June is:

National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

Now is the time to encourage healthy eating habits when our fruits and vegetables are NH fresh! Consider a farmer's market or a trip to your local farmstand and support local agriculture. NH AITC has lots of activities and lessons that focus on fruits and vegetables.


Turkey Lover's Month


Turkeys are one of the few native bird birds to North America. Their come back in the Northeast is one of the greatest successess of restoration of a species. They provide millions of dollars to our economy and have high health values. They're a very interesting animal to study, call us for turkey talk!

National Rose Month

The rose is a symbol of love in the US and big business in the florist world.

National Rivers Month

Without water nothing can grow or survive. Water is taken for granted by so many that it becomes critical to cover the subject of keeping our water clean and healthy. Contact AITC for resources on water studies.

National Candy Month:

NHAITC has a lesson plan entitled Snack Search. Students will make maps to show where the ag products used to produce their favorite candy or snack is grown. ILAITC has an excellent lesson plan using candy, call nhaitc for lesson plans and activities.



July is:

*National Blueberry Month

Blueberries are native to NH and other Northeast states. This nutrient rich berry provides a great study topic and a delicious way to study berries. Maine Ag in the Classroom has an excellent curriculum packet on blueberries.

National Culinary Arts Month

Who doesn't love delicious food, take this month to create your own culinary masterpiece with fresh local vegetables and meats. Encourage children to do the same!

National Hot Dog Month

What's summer without eating hot dogs! Where do hot dogs come from, what are they made of, are they healthy? All things to learn about the food we eat. There's lots to learn about this summer favorite!

National Grilling Month

Fire up the grill, who doesn't love a cookout! Grilling is a healthy way to cook meats and vegetables. Try your hand at something new, experiment with vegetables, fish and meath this summer on the grill!

National Ice Cream Month

We can't think of anything better on a hot summer day than an ice cream cone. Celebrate dairy month and national ice cream month and treat yourself and someone you know to this wonderful treat!

June -
National Dairy Month

“My Pyramid” recommends 3 servings of dairy foods daily. Why is it important to eat dairy products? They are the richest source of calcium which is needed for strong teeth and bones. A calcium-rich diet may also lower your risk of some diseases, such as osteoporosis, hypertension, certain cancers and may help you manage your weight. (Osteoporosis affects 10 million people in the US!) Most milk is fortified with vitamin D which aids the absorption of calcium. Beyond calcium and vitamin D, dairy products also provide protein, B vitamins and other minerals your body needs. Fermented dairy products such as yogurt and buttermilk, also contain probiotic bacteria, sometimes called "good bacteria." Probiotic bacteria maintain a healthy digestive tract, and may protect against cancer and high cholesterol. Whole milk dairy products are high in fat -- especially harmful saturated fat -- and calories. By choosing nonfat or low fat dairy products, you get all of the same beneficial nutrients without the harmful fat and extra calories. If you aren’t reaching 3 servings a day, how can you add more nonfat or low fat dairy to your day? Here are a few suggestions:

• Make a smoothie using fruited yogurt, a banana, fresh or frozen fruit and ice-a refreshing and filling treat in hot weather!

• Try low-fat puddings or yogurts to satisfy your sweet tooth

• Make a low-fat quesadilla for lunch or a snack. Top a whole wheat tortilla with low-fat cheese. Fold in half and microwave or put into skillet to melt cheese. Serve with salsa!

• Add nonfat dried milk powder to soups, casseroles, smoothies

• Add low fat or nonfat ricotta cheese to Italian dishes or use as a spread in place of cream cheese (ricotta has 8x as much calcium as cottage cheese!)

• Have a bowl of whole grain cereal with nonfat milk for a meal or a snack

• Select nonfat or 1% milk as your beverage for at least one meal a day!

website to check out:
http://www.3aday.org/3aDay/ for recipes & ways to add dairy to your diet!

http:www.dairyfarmingtoday.org

http:www.ilovecheese.com

http:www.nationaldairycouncil.org

http:nutritionexplorations.org

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Don't cry over spilt milk day?
Yes there really is a day! This Weird Holiday is always celebrated on February 11th.

What is Don't cry over spilt milk day anyway?
It simply means don't worry and stress over the little things.  Enjoy life to it's fullest and savor each and every day with an optimistic attitude and a smile on your face!

It's a day to think positive, look on the bright side, and to find something good in everything that happens. As the song says: Don't Worry, be Happy!

We all must realize that unexpected things are going to happen in our life and when it does take a deep breath, don't worry don't fret and "don't cry over spilt milk." Just know that everyone goes through bad days and try to take a positive attitude to what ever has happened and have faith that it can be fixed or corrected.  This is the only way you can get past it.

Mind over the matter
We all know the concept of the question: Is the glass half full or half empty? The pessimist sees it as half empty. The optimist sees it as half full. It's all an attitude towards life.

Definition of Positive Thinking
"Optimism is "an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome". It is the philosophical opposite of pessimism. Optimists generally believe that people and events are inherently good, so that most situations work out in the end for the best. Alternatively, some optimists believe that regardless of the external world or situation, one should choose to feel good about it and make the most of it. This kind of optimism doesn't say anything about the quality of the external world; it's an internal optimism about one's own feelings.

A common conundrum illustrates optimism-versus-pessimism with the question, does one regard a given glass of water, filled to half its capacity, as half full or as half empty? Conventional wisdom expects optimists to reply, "Half full," and pessimists to respond, "Half empty" (assuming that "full" is considered good, and "empty", bad)."