UNH Scientists Present Research at 2017 NH Farm and Forest Expo

Monday, February 6, 2017

DURHAM, N.H. – How did the state’s trees fare during the 2016 New England drought? What can we learn from a wasp that hunts down an invasive pest decimating the state’s ash trees? What is the value of promoting locally grown foods at farmers’ markets? University of New Hampshire researchers will present their latest research on these topics and more at the 2017 New Hampshire Farm and Forest Expo Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, Stark Room. The event is free and open to the public.

“The research UNH scientists will share during this workshop will undoubtedly help those working in the forestry and agriculture fields in New Hampshire make informed decisions about their own business,” said Tori Berube, 2017 NH Farm and Forest Expo manager.

Attendees interested in forest resource management will learn about drought impacts on forest growth; the use of the Smoky Winged Beetle Bandit, a solitary wasp, to locate Emerald Ash Borer populations in the state’s forests; and the favorite foods of bat populations in our forests and how bats help manage insect populations. This session is ideal for foresters, wildlife managers, and those who enjoy the Great North Woods.

In the farm session, researchers will discuss the value of the local label in farmers’ market, New Hampshire’s native bee species, strategies to establish long-term pollinator habitats and field peas and alternative forages that provide new approaches to improve the economic and environmental sustainability for New England dairies. This session will be of interest to farmers and producers, agricultural land managers, and enthusiasts of local food. 

Founded in 1887, the NH Agricultural Experiment Station at the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture is UNH’s original research center and an elemental component of New Hampshire's land-grant university heritage and mission. 

The University of New Hampshire is a flagship research university that inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. UNH’s research portfolio includes partnerships with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, receiving more than $100 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.