Forestry

   Due to a relatively snow-free winter combined with abnormally warm temperatures, New Hampshire is already seeing elevated wildfire danger across a large part of the Granite State's woodlands, almost a month before normal.  "We typically have snow cover and cold temperatures across much of the state in mid-March, but this year we were seeing conditions more typical of mid-April" states Brad Simpkins, Interim Director of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, the state agency responsible for protecting forests from wildfire.  Officials report that bare ground conditions this year have already led to several brush fires as early as February.  As this warm, dry weather pattern continues, brush fires can be expected to become more numerous. The state started taking precautions as early as mid-March by getting the fire towers ready to be staffed and bringing on the seasonal fire patrols several
weeks earlier than normal.
(Full Article) 

Tower Quest Program

There are 16 fire lookout towers in the state of New Hampshire.  

Fifteen are owned by the state of New Hampshire administered by the Division of Forests and Lands. The purpose of the Fire Lookout Tower Quest program is to increase the public's recognition of, and appreciation for, the critical roles that our fire towers play in the protection, stewardship and sustainable use of New Hampshire's forests.  The Town Quest brochure provides directions and a map to the Fire Towers, as well as more information on the Tower Quest Program.  Part I of Brochure  Part II of Brochure
For more information on fire lookout towers: http://www.nhdfl.org 

 

4-H and Youth  

State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

   Sixty 4-H youth in the 4-H Dairy project recently demonstrated their knowledge of current issues along with general knowledge of the dairy industry by competing at the State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl held in Walpole, NH. The 4-H members represented Cheshire, Sullivan, Grafton and Coos Counties. (Full Article) 

NH 4-H Market Lamb Show and Auction  

   Are you interested in showing a lamb in 4-H? Why not begin with a market lamb? This program is open to any boy or girl between the ages of 8 and 18 (on or before January 1st of that year) regularly enrolled in 4-H in NH. A youth can tag up to 3 lambs for the NH 4-H Market Lamb Show and Auction held in September at the Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair in New Boston. Contact Jolee Chase, 4-H Program Coordinator, for more information at Jolee.chase@unh.edu or (603) 641-6060.  (Flyer)  

Barry Conservation Camp Spaces Filling Fast!

Overnight Camp Programs For Youth Age 10-16 In Milan NH

   Summer is around the corner, and spaces in youth summer camp programs like Barry Conservation Camp in Milan, N.H., are filling up fast. Space is still available in all the 2012 Barry Camp sessions for youth (boys and girls age 10-16), but some programs, such as the 4-H Shooting Sports week, are already close to capacity.

   Barry Conservation Camp is a weekly overnight summer camp, operated by the UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H Program and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, where youth can enjoy hands-on learning about outdoor skills and the environment. (Full Article) 

Agriculture     

When is the Right Time to Plant?  

Like standup comedy, timing is crucial for success in gardening, especially when it comes to planting. The various crops we grow vary in their tolerance of cool or warm weather, and if we plant at the wrong time, a crop will suffer. Peas planted in late May will probably not be as productive as those planted in late April. On the other hand, peppers planted too early in the spring will probably get hit with frost and die, while those planted in late spring or even early summer will do just fine.  (full article) 

Extending the Growing Season  

Here in New Hampshire there's always the risk of being caught by a late or early frost, no matter how closely you watch the weather. Also, some of us may live in the area's cooler pockets that can steal a few precious days from our gardening. With that in mind here are a few simple techniques for protecting plants and keeping the soil warm. 

• Cover the row with black plastic. This is particularly helpful in keeping the soil warm for those crops that love the heat - tomatoes, peppers, squashes, etc. The plastic has the added benefits of conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds.
• Cover the plants with spun-bonded floating row covers, usually sold at gardening centers or catalogs under brand names like Remay. This is a loose fabric that allows air and light to penetrate into the plant canopy, but protects the plants during frosty nights. If you have the time and skill, you can even build a wooden frame and stretch the fabric over it to make a sort of mini-greenhouse to cover rows.
• For a low-tech approach, you can surround plants in the garden with soda bottles or milk jugs filled with water. The jugs absorb and retain heat during sunny days, then radiate just enough heat at night to prevent frosts.
• Another variation on the 'mini-greenhouse' idea is to cover plants with hot caps. These are basically hat-shaped domes made of waxed-paper that trap heat. 

Food & Nutrition

Don't Forget the Shopping List!

Even Experienced Shoppers Benefit from Going Back to Planning Basics When Adding New Meals to the Family Menu

   I've heard it for years. "I don't need to shop with a list. I know exactly what I have on hand and exactly what I need." Yet, many of the same people tell me that the reason they signed up for a Nutrition Connections class is to get new ideas for healthy cooking at home.

   Okay. It's time for a reality check. If someone buys the same foods every week, he or she is probably cooking the same recipes every week. No wonder they want new ideas! What does it take to make those new ideas become mealtime reality? Even veteran shoppers, cooks, and meal planners can benefit from going to back to basics in order to break out of old routines and create positive changes.

   Planning, purchasing and preparation are the "Three P's" of eating well without breaking the budget. When you want to try a new recipe, planning is the first thing to consider. Who will like it? What equipment and skills do you need? When will you have time to make it? What must you add to your shopping list? The mental list you keep in your head may not be enough when you are trying something new, especially if it requires a stop in a section or aisle which is unfamiliar to you.

   Iowa State University Extension polled readers on its Spend Smart, Eat Smart web site. They asked readers what saves them the most money on their grocery bills. The big winner? You guessed it! Using a shopping list!   Forty four percent of readers chose "making a list and shopping less often" as their biggest money saver.

   For more reasons to shop with a list, and more information about the "3 P's" of feeding your family, check the following links:

 http://www.choosemyplate.gov/downloads/PlanPurchasePrepare.pdf