From the Station Director |
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Another sure sign of fall is the annual Under the Vines field day event at the Woodman Horticultural Research Farm. The September event hosted close to 50 visitors learning about the hydrangea, seedless table grape and kiwiberry breeding research programs. Thank you to everyone in Dr. Becky Sideman's and Dr. Iago Hale's research labs and to our Woodman farm staff for facilitating this event!
I hope you enjoy reading below about the latest findings from the locally inspired NHAES research. These month's stories highlight the way in which NHAES scientists are constantly searching for new opportunities and helping address developing challenges in our state and region.
Director, NH Agricultural Experiment Station
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With their attractive appearance, intense and complex flavor profiles, high levels of bioactive compounds, easy consumability and adaptation to the region, kiwiberries are an economically promising fruit for New England producers. Since 2013, the kiwiberry research and breeding program at the NH Agricultural Experiment Station has had a mission to realize that promise for the state. Read more.
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Fourth-generation farmer Ryan Courtright manages the Lee-based UNH Organic Dairy Research Center. Having been farming since shortly after he could walk, Ryan oversaw his family farm in Pennsylvania up until about 2017, when he applied to manage UNH’s organic dairy farm, which opened in 2005. For Ryan, his wife Amanda, and their two sons, both farming and UNH are family affairs. Amanda works as the serology lab supervisor at the New Hampshire Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. At home, the Courtrights raise goats, oxen, hogs and quarter horses and participate in 4-H events and tournaments . Read more.
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Until recently, the organic grass-fed (OGF) dairy industry and OGF management systems have had little research directed to identifying best practices for higher milk production. Station Scientist Andre Brito was recently one of several Northeast scientists to contribute to a paper in Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems journal that studied management techniques of OGF dairy farmers. Led by researchers at the University of Vermont, the study provides a better understanding of this sector and its operations and needs. Read more.
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UNH researchers have scientifically documented the first discovery of a pair of recently mated blue crabs in Great Bay Estuary (GBE) — the official confirmation that conditions in the Bay this year have become hospitable for the species that is typically found farther south. The presence of a breeding population is expected to have serious impacts on the Great Bay ecosystem, although the extent of those impacts is still unknown. Read more.
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More Station News & Notes |
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Upcoming COLSA Seminar Series
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Lastly, Dr. Samantha Nutt spoke to an audience of COLSA faculty, staff and students in late September. Founder and President of the international humanitarian organizations War Child USA and War Child Canada, Dr. Nutt spoke about her decades of experience working to promote and protect the rights of women and children in war zones throughout the world. Photo at left: Dr. Nutt signs copies of her books for UNH students.
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