Extension Update: January 2009 Archives

As most of you know, the University of New Hampshire is in the midst of developing a new strategic plan. Following steering committee meetings during the fall semester, and roundtable meetings in November, nine working groups are being convened (one to investigate each identified theme), led by co-chairs from within UNH and our external community of partners.

You may view the charges for the groups on the Strategic Planning Web site. One of the exciting and challenging components of this plan is the way these working groups will interact and exchange ideas to inform and complement each other. The interactive nature of the Web site allows each of you to provide input as well.

All of us are strongly encouraged to participate by reviewing progress on the Web site regularly and to provide comments about the overall plan and specific work group ideas. Working groups will meet intensively in February and March, and the site is likely to change weekly as progress is made.

Lisa Townson is serving on the Strategic Planning Steering Committee as a representative from UNH Cooperative Extension, so please feel free to contact her if you have questions or comments about the plan, work group or the progress.

As the University of New Hampshire begins its celebration with events commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I want to reaffirm my commitment to UNH Cooperative Extension's Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity responsibilities. Extension staff conduct exemplary efforts to meet federal and state mandates. We also work beyond those mandates by exhibiting outstanding civil rights spirit and leadership.

I remain committed to the implementation of unbiased employment practices and the delivery of educational programs that serve all people of New Hampshire, with particular efforts to include under-served and under-represented groups. I'm proud to be part of an organization that values Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity, and is consistently sensitive to the needs and rights of others.

Along with our UNH Cooperative Extension Guide to Civil Rights, we continue to focus on program delivery and outreach to underserved audiences.This past year, we conducted formal Civil Rights training at three regional meetings in the fall for our staff, and participated in a federal Civil Rights review at the state level, as well as in Strafford and Hillsborough counties.

I ask you to again read this message carefully and fully comply with our commitment to serve all people fairly and equally. Thank you for your personal and professional commitment to all people in New Hampshire.

UNH Cooperative Extension assisted the city of Lebanon with its Master Plan Visioning Forum Jan. 9-10 through the Communities RFP process (deadlines are August 15 and January 15.)

Approximately 80 citizens attended the Friday night kick-off question and answer session with town boards/committees, which addressed questions from the community about how the Master Plan was used by them in their committee work.

Approximately 80 citizens also attended the Visioning Forum on Saturday with facilitation by Michele Gagne, Charlie French, Dan Reidy and Nancy Berry. Students from both UNH and Woodbury College (Vermont) helped with facilitation/recording, along with several community residents.

Deb Maes worked closely with the Master Plan Steering Committee to plan the event with future activities including 10 subcommittees made up of community residents working for eight weeks on each chapter of the Master Plan, then culminating with a final community forum in May 2009.

Upcoming community events include:

Chichester Master Plan Visioning forum (February 14)

Derry Community Profile (April 4)

Henniker Community Profile (April 17-18)

I am pleased to announce that Darrel Covell will serve as interim program leader for our Sea Grant and Water Resources Program. Darrel also will continue in his position of program leader for the UNH Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife Program.

Darrel assumed leadership for the forestry and wildlife program area two years ago, previously holding the position of Extension Wildlife Specialist. A New Hampshire native, Darrel got his college education at the University of New Hampshire and University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served as the Extension Wildlife Outreach Specialist in Wisconsin for seven years before coming back to lead the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation as its executive director prior to his employment with Extension.

Darrel looks forward to working with each staff member of our Sea Grant and Water Resources program. He knows that each staff member in this program strives to make a difference in the communities throughout New Hampshire as well as through marine and water research and education.

I want to thank Darrel for assuming this additional responsibility, as we continue to focus on the continued integration of Sea Grant Extension and Cooperative Extension.

Ann Reid, Great Bay Coast Watch director, retired at the end of December. Ann, the well-known face of the Docent Program, has led the program from its inception.

The program has grown and established itself as a Seacoast institution under her leadership. To determine the future course of the program, a program review committee will be established to  address its status. The committee will review the history and look at how to shape its future with representatives of Seacoast agencies and non-profits and others who do similar work. The review will determine a configuration for the Watch that best addresses the needs of the region and the mission of outreach and data collection that is at the heart of the program.

We will certainly miss Ann’s efforts for Cooperative Extension and the Great Bay Coast Watch, and as those who know Ann, she is caring and attentive to the needs of her many volunteers, quick to help whenever needed, and committed to marine education and protecting the salty water of New Hampshire. Ann is still a Docent, so we fully expect to see her frequently, with camera in hand.

In the top right photo, I presented Ann with the framed John Hatch mural of "The Falls," which depicts the Durham waterfront in the 1820s.

The national financial and credit crisis has many residents scurrying to find ways to save and better manage their money, and the need for financial management education in the state has intensified. The goal of most New Hampshire residents is financial security, keeping pace with day-to-day basic needs, as well as having the ability to save and invest for the future.

UNH Cooperative Extension’s financial management educational efforts for youth and adults have already increased New Hampshire residents’ skills and as a result, many changed their financial practices to help them reach their financial goals. These goals include decreasing debt, starting or adding to an emergency fund, following a spending plan, paying bills on time and increasing savings.

In addition to money management education for adults, teachers are trained to teach personal financial education for youth with the National Endowment for Financial Education’s High School Financial Planning Program, in collaboration with NH Jump$tart Coalition. Last year nearly 3,500 high school students received personal finance education in New Hampshire. This total is estimated to be about five percent of the New Hampshire high school student population.

UNH Cooperative Extension also coordinates the N.H. EITC Alliance where asset-building coalitions and statewide partners work towards increasing the numbers of taxpayers getting their tax returns prepared for free with a focus of increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit for those eligible.

The EITC population is at 200 percent of poverty or less, who are in need of additional dollars to make ends meet. The dollars gained by the individuals/households is typically spent in the communities where they live. With 68 free tax preparation sites located statewide for tax year 2007, the free tax preparation sites filed 13,607 returns. As a result, taxpayers received $2,334,383 in Earned Income Tax Credit, $1,192,035 in Child Tax Credit and $10,111,262 in refunds. At many of the free sites, money management education is available.

A Merrimack County resident said, “This course made me much more aware of my income, debt and need to budget.” From a Grafton County resident, “I am now better at planning and saving for the future and for emergencies.” From a Strafford County resident, “After completing this program, I will now start managing money and getting my debt cleared.” From a Cheshire County resident “I have learned that I need to pay attention and get organized when it comes to money.” From a Sullivan County resident, “I am very happy with how I have cut out all of the extras. I have freed up money that allows me to become more financially sound and reach my goals.”

UNH Cooperative Extension money management education has made a tangible difference in New Hampshire residents’ lives.

Changing the SceneNH will now be known as HEALthy Schools: Healthy Eating and Active Living in New Hampshire Schools.

This important program also is celebrating five years of successfully providing New Hampshire schools with resources and technical assistance so they can improve their school nutrition and physical activity environment.

The name change will more accurately reflect the collaboration and partnerships we have developed with HEAL NH and other organizations and agencies.

Cheers for Peers provides a way for UNH Cooperative Extension staff to simply and immediately acknowledge the positive contributions co-workers make to each other, the work place, our clients, the organization and the University.

Recognition from co-workers for a job well done is especially valuable and can reinforce good work and build collegiality. Cheers for Peers is for all UNH Cooperative Extension staff, including support staff employed by a New Hampshire county.

Our Cheers for Peers winners, chosen at random from all names accumulated during the October, November and December quarter, are Claudia Boozer-Blasco and Suzanne Hebert. Congratulations also go to Sandy Trybulski and Julie Sabol for being randomly selected from the list of those who sent a Cheers for Peers card to a colleague. Contact Holly Young for your reward.

To recognize someone, go to the Staff Recognition page to learn more about the award in the Supporting Documents section.

UNH Cooperative Extension lost a long-time supporter and advocate last Friday when Ruth Kimball of Epsom died, surrounded by family, at Pleasant View Center in Concord.

Ruth was a homemaker and farmer's wife. Together with her late husband, she owned New Orchard Farm. Ruth dedicated her life to her family and serving the community.

Ruth started the Victory Workers 4-H Club in Pittsfield in 1942 and recently celebrated 67 years as organizational leader. In September, 2008, a ceremony was held at Hopkinton Fair renaming a building the Ruth H. Kimball 4-H Exhibit Hall to recognize her long-time support of the fair.

Ruth had many accomplishments over the years including the 4-H Alumnae Award, Pittsfield Citizen of the Year 1973, Merrimack County Governor's Award for Volunteerism, Farm Bureau Young Farmer's Award, The Granite State Award from the UNH in 1992, the JC Penney Golden Rule Award, National 4-H Hall of Fame 2002, and most recently, the prestigious Friend of 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire award. The photo at the right shows Ruth with me at a 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire annual meeting.

Also, in 1990, the Ruth Kimball Endowment Fund of the 4-H Foundation of NH was established as a lasting legacy to Ruth's dedication to the 4-H Program. Affectionately known as Gram to both adults and children, she had a very deep commitment to 4-H, exemplified in her motto, which was "I'll be glad to."

A celebration of Ruth's life was held Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the First Congregational Church in Pittsfield. The family requested donations may be made in her memory to the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire, Ruth Kimball Endowment Fund, Moiles House, 180 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824.