Extension News: January 2009 Archives

Want to banish cabin fever for a few hours?

Bundle up the family and head for the 2009 New Hampshire Farm & Forest Exposition. Dubbed "New Hampshire's Greatest Winter Fair" since 1984, the Expo showcases the diversity and importance of the state's farms and forestlands.

This year's Expo takes place Friday and Saturday, February 6 and7 at the Center of NH--Radisson Hotel in Manchester. Admission is $7.00; children under 15 get in free both days.

Exposition
The giant Exposition features dozens of equipment and product vendors, as well as booths that showcase the work of many forestry, agricultural, and environmental organizations.

Workshops
Visitors can choose from among dozens of educational workshops which include using a chainsaw, harvesting firewood, growing vegetables in containers, making maple syrup, growing giant pumpkins, and restoring and using historic water-powered mills.

Seminars
In-depth seminars include leasing land and equipment, worksite modifications for farmers with disabilities, beekeeping basics, farm tourism, general farm emergency preparedness, and community agricultural commissions.

Kid's day
From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the Exposition welcomes children of all ages, with many special hands-on activities, demonstrations, live farm animals, and entertainment.

The Expo is sponsored jointly by UNH Cooperative Extension, the Division of Forests & Lands, and the Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.

Residents of New Hampshire's seacoast region can soon purchase locally and sustainably caught shrimp and lobster directly from local fishermen at seacoast-area Winter Farmers Markets.

With shrimp and lobster prices at near 20-year lows, this is an economic boon to consumers and local fishermen alike.

Fishing: A vital component of the N.H. economy
Throughout our history, New Hampshire's commercial fishing industry has helped to shape the state's character and sense of community.

As a vital component of the state's economy for more than two centuries, commercial fishing has grown to a multi-million dollar industry in New Hampshire, employing approximately 100 commercial fishermen and supporting approximately 250 jobs in other sectors, including food processing, tourism, and boatyards.

Tough times for local fishermen
However, the state's seafood industry is at a critical juncture that will determine its future viability. Fishing regulations aimed at protecting declining fish stocks have made it difficult for commercial fishermen to turn a profit. Coupled with rock-bottom prices for shrimp and lobster, commercial fishermen worry that their livelihood is in jeopardy.

Extension initiative to help fishermen develop direct marketing strategies
But how can the shrimp and lobster industries both sustain the resource and increase profits from fish sales?

The answer may lie in establishing direct markets for local and sustainably caught seafood. By selling directly to consumers, fishermen get to keep more of the profits.

Combining a Significant Issues grant from UNH Cooperative Extension with other grant funding, we began conducting research to look at the prospects for direct marketing of seafood. We're conducting a survey to build a marketing profile of consumers and also surveying fishermen and retailers.

We've also been working with the fishermen of the Yankee Seafood Co-op, based in Seabrook, to build stronger links between commercial fishermen and local fresh markets and area restaurants.

Winter Markets the first step
As one result of our initiative, the Co-op will begin selling shrimp and lobster at Winter Farmers' Markets sponsored by Seacoast Eat Local. What better venue for fishermen than a farmers market where agricultural producers are already selling a variety of locally produced foods?

While the financial benefit may be modest for fishermen this first season, we see the farmers' markets as a way to get the word out, give fishermen an opportunity to talk to consumers about sustainable seafood harvesting, and provide information about cooking and preparing fresh seafood.

The Winter Markets help lay the groundwork for a variety of direct marketing opportunities, including community-supported fisheries (similar to community-supported agriculture).

If you're interested in buying fresh, local, sustainably harvested pre-packaged shrimp and live lobsters, visit one of these Winter Farmers Markets:

Saturday, February 7, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., 21 Front Street, Exeter
Saturday, Saturday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Stratham Town Hall, Stratham

By Charlie French, UNH Extension community economic development specialist and Ken La Valley, fisheries specialist
Photo of shrimp trawler by Ken La Valley

State and federal agencies are conducting an active and thorough investigation into the recent Salmonella Typhimurium foodborne illness outbreak making headlines across the nation.

Symptoms and progress of infection
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours later. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days.

Although most people recover without treatment, severe illness may develop in vulnerable individuals such as infants, older adults, and people with impaired immune systems.

Origin of outbreak and sources of contamination
The source of the contamination was traced to a plant in Georgia which makes peanut butter and "peanut paste" sold to institutions such as long-term care facilities and cafeterias.

The peanut butter and paste are also used as ingredients in the manufacture of many other food products such as cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream and sports and nutrition bars. As a result, the Georgia plant has recalled all peanut products produced since July 1, 2008 and has stopped further production.

Since January 16, 2009, companies using the peanut butter or paste have begun recalling their products because of potential Salmonella contamination.

Peanut butter in jars OK
Since the peanut butter wasn't sold directly to consumers, major national brands of jarred peanut butter aren't included in the recall.

Learn more about this nationwide foodborne illness outbreak and which foods have been recalled:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration All the latest information about the outbreak.
List of foods and brands that have been recalled
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information on the outbreak with advice to consumers.

Bill Lord, UNH Cooperative Extension fruit specialist emeritus, brings his renowned wit and wisdom to the blogsophere with his new blog, Fruit Grower's Journal: A journal of the activities of a typical fruit grower.

Lord, who retired officially in 2003, but has remained active in Extension tree fruit work, says the information in his blog will apply to backyard fruit producers as well as commercial growers. Lord says he'll devote some posts to small fruits, too.

Current posts feature commentary how New Hampshire's fruit trees are enduring the harsh New Hampshire winter; each post then describes a "variety of the week." (The latest: Buerre Bosc pear.)

Widely acclaimed for his hands-on teaching and extraordinary pruning skills, Lord says he ventured into cyberspace because, "The New Hampshire Fruit Growers Association already had a Web site. A blog seemed like another good opportunity to share information, so why not?"

Check out the Fruit Grower's Journal. Lord says he eagerly awaits comments and questions from readers.

5-year-old school wellness program becomes HEALthy Schools

After five years of extraordinary success, UNH Cooperative Extension's Changing the Scene school wellness program has changed its name to HEALthy Schools: Healthy Eating and Active Living in New Hampshire Schools.

The program provides New Hampshire schools with resources, technical assistance, and peer support to help them improve their school nutrition and physical activity environments.

"We changed our name to reflect our close collaboration with the statewide HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living NH) initiative and other partners," says Valerie Long, Cooperative Extension nutrition education coordinator.

Since 2003, the program has worked with more than 580 school personnel in 330 Granite State schools and Head Start programs. More than 50,000 children have received the health-promoting benefits of changes their schools have made.

Learn more about HEALthy Schools