Forestry

Western Conifer Seed Bug 

Description and Life Cycle

Fall Hunting Season Underway

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department reminds outdoor enthusiasts that various hunting seasons start in September and run throughout the fall.  For a list of dates for the 2011 New Hampshire Hunting Seasons:

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting_dates_and_seasons.htm  

4-H and Youth   

National 4-H Week, October 2-8 

Join the Revolution of Responsibility

October 2-8 is National 4-H Week and Cheshire County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on their community. 4-H is the only youth development program with direct access to the technological advances from University research. Youth learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through projects with topics as varied as rocketry, GPS mapping, public speaking, photography, animal science, health & nutrition and community service.

4-H has three primary program areas: science, engineering, and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. Learning opportunities are intentionally designed around four essential elements necessary for positive youth development: independence, belonging, generosity, and mastery. Youth are provided with opportunities for supervised independence, a sense of belonging within a positive group, a spirit of generosity towards others, and a wide variety of opportunities to master life challenges.

Recent findings from Tufts University's 4-H Study of Positive Youth development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H'ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities. In Cheshire County more than 300 youth and volunteers complete a community service project.

4-H youth are a living, breathing, culture changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a difference where they live. Learn how you can Join the Revolution of Responsibility by contacting Andrea Chickering Sawyer at UNH Cooperative Extension Cheshire County at 352-4550.

Agriculture  

Fall Frost Dates

Family & Consumer Resource    

The Legacy Project: Lessons for Living from the Wisest Americans

Genevieve, 77, advises young people to learn history (and ways of living better) from their older relatives. She prepared this letter for children everywhere: Take the Time to Learn from Your Family's Elders

New Consumer Resources on USA.gov

Do you have a problem with your phone or Internet service company, auto mechanic, or credit card company? Do you want to learn how to avoid being scammed, report an unsafe product, or be a safe and savvy online shopper? USA.gov's Consumer Protection page can help you:

Is a Slow Cooker Safe?

At any time of year, a slow cooker can make life a little more convenient because by planning ahead, you save time later. However, when there's a nip in the air, the aroma from the slow cooker warms the soul.

To determine if a slow cooker will heat to a safe temperature:

1. Fill cooker with 2 quarts of water.
2. Heat on low for 8 hours or desired cooking time.
3. Check the water temperature with an accurate thermometer (quickly because the temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees when the lid is removed).
4. The temperature of the water should be 185°. Temperatures above this would indicate that a product cooked for 8 hours without stirring would be over-done. Temperatures below this may indicate the cooker does not heat food high enough or fast enough to avoid potential food safety problems.

Food & Nutrition  

A Meal in Minutes-Home Made Convenience!

Here is a great 10-15 minute dinner which includes whole grains, vegetables, and lean protein. It's a complete one pot meal, but a basket of bread and a salad will make it even better, and stretch it further. This recipe was prepared at a recent Nutrition Connections workshop in Jaffrey. Excluding meat from the cost analysis, each once cup serving cost approximately 40¢. Using one pound of boneless chicken breast, at a sale price of $1.99 per pound, the price per serving is 72¢. The recipe indicated a yield of eight cups, but we managed to make just under seven.

How is this possible? Each serving contains a half cup serving of vegetables, but only a modest two ounces of meat, minimizing the cost of the meal and maximizing nutrition. With the addition of whole grain bread and a green salad, this meal could easily serve four or five people for as little as $7. That's a win for your wallet and health!

Cost of Ingredients*

One can diced tomatoes, no salt                                                .69

One can chicken broth, reduced sodium                                     .65

12 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables                                           .99

1 1/2 cups whole wheat egg noodles                                          .33

2 cups, or 1 pounds, cooked & diced boneless chicken breast   $1.99  

                                                                                          $4.65

$4.65÷6.5 servings=72¢

*Cost of Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder not included

For more easy meal ideas, look through Quick and Easy Meals for Less at http://extension.unh.edu/resources/resource/393/Quick_and_Easy_Meals_For_Less

Recipe: Chicken and Vegetables with Noodles