Extension Update: May 2005 Archives
One UNHCE Aquaculture Program funded by the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center focuses on developing a business feasibility study for baitfish aquaculture. Project objectives include: 1)determining suitable size and operating characteristics of an aquaculture enterprise readily replicated throughout the Northeast, 2)obtaining market, economic and technical information to determine the feasibility of operating this type of business and 3)compiling enterprise budgets and other financial records to demonstrate business feasibility to potential investors and/or new entrants into commercial aquaculture.
The bait market in this region is notable. In 1996, over two million people in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts held fishing licenses, and approximately two-thirds of them used live bait. The retail value of bait sold in just these four states in 1996 was estimated at over $31 million.
Though the market is large, the majority of baitfish used by Northeastern anglers comes from outside the region. Long transportation distances cause bait quality to suffer, and many Northeast state natural resource agencies are concerned about exotic and/or invasive species being imported with baitfish.
Baitfish culture is often considered an ideal start-up aquaculture enterprise. When existing ponds are used, startup costs for a baitfish aquaculture operation can be quite low, helping even small, part-time farmers participate. In addition, relative to food fish, bait are sold at a very young age and have a much shorter time to market, resulting in lower production costs. Selling prices, however, are quite high, with most species selling by the dozen or even individually. All these factors combine to provide a unique marketing opportunity for local bait producers.
Cooperative Extension staff from throughout the state enjoyed a full day of workshops and activities on May 17th at our annual conference at UNH. 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 fourth Maynard & Audrey Heckel Extension Educator Fellowship to Deb Maes, the introduction of new staff, informative and humorous presentations by Rebecca Rule, John Aber and Maynard Heckel, recognition of Debbie Cheever's Presidential Award of Excellence and recognition of staff for their years of service and dedication to UNH Cooperative Extension. Another highlight of the day was the unveiling of two new awards - Performance Beyond Expectations awarded to Tim Fleury and Pam Doherty and Professional Courtesy awarded to Sam Stoddard and Gillian Hodges. Thank you to the Conference Planning Committee for organizing and leading the event: Bob Edmonds (chair), Deb Russell, Rick Alleva, Faye Cragin, Sharon Cowen, Siobhan Craig, Collette Janson-Sand, Debbie Luppold, Carl Majewski, Frank Mitchell and Mary Tebo.
Click here for more conference photos.
Three Extension faculty members graduated as part of the first class of Outreach Scholars at the University of New Hampshire May 6. Peter Erickson, Charlie French and Jeff Schloss, along with 18 other faculty members, completed this seven-month program and were awarded graduation certificates at a luncheon held in their honor.
Sponsored by the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research and Outreach Scholarship, this faculty development program began last October with an induction ceremony and welcome from former UNH President Joan Leitzel. Outreach Scholars met several times throughout the academic year to listen to lectures from Dr. Lorilee Sandman, Co-Director of the Clearinghouse and National Review Board for the Scholarship of Engagement, presentations from program officers from federal funding agencies and other faculty who exemplify outreach scholarship. Each participant also worked on a project (as a team or an individual) that met the criteria for outreach scholarship and to share their ideas with others in the program.
The Outreach Scholars Program is designed to develop faculty who will advance the University’s academic strategic plan with a specific focus on outreach scholarship and engagement. Consistent with the mission of the University, the Outreach Scholars Program is committed to identifying and nurturing the current and next generation of outreach scholars whose research and scholarly work will result in the generation and application of new knowledge to advance the public good. Further, the program will disseminate knowledge on best practices in outreach scholarship that will help faculty identify, develop and submit successful funded research and education grants and lead a range of scholarly outreach activities.
Congratulations to Pete, Charlie and Jeff on completing this program and becoming faculty champions for outreach scholarship at UNH.
The nomination process for next year’s Outreach Scholars Academy will begin in the fall when a call for nominations will go out. Nominees can be faculty from any department/college or Cooperative Extension so any Extension faculty interested should contact their program leader.
Carroll County legislators, commissioners and organizations that partner with Extension participated in the ninth “County Conversation” May 9 at the Brass Heart Inn in Tamworth. 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 Carroll County.
The Monday program included remarks from UNH President Ann Weaver Hart and a discussion designed to generate ideas for further collaborations between UNH and Carroll County.
Carroll County staff shared their program efforts in a discussion earlier in the day with President Hart. She also learned about the collaborative efforts between Extension and other organizations focused on revitalizing Lake Chocorua through the NH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program.
The next "County Conversation" is scheduled in Belknap County Sept. 26.
Margaret Hagen, Marilyn Sullivan Chris Conlon and Gail Kennedy are the most recent Cooperative Extension graduates of Supervising @ UNH.
Supervising @ UNH's goals are to:
* Increase leadership capacity at the University of New Hampshire by enlarging the management skills of UNH managers and supervisors.
* Support the Academic Plan by increasing managerial and supervisory capacities at UNH.
* Create greater consistency in understanding and application of UNH policies and procedures as they relate to UNH managers and supervisors.
The 2004 participants included Suzann Knight and Debbie Luppold. Congratulations to all the participants!
The next quarterly deadline for the UNH Staff Professional Development Grant is June .
For detailed information on the grant and the application, please visit http://www.unh.edu/hr/pod/pdfs/Staff-Prof-Dev-Grant.pdf This grant is open to all Opeating Staff (OS,) Professional, Administrative and Technical (PAT) staff and Extension Educator staff at UNH Durham and Manchester employed in a status position for a minimum of one year and who haven't received a previous Staff Professional Development grant in the past 12 months. The maximum award per grant is $750.
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:
35 Years
Peter Pohl, Extension Educator, Forest Resources
Lynn Garland, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
30 Years
James Grady, Assistant Director, Human Resources and Finances
John Porter, Extension Professor/Specialist, Dairy
25 Years
Karen Bennett, Extension Professor/Specialist, Forest Resources
Sue Buteau, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Resources
Brian Doyle, Program Leader, Sea Grant, Water & Marine Resources
David Foote, Director, Information Technology & Distance Education
20 Years
Robert Edmonds, Program Leader, Forestry and Wildlife
Julie Sabol, Accountant
15 Years
Nancy Berry, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
George Hamilton, Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources
Kim Johnson, Business Service Center
Sarah Smith, Extension Professor/Specialist, Forest Industry
10 Years
Penny Turner, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Presidential Award of Excellence
Debbie Cheever was one of five staff members who received the Presidential Award of Excellence, which recognizes exceptional service to the university. Debbie is an Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development in Merrimack County. She has administered the Merrimack County 4-H program for 28 years and annually manages more than 200 volunteers who, in turn, reach more than 500 youth each year. She also oversees three countywide volunteer boards and collaborates with other UNH Cooperative Extension staff and specialists on volunteer administration, youth development, and children, youth, and family issues.
“Her work is extensive and far-reaching. In more ways than can be listed today, Debbie brings UNH to people in communities and helps them to feel that this is their university,” President Ann Weaver Hart said.
Congratulations, Debbie!