Extension Update: May 2009 Archives
To improve communications related to funding opportunities, in particular funding related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA,) colleges and institute liaisons have been appointed. For Cooperative Extension, Jim Grady and Darrel Covell will serve on the committee.
Their role will be to connect Extension staff to funding opportunities, to initiate collaborations where appropriate, and to promote interdisciplinary research by connecting with faculty across the university.
Grady and Covell also will serve as points of contact for companies or outside parties seeking expertise within Cooperative Extension.
What does it take to enhance the odds for vulnerable young people across the nation? Just ask youth, families, schools and agency partners from Hillsboro and Seabrook.
Over the past five years these communities have worked closely with UNH Cooperative Extension educators and volunteers through a collaborative grant funded project of USDA, CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension System) program for Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR).
In Hillsboro, CYFAR expanded an elementary afterschool program for fourth and fifth graders, and provided intensive staff training on experiential science-based after-school activities. The project also partnered with the school district to create and sustain a growing 21st Century afterschool program for sixth to eighth graders. These programs annually reach over 120 youth who might otherwise be unsupervised during afterschool hours. Program evaluations find these youth do better academically and socially, and have fewer conflicts at home and with peers.
In Seabrook, youth from four surrounding seacoast towns are benefiting from a growing youth center. Prior to CYFAR involvement, Seacoast Youth Services, Inc. served court-referred youth in a diversion program. Now over 50 middle school youth are active in constructive programs each day afterschool and during the summer. Through a partnership with local organizations and businesses, these youth gain nutrition and fitness skills, exploring science, engineering and technology through a "Techno-Team," and contributing to community resources through service learning projects.
At the 2009 annual CYFAR Conference in Baltimore, attending CYFAR site coordinators Michael Koski and Rick Alleva accepted recognition on behalf of their projects from the federal partner, USDA/CSREES. Joining them were technology specialist Trent Schriefer, project director Paula Gregory, and community partner Heath Jackson. Extension team members not able to attend from Hillsboro County: Heidi Bennett, Jolee Chase, Sharon Cowen, George Hamilton, Jonathan Nute, Dan Reidy and Julia Steed Mawson. From Rockingham County: Karyn Blass, Claudia Boozer-Blasco and Terri Schoppmeyer.
UNH staff actively participated in the conference program. Alleva and Schriefer were joined by community business partner Heath Jackson of RC Maximus Raceway, in facilitating an interactive demonstration of the remote control cars being built by the Seabrook youth as part of their Techno Team activities.
Extension Educator Kathleen Jablonski and Gregory facilitated an interactive discussion on implementing 4-H in afterschool programs. Gregory also co-presented a research poster with Barbara Prudhomme White, Ph.D., UNH Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy on findings from a pilot study on stress interventions with highly stressed pregnant women.
Also attending the conference were Extension Specialist Charlotte Cross, coordinator of the state’s Operation Military Kids (OMK) project, Belknap County Extension Educator Becky Levesque and Sullivan County Extension Educator Robin Luther.
Accepting certificates of recognition for New Hamsphire’s CYFAR projects are from left to right, Paula Gregory, project director; Trent Schriefer, project technology specialist; Michael Koski, Hillsboro project coordinator; Rick Alleva, Seacoast project coordinator; and Heath Jackson, business partner with Seacoast project.
Preparing remote control cars for the "Learning Games Arcade" featured during the CYFAR program is RC Maximus Raceways owner and CYFAR project partner, Heath Jackson.
UNH Cooperative Extension's 2009 NH Outside Calendar took first place in the "one-to-three-color popular publications" category of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) 2009 Critique and Awards program. It won the same honor last year.
ACE is an international association of communicators and information technologists who work in universities, government agencies and research organizations in the public sector, as well as companies and firms in the private sector.
The gold-winning Extension design and production team of Peg Boyles, Pam Doherty, Alice Mullen, and Holly Young has already begun planning the 2010 edition.
The judges awarded 100 of 100 points to the NH Outside calendar, calling it, "an outstanding publication."
Congratulations to Peg, Pam, Alice and Holly!
On May 7, 12 faculty members graduated from the 2009 UNH Outreach Scholars Academy. Among the graduates were two UNH Cooperative Extension specialists: Paula Gregory, Extension Specialist/Professor, 4-H Youth Development/Family Studies and Brian Krug, Assistant Extension Specialist/Professor, Floriculture and Biological Sciences, shown in the photo below with me. Paula and Brian, along with faculty from other departments and institutes on campus, were recognized at a ceremony and luncheon held in their honor for their successful completion of the academy.
The Outreach Scholars Academy is a professional development program where faculty members from a range of academic disciplines learn best practices in engaged scholarship as they participate in a series of workshops, interact with faculty experts, enjoy interdisciplinary discourse, and capitalize on coaching opportunities. They also learn about national funding perspectives from federal and foundation program officers. The academy helps faculty move from a public service perspective to an engaged scholar's perspective, knowledgeable about how to develop and sustain mutually-beneficial partnerships with external collaborators.
In celebration of the fifth year anniversary, Associate Vice President, Research and Outreach Scholarship, Julie Williams, spoke of the broad interest in UNH's Outreach Scholars Academy as a national model for professional development for faculty in all disciplines interested in engaged scholarship work.
Provost Bruce Mallory and Faculty Fellow Cameron Wake also spoke to the importance of keeping the university’s public service mission in the forefront by working with our community partners in mutually beneficial ways, and stressed the importance of faculty being recognized and rewarded for this type of work. Extension Specialist Lisa Townson serves as a coach for the Outreach Scholars Academy as well.
Paula and Brian now join 72 faculty/staff at UNH who are now Outreach Scholars, including 12 other Extension Specialists and Educators: Rick Alleva, Charlotte Cross, Charlie French, Suzann Enzian Knight, Ken LaValley, Julia Peterson, Jeff Schloss, Malcolm Smith, Sarah Smith, Catherine Violette and Mark Wiley.
Please join me in congratulating the following staff for their years of service to UNH Cooperative Extension and to our Presidential Award of Excellence winner, Karen Bennett.
They were formally recognized Friday during the UNH 2009 Staff Recognition Program, hosted by UNH President Mark Huddleston and the UNH Council Chairs. This year, 209 Operating Staff, PAT and Extension Educator staff were recognized for their years of service and outstanding contributions to the University. Their combined years of service equal 3,625 years.
Recognized for 10 years of service:
Sharon Blake, Administrative Assistant, Dean & Director’s Office
Peg Boyles, Staff Writer/Editor
Annette Cram, Administrative Assistant, Carroll County Office
Maryann Kasprzak, Program Associate, 4-H Youth Development
Gail Kennedy, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Resources
Joanne Knowlton, Educational Program Coordinator, Nutrition Connections
David Leonard, Educational Program Coordinator, Nutrition Connections
Lynn Roy, Administrative Assistant, Merrimack County Office
Terri Schoppmeyer, Educational Program Coordinator, Nutrition Connections
Wendy Scribner, Extension Educator, Forest Resources
15 Years:
Robert Craycraft, Educational Program Coordinator, Lay Lakes Monitoring Program
Jean Hussey, Administrative Assistant, Rockingham County Office
Cheryl Smith, Extension Professor/Specialist, Plant Health
20 Years:
Diana Fiorey, Administrative Assistant, Cheshire County Office
Ann Hamilton, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Resources
Andrea Sawyer, Extension Program Associate, 4-H Youth Development
Steven Turaj, Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources
Barbara Wright, Staff Development & Instructional Design Coordinator
Holly Young, Educational Marketing & Information Coordinator
25 Years:
Charlene Baxter, Program Leader, Family & Consumer Resources
Linda Gosselin, Administrative Assistant, Strafford County Office
Suzann Knight, Extension Professor/Specialist, Family Resource Management
30 Years:
Alan Eaton, Extension Professor/Specialist, Entomology
Stanley Swier, Extension Professor/Specialist, Entomology
Presidential Award of Excellence Recipient Karen Bennett
Karen Bennett, Extension Professor/Specialist, Forest Resources, is the 2009 Extension Educator Presidential Award of Excellence recipient. She received her award during the annual UNH recognition program May 8.
Only five awards are bestowed annually, one of which is reserved for staff classified as Extension Educators. This honor is awarded to staff members in recognition of outstanding performance and distinguished service to the University of New Hampshire.
Karen has been helping landowners, communities, natural resource professionals and others care for New Hampshire’s forests for 29 years. Last year brought significant challenges, and Karen led Extension’s efforts to citizens and communities impacted by the tornado and ice storm. She ably communicated between our staff on the ground and government officials. Through Karen's exceptional leadership and with the support and confidence of her adept colleagues, UNH Cooperative Extension responded quickly and decisively to citizens' needs.
In nominating her for this award, it was noted that “Karen has dedicated the last 30 years of her life to the University of New Hampshire and its land grant mission to provide education, research and outreach to the residents of the state. All those who enjoy, work, and recreate in New Hampshire’s forested landscape have benefited from her dedication.”
Extension’s Recognition Committee has recognized many of our staff over the past few weeks, including two new awards developed by the committee, the Innovative Delivery Method and Rapid Response awards.
Receiving Professional Courtesy awards this year are Sharon Hughes and Michele King. Sharon was noted for “her commitment to professionalism and her dedication to providing the best possible experience for our workshop participants, critically important reasons for the success of the Water Resources Program.” In nominating Michele, it was noted she “consistently performs beyond expectations. She was the guiding force behind the very successful Northeast Regional Volunteer Leader Forum. This conference showcased Michele’s great organizational skills, creativity and dedication.”
The Diversity and Pluralism award this year went to the HEAL Web Development Team. As an organization, Cooperative Extension promotes a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and productivity and in nominating this team, it was noted it provides an outstanding example of this standard to which we aspire as an organization. Recipients include Deb Luppold, Karen Balnis, Charlene Baxter, Peg Boyles, Sue Cagle, Brenda Carey, Deb Cheever, Kim Dorval, Scott Estle, Andy Fast, Patricia Halpin, Colette Janson-Sand, Martha Judson, Robin Peters and Terri Schoppmeyer.
The Rapid Response award, recognizing those who develop a new educational tool, process or collaboration in response to a critical or emerging issue, went to the Cheshire County staff and Karen Bennett this year.
The Cheshire County staff received recognition for development of “Now What? Coping with the Ice Storm” of December, 2008, providing immediate information on how county residents could recover from the devastating storm. Cheshire County staff recognized included Carl Majewski, Nancy Bradford-Sisson, Christine Parshall, Steve Roberge, Andrea Sawyer, Diane Dugray, Diana Fiorey and Lauren Bressett.
Karen Bennett received her Rapid Response award for her leadership of the forestry educators in response to the July, 2008, tornado. She also provided leadership for the NH Division of Forests and Lands' response as well.
The Innovative Delivery Method award went to Michael Toepfer, for development of an online database system used to record, track and three-dimensionally observe marine debris.
The Performance Beyond Expectation this year went to Geoffrey Njue. Nominated by his colleagues in the Strafford County Extension office, they noted he had successfully worked through a complete office move, a County Conversation, a Civil Rights review, and an unexpected county budget crisis. “Throughout our current County budget crisis, Geoffrey displayed an outstanding mix of leadership, courage, effort, patience, and coordination skills, along with a much-needed and inspiring "Obama-like" coolness.”
Thom Linehan was this year’s recipient of the Program of Distinction award for his NH Grandparents and Relatives as Parents (NH RAPP) program. The first NH Grandparents and Relatives As Parents conference October 16, 2008 was the result of strong leadership and effective collaboration with partners. At the center of this educational focus was Extension Educator Thom Linehan, who continues to provide management and coordination of NH RAPP.
Seth Wilner, who received the award at the April 30 State Advisory Council, was this year’s recipient of the Maynard and Audrey Heckel award, recognizing Cooperative Extension educators for exemplary program accomplishments achieved through innovative and creative approaches.
You can learn more about Seth’s Whole Farm Planning Using the Holistic Management Process program from my earlier announcement of the award, and take a look at his State Advisory Council presentation. Seth is shown in the photo to the right with his wife, Ann Spencer, as I presented him with his award.
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program recently awarded $2.9 million to 23 farmers, 18 agricultural service providers, 14 researchers, 10 community groups, and four agricultural educators. In all, 69 projects will explore new sustainable techniques that focus on improved profits, good stewardship, and strengthening the social fabric of farm communities.
This year's awards range from $4,271 to refine perimeter trap cropping in organic winter squash to $400,000 to support agroecosystems research in sustainable cropping systems on dairy farms.
SARE awarded two grants to UNH Cooperative Extension. Extension Associate Professor/Specialist Becky Grube received $9,981 for her work on winter sprouting broccoli as an alternative tunnel crop in New England.Trials will be refined according to specific farm conditions, and the plan also includes twilight meetings, workshops, and a fact sheet.
Extension Educator Seth Wilner received $5,828 for his work on tracking labor for time and enterprise budgeting. He will evaluate whether an electronic hand-held tool, which captures the times and locations of tasks, can be used to compile data about farm labor and equipment use. The project will result in enterprise budgets and a feasibility assessment, disseminated through field days and conferences.
Join me in supporting the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire in its spring and summer fundraising activities. Each event will be fun for your or your whole family while supporting a great cause.
The Tom Fairchild 4-H Golf Tournament on Friday May 15 at Candia Woods Links features breakfast, lunch and 18 holes of golf with a cart. Unique to the event is a "pudding break" sponsored by Echo Farm Puddings (an off-shoot of an original 4-H project). The event also features a silent auction, starting May 1 with on-line bidding that ends at the event. (Joanne Fairchild is shown in the photo below as the golfers headed out to the course last year.) 
Candia Woods Links and The Oaks support the event by providing a one-year membership, so if you golf but can't make the tournament, purchase a $25 ticket from Wendy Brock before May 14 for a chance to win the membership.
The golf fees are $125 for an individual or $400 for a team. Sign-up as soon as possible or to make a bid on the on-line auction.
Take me out to the ball game with Boston Red Sox tickets, and yes, tickets are available for the July 29 game against the Oakland A's and Aug. 27 against the Chicago White Sox. Some seats are box seats ($100 per seat) and others are bleachers ($52 per seat).
Cost per ticket is payment for your ticket with half a tax-deductible donation to the 4-H Foundation. Check with Wendy for available seats. These seats, once purchased can't be resold or the 4-H Foundation will lose its opportunity to get tickets in the future.
Closer to home is 4-H Day at the Fisher Cats on Sunday, Aug. 9. Tickets are $8 each and you can order them from 4-H Youth Development educator.
Share all these opportunities with your friends and help make this spring and summer a successful fundraising season for the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire.