Extension Update: April 2005 Archives
The latest issue of the Journal of Extension (JOE) continues to offer excellent resources, including articles on Rethinking Extension Communications: Is Issues Programming the Key? to Online Leader Training for 4-H Volunteers: A Case Study of Action Research and Assessing Community Resources and Economic Development Programming Efforts Using a Modified Human Development Index.
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, and the latest issue is no exception!
This year's statewide conference will provide opportunities to gain new knowledge, improve skills and socialize with colleagues. The theme is “Well-Being: For Ourselves and for Our Community.” The date is May 17 at the Memorial Union Building on the UNH Durham campus. All staff are invited to participate in this professional development conference and your attendance is expected. Please see agenda for details.
Our keynote speaker is Rebecca Rule, New Hampshire humorist and writer. We hope Governor John Lynch will join us for lunch. Staff recognition and awards also are part of the luncheon festivities. A special treat is the return of the renowned “Extension Chords.”
Please register electronically for workshops using the form provided. All staff need to complete the online form even if they are presenting a workshop or are excused from attending the conference. Workshop space is limited and assignments are on a “first come, first served” basis. Please pay special note to the parking information, including a map of the campus.
You are reminded to submit your intention to provide posters or displays of your work by May 6. See the April 14 Extension Update for information.
I urge everyone to view the displays and posters throughout the day. They’ll provide a broad view of the many social, environmental and economic impacts Cooperative Extension is making throughout the state.
A special thanks to the Conference Planning Committee for its excellent work in designing this educational and fun-filled event. Members are Bob Edmonds (chair), Rick Alleva, Sharon Cowen, Faye Cragin, Siobhan Craig, Colette Janson-Sand, Debbie Luppold, Carl Majewski, Frank Mitchell, Deb Russell, Mary Tebo and Seth Wilner.
The war in Iraq and the global war on terrorism changed the face of our military and those who serve our country. These families need support. To help this coming summer, UNH Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Camps will offer a free week of summer camp to children of deployed parents.
Operation Purple Camp takes place at the University of New Hampshire’s 4-H Bear Hill Camp from August 14 to August 19. UNH 4-H Bear Hill Camp is located in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown. UNH Cooperative Extension and the NH National Guard collaborated with the National Military Family Association and Sears, Roebuck and Co. to provide this summer camp experience for children of military families. Funding comes from the Sears American Dream Campaign, the company’s multi-year, $100 million commitment to strengthen families, homes and communities.
The National Military Family Association developed the camps, 22 this year, as a way to bring children from across the military services together to learn from one another and share their experiences in dealing with deployment-related stress. They will learn about different cultures, share talents, gain new skills and most importantly, enjoy much-deserved carefree fun and treasured lifetime memories.
Operation Purple Camp is available to children of military personnel, targeting kids 8-16 years of age. All are encouraged to apply. Its goal is to have all branches of service represented, with emphasis on those service branches from New Hampshire and the New England region. First priority is youth who have a deployed or recently deployed parent (or other family member residing in the same house as camper). Deployment must occur from June 2004 to September 2006.
Registration runs through May 15. Families can call 603-862-2184 for an application for Operation Purple at UNH 4-H Bear Hill Camp or visit the website and click on the Register for Operation Purple.
The UNH Undergraduate Research Conference at UNH invites you to spend an evening with Jared Diamond, Pulitzer prize-winning author and UCLA professor. The free event takes place April 27 at 7 pm at the Field House.
Considered one of the greatest thinkers of our time, Diamond received the Pulitzer prize for his longstanding best seller, Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, which has since been adapted into a three-part television series to air on PBS this year.
Following his address, Diamond will sign copies of his new book, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.
Over 75 citizens and town officials participated in the Hampstead Community Profile (Rockingham County) on May 7-8. The following action teams were created as a result:
• Create a business development commission
• Increase communication by better publicizing events and soliciting input from citizens (i.e. newsletter, web calendar, cable TV, information sessions, and Speak Up Hampstead)
• Community center - build or establish from existing structure (to house activities for youth, seniors, etc.)
• Upgrade specific recreational facilities: town beach, Ordway Park, conservation trails
• Create and implement Hampstead Master Plan, and
• Town newspaper.
Thanks to Phil Auger, county liaison, Dan Reidy, large group facilitator, and Thom Linehan, small group discussion leader trainer. Also thanks to Claudia Boozer-Blasco, Nancy Franz, Charlie French and Thane Harrison (UNH graduate student) for serving as small group facilitators/scribes and organizers.
The follow-up meeting, facilitated by UNH Cooperative Extension, takes place April 18 to determine how to accomplish those projects. UNH Cooperative Extension, the Town of Hampstead and Rockingham Regional Planning Commission provided support for this meeting. Upcoming Profiles include Barnstead (May), Rumney (October) and Danville (November).
The UNH Cooperative Extension staff professional development conference, "Well-Being: For Ourselves and for Our Community" takes place May 17 on the UNH campus in Durham.
More information about the schedule for the day and how to sign up for workshops will be available shortly. The conference committee is calling for posters or displays from staff interested in highlighting a special project or program area (similar to poster displays at past annual conferences.) Space is limited, so download this form, fill it out and return it to Sharon Cowen by May 6.
Sullivan County legislators, commissioners and department heads participated in the eighth “County Conversation” April 11 at the Newport Opera House in Newport. The “Conversation” provided an opportunity for UNH President Ann Weaver Hart to learn more about how UNH can collaborate more effectively with New Hampshire’s individual counties and to discover what emerging trends and issues specifically face Sullivan County.
The Monday program, which drew about 55 people, included remarks from UNH President Ann Weaver Hart and a discussion designed to generate ideas for further collaborations between UNH and Sullivan County. Attendees included Cooperative Extension Advisory Council members, educators, legislators, county commissioners, and community members.
Sullivan staff shared their program efforts in a discussion earlier in the day with President Hart at the Red Elephant Teen Center in Claremont. She also learned about the collaborative efforts between Extension and the Teen Center. She then stopped at Beaver Pond Farm, one of the oldest, continuous family farms in the county. The farm has worked extensively with Extension on all facets of farming, from marketing, whole farm planning, crop production and land management.
The next "County Conversation" is scheduled in Carroll County May 9.
Strafford County staff found a unique way to expand valuable Extension work. In particular, one volunteer, a former employee, works to increase and enhance Extension’s visibility through her natural resources efforts.
Former Strafford County Office Administrator Cal Schroeder implemented this volunteer concept. The volunteer, Lorie Chase, embarked on a mission to protect the natural character of the Seacoast area. While Cal provided office space to Lorie, she provided the talent and drive. Since then, her efforts include numerous partnership collaborations, ideas and leadership to tackle environmental issues. Lorie is well-known for her work and brings credibility and visibility to UNH Cooperative Extension. She previously worked for Extension’s Forestry and Wildlife Program, was a Tree Farmer and volunteer.
Lorie partners with Don Black, Strafford County’s Extension Educator, Forest Resources, on her volunteer efforts. She works in a variety of venues, from the banks of the Cocheco River helping people learn about the importance of riparian restoration and protection to appearing on cable television, talking about river corridor conservation. Lorie and Don received Conservation License Plate Grants and secured a $100,000 grant for the Strafford County Commissioners to develop a trail for the disabled from the county nursing home to the Cocheco River. The trail will include a tree house for the disabled. Lorie and the Cocheco River Watershed have been asked to apply for the New Hampshire entry into the EPA competitive grant round for a $600,000-900,000 Targeted Watershed Grant.
To learn about Lorie’s work, contact her at lorie.chase@unh.edu or 749-4445.
Staff seeking reimbursement for travel and other expenses through the BSC must do so on a quarterly basis. If you haven't submitted for January, February and March, please do so immediately. This includes grant-sponsored programs. Timeliness enhances management of our budget. Please mark your calendars now for the remainder of the year - expenses would be due no later than June 30, September 30 and December 23. Thanks for observing these important deadlines.
On behalf of the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire, I would like to encourage Extension colleagues to participate in the 2nd Annual Friends of 4-H Golf Tournament. The tournament takes place at Canterbury Woods Country Club on Friday May 20.
To get a flavor of last year's tournament and find registration forms visit the web site.
The 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire's fundraising goal this year is $80,000 and the golf tournament is the spring fundraising effort.
If you don't golf, be sure to share this information with friends who are golfers. It's a great experience.
What's your idea? Can UNH do better?
On Monday, April 11, the University of New Hampshire launches the IDEA program. The new IDEA Program rewards great suggestions of ways to make more efficient use of UNH's human, informational, financial, natural, and/or other resources. All University employees are eligible. Suggestions are reviewed by a committee, with awards from $50 to $1,000, depending on impact, value, and/or savings.
To learn more or submit YOUR idea, visit our Web site.
UNH President Ann Weaver Hart, in making the announcement, wrote the following:
The University of New Hampshire is a special community in which every member contributes time, talent, and imagination in support of our academic mission of teaching, research, and public service. To recognize contributions of all UNH employees -- faculty, staff, hourly, and work study -- we are pleased to announce the IDEA Program. Supported by the OS, PAT, and EE Councils, the Faculty Senate, and the administration, this new program encourages and rewards employees for ideas that support the University's Academic Plan goals of focusing our energies, capitalizing on our strengths, and bringing the whole of the University to the quality of its best parts.
All University employees are eligible for awards in this wonderful new program. We encourage you to think about the processes and products of any and all operations with an eye toward efficiency and effectiveness and to share with us your great IDEAS for ways we can do even better. We look forward to hearing from you.
Question - What do ‘wannabe’ farmers, organic tomatoes, computer business software and grass-based livestock have in common?
Answer - They are all components of a vision for innovative agriculture, supported by UNH Cooperative Extension Agricultural Resources staff in their efforts to make New Hampshire farmers more profitable. Now that vision moves closer to reality.
UNH Cooperative Extension Agricultural Resources program staff are partnering with North Country Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), NH Department of Agriculture, Marketing and Foods, NH Farm Bureau and others on a two-year, $156,000 USDA Rural Development grant. The grant, coordinated through North Country RC&D, provides funds to offer technical and business assistance for up to 20 New Hampshire farm families who want to develop and grow their businesses.
Farmers’ enterprise ideas can translate into innovative new farm businesses, which in turn support local economies as well as New Hampshire’s agritourism opportunities. This means that a farmer’s dream of a farm-based commercial kitchen turning out fruit pies and jams will now have the chance to become reality with the help of a personal BAT (Business Assistance Team.)
Experts in different areas of production, marketing and business management will comprise the BATs. Not surprisingly, Extension’s agricultural resources staff will play a large role. Several Extension staff, particularly John Porter and Mike Sciabarrasi, already have shared significant time and expertise by serving on the grant project’s steering committee. They will continue to do so as well as being part of the individual BATs working with selected farmers. Participating farmers, chosen through a competitive application process this spring, will have the opportunity to share their experiences with each other and other farmers through workshops and case studies during the next two years. The hope is this sharing leads to a ripple effect, multiplying the impact of the new and expanding agricultural businesses far beyond their local communities.
Like most other states, opportunities to let agricultural entrepreneurship shine often lag behind other business concepts in New Hampshire. This grant project provides an infrastructure to grow those innovative ideas into solid businesses. By showcasing these farm-based enterprises, UNH Cooperative Extension can demonstrate the importance of innovative agriculture to New Hampshire’s economic development. So keep your eye on the sky! That next flying pie may be coming home to roost in your own community.
For more information about the New Hampshire Ag Innovations Program, contact the project coordinator, Charlene Andersen of Kamigo Marketing, at 942-7160 or email her at info@kamigomarketing.com