Seth Wilner

Seth Wilner "joined UNH Cooperative Extension in August of 2000. Prior to taking the Sullivan County position, he worked as an Extension Educator with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension System. His responsibilities were focused around water quality, soil fertility, nutrient management, environmental stewardship, land use planning and community development issues.

"After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1991, Seth joined the Peace Corps and lived in a village in Senegal, West Africa. It was there that he developed his passion for agriculture, working with village farmers and market vendors.

"Seth found great satisfaction teaching techniques to increase crop yields, soil fertility and food storage. Following his Peace Corps experience, he enrolled in a Masters degree program in Soil Science and Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin. After completing his Masters degree, Seth took a position with an agricultural software group to develop a computer model to help potato farmers manage their nitrogen inputs.

"After completing this project, Seth joined the University of Wisconsin Extension System. As a county educator, Seth worked closely with county residents, local government officials, and various agencies and citizen groups to address a broad array of subjects and issues. He assisted local governments in their efforts to improve ordinances regulating metallic mining, forestry and zoning practices. He also worked with communities, businesses and non-profit organizations on strategic planning and implementation. In addition to these responsibilities, Seth taught the Master Gardener Program, helped establish a local Farmers' Market and developed a number of educational materials pertaining to shoreland restoration, nutrient management and soil fertility.

"Seth looks forward to building on his Wisconsin experiences here in New Hampshire. He is a strong advocate of community development principals and believes deeply in grassroots issue identification and voluntary implementation of practices to address pressing societal concerns. His lifelong appreciation for New England farmers and the northeastern landscape was a driving force in bringing his family back east."


 * Director, Cold Pond Community Land Trust