2023 County and State Highlights

Carroll Contributions: $295,627

UNH Contributions: $502,501

In 2023, for every $1 Carroll County contributed, UNH provided $1.70 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 318 volunteers
• 8K hours
• $262K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Partnering to Leverage Existing County Resources

• 65 landowners who own 6,359 acres assisted through woodlot visits
• 29 landowners were referred to consulting foresters through this process
• Estimated $108K in additional revenue generated for forest landowners due to Extension’s guidance

Managing Increasing Health & Well-Being Costs

• 160 food service workers and volunteers trained in proper food handling practices to serve schools, youth camps and area food pantries
• Reached 600+ residents through leveraged grant funding to support community nutrition
• 293 low-income residents educated to improve their health through better nutrition and physical activity
• 95% of adults reported their diet quality improved

Empowering Residents through Education

• 250+ farmers and gardeners used diagnostic services including soil testing, diagnosing a plant disease or the free Infoline service for gardening questions
• All Granite Staters had access to:154 workshops designed for landowners & 115 workshops in forestry continuing education

Mitigating Impacts on Farmers & Landowners

• Offered programs to address forest health issues including invasive species and disease, pest identification, control and regulations
• Programs on current and emerging threats included hemlock woolly adelgid, elongate hemlock scale, Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer, among others

Cheshire Contributions: $187,226

UNH Contributions: $353,873

In 2023, for every $1 Cheshire County contributed, UNH provided $1.89 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 239 volunteers
• 11K hours
• $349K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Maintaining a Healthy Environment

• Held a training on how to use trail accessibility tools for partners in the Monadnock Region. The Cheshire County Conservation District then used the tool to assess trails
• Partnered with trail organizations to expand Trail Finder, a web-based tool to locate and learn about trails
• 68 landowners assisted through woodlot visits, representing 8,155 acres
• Partnered with Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire to help communities evaluate the accessibility of their trails
• Led or co-led 14 workshops on topics including tree and shrub ID, invasive plant species, forest carbon and climate change adaptation and managing forests for wildlife

Engaging, Educating & Empowering Youth

• Increased 4-H youth engagement and enrollment to pre-pandemic levels (150 youth and 51 adults)
• 20% increase in volunteer engagement with 4-H educational programming
• Started a new STEM-based, after-school club at Surry Village Charter School
• Increased youth communication skills, leadership and career development opportunities through 4-H

Empowering Healthy Communities

• Mobile food pantry program, developed with the Community Kitchen and the Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition’s Food Access Work Group, served Winchester, Gilsum, Richmond and Fitzwilliam
• 77 residents reached with mental health and resiliency training, including the Boost Your Brain program for older adults at Keene Housing
• 650 low-income youth and adults participated in programs to increase physical activity and healthy food choices
• Master Wellness Volunteer trained to teach nutrition education program in local schools

Supporting Sustained Economic Development 

• Helped advance efforts to improve signage/wayfinding and recreational assets in Keene
• Following Downtowns and Trails program, Keene secured $7,500 to engage students in conducting an economic analysis of mountain biking in the community
• Leveraged $1 million forest economy grant to accelerate the adoption of a new forest product – cross laminated timber
• This innovative project is connecting the architect, engineering, construction and development community to the supply chain

Coӧs Contributions: $235,960

UNH Contributions: $467,648

In 2023, for every $1 Coӧs County contributed, UNH provided $1.98 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 136 volunteers
• 12K hours
• $381K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Expanding Access to Broadband and Digital Resources

• Worked with the North Country Council to form a North Country Digital Equity Coalition
• Areas of focus: education, workforce development, economic development and telehealth
• $250K in federal funds per year for four years will support projects that expand access to broadband infrastructure and ensure people have the skills and resources to utilize digital technologies

Supporting Community Well-Being

346 low-income residents educated to improve their health through better nutrition and physical activity

95% of adults reported their diet quality improved

Farm Strong NH program provided farm businesses with assistance in the areas of mental health counseling, estate planning and legal guidance

$43K invested in local food purchases through the Androscoggin Valley Farm to School project

Engaging Youth Through Hands-on Learning

17.5% increase in participation at the Spring into 4-H event at North Winds Farm in Stratford

90 youth reached through Coӧs County 4-H Gardening, sponsored by the Berlin Kiwanis Club, including students from Milan Village School, Stewartstown Community School and the Colonel Town Recreation Department in Lancaster

Providing Guidance on Emerging Issues

61 people attended programs on forest pest identification, control and regulations, including current and emerging threats like hemlock woolly adelgid, Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer

30 farmers received training on how to diagnose and manage insect and disease pests on the farm, including new and invasive pests

Grafton  Contributions: $343,533

UNH Contributions: $553,131

In 2023, for every $1 Grafton County contributed, UNH provided $1.61 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 345 volunteers
• 16K hours
• $509K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Supporting Local Farms & Land Management

• 23 forestry continuing education workshops were offered, reaching 1,025 people
• Nearly 50 farmers attended four educational events at Grafton County Farm for production and pest management practices for vegetable crops
• 117 landowners assisted through 68 woodlot site visits, representing 6,907 acres, with 40 of these landowners referred to consulting foresters for additional management plans

Supporting Economic & Workforce Development

• Provided data on tourism trends and opportunities through a partnership with the Upper Valley Business Alliance on a USDA research project for rural destination development
• Leveraging a $115K grant for wildfire risk reduction, partnered with NH Division of Forests and Lands for a five-session wildland firefighter training course through which 14 participants earned their S-130 certification, qualifying them as wildland firefighters
• 8 Grafton County communities participated in Extension Housing Academy to address housing crisis
• 10 businesses and 40 individuals from Grafton County engaged in the Graniteer Women and Industry Panel session

Engaging, Educating & Empowering Youth

• Facilitated the 4-H Plant-A-Row program to educate youth on healthy eating through backyard gardens and support community members challenged by food insecurity
• 235 youth gained forestry skills in compass and orienteering, tree felling, sawmill operations, surveying and arboriculture

Promoting Community Resiliency & Well-Being

• 306 low-income residents educated to improve their health through better nutrition and physical activity
• 80 residents reached through mental health wellness trainings, including at the Mascoma Senior Center
• 3 tons of produce from the Mount Sacred Heart Covent garden donated to local food pantries

Hillsborough Contributions: $423,633

UNH Contributions: $801,872

In 2023, for every $1 Hillsborough County contributed, UNH provided $1.89 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 1,144 volunteers
• 30.7K hours
• $977K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Supporting Community Well-Being

• 97% of participants in the Teen Mental Health First Aid program are confident they can have a supportive conversation with a youth experiencing signs and symptoms of a mental health crisis
• 4-H teen leadership organized a fall food drive with 4-H clubs to highlight homelessness and food insecurity within the county, collecting 166 lbs of food for 138 meals for people in need

Facilitating Local Community Planning

• Engaged 140 community members from Greater Antrim in a plan to address community needs and challenges
• Collaborated with 45 community members from New Boston on downtown revitalization plan, engaging with 8 local businesses and the town administrator, with a focus on affordable housing
• Worked with 125+ Goffstown residents, including members of the economic development committee, planning board, select board and municipal staff on implementing a business engagement and retention program

Engaging, Educating & Empowering Youth

• 30% increase in 4-H participation with 2,337 youth and adults engaged in programming
• 40% increase in year-round youth 4-H membership to pre-pandemic levels (480 youth)
• 1,018 youth involved in Nutrition Connections received STEM and healthy living learning opportunities through 4-H at Ledge Street Elementary and Amherst Street School in Nashua and Hillside, Southside, Parkside and McLaughlin middle schools in Manchester
• 35 partners, including school districts and other community-based organizations, engaged with 4-H for hands-on programs in STEM, horticulture and healthy living

Supporting Local Growers and Land Management

• Supported growers who lost nearly $3 million in revenue due to freeze and flood weather events in 2023
• 42% of vegetable growers participating in the On-Farm Insect Trapping Program for vining crops reported an increase in profitability, due to better monitoring and timely decisions in protecting crops
• 1,733 people reached through 50 workshops offered in forestry continuing education
• Compiled financial viability data for farms impacted by weather events. This data is assisting local, state and federal leaders in the creation of programs to help farmers

Merrimack Contributions: $403,462

UNH Contributions: $753,222

In 2023, for every $1 Merrimack County contributed, UNH provided $1.87 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 653 volunteers
• 26K hours
• $832K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Increasing Well-Being Through Education

• 340+ residents reached through programming designed to increase wellness and reduce health care costs associated with chronic conditions
• Participants reported a decrease in pain interfering with their daily lives after taking the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program
• Global Gourmet program provided culturally diverse culinary experiences with nutrition education by offering 4-H youth weekly ingredient kits and virtual sessions to improve healthy living and decrease barriers to participation

Leveraging Local Resources for Health

• Partnered with Hopkinton to conduct the Downtowns and Trails program in Contoocook Village –assessed natural and built assets, analyzed data, identified steps to enhance economic vibrancy and provided training for 13 community volunteers and leaders
• Initiated a regional project to improve trail interconnections along the Laconia-Franklin corridor, engaging 20+ local groups

Championing Mental & Physical Health

• 97% of participants in the Teen Mental Health First Aid program are confident they can have a supportive conversation with a youth experiencing signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis
• 90% of Boost Your Brain participants reported being more able to take charge of their health
• 95% of low-income adults and 91% of low-income youth participating in healthy eating and physical activity programs reported their diet quality improved

Supporting Local Growers & Land Management

• Conducted direct outreach to growers who lost over $1 million in revenue due to freeze and flood weather events
• Compiled financial viability data for farms impacted by weather events. This data is assisting local, state and federal leaders in the creation of programs to help farmers
• 19 forestry continuing education workshops were offered, reaching 1,426 people
• Completed forest inventory and field work for Merrimack County Farm. Contracted for a survey of the County Farm boundaries and conducted a field review of all the boundary lines and monuments

Rockingham Contributions: $425,347

UNH Contributions: $697,318

In 2023, for every $1 Rockingham County contributed, UNH provided $1.64 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 1,251 volunteers
• 37.1K hours
• $1.2K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Championing Community Well-Being

• Chronic Disease and Chronic Pain Management courses provided skills, tools and confidence for adults to take control of chronic conditions
• 165 low-income residents educated to improve their health through better nutrition and physical activity
• 95% of adults reported their diet quality improved

Supporting Mental Health

• Farm Strong NH program provided mental health, legal and tax services to farmers
• 332 residents received mental health and resiliency training
• Mental Health First Aid programs provided adults with skills to support others in crisis, and nature-based interventions helped youth better manage their stress

Volunteering for Nature

• 332 volunteers helped organizations and agencies sustaining the natural resources by finding opportunities through the Nature Groupie website
• 364 Coastal Research Volunteers contributed over 2,387 hours
• $77,673 estimated in economic savings from volunteers helping scientists collect data for projects on beach profiling, rockweed phenology, rainbow smelt research, eel surveys, green crab monitoring, horseshoe crab monitoring and sand dune restoration

 Stewarding Land and Coastal Resources

• 41 individuals participated in forums to strengthen the seafood sector
• Provided technical assistance to Rye and Salem to improve habitat management and species inventory
• 33% increase in farmers working with Extension to strengthen their farming business
• 132 fifth grade students at Seabrook Middle School increased their knowledge of scientific tools, tides and salt marsh inhabitants through 4 field days and 12 in-class presentations by NH Sea Grant

Strafford Contributions: $165,026

UNH Contributions: $436,021

In 2023, for every $1 Strafford County contributed, UNH provided $2.64 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 742 volunteers
• 16.5K hours
• $525K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Supporting Workforce & Industry through Education 

• 100+ youth interacted with Extension horticulture specialists to learn about career opportunities in agriculture
• 17 youth trained in forestry careers
• Supported the Seacoast Economic Stakeholders and Soho Creative in developing and promoting an employer toolkit to help attract and retain employees

Building Community Resiliency 

• 80 low-income residents educated to improve their health through better nutrition and physical activity
• 95% of adults reported their diet quality improved
• 97 residents received mental health and resiliency training, providing adults with skills to support others in crisis, and nature-based interventions to help youth better manage their stress
• 28 food pantry volunteers and food service workers were trained in proper food handling at events in Barrington and Rochester

Empowering Residents through Education 

• 125 participants attended Master Gardener volunteer presentations in New Durham, Barrington, Strafford, Somersworth, Lee and Durham
• 56 people attended programs on forest pest identification, control and regulations, including current and emerging threats like hemlock woolly adelgid, Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer
• All Granite Staters had access to 115 workshops in forestry continuing education

 Stewarding Natural Resources

• Worked with the Madbury Planning Board and Strafford Regional Planning Commission to improve Madbury’s resiliency to flooding
• 282 volunteers helped organizations and agencies sustaining the natural resources by finding opportunities through the Nature Groupie website
• Lake monitoring volunteers conducted a water quality study on Nippo Lake in Barrington as a joint sampling effort with the NH Department of Environmental Services

Sullivan Contributions: $285,706

UNH Contributions: $544,746

In 2023, for every $1 Sullivan County contributed, UNH provided $1.91 of statewide resources.

Volunteers

• 175 volunteers
• 12K hours
• $262K value of volunteer time (State Values of Volunteer Time (NH): $31.80; independentsector.org/)

Promoting Healthy Families

• 81 residents reached through mental health and resiliency training
• Expanded programming, including online Wellness Wheel personal assessment and Boost Your Brain program for older adults in Plainfield
• Partnered with Plainfield Christ Community Church, Earl M. Bourdon Center Senior Housing and the Claremont Senior Center to deliver programs for older adults to lessen social isolation, manage chronic pain and increase health

Partnering to Leverage Local Resources

• Worked with local health coalitions and committees to ensure the right people and the right data are at the table to inform systems-level change efforts, including Greater Sullivan Public Health Network, Upper Valley Public Health Network and the District Wellness Committee for SAU 60
• Worked with partner agencies, such as the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food and Vital Communities, to provide funding for mental health services for 50 farmers

Supporting Local Farms and Tourism

• Helped establish the Sugar River Destination Council, a regional organization aimed at expanding tourism and promoting the region’s recreational and cultural assets through print and
  web media
• 30 farm families received business, legal, finance and tax services necessary in developing farm transition plans and ensuring profitability for the next generation through Farm Strong NH
• Collaborated with local farms, like Balsam Tree Farm and Five Sisters Farm, to educate youth participants about farming, economic impacts, planting and caring for trees and how to market and promote a small business

Educating and Empowering Youth

• 85 youth participated in the Community Bike Rodeo in Newport, promoting helmet and bike safety, which led to a year-long bike service club in Claremont
• 16 community/county partnerships in a wide variety of 4-H programming connected youth to community needs and existing community supports
• Increase to 108 youth exhibitors, beautification of the grounds and collaborative youth-adult partnerships contributed to higher attendance and greater economic activity for the Cornish Fair

Coming soon