November 12, 2008

Food Service staff, students, teachers and administrators at the Winter Hill Community School in Somerville, Massachusetts were honored by the federal government as a “HealthierUs Silver School.” The school earned this award by meeting a rigorous set of guidelines, from serving fresh, nutrient-rich foods in the cafeteria to providing kids with nutrition information and plenty of opportunities for physical activity.

The school's efforts include six weeks of classes focusing on nutrition and healthy lifestyles for students in grades three through eight, taught by UMass Extension nutrition educators. Students throughout Somerville receive six weeks of such classes, funded by a USDA grant to UMass Extension.

Somerville Journal
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October 24, 2008

The Massachusetts 4-H Program has partnered with Cumberland Farms, the Canton-based convenience-store chain, to mobilize a food drive that will benefit food pantries across the Bay State. Starting Monday and running through Nov. 15, people can drop off all non-perishable food at any of the 190 Cumberland Farms stores in the state as 4-H members aim to collect 12,000 pounds of food.

Boston Globe
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October 22, 2008

Stephen J. Herbert, Team leader for UMass Extension's Crops, Dairy and Livestock team and professor in Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences Department at the University of Massachusetts, and Randall G. Prostak, UMass Extension weed specialist, are quoted in an article about research in the area of growing crops for biofuel. It’s not quite as easy as collecting lawn clippings and yard waste and converting and distilling them in the garage into ethanol to run the family sedan — but it’s close.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette
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October 22, 2008

UMass Extension entomologist Craig Hollingsworth discusses the presence of ticks in the area and how to prevent tick bites. If you encounter a lot of adult ticks this fall, it’s because the tiny critters have emerged as part of their regular life cycle and begun the mating season. “They’re small, and they’re dark-colored, so you don’t see them until they attach to you.”

Patriot Ledger
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