UNH Extension Renews MOUs With New Hampshire Counties

Amy Loader, interim director of UNH Cooperative Extension, met with commissioners and delegation members across New Hampshire to renew agreements with counties in 2024.

“I appreciate our discussions about university research and outreach in the counties and their sponsorship of local Extension staff and offices,” Loader said.

On September 6, 2024, she was joined by UNH President Elizabeth Chilton and UNH senior vice provost for Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach Marian McCord as agreements for all ten counties were signed.

What are MOUs?

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a statement delineating the partnership that exists between the state, counties and UNH Cooperative Extension.

MOUs with counties have been maintained since 1957. State law requires UNH and county governments to sign MOUs every six years. This provides Extension an opportunity to renew relationships or meet new commissioners and state representatives as roles change.

A renewal must be signed by the chair of the County Commissioners, chair of the County Delegation, chair of the County Extension Advisory Council, director of UNH Cooperative Extension and the UNH President.

What is a Land-Grant University?

UNH is the state’s flagship public university with a mission of teaching, research and outreach. As a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant university with R1 status, UNH is distinguished as an institution with the highest levels of research activity.

The purpose of Extension is to bring research-based information and university resources to people where they live and work.

• Public land-grant universities in every state were established by the Morrill Acts of Congress in 1862 and 1890.
• The Hatch Act of 1887 specifically funded agricultural research at land-grant universities.
• The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established Cooperative Extension.

The Importance of County Offices

The first Extension office in New Hampshire opened in Sullivan County in 1915. Since then, Extension has operated with guidance and counsel of local citizens, referred to as County Advisory Councils. These council members provide invaluable insight and support for Extension.

“We are proud of the work Extension Educators are doing throughout the entire state and look forward to the future. Together, we will work to meet the evolving needs of people across New Hampshire — from the North Country all the way down to the state’s southern border,” Loader said.