[Larbear]

I just saw this over on Equinesite.com:

"To all volunteers and supporters of the UNH Equine Program:

I have to share some rather urgent news which will directly effect the UNH Equine Program in all its forms: academics, horse shows, therapeutic riding and facility rentals.

UNH has what is called a "Campus Master Plan", which is sort of a blueprint for how the university lands might best be utilized as the population continues to grow. Usually, the implementation of this vision is something which is constantly being scrutinized and changes are made slowly.

However, given the recent state budget cuts to the university, there is now a push to develop land which is CURRENTLY IN USE BY THE DAIRY AND EQUINE PROGRAMS. It is being proposed that the land be leased by the university to large chain retailers such as Cabela's. No provision has been made to accommodate the equine or dairy programs in new locations.

The proposed development could effectively terminate all equine related activities at UNH.

There will be two public hearings taking place on Tuesday, April 17, from 12:40 to 2 p.m. in New Hampshire Hall, room 208, and from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in MUB Theatre II. We would be incredibly indebted to anyone who is able to attend one of these hearings to voice their support for the equine and dairy programs.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION with ANYONE who has an interest in supporting agricultural programs at UNH. If you/they cannot attend a meeting, there is information contained within this letter which will allow your voice in support of our programs to be heard by key stakeholders."

Crud!! Anyone know anything about this?

[mg]

Just saw this posted on Facebook by the UNH Equine Program and one of the staff.

There is an online petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/s...nhagriculture/

[Whimbrel]

I'm bumping this up. UNH's proposal could mean the end of the three UNH events as well as virtually the entire equestrian program. Even if you can't attend the hearings this coming Tuesday (April 17), you can help by writing the two Campus Planning Board members: [email protected] and [email protected] and let them know how important the equestrian facilities are to you.

Thanks.

Ann

[RiverBendPol]

I wish I had gone to UNH. If I had, I would immediately stop giving to their Annual Fund. ;-/

I'll sign the petition and email Paul and Doug. I think, though, that the most important voices are the parents of Therapeutic Riders, the students of Equine Studies, the students of the Agriculture School......Someone like me, who has been regularly competing in UNH Horse Trials and clinics for ...umm...22 years... might not have as much pull.

What a sad thing. More green grass gobbled up by encroaching tarmac. Before long the only green left on the planet left will be golf courses!

Huge thanks to those who can attend these meetings!

[Martina]

Thank you for posting this and for providing the links. Just signed the petition. It would be a huge loss for those of us in Area I to lose this event and the facility.

[Grey623]

I'd suggest you/someone also submit this information on the Area 1 eventing website (www.area1usea.org), if you haven't yet. That would be a good way to let more local eventers know about the situation and how to get involved. You may also want to contact the Area 1 chairman to help spread the word. I think the name is Heidi Beaumont, contact info will be on website.

Grey

[Grey623]

The Area 1 website has posted an update following the well-attended forums held at UNH on Tuesday at http://www.area1usea.org/ . Apparently the planners were quite surprised that the proposal generated such response, but still plan to continue without proper research or consideration of many important factors. There is a link to a letter from UNH that describes those factors and how you can help.

Grey

[frugalannie]

Any news from anyone who attended the meeting Tuesday night?

[merry_one]

Bill Hawe, from Coyote Spring Farm in Lee, just a stone's throw from UNH put this information together for a flyer that we have been distributing through the neighborhoods around the university. We are trying to get people aware of just how BAD this plan is and the ultimate impact its going to have on the town, let alone the equestrian venue we all love so much.

Sustainable Agriculture! OR! A Shopping Mall?

This is a sad day for UNH…
One of the first land grant universities, one of only NINE Land-Sea-Space grant universities.

Normally...
• Your plan builds on things you are good at.
• Accelerate your lead.
• Capitalize on upcoming “sea changes”!
• Shape the future of the world we live in!


UNH Mission Statement for this development:
“...to be a world leading research University...”
BUT A LEADER IN WHAT?

Sadly…
• UNH “committee process” shun involvement from leaders in agriculture, sustainability, organics, animal science, etc.
• YET, these are the areas where UNH is a clear leader!

Worse…
• UNH the “Master Plan” to build speculative industry research facilities on agricultural and animal space smacks of bulldoze it and they will come.
• Ill conceived, expensive, and not based on an understanding of industry/university research eco-system collaboration which has been demonstrated to work elsewhere, for example, Palo Alto, Cambridge, etc.

Final Insult...
• Plans to develop LARGE retail shopping mall by paving over UNH land used in leadership agriculture and animal programs. THINK the scale of a Super Walmart.
• Cannot “un-pave” that land. Cannot recover the lost leader in these research areas.

Lately...
• UNH may be saying that they won’t PAVE OVER agriculture, equine, etc.
• UNH has NOT said that their mission is to be “A leading Agriculture and Animal Science research center.”

CALL TO ACTION
• Is UNH now asking people for plans to be a leading agriculture and animal science center?
• Only vigorous, vocal objections are getting attention.

ATTEND! Tuesday, April 24, 12:40 - 2:00 pm in the Granite State Room in the Memorial Union Building at UNH.

UNH — What Are You Thinking!!!!