources Program's GIS and GPS workshops is available at http://ceinfo.unh.edu/water/documents/GISGPS.htm or by contacting Nancy Lambert. Information about the Forestry and Wildlife program's GPS workshops is available from Sam Stoddard or Karen Bennett.

The following information is an update to budget information that appeared in the last Biweekly Update (April 18). I encourage you to rely on this communique from me for current and accurate funding information, and avoid reacting to rumor or speculation.

As reported in the April18 Update, the Governor and House have proposed biennial funding for the USNH that represents a 5% reduction in current funding. The budget has gone to the Senate and once voted on, will likely move to a "Committee of Conference" sometime in June for reconciling the differences between the Senate and House versions of the budget bill. At that point, it may be signed, vetoed or permitted to become law without signature.

USNH has new budget assumptions that will not be finalized until a final budget is approved by the New Hampshire Legislature, USNH Board of Trustees and the UNH Central Budget Committee. We are currently in the process of budget development for FY 04. We cannot wait until the end of June as the fiscal year begins July 1. Therefore, UNH is proceeding with budget development using the following assumptions:

* A 5% decrease in state appropriations, which translates to a decrease of approximately 10% for Cooperative Extension because state appropriations also fund salary increases and fringe benefit costs for the county and federal portions of salaries.

* The possibility exists for Cooperative Extension to receive some UNH dollars in the event there is an increase in student tuition

* The current budget model includes a salary increase of 3.5% effective in September. The increase would not be retroactive to July 1 resulting in a FY04 increase of 2.92%

The above assumptions, along with level federal funding, will result in a deficit of approximately $1 million for Cooperative Extension. I reiterate that the current projected deficit is based on information we have available to date. The funding models change on a frequent basis. The final results will not be known until a state budget is approved and the USNH Board of Trustees respond accordingly.

Some staff have expressed concerns that if we sustain a cut of this magnitude, we will begin to layoff staff on July 1. Be assured this will not happen in July as we will use reserves to give us enough time to assess the situation and make the best possible decisions for the future of Cooperative Extension. Under Responsibility Centered Management (RCM), UNH units must bring forward either positive or negative balances from previous fiscal years. Cooperative Extension has over $600,000 in current reserves. These dollars are not permanent, therefore careful consideration will need to be taken as to their use. The reserves merely give us the additional time necessary to make the best organizational decisions.

If we do sustain the cuts as projected in the current models we will need to make serious staffing decisions. I again refer you to the March 21, 2003, Deficit Reduction Strategies which will be applied before we even begin to look at any layoffs. Please carefully review strategies 18 through 22. These will have the greatest impact on our budget. Any staff member interested in a reduced time appointment should get in touch with Jim Grady.

We have submitted a request for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) for those who are in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). If approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) we will make it available as close to July 1, 2003 as possible. Please note that the federal government does not offer salary separation incentives as a part of VERA. Incentives will need to be approved by UNH and will come from our UNH reserves. Applications will be accepted on a first come/first serve basis. Once we meet our targets we will withdraw the separation incentive offer.

We are currently looking at an incentive equal to six months of salary. Anyone eligible for optional or early retirement should know that we will not offer any incentive greater than six months of salary and it will be offered to those eligible on a first come/first serve basis. If you are interested in applying for this incentive, contact Jim Grady as soon as possible. Once we know the exact amount of the deficit and it's met through any of the strategies identified, we will rescind both the separation incentive and VERA.

Welcome to Nancy Franz who assumes the Associate Director position on Monday, May 5. You can reach Nancy at 862-2161 or Nancy.Franz@unh.edu. See Nancy's article in the April 2003 issue of Journal of Extension titled Transformative Learning in Extension Staff Partnerships: Facilitating Personal, Joint and Organizational Change. Sam Stoddard became County Office Administrator in Coös County on May 1, replacing Sue Buteau who completed her term in the role. Thanks to both for providing this essential county leadership.

UNH honored Operating Staff last week during their Annual Recognition Program. Congratulations and thank you to the following Cooperative Extension staff who received Years of Service Awards:

35 Years - Cheryl Estabrooke, Plant Biology Department, Spaulding Hall
20 Years - Lori Lavac, Sea Grant & Water Resources, Kingman Farm
15 Years - Nancy Oakley, 4-H Youth Development, Moiles House
Sharon Ross, Dean & Director's Office, Taylor Hall

During the Evaluation In-Service Training on March 6, the need to address organizational barriers to evaluation was voiced. A follow-up "Evaluation Barriers" session has been scheduled for this purpose on June 18 from 9:00-1:00, in the Merrimack office. We'll use the Chadwick Consensus Building Model to create a system that nurtures evaluation and minimizes obstacles. More information will be provided to participants of the March 6 session but all staff are welcomed to attend. Contact Lisa Townson or Seth Wilner to sign-up or if you have questions.

The following UNH Health Services' Response to Inquiries about SARS was released May 1: http://unh.edu/health-services/SARS.htm

I encourage all staff to make full use of the Journal of Extension on the World Wide Web. It's available free of charge and the following link provides instructions for subscribing to receive notification of each new issue.

The Journal of Extension (JOE) is the official refereed journal of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System. JOE expands and updates the research and knowledge base for Extension professionals and other adult educators to improve their effectiveness. In addition, JOE serves as a forum for emerging and contemporary issues affecting Extension education.

JOE is written, reviewed and edited by Extension professionals, sharing with their colleagues successful educational applications, original and applied research findings, scholarly opinions, educational resources, and challenges on issues of critical importance to Extension educators. Back issues to 1979 are also available online. You can access the JOE and April 2003 issue at: http://www.joe.org/

Associate Director Nancy Franz and Assistant Director, County Operations, Paul Bonaparte-Krogh join the UNH New Faculty Tour at the end of this month as it travels throughout New Hampshire. Led by UNH President Ann Weaver Hart, these tours were initiated by former UNH President Joan Leitzel and proved quite successful, with involvement of UNH Cooperative Extension in many of the stops. This year is no exception. The tour, always on a very tight schedule, starts Thursday, May 29, in New Castle at the Coast Guard Station where Extension Specialist Pingguo He is slated to give a presentation on his fishing gear technology work. The group then boards the bus for stops at Strawbery Banke, UNH-Manchester, the NH International Speedway in Loudon and then to Patrick's Pub in Gilford. There, Extension Educator Barbara Hunter will give a brief presentation on her food safety programs, along with restaurant owner Allan Beetle.

On Friday, the tour's first stop is at the Laconia Prison, where Program Leader Charlene Baxter and Barbara Hunter, will describe the Family Connections Program. The group then travels to Dixville Notch and The Balsams, and on Saturday morning heads to Branch Hill Farm in Milton Mills where they will be hosted by Extension Educator Don Black and farm owner Cynthia Wyatt.

Holly Young and Peg Boyles thought you'd be interested in this link to an article on copyright, from Writers Digest online newsletter. (If you're interested in subscribing to the newsletter yourself, go to http://www.writersdigest.com/newsletter.asp).

Copyright Concerns
Every day, Writer's Digest is bombarded with questions from writers asking about copyright. That's why we gave our literary lawyer her own section in the special issue "Sell Your Writing." This is what attorney and literary agent Amy Cook says about copyrighting your own story: "As of March 1, 1989, it is no longer necessary to put a copyright notice on your works. This fact is important in two ways. First, writers who forget to add a copyright label to their work do not have to worry that it could fall into the public domain. Remember, a copyright exists from the moment the work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Conversely, when you are doing research, do not assume that if there is no copyright notice on a document that it is free for the taking." Read the rest of this article on copyright: http://www.writersdigest.com/articles/copyright_law.asp

There's a lot about copyright to be aware of, but the article captures the basics. For those who want more detail about copyright law, Holly and Peg recommend a book called "Copyright Plain & Simple" by Cheryl Besenjak. It's a paperback of fewer than 200 pages written—as the name suggests—in very readable language. It's available from Career Press in New Jersey (1-800-CAREER-1). It costs $12.99.

This Biweekly Update feature describes resources available through the UNH Library including a wide variety of databases and electronic journals directly related to our programs. You can access the on-line resources featured below at:

http://www.library.unh.edu/tools/ (master list of all databases)
http://www.library.unh.edu/onlinejournals/ (master list of online journals)
http://grinnell.unh.edu/digibio.html (list of COLSA oriented resources)
http://library.unh.edu/ (online catalog for UNH Dimond Library and branches)

This installment focuses on a couple of library databases with cryptic names used to find more information about journals.

Ulrichsweb is a comprehensive worldwide bibliographic database including information on over 250,000 periodicals. ("Periodicals" is the collective word librarians use for magazines, journals, etc.) Users can pinpoint specific journals or conduct broad-based subject or publisher surveys. Ulrichs, by the way, was named after Carolyn Ulrich, chief of the Periodicals Division of the New York Public Library from 1922 to 1946. She edited the first five editions of the printed directory.

Journal Citation Reports (JCR) provides easy access to data that helps you evaluate and compare scholarly journals using citation data drawn from over 8,400 journals from over 3,000 publishers worldwide. JCR includes virtually all specialties in the areas of science, technology, and social sciences. The JCR can show you the highest impact journals and the most frequently cited journals. It has been used with some controversy to evaluate the journals an author has published in when the author is considered for promotion and tenure.

Please send questions, comments, and suggestions to David Lane, Biological Sciences Librarian, Biological Sciences Library, Kendall Hall, UNH or send email to david.lane@unh.edu.

As National Volunteer Week comes to a close, this is a good opportunity to thank the many volunteers who support our work. I also commend each of you who volunteer in your community. Here's a proclamation from President Bush you may wish to share with your volunteers: http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/cragin/common/documents/NVWPB03.pdf

We're pleased to report NH 4-H Camps is partnering this summer with Dr. Cameron Wake from NH's Climate Change Research Center, and Dr. Jeff Salloway, UNH Dept. of Health Management and Policy. Their research project, The Effect of Air Quality and Weather on Human Health in New England: Assessing Vulnerability and Generating Decision Relevant Information, will have a component at Bear Hill 4-H Camp in Allenstown. Youth with asthma and other breathing disorders and youth in a control group will have their respiratory health measured twice daily by trained camp staff, hired through the research grant.

This data will be communicated to Drs. Martin and Salloway, who will study how the impact of air quality and weather influences the pulmonary health of youth. High risk days (heat, humidity, ozone levels) will be carefully studied, and recommendations made to camp staff to plan activities and programs appropriately. Understanding the link between air quality, weather and pulmonary functioning is critical to the health of youth with asthma, severe allergies and other respiratory problems. After the camp season, this data will be available for camps and youth service organizations to use in their health care planning.

A second research adventure will be in collaboration with the Dept. of Recreation Management and Policy (RMP) and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Katherine de Castro is a junior in RMP, majoring in Program Administration. Under the guidance of Dr. Jason Bocarro, Kat is studying Staff Retention in Residential Summer Camps: Understanding Organizational Culture and Place Attachment within Two New Hampshire Programs. The purpose of this study is to understand the key factors that cultivate the camp community, influence staff loyalty to particular sites and guide their decision-making process to return to the same program each year. Bear Hill 4-H Camp and Merrowvista Education Center will support Kat's interview and observation processes during the summer's camp season. This research is greatly needed to help camp directors and administrators understand how their unique camp culture contributes to the yearly retention of staff. NH 4-H Camps are honored to be part of these projects! For more detailed descriptions or copies of the proposals, contact Ann Dolloff, Extension Associate Professor and Specialist, at 862-2198 or ann.dolloff@unh.edu