Extension Update: June 2006 Archives

"The term permaculture was coined in the late 1970s by two Australian biologists, Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. It is a contraction of “permanent agriculture” and “permanent culture.” Permaculture is a set of ethics, principles and techniques for designing sustainable human communities that have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems." - Bog Frog

June, 2006 saw some unusual activity at Woodman Farm and elsewhere on the UNH campus. No, it wasn’t just the rain, although Woodman Farm received about seven inches in a one-week period. The UNH horticultural farm served as the main location for a two-week, permaculture design certification course, one of the first offered on a land grant university campus. Twenty-three participants from three states gathered on site with the trainers: Julia and Charles Yelton of Humastacia Permaculture Gardens in Whitefield, Maine. The Yeltons, who have taught and practiced permaculture design for 14 years, developed their expertise in Australia, most recently living in Crystal Waters, an ecovillage in Queensland, AU.

The course, which covered topics ranging from sustainable energy design to pond construction to sheet-mulching, employed a hands-on, practical approach. Despite the nearly nonstop rain, course participants built a hot frame at the Student Organic Gardening Club plot, designed and constructed an herb spiral at the UNH Child Development Center, layered wind-rows for composting, and finished with a team site design for one of two locations in the Durham area.

Two UNH Cooperative Extension staff joined other students in the class. In addition to the Yeltons’ instruction, participants learned about plant guilds and reading soil profiles from Dave Jacke, a guest lecturer from Keene. They also were able to discuss sustainability principles with Jim Merkel, author of Radical Simplicity and now director of sustainability at Dartmouth College. Ag Resources staff Dot Perkins and Juli Brussell found the opportunity to work with fellow students and the trainers to be the best part of the class.

“This experience was a great chance to integrate principles of sustainable design with the need to teach homeowners and others about practical topics like water catchment and soil-building techniques,” said Dot Perkins. “I’m incorporating a lot of this information into a short course for the Master Gardeners.” Perkins is also working with Lauren Chase-Rowell, a fellow permaculturist, on an outdoor classroom at the Hooksett Memorial School. Chase-Rowell, a professional landscapist, was hired to develop the outdoor classroom for the school’s new courtyard. This outdoor room will feature native plant species and be relatively maintenance-free, an important consideration for teachers.

Permaculture principles and practices can be applied across a wide variety of landscapes and scales, from small backyards to farms to whole communities. It is one more tool UNH Cooperative Extension might be able to offer New Hampshire citizens.

UNH Football Coach Sean McDonnell, in his keynote address at our recent staff conference, recommended a book and several staff have expressed an interest in reading it. The book is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, the author is Patrick Lencioni and it was published by Jossey-Bass 2002.

Cheshire County Family and Consumer Resources Educator Nancy Bradford-Sisson recently received an official Citation from Governor John Lynch in recognition of intake work she did in conjunction with community collaborations during the October, 2005, floods in Alstead. Nancy helped gather information to initiate cases for people who needed assistance as a result of the disaster. Congratulations, Nancy!

Sue Buteau is this year's recipient of Granite State College's Victor Montana Alumni Award, given annually to an alumnus or alumna who represents a commitment to lifelong learning, outstanding professional accomplishments, and the positive attitude characterized by Dr. Victor Montana, former college president from 1990-2001.

The award was presented at the College's June 11th Commencement Ceremony. Since 1979, Sue has worked for UNH Cooperative Extension in Coos County. She assists individuals and families by providing educational programs and information in the areas of human development and parenting, food safety, and personal financial management. Sue was a founding member of the Weeks Medical Center Family Support Team, a model New Hampshire program that trains volunteers to provide support to families in the hospital setting typically during a crisis situation.

She works collaboratively with volunteers and other professionals in schools, human service agencies, community groups and businesses, hospitals and health agencies. Congratulations, Sue!

Tyler Walker is a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of New Hampshire majoring in political science. A resident of Franconia, Tyler is one of the top Paralympic skiers in the world, competing this past spring in the 2006 ParaOlympics in Tourin, Italy.

Because of his interest in fitness and youth, Tyler agreed to help support the UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H Get Up and Go for Walk NH program established by NH's First Lady, Dr. Susan Lynch to bring greater awareness and change to the problem of childhood obesity.

Tyler served as the keynote speaker for 4-H Get Up and Go at the recent State House celebration honoring the more than 2,000 youth and their families that participated in Walk NH. During his talk with the 250 youth who attended the celebration, Tyler reminded them that "Get Up and Go" has a deeper meaning. He spoke of his own childhood and how he began to ski when he was in elementary school. While other classmates participated in the school skiing program, he at first did not. As he put it, "It was not for a lack of limbs, but for a lack of motivation." It wasn't long however before he was "bugging his parents" to try skiing. His first attempt was on a sled ... and he was hooked. His message to these young walkers was to consider life an adventure. Get Up and Go, get motivated to walk, hike or ski or explore caves or dive underwater to investigate what lives below.

Dates are set for interviewing three candidates applying for the position of Program Leader for Forestry and Wildlife. Please hold Monday, July 24, Wednesday, August 9, and Thursday, August 10, and plan to participate in the seminar presentations and discussions. They will take place at UNH.

The three candidates are Stephen Bratkovich, Darrel Covell and Jonathan Kays.

Stephen Bratkovich will be on campus Monday, July 24. Following a session from 1:30-2:15 pm with Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife staff, he will present a seminar followed by a Q&A session from 2:30-3:30 pm open to all Extension staff.

Darrel Covell’s presentation takes place Wednesday, August 9. Following a session from 1:30-2:15 pm with Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife staff, he will present a seminar followed by a Q&A session from 2:30-3:30 pm open to all Extension staff.

Jonathan Kays will be on campus Thursday, August 10. Following a session from 1:30-2:15 pm with Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife staff, he will present a seminar and Q&A session from 2:30-3:30 pm open to all staff.

Further information will be provided by the search committee.

Everyone's invited as the 4-H Foundation of NH and the Fisher Cats of Manchester host a 4-H night at the Fisher Cats Ballpark in Manchester Monday, July 17. The Fisher Cats face off against the Portland Sea Dogs with the game starting at 6:35 PM.

This game is a fundraiser for the 4-H Foundation of NH. Tickets for the July 17 game are $8 and can be ordered through Moiles House at 862-2180 or by returning the order form. Tickets need to be purchased prior to the event to be part of the fundraising effort for the 4-H Foundation.

Rockingham County 4-H members Morgan and Cacia King will sing the National Anthem and a 4-H'er will throw out the first ball. You can visit the 4-H Foundation Board members at the concession stand.

Help us raise money for many of the wonderful 4-H projects. Remember, you don't have to be a 4-H family to attend. Any questions, call 862-2180.

The ITDE staff recently completed an on-line room scheduler for reserving conference rooms in Taylor Hall and Merrimack County. This program allows staff to review the status of scheduled meetings for two of the most commonly used facilities. Staff can also submit requests to use the conference rooms using this program.

Currently the two meeting rooms at Merrimack County and the Taylor Hall first floor conference room are on the web. A second conference room in Taylor Hall also will be available shortly for staff use.

Once you’ve linked to “Room Schedules,” you must log into the system using your user name and password. If you have logged onto the server using the generic “ceuser” user name you will be taken to an error page. You must close your browser and log back in to the site with your user name and password. If you do not remember your password there is a link on the error page to get your password.

Once on the Room Scheduler page, use the links on the left side of the page to navigate to the room schedule you would like to view. On the right side of the room schedule page are calender links that allow you to go to different months. At the bottom of the page is a link to the form used to request the use of a room. Fill this form in completely. Once you submit it, the appropriate staff will review and approve it. Once approved, you will be sent an email confirming the meeting request.

The calendar system is designed so other counties and sites can add their conference rooms to it. To add your room to the list, contact Mike Toepfer at michael.toepfer@unh.edu