The Goffstown Edge

Button Up N.H. Weatherization Workshop

The UNH Cooperative Extension, will present a “Button Up New Hampshire” home weatherization workshop on Thursday, February 9 from 3:00 to 4:00pm at the Hillsborough County UNH Cooperative Extension Office, 329 Mast Rd. Goffstown, NH.  Information on how simple household changes and modest investments can lead to significant energy and dollar savings over the long haul will be provided. The workshop will be conducted by professional energy auditors and topics will include: common sources of energy waste in homes, easy do-it-yourself steps to save energy, guidance on air sealing, when to bring in an energy professional, and the technical and financial resources available to make it happen.  Residents can also receive personalized assistance to energy related questions and get guidance through the process of implementing an energy reduction project through telephone and e-mail support provided by the Button Up New Hampshire workshop partners.
This workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged due to space limitations by Tuesday, February. Call 1-877-398-4769 between the hours of 9 am and 2pm or got to: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/1202345631918324043. For more information on the Button Up N.H. workshop or getting a jump start on saving money on energy this winter, visit http://myenergyplan.net/buttonup.
Made possible by a grant provided by the NH Office of Energy and Planning, with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this UNH-based program is a collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet, Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative, UNH Cooperative Extension, and the Lakes Region Community College.

NH Farms & Forest Expo

NH FARMS & FORESTS:
OPENING DOORS TO OUR FUTURE
February 3 & 4, 2012

2012 NH FARM & FOREST EXPO
Radisson Hotel/Center of New Hampshire
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH

UNH Cooperative Extension is a major sponsor.  The website is http://www.nhfarmandforestexpo.org/

Cooperative Extension Hosts Every Child in the Garden

Every Child in the Garden

Download Flier HERE: Download Every Child in the Garden

A 4-H Junior Master Gardener Gathering About Gardening and Youth

March 5, 2011 A day-long workshop at the Massabesic Audobon Center

For 4-H and youth group leaders, afterschool providers, homeschoolers and teachers, Master Gardeners and other volunteers including AmeriCorps and college students interested in mentoring youth.

Participants will receive the Junir Master Gardener manuals for adults and youth.  Staff development certificats of attendance and lunch will be provided.  Space is limited to 35 participants.  Cost is $10 per person.  To register contact Janell George, UNH Cooperative Extension at Janell.George@unh.edu or call 641-6060.

2011 NH Outside Calendar Now Available at Brown Graphix

Now available at Brown Graphix, the 2011 NH Outside Calendar offers a selection of excerpts from reflective essays written by UNH Cooperative Extension natural resources volunteers who share the humor, insight, and wonder they've found in the natural world outside their doorstep. Illustrated by original artwork, the calendar also offers daily tips and tidbits to expand your awareness of the natural world.  Pick up your copy today. At only $9.00, these beautiful calendars make ideal gifts for anyone who loves and cares about New Hampshire's natural treasures.

Goffstown Community Gardens

The hot weather might make the vegetables grow faster, but it demands more work from the farmers who tend their plots in the community garden along Mast Road.  David Francoeur took a corner lot so he could extend it out even further, doing all the additional digging and ground preparation himself.  “The work part of it is watering by hand.  There’s one faucet that runs off the Goffstown Police Department, and it’s a challenge.”  The water is divided into 4 hoses that collect into 4 different barrels throughout the garden, and watering is only allowed with buckets.  Francoeur remembers when it was even more difficult, “I’ve had a garden here since we hauled water in 5 gallon buckets across the street from the prison.”  A victim of the produce thefts a few years ago, he’s undeterred by any setbacks and expects to harvest over 300 lbs of potatoes that he will share with the needy.

The Goffstown Community Garden is a remarkable achievement.  Designed specifically for low income Hillsborough County Residents, the plots are lush with produce that often fails in the typical home garden.  Dozens of varieties of peppers and tomatoes, corn already shoulder high, row upon row of pumpkins, zucchini and squash, pole beans and snap peas are all abundant.  Although tourists walking between the plots is discouraged, many gardeners are delighted to stop for a minute and speak with the curious, rightfully bragging about their hard work and bounty.  Now is the perfect time to visit and learn how to start your own garden plot next year.  If you would like more information about the Goffstown Community Garden, you may call Southern NH Services at 603-668-8010, or email Julia Steed Mawson at Julia.Mawson@unh.edu.  Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension in Goffstown also hosts a Youth Garden.

Information from Hillsborough County Extension

 

Asian Longhorned Beetle Threatens NH Forests

Forest health experts fear that an exotic pest called the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) which made its way into the U.S. in wooden packing crates from China more than a decade ago, could move into New Hampshire and devastate our forest landscape. To prevent an infestation state agencies are relying on citizens to help identify and report the pest.  "With nearly five million forested acres in New Hampshire, we believe ordinary citizen observes are the most important key to identifying this potential threat," says UNH Cooperative Extension entomologist, Dr. Stan Swier.

Please click here to download a pdf of this important information:

Download HillsboroughCooperativeExtension

Family Fun

A Night With The Monarchs to Benefit NH 4-H

Download HERE:  Download Monarchs

Budgeting: Let’s Talk About Money!

Budgeting: Let’s Talk About Money!

part 1 of 2 sessions


Dates:   February 9 and February 16  (Participants should attend both sessions.)
This 2-session program is designed to teach people how to more effectively manage their money. Learn what factors influence our spending and saving  decisions, and how to stretch resources and plan for spending and saving.
Location:

Goffstown High School - 27 Wallace Road, Goffstown NH 03045

Free, pre-registration is required

Sponsored by:
Presenter: Sharon Cowen, UNH-Cooperative Extension
For more information, registration or directions contact Maggie Decker at 641-6060 or by email at maggie.decker@unh.edu.

Hoof Beats Club Takes Ribbons

All Smiles... Sarah Clement  and Dan Makowski of  the Hoof beats 4-H Club of Goffstown  take in the action at the Hillsborough  County
4-H Judging Contest held in Nov. at Hillside Equestrian  Farm of Auburn NH Friesian's  were the horses being judged the day of the contest. A Big Thank-You to Hillside Farm in Auburn for their generous hospitality. Both Sarah and Dan are going on to the State level with Cher Griffin as their Coach. Good luck and have fun !