University of New Hampshire's development plan could take land from agriculture school

The University of New Hampshire began as an agricultural school, but its proposed updated master plan would "all but eliminate the school's founding programs" by inviting development of land used by the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, reports Andrea Bulfinch of Foster's Daily Democrat. At an open forum two weeks ago, the development prospects "drew the most contention and confusion" from staff, students and the community. (Photo by EJ Hersom, Daily Democrat)

The most significant change would take the school's agricultural land for development or some other type of use. The site in question is close to dairy farms, and students and faculty maintain a silo and produce hay there. Equine program staffer Sarah Hamilton said the site is "imperative" to the continuation of the school's agricultural programs, especially since recent state budget cuts took $80,000 from the agricultural sciences program.

Paul Chamberlain, vice president for campus development and energy resources (standing on chair in photo), says the 35 acres have development potential, but assured students, faculty and staff that the equine and dairy centers wouldn't be closed as part of the plan. But Hamilton said the development would add so much to the agriculture facilities' costs that they wouldn't be able to maintain them. Chamberlain said new ways of providing higher education needed to be considered for creating new revenue streams. (Read more)