Extension Update: June 2003 Archives
On Thursday morning Governor Benson vetoed the $8.8 billion state operating budget approved by the House and Senate earlier in the week. The Legislature is scheduled to meet Monday, June 30, for an override vote that requires two-thirds to prevail over a veto. While the outcome is uncertain, it's believed there is a good chance an override will be successful. If the override fails, Legislators could enact a continuing resolution, also requiring a two-thirds vote, to appropriate funds to keep state business going. If a continuing resolution is not passed, it's unknown what will occur on July 1 when the state technically will have no money to run the government.
Please continue to remain updated on this matter through the media. If we have further information to share on Monday, June 30, we will do so. Once the FY04 state budget is confirmed, I'll provide details about the impact on Cooperative Extension.
Congratulations to the following Extension Educators approved for promotion this week by the USNH Board of Trustees:
Extension Educator
Margaret Hagen
Deborah Maes
Associate Extension Educator
Tim Fleury
J-J Newman
Penny Turner
The 2004 Farm & Forest Exposition will be held February 6-7 at the Center of NH-Holiday Inn in Manchester. The Board of Directors is seeking input from commodity and educational groups in planning the event and members are available to meet with interested groups. For information contact Susan Rice, Expo Coordinator, at 749-9852 or nicksmeadow@prodigy.net. Tim Fleury and Geoffrey Njue represent Cooperative Extension on the Expo Board of Directors.
A reminder that many program development and evaluation resources are available in our internal web area under "Program Planning & Evaluation Team". Posted are a Logic Model Word template and color Logic Model poster: http://cecf1.unh.edu/ppet/index.cfm?fuseaction=committee.resources. Also provided are numerous links to a wide variety of related resources: http://cecf1.unh.edu/ppet/index.cfm?fuseaction=committee.links. Contact Lisa Townson or Seth Wilner is you have questions about any of these resources or to suggest others that should be included.
With Don Russell's retirement June 30, the Publications Center will be open from noon-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, with the help of a summer work study, Sumeet Kaur. Any advance notice you can give Sumeet for orders would be appreciated. We will provide further information about Publications Center operations as they are determined. If you need immediate assistance or have questions, contact Holly Young who continues to oversee the Publications Center.
Family Development Educators and Specialists and Community Development program staff will meet on Monday, June 30 for an all day staff meeting. Morning refreshments will be ready at 8:45, the meeting begins promptly at 9:15 and will conclude at 3:30 at the Extension office in Boscawen.
Selected from 65 entries nationwide, John Porter's book Preserving Old Barns: Preventing the Loss of a Valuable Resource won first place in the 2003 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communications contest. Porter co-authored the book with retired UNH Extension agricultural engineer Francis Gilman.
Preserving Old Barns emerged as part of a statewide collaborative initiated by the state legislature in 1999 to preserve old agricultural buildings. Partners include the NH Historic Agricultural Structures Advisory Committee, the NH Division of Historical Resources, the NH Preservation Alliance and other agricultural, conservation and economic development organizations.
The combination of an elegant design and layout by Salisbury artist Karen Holman, pen and ink drawings by Martha Kierstead, and more than 75 photographs of barns and barn features taken by Porter and Gilman, attract the eye and expand the scope of information provided by the text.
Porter says of the book project, "For me, it's been an exciting little spin-off to my career. It's introduced me into new circles I've never been involved with before-historical societies, preservation groups, museum people. I think we've increased awareness about the need to preserve old barns. People in the historic preservation field have told me this collaboration among Extension, legislators, preservationists, farmers, and so many other groups is unique". The attention generated by the book has generated requests for public talks, TV and radio appearances. Between them, Porter says he and Gilman give three or four presentations a month.
As for the award itself, Porter says, "It's just the icing on the cake-a little recognition for 30 years of experience as a dairy professional, as well as my early life growing up on a farm. When I was growing up, I spent more of my waking hours in old barns like these than I did in the house."
UNH Cooperative Extension just completed a successful international exchange program. New Hampshire natural resource professionals traveled to Costa Rican forests, and in turn, Costa Rican natural resource professionals visited our forests. New Hampshire participants included Extension staff Frank Mitchell, Charlie French, Karen Bennett, Nancy Lambert, Peter Pohl and Phil Auger, as well as partners from the NH Fish and Game Dept. and The Nature Conservancy.
A private foundation provided a gift of $ 25,000 for this program. Nancy Smith, representing the foundation, joined the group at the Isles of Shoals and atop Mount Washington, and was pleased with the results. NH Fish and Game, The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire, UNH professional development grants and personal contributions from participants rounded out financial support for the program.
This pilot program supports the UNH Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan by involving faculty across multi-disciplines. This program also addressed multi-cultures and important emerging issues such as habitat management and loss of habitat. Tropical forests function differently than do temperate forests. The exchange of science-based information gave participants from both countries an increased understanding of ecosystems and the impact of forest management practices. UNH Natural Resources Dept. Prof. Dr. Mimi Becker helped locate Costa Rican candidates for the program.
UNH Natural Resources Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tom Lee also joined the group to provide the opportunity for an in-depth exchange of technical information and perspective relative to ecology in New Hampshire and Costa Rica. Other departments and Extension staff also participated in the program.
Participants developed career-long and life-long relationships through the exchange program. The lessons learned in this pilot will serve UNH Cooperative Extension well as we look to Costa Rica and other international programs to address complex natural resource issues and problems.
On an individual level, one University of Costa Rica wildlife biologist researcher was immediately struck by new possibilities for integrating global positioning system technology into his research about bird populations in his home country. Techniques used in the White Mountains to gain data about a rare thrush, shared by UNH's Steve Hale, will likely be incorporated into landmark studies in Central America.
In New Hampshire, UNH Cooperative Extension helps communities look beyond their borders as they address natural resource issues since water, weather and migrating species know no political boundaries. We need to look globally to address conservation issues. This Costa Rican exchange, developed through the vision and tenacity of Phil Auger and Extension colleagues, is leading the way.
Congratulations to the following staff who recently received grants or other funding: Bob Edmonds - USDA Forest Service grants through the NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development - Division of Forest and Lands, to deliver university-based natural resource educational programs through the following:
$2,184 - Forestry Incentive Program $77,424 - Forest Stewardship and Forest Resources Management Programs $52,947 - Urban and Community Forestry Program $14,985 - Conservation Education Program
Ellen Snyder - $29,970 from USDA Forest Service through the NH Dept. of Resources and Economic Development - Division of Forest and Lands for "Conserving Ecosystem Function in Urban and Rural Watersheds".
Sarah Smith - three grants from USDA Forest Service: $10,000 for NH/Quebec Forest Industry Interdependence Project; $30,000 for Improving Competitiveness of NH's Sawmill Industry; and $27,972 for Rural Development through Forestry Technical Assistance Project.
Wendy Brock - $34,000 from National 4-H Council for "Engaging Youth Serving Community".
Brian Doyle - $124,573 from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for 2003 Sea Grant Extension; and $50,000 for Coastal Communities.
Sharon Meeker - $82,595 from NOAA for 2003 Sea Grant Extension.
Sharon Meeker and Ann Reid - $10,000 from NH Office of State Planning for Great Bay Coast Watch Volunteer Training.
Rollie Barnaby - $31,832 from NOAA for Sea Grant Extension.
Frank Mitchell - $9,000 from Center for Land Conservation Assistance/Society for the Protection of NH Forests, supporting Extension work with land trusts, municipal and other conservation groups and professionals involved in land conservation.
Based on Extension Educator Promotion Committee recommendations, promotion procedures have been revised effective July 1, 2003 (http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/cragin/admin/Secure/EEPP03.pdf). No changes were made to the Extension Educator Ranking Chart (http://www.ceinfo.unh.edu/cragin/admin/Secure/EERC03.pdf). The revisions were discussed and approved during a recent joint meeting with the Leadership Team. The changes are as follows:
1. The Promotion Committee has been increased from five to seven members to provide full representation by the Sea Grant & Water Resources program area, and to ensure a combination of both field and campus representatives (page 1).
2. Details describing promotion of Extension Instructors to Assistant Extension Educators by administrative action has been expanded to include Extension Instructors who must earn a Master's degree before they are eligible for promotion (page 2).
3. Nominee signature line has been added to the Nomination for Consideration for Promotion form (page 16)
4. With creation of Extension Faculty designation late last year, language describing documents due Oct. 30 was revised to read "For Extension Faculty, a Promotion Evaluation by Department Chair must also be completed" (page 3)
5. Under Guidelines for Assembling Promotion Notebook, section III (Program Accomplishments) was revised to clarify: (1) team accomplishments should include a description of the nominee's contributions; (2) individual Plans of Work since last promotion should be submitted (versus the county/state plan); (3) Annual Accomplishment Reports since last promotion must be submitted; and (4) Other Major Creative Efforts are to be listed from most to least important (pages 5-6).
6. Rating category for "Contributions to the Department" was added to the Extension Faculty Promotion Evaluation by Department Chair (page 11).
Promotion Committee members are Debbie Luppold (chair), George Hamilton, Sarah Smith, Deb Cheever and Sam Stoddard.
Extension Educator Phil Auger worked long and hard with colleagues from UNH Cooperative Extension and other NH agencies/organizations to develop a pilot exchange program for natural resource professionals in New Hampshire and Costa Rica. The Roy Foundation provided funding. The purpose was to provide natural resource professionals from both countries the opportunity to meet with their counterparts. In April, twelve natural resource professionals from UNH Cooperative Extension, the NH Department of Fish and Game, and the Nature Conservancy traveled to Costa Rica for twelve days to learn firsthand about key natural resource issues in Costa Rica, particularly issues pertaining to neotropical migrant bird species. The NH contingency also learned how Costa Rica deals with natural resource concerns. Eight Costa Rican natural resource professionals visited NH during May 31 - June 10 and traveled to various sites to learn more about New Hampshire's wildlife issues, as well as some of the state's efforts to preserve wildlife habitats while still maintaining a working landscape. Not only has the exchange provided people from both countries with a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, it brought about a new level of cultural understanding and collaboration between the two countries.
Staff changes continue to take place based on the most recent Cooperative Extension administrative redesign, recommendations in the CRAS report, and the Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan. As of July 1, Wendy Brock will assume leadership for the 4-H Foundation of NH. In her role with external relations, Holly Young will continue to support 4-H Foundation special events. Holly will focus more fully on marketing, external relations, and program support. She will work in a team effort with Peg Boyles in Peg's full-time role as Public Outreach Writer/Editor to develop practices and materials in support of the overall Cooperative Extension program as determined by the Associate Director. I thank all three of these staff members for taking on new roles to further the work of Cooperative Extension.
The Troy Community Profile (Cheshire County) was held June 6-7 with over 45 community members attending. The following action teams were created: Feasibility of a Shared Town Manager, Encouraging Small Business Development, Town Beautification and Town Celebrations.
Thanks to Nancy Bradford-Sisson who served as the county steering committee liaison, Nancy Lambert who trained small group discussion leaders, and Lauren Bressett and Christine Parshall for facilitating and recording both days. Nancy Adams provided the large group facilitation. The follow-up meeting coordinated by Cooperative Extension to bring all the action groups together with support from resource partners will take place June 23.
Upcoming Profiles are Sandown (Rockingham County) on September 19-20, and the Grapevine Family Resource Center on October 17-18.
It's time to submit in-service and other training offerings for the October 2003 - September 2004 year. This information was sent via email on June 5th to specialists and others who normally conduct in-services. Please refer to that email for detailed information for your request. Remember, this is a year to develop the POW and some program areas are offering fewer in-services to allow time for needs assessment and POW development. We hope to increase our efficiency this year by using PictureTel for more trainings. If you have questions or concerns, contact Bob Edmonds. If you misplaced the June 5th e-mail, contact Deb Russell. We hope to have the professional development offerings ready for Web registration by the end of July. A notice with more information will be sent at that time.
The Family Development and Community Development Educators and Specialists will meet on Monday, June 30th at the Boscawen Office. The agenda has been sent. Morning refreshments will be available at 8:45 and the meeting begins promptly at 9:15. Contact Charlene for more information.
A satellite conference, "Children of Prisoners, Children of Promise", will take place on Wednesday, June 18th from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm. The conference, sponsored by the National Institute of Corrections, is hosted by the Family Connections program at Lakes Region Facility, the Department of Family Studies, and UNH Cooperative Extension. Sites are Theater I at the MUB, and PictureTel sites in Sullivan, Grafton and Merrimack County Offices. Contact Charlene to get more information.
The 2003 NH Celebrates Wellness Conference is at Waterville Valley on June 24 - 26. Wellness teams from businesses, schools, communities and senior centers will attend for personal and professional development and to create action plans for the year. Family Development educators are involved in conference planning and as action team advisors.
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' that provides online access to 29 different Annual Reviews titles. The titles aren't listed in the master list of databases, but individually in the master list of online journals and in the online catalog.
Annual Reviews are collections of review articles in one of 29 fields in the social science, biomedical, and physical science subject areas. Collections are published once a year. Most titles, like Annual Review of Nutrition for example, are among the most cited titles in their fields. Online access starts, for most titles, in the mid to late nineties and extends beyond the current year's articles to include future or forthcoming articles. All review articles back to 1984 or so are searchable.
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.
New Hampshire dairy farmers get paid $1.00 for a gallon of milk it costs them $1.40 to produce. Since January of this year, the number of dairy farms in the state has dropped from 165 to 155. Industry observers expect New Hampshire will lose another six to 10 farms before the end of the year.
To help media, policymakers and farm agencies better understand the current dairy crisis, the New Hampshire Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture held a Dairy Crisis Briefing in Concord on May 16. The coalition, an informal organization of Extension educators and interested citizens, deals with pertinent and emerging agricultural issues.
Sixty participants heard presentations from a variety of industry experts:
* Extension Farm Management Specialist Mike Sciabarassi described how depressed milk prices affect farm family income.
* Dairy Specialist Michal Lunak talked about consolidations in the dairy industry and how they have impacted milk marketing.
* Bob Wellington, economist with Agri-Mark, Inc., New England's largest milk cooperative, described an innovative proposal called Cooperatives Working Together, a dairy farmer self-assessment program for buying up surplus milk and reducing herd numbers.
* Steve Taylor, NH Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets & Food, and a dairy farmer himself, spoke about the history of milk pricing and efforts among the New England commissioners of agriculture to establish a New England milk branding program that would return a portion of the premiums from sales of the milk to farmers.
* Ron Cotterill, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at the University of Connecticut, discussed an innovative milk pricing plan he's proposed in his home state that would require milk processors to share profits with farmers.
The crisis briefing generated a flurry of state and region-wide media attention and prompted formation of two legislative subcommittees: one to study milk pricing, another to look at providing property tax relief for dairy farm buildings