UNH Extension

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UNH Extension

strengthens people and communities in New Hampshire by providing trusted knowledge, practical education and cooperative solutions. UNH, U.S. Dept.

For over 100 years, UNH Extension’s innovative, energetic and connected staff and volunteers have been developing and promoting contemporary, practical education to meet New Hampshire’s needs. As a public institution, the University of New Hampshire welcomes conversation and civil discourse within the comments section on certain UNH social media platforms. These sites provide forums for thoughtful

discussion of potentially opposing ideas. However, the university expects such comments to be respectful, aimed at fostering understanding and communicated constructively. The university reserves the right to hide or delete comments that include:

>Harassment of specific individuals or groups
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Thank you for being a part of the UNH community.

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Nondiscrimination Statement
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Our programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) should contact UNH Extension’s main office at (603) 862-0806 or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a UNH or UNHCE discriminatory harassment complaint, use the UNH Incident Report Form at https://www.unh.edu/diversity-inclusion/civil-rights-equity-office/incident-report-form or call 603-862-2930. To file a USDA program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain all of the information requested in the form. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: [email protected].

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Accommodation Statement for Events
Accommodations available, including language access services, upon request before an event at https://unh.how/request

09/03/2026

Have you ever spotted elderberries growing in New Hampshire?

Elderberries have a long history of use in traditional foods and folk medicine. Their flowers attract bees and butterflies, while the berries provide an important food source for many birds and other wildlife.

Elderberries are rich in antioxidants and are a source of vitamins A and C, along with minerals including phosphorus, potassium and iron.

If you're interested in harvesting elderberries, remember that safety comes first. Raw or unripe berries, as well as the leaves and stems, contain naturally occurring toxins. Ripe elderberries should be cooked before eating.

Thinking about adding elderberries to your landscape? These beautiful native shrubs make excellent additions to rain gardens and shrub borders.

09/02/2026

September is a month of transition in New Hampshire gardens. 🍂🌿

As summer begins to wind down and the first signs of fall appear, there’s still plenty to do.

Here are a few September garden reminders from UNH Extension:

Harvest late-season vegetables.

Divide and transplant perennials.

Consider testing your soil this fall to get a head start on next year’s growing season.

Renovate tired lawns.

Plant trees and shrubs.

Start preparing garden beds for the colder months ahead.

And keep an eye on the forecast. Even when early September is warm, New Hampshire often sees its first frost between mid-to-late September.

Have row covers or other light frost protection ready in case temperatures drop.

To stay up to date on seasonal gardening tips, subscribe to our Granite State Gardening newsletter. Find the link in the comments.

UNH Extension Yard & Garden

09/01/2026

What can designing a light switch teach you about your future career? More than you might think.💡💭

At the inaugural Grit to Grow Summit in Meredith earlier this summer, more than 100 teens took on a hands-on challenge to design a light switch for someone who might have difficulty using a conventional one.

The activity encouraged them to think creatively, collaborate, and use their individual strengths to solve a problem, skills that can translate to many different careers.

Organized by NH 4-H Program and the UNH Extension Grit to Grow Collaborative, the summit was designed to help young people learn more about the many paths available after high school and make real-world connections with employers and industry professionals.

Through workshops, hands-on activities and conversations, teens gained insight into potential careers, asked questions directly of professionals and, in one case, even received an internship opportunity. Employers also came away inspired by the students’ ideas, questions, and willingness to engage.

Perhaps one of the summit’s most important takeaways: You don’t need to have your entire future figured out. There are many paths forward and people ready to help you find yours.

Read full article at the link in comments!

08/31/2026

This is your reminder to place your bid for this year's NH 4-H Livestock Auction!

Since spring, NH 4-H Program members have been raising and caring for their market animals, tracking their growth, monitoring their health and preparing for auction day.

Now, they're ready to showcase the results of months of hard work at the NH 4-H Livestock Auction on September 7 at the Hopkinton State Fair.

Whether you attend in person or place an absentee bid, your purchase supports local youth while bringing home high-quality, locally raised meat.

We hope you'll join us by placing a bid and supporting the next generation of New Hampshire agriculture.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

NH 4-H Livestock Auction

08/28/2026

Home canning has been bringing New Hampshire gardens and kitchens together for decades. 🥫

This photo from the UNH Archives captures an Extension-led canning demonstration believed to date back to the 1950s or '60s. While canning equipment and recommendations have evolved over the years, one thing hasn't changed: the importance of using research-based methods to preserve food safely.

If you're getting ready to can this season's harvest, remember:

Check Mason jars for cracks or chips and keep them warm before filling.

Follow the lid manufacturer's instructions—most modern canning lids no longer need to be boiled before use.

Reuse ring bands only if they're in good condition and remove them before storing sealed jars.

Label each jar with the contents and the date so you can easily identify your preserved foods later.

Whether you're carrying on a family tradition or learning to can for the first time, UNH Extension has trusted, science-based resources to help you preserve your harvest with confidence.

Learn more about safe home canning at the link in the comments.

08/27/2026

New Hampshire K–5 educators: bring more food, agriculture and nutrition education into your classroom with support from UNH Extension’s 4-H Farm to School Fellowship.

Throughout the 2026–2027 school year, 4-H Farm to School Fellows will use the Harvest of the Month curriculum to help students build food system literacy and learn more about nutrition.

Fellows will also receive professional development, monthly teaching resources and opportunities to connect and learn with other educators across the state.

Only 10 teachers will be selected for this year’s fellowship.

Applications close September 1. Learn more and apply to become a 4-H Farm to School Fellow at the link in the comments!

NH 4-H Program

08/26/2026

Found a tick attached to you or a family member? UNH Extension’s Tick Testing Service can help provide more information.

Testing identifies the tick species and checks for disease-causing pathogens, helping you better understand the results and consider your next steps.

One user shared:

“Sending in the tick I found was easy and step by step. Once the lab received the tick it was timely results, letting me know that the tick was not infected and what kind it was.”

To use the service, order a test online, mail the tick sample using the provided code and receive your results within a few days.

Learn more or order a test at the link in the comments.

08/24/2026

Allergy season is upon us!

While goldenrod often gets blamed for seasonal allergies this time of year, ragweed is actually the more likely culprit.

that goldenrod and ragweed can often be found growing in the same habitats and blooming around the same time?

The key difference is how they’re pollinated. Goldenrod is insect-pollinated, so its pollen is heavier and stickier and is carried from flower to flower by insects.

Ragweed is wind-pollinated, which means its lightweight pollen can travel through the air and contribute to seasonal allergy symptoms.

So don’t be too quick to blame goldenrod. It’s an important native plant and a valuable late-season food source for pollinators!

08/21/2026

New Hampshire’s outdoor economy contributed $4.2 billion to the state in 2024 and supported more than 33,000 jobs. But making the most of outdoor recreation takes planning, collaboration and strong local leadership.

This summer, UNH Extension’s Outdoor Economy Academy brought together 23 professionals and volunteers from 18 communities and organizations across New Hampshire to share ideas and tackle challenges related to outdoor recreation and economic development.

During a visit to Plymouth, participants explored issues like improving access to the Pemigewasset River, helping more people feel comfortable spending time outdoors and building support for community projects.

The Academy also gave participants a chance to learn from one another and bring new ideas back to communities across the state.

Through programs like this, UNH Extension is helping New Hampshire communities connect people with outdoor spaces, strengthen local economies and turn ideas into action.

Read more at the link in comments!

08/20/2026

Good news for Carroll County’s local food system! 🌱

UNH Extension is leading the Farm to Senior Pilot Project, a new initiative that will help bring more locally grown food into meals served to older adults across Carroll County.

Through the project, the Gibson Center for Senior Services and Ossipee Concerned Citizens will receive funding to purchase locally sourced ingredients for community lunches and Meals on Wheels, with at least one local ingredient incorporated into menus each week whenever possible.

Funded through a $7,500 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Rogers Family Trust Fund, the pilot is creating new connections between local farms and the organizations serving older adults in the community.

We’re excited to see this partnership take shape and support both access to fresh, nutritious food and Carroll County farms and producers.

Thank you to The Conway Daily Sun for highlighting this partnership!

Address

59 College Road, UNH
Durham, NH
03824

Website

http://extension.unh.edu/, http://linktr.ee/unhextension

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