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winter banner   Cheshire County e-Newsletter                                                             January 2012

Building a Stronger Future for New Hampshire!
Did you know a significant portion of the funding for UNH Cooperative Extension's innovative programming comes from grants and gifts? The UNH Cooperative Extension campaign links those who want to give with programs they support. Your gift may be unrestricted or designated to a specific program area. Your investment will make a difference to NH youth, families, communities, farms, businesses, and the natural environment. The 4-H Foundation of NH benefits from this campaign through the gifts of current and new donors. Get information at extension.unh.edu including how to make a secure online donation. When you make your tax deductible donation to UNH Cooperative Extension, it also becomes a donation to the University of NH Foundation. 

 

 Upcoming Events 
      

February 7     

"Wild View" Film Showing

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Shieling Forest

Peterborough NH

 

February 8 & 9 

NH Farm & Forest Expo 

Help Us Celebrate our

30th Anniversary!

Radisson Hotel 

Elm Street, Manchester

 

February 12

Non-Native, Invasive Plant Species; ID and Control

7:00 pm-8:30 pm

Gay-Kimball Library, Troy NH  

  

February 23   
8:30 am - Noon
The Rocks Estate 
Bethlehem, NH 

   

 February 23

NH Sheep & Wool Growers' Assoc.

LAMBING CLINIC  

 8:15 am - 2:00 pm

  

March 11 

7:00 pm 

Shieling Forest
Peterborough NH   

 

March 30

4-H Day

Walpole School

Information Booklet

Entry Form

(due March 1st) 

 

April 11

Tree Fruit Pruning Demonstration

4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Alyson's Orchard

Walpole NH

352-4550 for more info. 

 

More Dates of Interest

 

Links of Interest


nh state nursery
Spring 2013
Seedling Catalog


Up-to-date information specific to your child's age  

(prenatal through age 5)  

delivered by email.


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UNH Cooperative Extension Education Center
provides practical solutions to everyday questions.
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Visit us on the web for more information on  4-H Youth and Family, Food and Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Food & Nutrition UNH Cheshire County Extension Website 


Natural Resources  

Maple Season Is Almost Upon Us 

maple judging
UNH Cooperative Extension maple expert Steve Roberge examines syrup entries to determine color grade at the 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show, held earlier in January. Eric Johnson, from NH Timberland Owners Association lends a hand.
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March is Maple Sugaring Time in New Hampshire.  

This uniquely North American natural phenomenon Nature is not restricted to the calendar like school vacations, holidays or town meeting day, but is dictated solely by day-night weather changes. Cold nights in the 20's followed by warm days when the temperatures go up into the 40's, absent a chilling wind, are the requirements for the sap to run.

 

About Maple Sugaring
Beginners and established maple producers will find many resources
 
Youth & Family  

4-H Animal Science Bonanza

 Animal Science Bonanza 4-H Animal Science Bonanza took place on Saturday, January 12th at the Walpole Elementary School. One hundred thirty 4-H members from New Hampshire as well as from Massachusetts and Connecticut took part in this event. 4-H members had the opportunity to participate in quiz bowls, skillathons and attend afternoon workshops. There were quiz bowls and skillathons for 4-H'ers to participate in who had an interest in Beef, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Dairy and Horse.

  
  In addition to the morning activities, participants had the opportunity to attend an afternoon workshop. Dr. Drew Conroy from the University of New Hampshire did a presentation on Nutrition, Nicole Giguere DVM, MS Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA, APHIS, VS -New England, did a talk on Scrapie, which is a disease that affects sheep and goats.
(full article)

   4-H members from Cheshire County were recently selected to attend the National 4-H Dairy Conference which will be held in Madison, Wisconsin in conjunction with the World Dairy Expo.  Joseph Davis, of Winchester and Hill & Valley 4-H, Hayley Martell, of Winchester and Showtime 4-H, and Tyler Woodman, of Claremont, and of Pinnacleview 4-H, were selected based on a resume and a personal interview. While in Wisconsin these youth will attend tours and seminars that explore current trends in the dairy industry, as well as see many of the career options that the dairy industry has to offer. They will attend world Dairy Expo, where they will have the opportunity to see world class dairy cattle exhibited.   

 

   Congratulations also go to Christine Abdelnour, of Winchester and Showtime 4-H.  Christine will be going to National Congress in Atlanta Georgia in November based on her Achievements.  

 

   4-H members in the horse project recently competed in the State 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl in Belmont NH. Senior member Lizzie Morris, of Swanzey and of Minis Too! 4-H, was the high individual of the contest, Connor Greenwood, of Keene and also  of  Minis Too!, placed ninth in the individual category. Rounding out the team were Kaitlin Roberts, of Peterborough and SMS Green Eggs 4-H, and Nick Shephard, of Keene and Ultimate Equestrians 4-H. The senior team which was coached by Susan Lawson-Kelleher, of Chesterfield, placed second in the contest. The junior team coached by Karen Nass, of Swanzey, placed fourth in the contest. Members included Maddie Powers, of Keene and Minis Too!, Emma Similia, of Peterborough and SMS Green Eggs, and Laura Dunbar, of Walpole and Bits and Bridles 4-H. In the individual results of the junior contest Maddie Powers placed third and Emma Similia placed tenth.


Agriculture  

Winter Care for Houseplants

  There is hardly a household that do houseplants es not have a houseplant of some type.  It may be the easy to grow philodendron to one of the more persnickety camellias.  No matter what level of plants chosen to grow, they require somewhat different care during winter to keep them in good condition.       

 

   During the short days of winter, houseplant growth slows.  This is a direct result of the lower light levels in winter.  As the plant's growth slows with the natural changes, how we care for them must also be adjusted. (Full Article)


Forcing Branches of Flowering Shrubs to Bloom

   forcing branch Winter days may be gloomy and dull, but you can give your home a touch of spring by forcing landscape branches to bloom indoors. Spring-flowering trees and shrubs set their flower buds the previous fall.

 

    A branch can be cut and forced to bloom indoors, when buds have been exposed to cold for several months (usually by mid-January). The easiest branches to force include forsythia, pussy willow, honeysuckle, crabapple, redbud, magnolia and flowering dogwood.

 

   Generally, shrub branches are easier to force than tree branches. Buds take from one to five weeks to open, depending on the plant you choose. The closer to the natural blooming time you cut the branches, the shorter the wait.

 

    When you're selecting branches, choose healthy branches that are free from disease, insect and other injury. Consider the plant as much as you would when you are pruning.  (Full Article)  


Food & Nutrition  

Quick Breakfast Ideas to Warm a  

Cold Winter Morning

A steamy bowl of hot cereal is one toe-warming way to start out on a cold winter morning. Try these easy whole grain alternatives to oatmeal.

Easy Breakfast Rice  

1/2 cup cooked brown rice (use leftover!)breakfast rice

1/2 diced apple

1/4 cup low-fat milk or milk alternate

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon extract vanilla 

 

Optional:  1 tablespoon chopped nuts; dash of honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup  

 

Mix all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and microwave until heated through. Or place in a small saucepan and heat. (serves 1)  

 

Suggestions

 - Try other fruit, such as pears, peaches, bananas or raisins.

 - Use almond extract instead of vanilla.

 - Add nutmeg in place of or in addition to cinnamon.

 

Hot Quinoa Breakfast Cereal 

 


Our office is located at 800 Park Avenue in Keene, New Hampshire. You are welcome to visit us during our office hours Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

For more information on UNH Cooperative Extension programs, visit our website, email [email protected], or call 603-352-4550.

The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. University of New Hampshire, U.S. Department of Agriculture and N.H. counties cooperating.