In Partnership with New Hampshire Residents
Formally established in 1957 through agreements with each New Hampshire county, Extension County Advisory Councils are recognized as "the sponsor, guide, and advisory group of Extension work."
These Councils serve as the voice of county residents, offering guidance and feedback on Extension programming and its impact. They play a vital role in:
- Shaping local Extension programming to meet community needs
- Engaging with elected officials and stakeholders to promote awareness of Extension’s value
- Advocating for county funding to ensure continued support
By connecting community perspectives with Extension leadership, Advisory Councils help ensure that programs remain relevant, effective, and well-supported.
Council Structure
Extension County Advisory Councils are organized to ensure broad representation and effective leadership. Here's how they operate:
- Meeting Schedule: Councils meet at least six times per year, typically in the evenings. Meeting frequency, dates, and times may vary by county.
- Membership: Each council includes 14 members:
- 12 county residents
- 1 County Delegation member
- 1 County Commissioner
- Leadership: Councils are led by an Executive Committee consisting of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and an Extension staff advisor.
- Terms of Service: Members are appointed to two-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms.
- Recruitment: Each council recruits and appoints its own members. New members are added as vacancies occur.
Get Involved
Want to learn more? Interested in joining your local Advisory Council? Complete an interest form to connect with County Extension staff.
County Advisory Council Interest Form
Advisory Council Meeting Dates and Minutes
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024| 6 - 7:30 PM | General Discussion| Zoom
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024| 6-7:30 PM | Natural Resources| Location TBD
- Wednesday, November 20, 2024| 6-7:30 PM| General Discussion | Zoom
- Monday, February 3, 2025| 6-7:30 PM| Nutrition Connections Program Review| Zoom
- Monday, May 5, 2025| 6-7:30 PM| Food & Agriculture Program Review| Location TBD
- Monday, June 3, 2025| 6-7:30 PM| Community & Economic Development Program Review| Member Appreciation with Dinner| Location TBD|
2023 Belknap County
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
Our UNH Cooperative Extension Belknap County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Belknap County to be members of our Belknap County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues, and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs, but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, and Natural Resources.
Council members serve for two-year terms, and meet six times a year on first Tuesday of the month at 6 PM from September through June.
If you are interested to join our Belknap County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact Jada Lindblom, UNH Cooperative Extension Belknap County Office Administrator.
Extension County Advisory Councils are made up of citizen volunteers. Among their responsibilities, they are to advise and assist UNH Cooperative Extension county staff in program planning, assessing need, and in advocating for Extension programs and support for the county portion of the budget.
Advisory Council Meetings are open to the public and begin with a guest speaker or discussion and are followed by a business meeting.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7:30pm. Location varies for each meeting.
January 21, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm | Location TBD
March 18, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm | Location TBD
May 20, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm | Location TBD
June 17, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm | Location TBD
September 16, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm | Location TBD
November 18, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm | Location TBD
Past Minutes and Agendas
2024 Minutes and Agendas
2023 Minutes and Agendas
2022 Minutes and Agendas
2021 Minutes and Agendas
2020 Minutes and Agendas
Our UNH Extension Carroll County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Carroll County to be members of our Carroll County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues, and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs, but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, and Natural Resources.
Council members serve for two-year terms.
If you are interested to join our Carroll County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact Ann Hamilton, UNH Extension Carroll County Office Administrator.
The UNH Cooperative Extension County Advisory Council is the vital link between the UNH Cooperative Extension and the local county and communities. Advisory Councils assist with the identification of the educational needs of county residents and relate them to how UNH Cooperative Extension can meet those needs.
Cheshire County Advisory Council Meeting Schedule for 2025
January 7, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
February 4, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene (canceled)
March 4, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
March 20, 4:30pm-8:30pm, Hannah Grimes, Keene (final interviews for Cheshire County Forester)
April 1, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
May 6, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
June 3, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
September 2, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
October 7, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
November 4, 6pm-7pm, Extension Office, 12 Court St., Keene
If you would like more information or to join a meeting, please email carl.majewski@unh.edu
2023 meeting minutes
2024 Meeting Minutes
2025 Meeting Minutes
Cheshire County UNH Cooperative Extension is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Cheshire County to be members of our County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues, and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs, but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, and Natural Resources.
Council members serve for two-year terms, and meet a minimum of six times a year.
For more information contact Carl Majewski, Cheshire County Office Administrator at carl.majewski@unh.edu or (603) 352-4550.
Coös County Advisory Council Meeting Schedule:
- January 6, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Working Meeting | North Country Resource Center
- March 3, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:30pm | Health & Well-Being | Location TBD
- May 5, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Food & Ag | Location TBD
- June 2 - 5:30 - 7:30| Council Recognition & 4-H | Barry Conservation Camp | Delegation Members and Commissioners are welcome to attend.
- September 8, 2025 - 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Natural Resources | Location - TBD
Please RSVP to Heidi Barker prior to the scheduled meeting. Meetings will be held in person, with the option of attending via Zoom, hosted at the North Country Resource Center, UNH Cooperative Extension Coös County Office, 629A Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584, unless otherwise noted.
Prior meeting minutes
Are you interested in joining the Coös County Advisory Council?
Our UNH Cooperative Extension Coös County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Coös County to be members of our Coös County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, and Natural Resources. Council members serve for two-year terms and meet 5 times a year from September through June.
If you are interested in joining our Coös County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact Heidi Barker, UNH Cooperative Extension Coös County Office Administrator.
The UNH Cooperative Extension County Advisory Council is the vital link between the UNH Cooperative Extension and the local county and communities. Advisory Councils assist with the identification of the educational needs of county residents and relate them to how UNH Cooperative Extension can meet those needs.
Grafton County Advisory Council Meeting Schedule (tentative):
- Monday - September 23, 2024 - Planning Meeting
- Monday - October 14, 2024 - Site Visit to Windy Ridge Orchard for 4-H Kick-Off Event
- Tuesday - November 12, 2024 - POSTPONED - Advisory Council Recruitment Meeting
- Tuesday - January 28, 2025 - Coverts Program Presentation - via Zoom
- Tuesday - March 18, 2025 - Content TBD - via Zoom
- Tuesday - May 20, 2025 - Meeting and 4-H Fashion Show and Public Speaking Presentations
Please RSVP to Teresa Locke by the Friday prior to the scheduled meeting.
Upcoming Hillsborough County Advisory Council Meeting Schedule:
- January 16, 2025 - 6 pm
- March 20, 2025 - 6 pm
- May 15, 2025 - 6 pm
- September 18, 2025
- October 16, 2025
- November 20, 2025
Please RSVP to Rebecca Dube prior to the scheduled meeting. Meetings are either held via Zoom or hosted at the Hillsborough County Complex, 329 Mast Rd., Goffstown, NH 03045.
Interested in joining the Hillsborough County Advisory Council?
Our UNH Cooperative Extension Hillsborough County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Hillsborough County to be members of our Hillsborough County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, and Natural Resources. Council members serve for two-year terms and meet 9 times a year from September through June.
If you are interested in joining our Hillsborough County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact Scott Slattery, UNH Cooperative Extension Hillsborough County Office Administrator.
Merrimack County Advisory Council Meeting Schedule:
- Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Location TBD
- Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Location TBD
- Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Location TBD
- Thursday, March 12, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Location TBD
- Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Location TBD
- Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Location TBD
If interested in joining our Merrimack County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact melissa.lee@unh.edu, UNH Merrimack County Extension Office Administrator.
- Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025
- (no meeting in December)
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Wednesday, June 24, 2026 (fourth Wednesday)
- no meetings July & August
Meetings are held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday, September through November, and January through June. Please RSVP to Tricia Perra prior to the scheduled meeting. Meetings will be hosted at the Rockingham County Office, 113A North Rd, Brentwood, NH, 03833, in various locations, or online. Please see the Agenda above for the time and location. Occasionally meetings are changed to meet online at the last minute due to the weather.
Prior meeting minutes available here.
Interested in joining the Rockingham County Advisory Council?
Our UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live in Rockingham County to be members of our Rockingham County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, Natural Resources, and Health & Well-Being. Council members serve for two-year terms and meet 6 - 9 times a year from September through June.
If you are interested in joining our Rockingham County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact Amy Papineau, UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County Office Administrator.
Generally held the 2ndMonday of the month (subject to change), via Zoom and/or in-person at a specified location, 6:00-7:30 pm, from Autumn through June. If you would like more information or want to join a meeting, please email Lindsay.Watkins@unh.edu
No meetings scheduled for July & August | Summer Break
- September 8, 2025 | In-person Meeting | 6:00 - 7:30 PM | UNH Extension Strafford County Office (Mezzanine), 273 Locust Street, Dover
- October 20, 2025 | In-person Meeting | 6:00 - 7:30 PM |
- November 10, 2025 | In-person Meeting | 6:00 - 7:30 PM |
- December 8, 2025 | In-person Meeting | 6:00 - 7:30 PM |
Please RSVP to ce.strafford@unh.edu prior to the scheduled meeting.
Prior Meeting Minutes available here.
Interested in joining the Strafford County Advisory Council?
Our UNH Cooperative Extension Strafford County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Strafford County to be members of our Strafford County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
Nominees will ideally have a good knowledge of local community and county issues, and enjoy the opportunity to offer advice on methods of program delivery and implementation. They may or may not be familiar with Extension's programs, but would value an opportunity to learn about our work in Food & Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Youth & Family, and Natural Resources.
If you are interested in joining our Strafford County Advisory Council, please don't hesitate to contact Lindsay Watkins, UNH Cooperative Extension Strafford County Office Administrator at Lindsay.Watkins@unh.edu or (603) 749-2529
Sullivan County Advisory Council Meetings
Generally held the 1st Thursday of the month (subject to change), via Zoom and/or in person at our Newport office or on a specified location, 5-6:00 pm, from Autumn through May. If you would like more information or want to join a meeting, please email Michele (michele.kroll@unh.edu), Seth (seth.wilner@unh.edu), or Sherrie (sherrie.fontaine@unh.edu).
Sullivan County Advisory Council Meeting Schedule
- Thursday, September 5, 2024, 5:00 pm at the Sullivan County office, 24 Main St, Newport. Agenda: Goal Setting for 2024-2025.
- Saturday, September 28, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sullivan County Farm Day. Save the Date! This is open to the public and Advisory Council members are encouraged to attend and/or participate. This event is in lieu of the October meeting.
- Thursday, November 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m. at the Sullivan County office, 24 Main St, Newport. On the agenda: Marketing Extension Programs in your Community - Resources Kit/Committee Selections
- Thursday, February 6, 2025, 5:00 p.m. , committees meeting virtually
- Thursday, March 6, 2025, 5:00 p.m., committees meeting virtually
- Thursday, April 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Tour Sullivan County Health Care Center/Telehealth Project
- Thursday, May 1, 2025, Recognition of Members and Staff Showcase
- August Council Activity - 4-H Judging, more info coming
- TBD September 2025, beginning the new Council year
Please RSVP to sherrie.fontaine@unh.edu prior to the scheduled meeting. Meetings will be held in person at the Sullivan County Office, 24 Main St, Newport or at various locations in the county when weather allows, or Zoom during inclement weather months.
2022 Meeting Minutes and Previous Meeting Minutes
Interested in joining the Sullivan County Advisory Council?
Our UNH Cooperative Extension Sullivan County office is seeking nominations from interested citizens who live or work in Sullivan County to be members of our Sullivan County Advisory Council. The council includes 12 citizens, and a representative of the County Commissioners and County Delegation. These advisors assist Extension program staff to evaluate current programming, identify local educational and research needs, and to consider new programming across the county.
