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Our office is located at 113 North Road in Brentwood, New Hampshire. You are welcome to visit us during our office hours Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For more information on UNH Cooperative Extension events and programs in Rockingham County, visit our website, email us, or call 603-679-5616. |
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Extension, your trusted source: building better lives |
1 in 4 Granite Staters take advantage of Extension each year. How can we help you?
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. University of New Hampshire, United States Department of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. |
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UNH Cooperative Extension Education Center Info Line Question of the Week |  Question: Now that the leaves are gone, I see that several of my trees are covered with bittersweet. What should I do?
Answer: One of the worst threats to our trees is Asiatic Bittersweet
(Celastrus orbiculatus); it can literally strangle trees to death. Not only do the vines strangle trees by wrapping themselves tightly around
trunks and branches, the weight of the vines can pull entire trees
down, and the heavy growth blocks sunlight from reaching tree
leaves. Bittersweet is most easily recognized in the fall because of the
bright orange-red berries that it produces.
Imported into the US in the mid-1800s, bittersweet has been used for wreaths and dried flower arrangements, for highway landscaping projects and for erosion control. Seeds are spread mostly by birds and by humans who dispose of wreaths and cut branches in compost piles.
Controlling bittersweet requires a multi-year commitment. Seeds in the ground remain viable for several years so you will need to monitor annually. When vines are small you can simply pull them out of the ground. Be sure to pull up the entire bright orange root. Dispose of plants in a sealed plastic bag. Larger plants can be killed by cutting the stems to approximately 2 inches above ground, and then painting the cut surface with a concentrated weed killer. There is no reason to try and pull vines down from the trees. Pulling can easily damage tree branches and spread the seeds. Vines will die, loosen and eventually fall from the trees. For more information go to a search engine and type in NH Guide to Upland Invasive Species.
Got questions? UNH Cooperative Extension Education Center's Info Line offers practical help finding answers for your lawn, garden, and food safety questions. Call toll free at 1-877-398-4769, Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM or email answers@unh.edu |
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January Events | |
4-H Shooting Sports Program
November 19 - April 28 at 8:30 AM in Chester
 | | Carissa Martin and Winnie from the Raymond Silver Saddles 4-H Club |
Rockingham County 4-H Horse Knowledge (Quiz Bowl, Judging, and Hippology) Coaching Sessions
Wednesdays: November 30 - March 28 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Healthy Movement, Healthy Eating
Mondays & Wednesdays (except the first week on Tuesday instead of Monday): January 3 - 30 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM in Portsmouth
Cooking Matters™ for Kids
Wednesdays: January 18 - February 15 from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM in Epping
Cooking Matters™ for Teens
Wednesdays: January 18 - February 22 from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM in Portsmouth
Senior Fit!
Tuesdays 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM, and Thursdays: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, January 19 - March 29 in Newmarket
Rockingham County 4-H Horse Leaders Association Meeting
Tuesday, January 24 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM in Brentwood
Turf Pest Control
January 25 in Goffstown, and February 15 in Concord, from 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
New Hampshire Afterschool Orientation
Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM in Kingston
Right of Way Pesticide Use
January 26 in Goffstown, and February 16 in Manchester, from 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Bear-Paw Regional Greenways Annual Meeting: New Hampshire's Moose - Past, Present, and Future
Saturday, January 28 from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM in Northwood
State 4-H Animal Science Bonanza
Saturday, January 28 from 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM in Keene
DuPont is sponsoring a Science Essay Competition where you can write about any science-related topic: from astronomy, to engineering, and even botany. The competition is open to students currently enrolled in grades 7 through 12. Submit your essay by January 31st and you could win $100,000 in awards plus a trip to Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center! Click here for more events! |
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February Events | |
Rockingham County Next Step Teen Club Leadership Program
Thursday, February 2 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM in Brentwood
2012 New Hampshire Women in Agriculture Conference
Friday, February 3 from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM in Manchester
4-H Officers and Leadership Lab
Friday, February 3 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM in Lee
 2012 New Hampshire Farm & Forest Expositon - Farms & Forests: Opening Doors to our Future
Friday & Saturday, February 3 & 4 in Manchester
New Hampshire 4-H Foundation UNH Hockey Tickets Raffle
Saturday, February 4 in Manchester
Have A Heart Yoga
Mondays: February 6, 13, 20, March 5, 12, 19 from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM in Raymond
Informational Meeting: An International Opportunity - 4-H Teen Leadership Trip to Dominica
Thursday, February 9 from 6:30 PM - 8:00 AM in Brentwood
Granite State Division Society of American Foresters Winter Meeting
Friday, February 10 from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM in Bartlett
Rockingham County 4-H Favorite Foods Festival
Friday, February 10 from 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM in Exeter
Rockingham County 4-H Kids Craft Center
Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in Exeter
Take part in the Backyard Winter Bird Survey
February 11 & 12
Pesticide Use Core Training
February 14 from 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM in Concord
Growing Small Grains For Forage & Food
Tuesday, February 14 from 9:15 AM - 2:15 PM in Portsmouth
Bedding Plants Conference
Wednesday, February 15 from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM in Auburn
Rockingham County Next Step Teen Club Project Meeting
Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM in Brentwood
Click here for more events! |
| News |  4-H Junior Rifle and Archery League is Growing
When Mike King took over the 4-H Junior Rifle and Archery League (aka 4-H Bullseyes Shooting Sports Program) at the Chester Rod and Gun Club about a decade ago, there were about 20 kids taking part, and interest seemed to be on the wane. Today there are more than 70 youths ages 8 to 18 signed up for the program, with more than 40 coming to the rod and gun club every other Saturday morning. This program is an opportunity for girls and boys ages 8 to 18 to meet on a regular basis in an indoor controlled safe environment to experience proper and safe firearm handling, and archery instruction. (UnionLeader.com)
Farmers Markets Flourish In Winter's Snows
UMass Extension and University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension are experimenting with different technologies to help farmers expand their winter harvests and sales. (NPR)
UNH Cooperative Extension Establishes Partnership with More Than Wheels
Financial literacy, like reading and writing, is a necessary tool if you want to be successful, especially in the challenging economic times which we exist in today. The partnership's focus is on a six-session series, "Making Money Work for You." (UNH Cooperative Extension News)
4-H'ers Raise Funds for the NHSPCA
"I am a 4-H Cloverbud and every year we have to do a community service project. So this year we sold cat and dog toys at the two Christmas craft fairs in Deerfield. The money and leftover toys went to the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA). We chose to make these toys for the NHSPCA because we wanted to help the animals there. We collected $208.50!" (The Forum)
Rubin Recognized for Service on Rockingham County Advisory Council
Judy Rubin was recently recognized by the Rockingham County Advisory Council and UNH Cooperative Extension staff for her six years of dedicated service on the council. (fosters.com)
How Much is Enough: Practicing Money Mindfulness
Like many Americans, are you spending more and enjoying it less? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have, and the amount of time it takes to pay for, maintain, and store it all? Do you hardly know your neighbors and feel disconnected from your local community? How much quality family time do you have, or is that put aside in favor of HD television, cell phones and iPads, personal laptops and video game consoles? Do you often feel rushed with too much to do, not enough time to do it all, wondering if this is "all there is?" (UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County)
Sea Grant Programs Strike Balance between Protecting Species and Protecting Economies
Research sponsored by the Rhode Island and New Hampshire Sea Grant programs led to the development of the Eliminator Trawl - new gear that is extremely effective at reducing bycatch of cod, a fishery that has been overharvested, while allowing the capture of haddock, a recovered fishery. The Eliminator Trawl, which won the 2007 World Wildlife Fund International Smart Gear award, is estimated to have a $30 million impact on the New England economy. New Hampshire Sea Grant is working on a project to modify shrimp trawl design to reduce the catch of fish and smaller shrimp. In sea trials in the Gulf of Maine, the new gear reduced bycatch of herring by 90 percent. (NOAA Research)
2011 UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County 4-H Recognition Night
It is the time of year for giving thanks and pausing for reflection. In this spirit, youth members and volunteer leaders met on November 18 for the 2011 Rockingham County 4-H Youth Development Recognition Night. The evening's program appreciated the hard work of volunteer leaders, celebrated the activities of the over 25 active clubs and programs in the county, and congratulated 4-H members on their accomplishments at county, state, and national levels in a variety of project areas. Among the evening's award recipients were Kathy Shultz, Salem-based Rockingham Riders 4-H Club, Volunteer Excellence Award; Jenny Caverly, Junior 4-H'er of the Year; Morgan Allen, Dare Mighty Things Award; Maggie Kenter, 4-H Health Award; Kelsie Escobar, 4-H Heart Award; Chris St. Pierre, 4-H Head Award; and Ashley Casey, 4-H Hands Award. (UNH Cooperative Extension Rockingham County)
Fisheries Roundtable: Communications
The Fisheries Roundtable discussion - co-hosted by the Northeast Consortium and New Hampshire Sea Grant - focused communications within the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office, the New England Fishery Management Council, and with fishermen, providing a forum for fishermen to talk candidly about what might improve communication between the three groups. (New Hampshire Sustainable Marine Fisheries)
Click here for more news! |
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