Forestry

Emerald Ash Borer Edges Closer to New England; What Does it Mean for New Hampshire?  

   The USDA Forest Service reports emerald ash borer (EAB)- a non-native and destructive insect-recently crossed the Hudson River in New York-its last major natural eastward obstacle. The good news is that forestry officials believe the infestation is less than a year old and it is isolated. (Full Article)

Wild Turkey Winter Flock Survey Results  

(News from the NH Fish and Game Department)

   Results are in from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's fourth annual wild turkey winter flock survey, in which the public participates by reporting their turkey flock sightings online. Wild turkey watchers submitted their observations from January 1 through March 31, 2012. During that time, people reported seeing 1,180 wild turkey flocks across the state, representing a total of 20,295 individual turkeys. This was down a bit from last year's winter flock survey (2011), in which observers recorded 1,497 flocks and 27,521 turkeys.

   Fewer sightings does not mean we have fewer turkeys in the state, explains Fish and Game Wildlife Biologist Ted Walski. He estimates New Hampshire's turkey population as holding steady at about 40,000 birds. The most likely reason for why fewer turkey flocks were reported was because the 2011-2012 winter was one of the mildest the state has seen in over 40 years. (Full Article)   

4-H and Youth   

Plant a Welcome Home Garden      

    Burpee Seed Company has assembled seed packets for "Welcome Home Gardens." Each packet contains 10 varieties of seeds to go to veterans, service members, military youth and their families, OR used in gardens to honor them. 

Here are Burpee's requirements for the use of these free seeds:

• Seeds are used by military individuals and/or their family members, OR in a manner to honor, celebrate, or thank them.  
• Seeds need to be planted 
• Credit is given to Burpee 
• Completed forms - and photos, if possible - are to be turned into the Military 4-H Club Program for forwarding to Burpee.

    If your club is interested in planting a Welcome Home Garden in your community, please contact: Holly Zirkle, LICSW, Military 4-H Club Program Coordinator, (603) 866-2624 or holly.zirkle@unh.edu .  

What is the 4-H Revolution of

Responsibility? It's a movement for positive change in every community in America. 

   4-H members from the Bits and Bridles 4-H Club recently spent their afternoon, cleaning the grounds of the Hooper Institute in Walpole. The members worked with volunteers, Rebecca Sethi, Marcie Dunbar, and Jackie Caserta. They weeded, raked, and cleaned up stone walls, and flower beds. They also planted flowers and plants that were donated by Rebecca Sethi and Jackie Caserta. Eloise Clark, director of the Hooper Institute, and Chair of the UNH Cooperative Extension Council in Cheshire County, was impressed by the great job that these members did.

     The Revolution of Responsibility comes to life everyday through real 4-H'ers who are making a real impact in their communities. 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 measurable difference right where they live. That takes uncommon commitment.

Agriculture      

Sensible Insect Management:   

Separating the Good from the Bad

    The other day someone stopped in my office to ask about lawns. In the course of our conversation, this person informed me that they used several pesticides - all of them insecticides - to guard their lawn against ants, grubs, and all manner of other creepy-crawlies. When I asked what sort of damage insects have caused in the past, they couldn't really say - the insecticides were a sort of preemptive measure.

    We all like to see a nice healthy lawn, or we like to harvest nice blemish-free produce coming from our gardens, orchards, and such, and to that end many of us are willing to spray. However, our zeal to protect our lawns and gardens from pests can turn into a "kill 'em all" approach. Without realizing it, we may not only be ridding the landscape of innocent bystanders, we may also be killing off some helpers. (Full Article)

Lily Leaf Beetles

    Every year around this time, I get a flurry calls from gardeners who want to know what's happening to their lilies. They look fine one day, but are reduced to mere stumps the next, and covered with small, dirty, slimy lumps of...well, something.

Food & Nutrition

Be a Healthy Role Model for Your Family  

This Summer

   As school comes to a close and summer begins, many family schedules enter a new season, including family meal time schedules. Children who rush to the morning bus during the school year may be home for a more leisurely breakfast. Some parents may need to pack more lunches, as they send children off to camp; others may need to prepare more at-home meals. Dinner time often goes through summer changes as well.

   This is a great time of year to practice healthy role modeling for our children around food choices and family meal time. Check the following links to get some tips on helping your family to make healthy food choices this summer.

• Be a Healthy Role Model for Children-10 Tips for Setting Good Examples 
• Pack a Family Picnic  
• Kid-Friendly Veggies and Fruits - 10 tips for Making Healthy Foods More Fun for Children