As New Hampshire addresses the COVID-19 public health crisis, many have come together to offer help. NH 4-H Cares serves as a resource for the NH 4-H community to pledge their hands to larger service. Check this site for updates and ideas for service projects.This page will serve as a weekly resource as to how 4-H members can help their communities (remotely) during this time of uncertainty.
Plant a Row
One of the challenges Granite Staters are facing is food insecurity. Whether you are looking to supplement your own household, or would like to donate produce, we can all plant an extra row or container!
When you pledge to plant an extra row (or container) we will keep in touch with our weekly Plant a Row newsletter. Here, you will find growing tips, activities, recipes and information on where to donate or access fresh produce.
You’ll be able to share your growing experience when your family joins the NH 4-H Community Facebook group, and be sure to use #4HGrowsHere when you post your garden pictures.
Contact your 4-H County Program Manager to find out more about gardening programs in your county!
Plant a Row Resources
Best Vegetables to Donate
Our friends at Iowa State University Extension have created a great resource for the best types of vegetables to grow and donate. They include tips on how to grow and how to prepare for donation: Top 13 Vegetables to Donate
UNH Extension Gardening Help
UNH Extension is here for any questions you may have while growing your garden. Find out how to reach us at Ask UNH Extension
How to Grow a Container Garden
Don't have space to plant an extra row? No problem! We are also accept donations of container gardens. Lettuces and greens are great, but don't hold up well for donating. When you donate a "cutting greens" container, you maintain the integrity of the greens and also create a repeat source of nutrition with little space required! Learn how to grow your container garden here!
While the community's extra rows are growing, you can use UNH Extension resources to learn more about food access in New Hampshire:
UNH Extension worked with the public assistance community to create the New Hampshire Food Access Map, an online platform that enables organizations to offer their services and share their needs with the public.
Find out the latest as UNH Extension builds a statewide map for farm products.
New Hampshire Farm Products Map
Hospital Care Packages
Hospitals are currently in high demand of Personal Protective Equipment. They are also facing long and tiring days to keep our communities safe and healthy. Here are some ways you can help the healthcare professionals in your community:
Donate
- Take a tour of your home. Do you have any N95 masks leftover from a painting project? Maybe you have an extra box of paper masks or plastic gloves hiding out. These are all items that can make a huge difference for healthcare professionals. Take a look at the full list of supplies hospitals are accepting on Elliot Hospital's website.
- Are you trying to support a local restaurant by purchasing a gift card? Do you have an old coffee shop gift card you never got around to using? Or maybe you pick up a bag of yummy candy or cookies from the store. By donating these types of items, you can help hospital workers feel cared about and fueled up!
Create
- Make a card or a poster! Thoughtful words and a picture can brighten anyone’s day. Sharing our gratefulness, while doing our part to stay safe, is a great way to help those who are helping us.
- Want to sew? Follow these guidelines from Dartmouth-Hitchcock to create cloth masks to donate. While cloth masks are not the preferred PPE, they do allow for hospitals to reserve more of the higher forms of PPE for those working directly with symptomatic patients. Need materials? Reach out to your county's 4-H Program Manager. JoAnn fabrics is also supplying free kits for curbside pick-up.
Have or created some items to donate? Great! 4-H will be offering pick-up of items to create care packages to share with hospitals across the state. We will do a weekly pick-up of donations on Thursdays.
Fill out this form if you have items ready and would like to participate:
