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NH Farm to School Launches New Pilot |
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The NH Farm to School Program (NH FTS) is growing! Last fall, NH FTS launched its “Get Smart Eat Local 10 District Project,” the goal of which is to make direct connections between farms and ten school districts -- 27 schools with over 15,000 students in Rockingham and Strafford counties -- to add fresh New Hampshire-grown products to school menus. This new project comes out of three years of making farm-to-school linkages in the state. The first three years focused on integrating NH apples and cider into as many schools as possible, building a |
successful, sustainable statewide model which will continue. Harlene Batchelder, food service director for the Oyster River Cooperative School District, says, “As one of the charter schools working on the Farm to School program, I am excited to be able to order New Hampshire apples and cider for my cafeterias. Now, with the new project they have started, I hope to be able to acquire a greater variety of local, healthy foods from my neighborhood farms.” For more information, visit www.nhfarmtoschool.org. |
Did You Know?Over half the schools in the state participate in the NH Farm to School Program! They do this by purchasing NH-grown foods for their cafeterias and classrooms, as well as by integrating curriculum on sustainable agriculture and local food systems into what they teach. |
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There are many good reasons for schools to choose locally grown foods! Local foods are fresher, and fresher tastes better than foods shipped long distances. Buying local food helps to make farming more profitable, thereby helping to preserve local open spaces and working landscapes. Local food connections also afford schools a unique opportunity to generate and reinforce classroom learning and to support healthy kids initiatives. |
Feb. 2 & 3 NH Farm & Forest Exposition Manchester, NH Come visit the NH Farm to School booth! Contact: www.nhfarmandforestexpo.org |
Feb. 15, Mar. 15, Apr. 18 Boston Symphony Orchestra $40/person. Includes ticket & roundtrip bus transportation from Durham to Boston Contact: El Farrell, 862-5040 |
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February and March Many University Energy Dialogue Events! Contact: UNH Discovery Program |
March 3 NOFA-NH's Fifth Annual Winter Conference Winnisquam Regional High School, Tilton, NH Contact: info@nofanh.org |
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March 7 WildCAP “What’s on Wednesday” MUB Showcase Contact: Brett Pasinella, 862-5039 |
March 20 - April 17 Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge for Spring 2007 Contact: Chris Skoglund |
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Established in 1997, the UNH Office of Sustainability works with faculty, staff, students, and a variety of local, regional, and international partners to integrate sustainability into curriculum, operations, research, and engagement at UNH Our initiatives fall into four areas: Culture and Sustainability (CAS) From energy efficiency to composting, courses on climate and public health to cultural excursions, in our work we strive to improve community life and the environment. 107 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street Durham, NH 03824 USA TEL: 603.862.4088 FAX: 603.862.0785 |
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Chris Skoglund, Graduate Student & Leader of UNH's Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge |
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Why is the Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge so important? The Challenge is an important part of UNH’s commitment to sustainability. By fostering student engagement in sustainable behavior - namely using less energy, water, and other resources – students can experience how simple changes in behavior can significantly reduce their ecological impact and save money. Since these behaviors don’t require a huge sacrifice or a lot of effort, the Challenge empowers students to make their entire lives more sustainable and to influence their peers to do the same. The adoption of these sustainable behaviors is crucial if we are to care for the Earth. Why should students get involved in the Challenge? It’s a fun way to change the world for the better. Everyday we are reminded that we are drastically affecting our planet’s life-supporting ecology. Fortunately, we can consciously transform our relationship with the Earth. The Challenge provides an opportunity for students to individually change their behavior and see the tremendous potential for a community to create positive change. |
What drives you to lead the Challenge and be more sustainable in your life? My lifestyle is defined by my recognition that what I do matters to the Earth and future generations. I lead the Challenge because the impact of the UNH community is even greater than just the combined impacts of its members: change at this level can revolutionize society. UNH students will go on to be teachers, politicians, business owners, and engineers; they will define the future of our nation and world. Since the Challenge is increasing the dialogue among them about our global and local impacts, they can carry the heart of that dialogue into their future to transform the way we live. The next Challenge is March 20 - April 17! -------------------------------- Rent Hybrids at Enterprise!The Durham Enterprise Rent-A-Car office voluntarily added hybrids to its rental fleet. Call 862-3228 to hybrid-ize your rental and start saving fuel, money, and greenhouse gas emissions today! Learn more at www.unh.edu/etf/ enterprisehybridrentals.html. |
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