Extension Update: December 2006 Archives

As we head into a New Year, I want to thank you and all our staff and volunteers for your dedication, commitment, and the many contributions you've made this past year in our work with the citizens of New Hampshire. You can take great pride upon the completion of another year of Cooperative Extension work as we have achieved numerous program accomplishments.

We look forward to a new year that will bring with it a revitalized strategic plan in alignment with UNH's Academic Plan that will guide Cooperative Extension for the next five years. We are pleased to be affiliated with the Office of Academic Affairs and look forward to collaborative efforts with Provost and Executive Vice President Bruce Mallory, the Provost's staff, the Deans Council, and the many units that comprise UNH. We continue to gain recognition and value for our role as the primary outreach unit of the University of New Hampshire.

We welcomed new faces and changing roles in Extension this past year. Darrel Covell, former wildlife specialist was selected for the position of program leader for forestry and wildlife. Matt Tarr takes on the role of wildlife specialist in the New Year. Shane Bradt joined Extension as the new geospatial specialist.

Lisa Townson assumed responsibilities for program development and evaluation. Barbara Wright is now focusing on instructional design as part of staff development. Also new on campus is 4-H specialist Trent Schriefer. In the counties, we welcomed Extension Educators Sue Cagle to Belknap, Michael Koski to Hillsborough, Steve Roberge to Cheshire, Wendy Scribner to Carroll, and Program Associate Heather Carter to Coos. We also welcomed new administrative professionals Jamie Sherwood (Pettee Hall), Dari Ward (Kingman Farm), Mary West (Merrimack), Holly McKinney (Hillsborough) and Teresa Locke (Grafton County).

An historic event took place on September 25, 2006, with each of the 10 counties represented by legislators, county commissioners and university officials signing a renewed six year commitment to UNH Cooperative Extension through a Memorandum of Understanding between county government and the USNH Board of Trustees. We also look forward to continuing the County Conversations in 2007 as we continue to promote UNH as an engaged institution with New Hampshire citizens.

Again, I reiterate my admiration for your dedication to our mission and willingness to invest the effort necessary to make a difference. I continue to be proud to lead an organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of so many New Hampshire citizens. Given the strong political and public support for UNH Cooperative Extension, I'm confident we will remain a strong outreach system making impacts important to New Hampshire people.

I extend warmest wishes to you and your family for an enjoyable and restful holiday season. I wish you a happy 2007 and much personal and professional fulfillment.

It is time to enjoy the holiday season by taking your family to the movies to see Charlotte's Web. There is a special opportunity to buy your tickets online and one dollar of each ticket will benefit the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire.

You can go to the movies through the end of January for the 4-H Foundation to receive this benefit. Order your ticket voucher online and enjoy the movie. Please share this opportunity to enjoy a delightful movie and support the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire at the same time.

If you would like the latest information about setting up your work station so it is ergonomically correct, the April 3 training called "Workplace Wellness for Ourselves" is for you.

It may also be good for you if you would like to know how to incorporate simple exercises into your daily work life. Sign up online

Workplace Wellness for Ourselves will be held on Tuesday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Canterbury Woods Country Club. The cost is $15 which includes lunch. The Healthy Lifestyles Interdisciplinary Team has been planning the day and promises you a fun and interactive learning experience designed to help you avoid work-related injuries and rejuvenate your work life.

For more information, contact Nancy Berry at nancy.berry@unh.edu

Many of you are beginning to use the new reporting system and most have plans of work already entered. There are a variety of ways for you to learn more about using the new system.

Two days are planned for face-to-face training (sign up using the in-service calendar) -
January 12 - MUB ITV Room - 10:00 - noon: Reporting system only
January 23 - Boscawen - 9:30 - 3:00: Overview of planning and reporting modules, designed mostly for new staff but all are welcome.

There also are two new flash tutorials on the Plan of Work web site -
They take you through creating an individual plan and also reporting using the new system. You can view them as often as you like.

Continue to watch for PD&E tips as well - new editions that provide tips on the reporting system are coming out soon!

The Canterbury Woods Country Club was filled to capacity Thursday night as family, friends and colleagues came together to wish Bob Edmonds well as he retires after 22 years with UNH Cooperative Extension.

Extension was well represented, along with representatives from organizations Bob has worked with over the years, including the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, NH Fish and Game, the USDA Forest Service, NH Division of Forests and Lands, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the NH Timberland Owner's Association. Also in attendance were private consulting foresters, industry representatives and faculty from the UNH Thompson School of Applied Sciences.

In the spirit of the "roast," Bob was serenaded with songs from "Bye, Bye Bob" to "Wild Thing" by Don Black and his son Adam, David Foote and Dana Boudreau. While the "roast" provided lots of laughs, each person who came to the microphone also lauded Bob for his work as program leader for Extension's forestry and wildlife program.

Bob's wife, Denise, and all four sons, two daughters-in-law and four of his nine grandchildren, attended the event. Bob even made sure to bring part of his neighborhood along.

Good luck to you Bob in your new endeavors.

USDA, along with other federal agencies, now require submission of research proposals through the government's electronic system called Grants.gov

Eventually, the over 900 grant programs from the 26 federal grant-making agencies will use Grants.gov as their only mechanism for submitting proposals.

To ease your transition to this new system, the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) has created a one-hour workshop that provides an overview of how grants.gov is organized, how it works, and how to interact with OSR to be sure to submit your proposals successfully.

It highlights the basics of Grants.gov and provides some advice on using this new system.

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this workshop. The next scheduled session is on Wednesday, December 6 from 2-3 pm. For a complete schedule and how to sign up. click on this web site.

I'd like to welcome Matt Tarr as the new wildlife specialist. Matt, who has been working in Rockingham County since 2002 as the Forest Resources Educator, will begin his new duties the first week of January.

During his tenure in Rockingham County, Matt shared part of the wildlife specialist's responsibilities for providing statewide educational programming and assistance to landowners, communities and natural resource professionals. He also shared the responsibilities of Rockingham County office administrator with Lynn Garland.

He is currently serving on Extension's Strategic Planning Committee as well as several other statewide committees with our partnering organizations. Matt received both his B.S. in wildlife management and M.S. in wildlife ecology from the University of New Hampshire. Please welcome Matt to his new position.