The Communicator - May/June 2022 by The Communicator

Vol. 44, No. 3

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE N.H. FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

MAY/JUNE 2022

The

COMMUNICATOR National News ZIPPY DUVALL: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

Breaking Down the HPAI Outbreak

Connecting with the Community Through Plants

By Veronica Nigh, AFBF Senior Economist

ABOVE PHOTO

Page 5

Sarah Bradeen has been raising and selling a wide range of plants at her greenhouse operation in Swanzey, NH, since 2003 - though her agriculutral journey began when she was just four years old. Loving what she does for a living and connecting with the consumers that support her is the perfect recipe for a successful continuation of the family tradition.

HIGH STAKES AT THE HIGH COURT ON PROP 12 Page 18

State News REMEMBERING PAST NHFB PRESIDENT GORDON GOWEN Page 9

NEW MEMBER BENEFIT & ONLINE RENEWAL SYSTEM Page 16

USDA APPOINTS FARM SERVICE AGENCY STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Pages 19

ABBIE SARGENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED Page 22

ighly pathogenic avian influenza was first detected in wild birds in South Carolina on Jan. 13 of this year. Poultry growers, remembering well the 2014-2015 outbreak, collectively held their breath, hoping that the second shoe – outbreaks in commercial and backyard flocks – wouldn’t drop. Unfortunately, despite advanced biosafety protocols, the first outbreak in domesticated birds was detected on Feb. 8. Through April 7, USDA has announced more than 600 detections in wild birds across 31 states and 158 detections in commercial and backyard flocks across 25 states. The spread has many concerned that we may have an outbreak similar to the 2014-2015 outbreak on our hands. But how does the current outbreak really compare to the 2014-2015 outbreak? We dig in here.

PLANTS– Page 14

So Many Ways to Eat Local! on page 6, 7, and 8

Learn about Farm Bureau member operations providing locally raised meat and fruits & vegetables!

But How? Remember back in grade school science classes when we learned that birds fly south in the winter and north in the spring? Dusting oﬀ that knowledge is the first step in understanding the spread of HPAI. Each year, wild birds migrate from north to south and back again over four diﬀerent “flyways”— the Pacific, Central, Mississippi and Atlantic. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service operates a wild bird surveillance program, monitoring the flyways for

H PA I - CON T I N U ED ON PAGE 12 New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation 295 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, NH 03301

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit #1 Manchester, NH

Facebook.com/nhfarmbureau

BRINGING NEWS TO N.H. FARM BUREAU FAMILIES

. The oﬃcial newspaper of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation.

The Communicator

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May/June 2022

NOTES FROM THE NORTH

INSIDE May/June 2022 Local Meat Producer Listing. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Hay & Services Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fruit & Vegetable Grower Listings . . . . . . . . 8 Eye on Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Farmers’ Market Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 20

By Joyce Brady, President

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation

n the past six months we have witnessed the loss of two past New Hampshire Farm Bureau Presidents, Gordon Gowen and Lawrence Underhill. Both of these men, I’m grateful to say, were strong influences on me in developing my leadership path within the Farm Bureau organization. I first met Gordon during my time as a young farmer while in college. He was the current NHFB President at that time, serving from 1991-2000. Even though I initially joined the Young Farmer Committee for its social aspects, almost immediately I was jumping into Farm Bureau with both feet. After sitting on the state YF board for many years, I became the YF state chair which allowed me to attend the state board meetings under President Gowen’s leadership. During this time there was a lot to learn about the organization, being part of the state board, and more Robert’s Rules of Order. My husband and I both reflect on how Gordon was always approachable and easy to talk with. He had a very dignified air about him, and yet was very much one of us. I will always remember that big smile he had. Gordon and his wife Betty were recognized for their contributions to agriculture and Farm Bureau with the NHFB Profile award in 2001. Back in October Lawrence Underhill passed away. Lawrence served as the state Farm Bureau President when he was only 35 years old, from 1975-1980. I didn’t know him during that time period but met him shortly after moving to Coos County

New Hampshire Farm Bureau President Joyce Brady at her farm, CJEJ Farm, in Columbia, NH.

when I became active in the county Farm Bureau. He was an active board member and very willing to help with side projects. Like Gordon, Lawrence won the Profile Award in 2010 – a testament to his contributions to the organization. Both Lawrence and his wife, Nancy, were always interested in what you were doing on the farm and how your family was. When I first became president of the Coos County Farm Bureau, he was there to help guide me in a way that was always showing me a path to take, rather than telling me what to do. I will never forget those gentle nudges (through Roberts Rules of Order) “Madam President, point of order” or “Madam President, is this something we should vote on?” Both of these past presidents will be truly missed, but will always be remembered. Our prayers go the Betty and Nancy, along with all the family members.

Best,

Joyce

NHFB & NHTOA ate D Summer Picnic & Candidates Forum he t ve Saturday, August 13 at J&F Farms in Derry. Join NHFB & NHTOA for an a S afternoon of farm tours, food, and stump speeches by candidates for U.S. Senate! Stay tuned for more details.

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

May/June 2022

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Winners of Farm Credit East’s Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award Announced

Farm Credit East Reports Strong 2021 Financial Results

At Farm Credit East’s Annual Meeting, the financial cooperative was pleased to announce two winners of the second annual Lipinski Rural Initiatives award. This award was created by Farm Credit East’s Board of Directors in 2020 to recognize former Farm Credit East CEO Bill Lipinski and aims to recognize innovative and transformational efforts to revitalize Northeast rural communities. Each recipient was awarded $25,000. Cayuga Milk Ingredients/Cayuga Marketing, two affiliated dairy organizations, were recognized for their innovative workforce development and apprenticeship programs. Recognizing the need for new workers on the farm and in their dairy plant in Auburn, N.Y., the dairy farmer members of the Cayuga Milk entities have worked with local community colleges and high schools to let students know about career opportunities in the dairy industry, both on the farm and in the plant, and is providing apprenticeships to help train their workforce of the future. Cayuga Milk plans to use the $25,000 award to support the growth of the apprenticeship programs by helping to pay for outside training for apprentices that might not otherwise be covered under existing state programs. The Foundation for Rural Service, a 501(c)3 created by NCTA – The Rural Broadband Association has also been recognized as a Lipinski Award winner in 2022. The Foundation for Rural Service was recognized for its Virtual Living Room initiative in Bristol, Vermont a project carried out in conjunction with Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom. The Virtual Living Room is an innovative program carried out in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help connect veterans in rural areas with VA physicians and other providers over broadband using telemedicine. The Foundation for Rural Service has pledged that its award will go to support broadband access projects in the rural Northeast. “Bill Lipinski understood the long-term success of Northeast farm, forest products and fishing businesses is dependent on the health of the rural communities where they are based, so we created this award in his honor to highlight new approaches to enhance the quality of life in rural communities,” said board chair Laurie Griffen. “Both of this year’s recipients are doing excellent work to support their rural communities, which will benefit the Farm Credit East customers who call those communities home. We hope this award helps them further their efforts.”

Farm Credit East reported solid 2021 financial results today, showing continued growth in loans coupled with strong earnings, which allowed the Farm Credit East to distribute a record $91 million in patronage dividends to eligible customer-owners based on 2021 earnings. “Farm Credit East continued to meet our members’ capital needs which drove loan growth during the year,” said Mike Reynolds, CEO of Farm Credit East. “Our financial strength also allows us to continue to invest in our team and technology to provide the best possible service to customers into the future.” Farm Credit East’s 2021 net income grew to $205 million. Following more than two decades of growth, the cooperative closed out the year with $9.1 billion in loan volume and $1.8 billion in capital. This level of equity allows the cooperative to finance customers’ growth and to work with customers through industry challenges. Farm Credit East maintains competitive interest rates for its customers and continues to return a portion of its earnings to eligible customer-owners through patronage dividends. Farm Credit East Board Chair Laurie Griﬀen commented, “Despite 2021’s ongoing challenges, our members continue to show resilience. We are pleased to report strong financial results, allowing us to continue to work with customers during these uncertain times. These strong results also enabled the board to return $91 million in patronage dividends on 2021 earnings to Northeast farmers, commercial fishermen and forest products operations.” During 2021, Farm Credit East and Yankee Farm Credit completed a successful merger which became eﬀective January 1, 2022. Yankee Farm Credit paid a record $9.1 million in patronage dividends based on its 2021 earnings, meaning current Farm Credit East customers received over $100 million in combined patronage based on Farm Credit East and Yankee Farm Credit’s 2021 results. Farm Credit East’s 2021 Annual Report was mailed to customers in March and is also available on Farm Credit East’s website. Visit FarmCreditEast.com to learn more.

IT PAYS TO BE A CUSTOMEROWNER. This year we paid $91 million in patronage dividends. Farm Credit East is customer-owned, which means customers share in the association’s financial success. This year, qualifying borrowers received $91 million from our 2021 earnings. That’s equivalent to 1.25% of average eligible loan volume and adds up to $1 billion since our patronage program began. Discover the difference. No other lender works like Farm Credit East.

Loans & Leases Financial Record-Keeping Payroll Services Profitability Consulting Tax Preparation & Planning Appraisals Estate Planning Beginning Farmer Programs

farmcrediteast.com

8 00.82 5.32 52

Crop Insurance

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The Communicator

May/June 2022

The Seasons of Farming: Hope, Stress, and Reflection By Josh Marshall, NHFB Communications Director

Board of Directors Executive Committee President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Brady 1st Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bob Cunniff 2nd Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom McElroy 2nd Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Phinizy Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Howard Pearl President, Associated Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jozi Best County Presidents Belknap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Matarozzo Carroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Vacant Cheshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Hodge Coos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Brady Grafton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deb Robie Hillsboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trevor Hardy Merrimack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve MacCleery Rockingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Ferdinando Strafford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Scruton Sullivan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Warren Staff Policy Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Johnson, II Financial Manager. . . . . . . . . . Leandra Pritchard Communications Director. . . . . . . . .Josh Marshall Office Assistant & YF Coordinator. . . .Sydney Wilson

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation 295 Sheep Davis Rd. Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 603-224-1934 Fax: 603-228-8432 www.nhfarmbureau.org NHFBF Standing Committee Chairs Dairy: Beth Hodge, Hinsdale Energy: Henry Ahern, Plymouth Tom McElroy, Newton (Co-Chairs) Equine: Jozi Best, Unity Government Aﬀairs: Erick Sawtelle, Lee Horticulture: Tom McElroy, Newton Livestock & Poultry: Henry Ahern, Plymouth Membership: Jeﬀ Holmes Policy Development: Joyce Brady, Columbia Profile Award: Ernie Vose Promotion & Education: Kate Osgood, Sanbornton Young Farmer: Vacant

The Communicator Where NH Farmers Turn For News editor@nhfarmbureau.org The opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau. The Communicator is published six times a year, by New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation. Subscription comes with membership. It is received in the homes of over 3,000 NHFB members and stakeholders. Presorted standard postage paid at N. Haverhill, N.H. Deadlines for submissions, advertisements and calendar listings are the first Friday of the month for the following month’s issue. For advertising information contact the NHFB oﬃce at 224-1934.

As I write this I am finishing up my 2021 taxes, double-checking my seed inventory, and excitedly anticipating the start of a new growing season. For me, it’s more of a hobby. It’s a family tradition that keeps me connected to my hometown community and gives me some insight into what most of you deal with as a profession. My taxes are simple for my small pumpkin operation. My seed bill is relatively small (although the price of each bag of 250 pumpkin seeds has gone up 142 percent since I started growing in 2010) and my margins are not as imperative since I don’t rely on that as my sole income. I’m not looking forward to the fertilizer bill but, for one ton of slow-release fertilizer and a few hundred pounds of urea, mine pales in comparison to what full-time commercial fruit and vegetable farmers are faced with this year. I’ve heard from folks who grow field corn and other forage crops as well and they are reducing, if not eliminating altogether, their fertilizer orders this year This is my roundabout way of suggesting that, although I am not a full-time farmer, I can empathize with the challenges you face and the pride taken in meeting those challenges. I understand the roller coaster ride that is the seasons of farming. No, not Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. I’m talking about Hope, Stress, and Reflection. Hope: The season of Hope, which goes by such other names as preparation and anticipation, is where farmers dream big. It consists of hours of pouring through catalogs for seeds, equipment, and more like a kid looking through the J.C. Penny Christmas book. It comes at diﬀerent times of the year for diﬀerent commodity growers but its signs are similar. The excitement of getting everything lined up, applying the lessons learned from the last season, and getting out on the land can be recharging. Greenhouses get filled with seedlings, truckloads of supplies arrive, and farmers return to their fields with the joy of cows returning to pasture. Stress: Stress is an unending season for most farmers. The height of the season, however, comes just after Hope. This is when all the preparation is put into practice. Things will not always go the way you had planned. Equipment breaks down, the weather doesn’t cooperate, and you don’t always have enough hands to do the work. I don’t need to explain to you the full spectrum of stress that folks in agriculture experience, but I do want to be clear – you aren’t alone in facing it. You can turn to a fellow farmer or an agricultural service provider for resources in stressful situations the same way you would turn to them for assistance with a plant disease or a marketing plan. I’m happy to have been able to represent New Hampshire Farm Bureau in working with

various other agricultural service providers in the state on the Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network Grant. This grant was awarded to the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food and is being spearheaded by Seth Wilner and Olivia Saunders of UNH Extension. Together with Farm Bureau, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), NH Ag Mediation Service, and the National Young Farmer Coalition, this work is providing professional services and technical assistance for farmers to help alleviate farmer stress and provide tools to better manage its effects. Services include up to six visits per farmer to mental health professionals, one-on-one farm financial analysis, tax planning/succession planning, legal assistance, mediation services, and more. To learn more about how you can avail yourself of these services, visit www.unh.edu/ farmer-stress. Finally, we arrive at the season of Reflection. After the trials and tribulations of a stressful growing year, you find out if all the hope and preparation paid off. You can measure the effects of the changes you made or the impacts of the forces outside of your control. You can commiserate or celebrate with your peers, friends, and family. For me, the season of Reflection is often the first chance I get to appreciate the support and camaraderie of the agriculture industry that helped get me through all the stress of the growing season. The neighbor who lost a day of chopping their own hay to help fix a machine, the Extension Agent who helped identify the pest destroying a crop, and the family member who stayed over late to laugh off a tough day don’t always get recognized during that tough season of Stress. They can only be appreciated during Reflection. For everything, there is a season.

As a farmer, I’m dedicated to taking care of

A. My crops B. My livestock C. My farm buildings and equipment D. My land E. My family F. Myself ?? G. All of the above

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

The Zipline Investing in the Future of Agriculture I often share how I first got outside my fencerows as a young farmer after complaining to my dad about all the problems I was facing in the dairy business. He took me to a Farm Bureau meeting where the members elected me to chair my county Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. I wasn’t quite sure what I had gotten into, but that meeting was a pivotal moment in my life. As a member of our YF&R Committee, I was immersed in training, conferences and networking opportunities all over the country. As a young farmer, I never would have imagined that I would one day be the president of the American Farm Bureau. And I wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the leadership development programs and opportunities at every level of Farm Bureau. These programs can introduce young people to other Farm Bureau members from around the country and help them develop leadership skills to use in the organization and their communities. Long before I was a member of Farm Bureau, and in the decades since that first meeting, our organization has continued to invest in our young members because they are the future of farming and ranching. We should always leave something in better shape than we found it, and I want to leave this organization in a better position for the future than when I was elected in 2016. Investing in our young farmers and ranchers is time and resources well spent, which is why I want to make sure that our YF&R Committees at every level have all they need to be successful and pursue their goals both on and oﬀ the farm. Around 800 young farmers and ranchers gathered in Louisville recently for the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference. There they worked on building their leadership skills and being better farmers. But most importantly, they were building

Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Greene County, Georgia, is the 12th president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

relationships with each other. I shared with these young people how we can’t overcome challenges on our own. We all need help at diﬀerent times throughout our lives. And every successful person has had someone lifting them up when they are struggling or encouraging them when they feel like giving up. These young farmers are helping to lift up their communities too. Last year, young farmers from across the country collected enough food and funds to provide 30.5 million meals to those in need as part of our Harvest for All program. And many county and state committees work in their communities to raise funds for scholarships, support local organizations and step up to help community members after disasters. These men and women are shining examples of how Farm Bureau is committed to strengthening farmers and ranchers and our rural communities. I’m proud of the work all our grassroots members are doing across the country. You all are helping make rural America an even better place to live and start a family. And just as we work together to invest in our communities for a better future, we can ensure a bright future for American agriculture by creating opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers and giving them the tools they need to succeed.

American Farm Bureau Federation hosted the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference this February in Louisville, Kentucky. Around 800 young farmers and ranchers gathered to partake in workshops, seminars, tours, and events. The ‘Grand Finale Event’ included an evening of food and fun at The Sports and Social Club and Tavern on Fourth. Attendees enjoyed bowling, a dj, darts, billiards, ping pong, and more. (Photo Credit: America’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Facebook page.)

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WELCOME - NEW Members! (February February 19, 2022 - April 25, 2022) 2022 City

Name

ANTRIM

ASHLEE HOLT

NHFB WEBSITE

BARNSTEAD

ROBB ELLIS

FOX AND CROW FARM

BELMONT

JESSICA CARTER

PETER BARACH

CHESTER

ELIZABETH LIACOS

NHFB WEBSITE

CHICHESTER

DANA & DIANA RODGERS

CHRISTIE BROWN

COLEBROOK

YVONNE BURRILL

JOYCE BRADY

COLEBROOK

MIKE SPAHR

JOYCE BRADY

DALTON

ISAIAH WARREN

DARRELL LOUIS

DOVER

WILLIAM GOWELL

NHFB WEBSITE

DUNBARTON

DAVID & JUSTYN CONSTANT

DEE TREYBIG

DURHAM

BENJAMIN PHELPS

NHFB WEBSITE

DURHAM

TOM BOISVERT

HEART STONE FARM

EAST KINGSTON

SALLY & DENIS HAMEL

NHFB WEBSITE

EXETER

CHARLOTTE BICKFORD

SYDNEY WILSON

FITZWILLIAM

BRIAN & AMY GENTILE

FRIEND

FRANCESTOWN

DAN & MEGAN FIELD

AMERICAN NATIONAL

HOLLIS

AMANDA & DAVID WADLEIGH

ANDREW JELLIE

HOOKSETT

JESSICA PROVENCHER

KYLE BAYLIS

LEE

HUNTER GIBSON

SYDNEY WILSON

LONDONDERRY

GREGG LAUFERSWEILER

DARRYN MARTIN

LYMAN

GARY & LORI WILLIAMS

DARRELL LOUIS

MANCHESTER

MATTHEW BRACY

NHFB WEBSITE

MEREDITH

JEAN TEARNO

STEVE FOUNTAIN

MONROE

SCOTT POWERS

KEVIN POWERS (VT AGENT)

NEWMARKET

MATT & EMILY PINCINCE

SYDNEY WILSON

NOTTINGHAM

ADAM PRIDE

SYDNEY WILSON

NOTTINGHAM

JORDAN BELL

SYDNEY WILSON

PEMBROKE

JOEL SWIFT

DAN GREENE

PLYMOUTH

JANICE WRIGHT

DARRELL LOUIS

ROXBURY

JAMES DAVIS

FAMILY MEMBER

SALISBURY

CHARLES COLEMAN

MIKE BERTOLONE

STRAFFORD

NIKI LEE KAY

SALLY GAYNOR-KNECHT

SUNAPEE

WILLIAM D. ROGERS JR.

GRASSHOPPER MOWERS

THORNTON

SMITH MERRILL

DARRELL LOUIS

THORNTON

DALE & NICOLE MERRILL

DARRELL LOUIS

WEBSTER

MONTE & ALISON COSSETTE

AMERICAN NATIONAL

WENTWORTH

RAYMOND WELCH

NHFB WEBSITE

WENTWORTH

GALEN ROBINSON

STEVE FOUNTAIN

WINDHAM

MICHAEL SCHOENFELD

NHFB WEBSITE

Type

Solicitor

Farm Bureau Tradition of Giving Back Continues Through ‘Harvest for All’ Programs American Farm Bureau News

In addition to raising food and arm and ranch families from across the nation donated 36.4 funds, farmers and ranchers tallied million pounds of food and raised 9,405 volunteer hours assisting local more than $258,000 to help fight hunger groups in 2021. “Coping with hunger is a daily hunger in 2021 through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. reality for people from all walks of Combined, the monetary and food life, including many residents of rural donations totaled the equivalent of areas and farming communities,” said Alisha Schwertner of Texas, 30.5 million meals. Criteria for tracking Harvest for chair of AFBF’s YF&R Committee. All donations included dollars and “Through Harvest for All, Farm pounds of food donated by state Bureau remains committed to putting and county Farm Bureaus, as well as food on the tables of those in need.” Florida Farm Bureau took top volunteer hours, reported from the grassroots up as part of the annual honors for donating the most food in 2021, 30.5 million pounds. This campaign. The spirit of farm communities included member participation in has always been one of working food drives, meal-packing projects together and giving back. Now and donations of produce to food in its 20th year, Harvest for All is banks. Farmers also participated in spearheaded by members of Farm the Produce Box Program, donating Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers produce left in fields after harvest to program, but members of all ages community members in need. Illinois Farm Bureau took top from across the nation contribute to the eﬀort. Their participation honors for raising the most money helps ensure Americans who are in 2021, $162,587. Partnering with facing food insecurity can enjoy the county Farm Bureaus, hosting a bounty of food farmers and ranchers “March Madness Bracket Challenge” produce. GI V I NG - CON T I N U ED ON PAGE 18

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The Communicator

Belknap County Beans

Greens Farm - Gilford

Andrew Howe - 293-2853 beansandgreensfarm@msn.com www.beansandgreensfarm.com Grass-fed beef, GMO-free pork, chicken, turkey.

Birch Rise Farm - Sanbornton Kate Osgood - 259-6660 birchrisefarm@gmail.com www.birchrisefarm.com Pasture-raised Berkshire pork by the cuts, halves, or wholes and poultry by the cuts or wholes. Pasture-raised eggs. Like us on Facebook!

Half a Penny Farm - Ctr. Barnstead Shane & Jenn Forest 603-345-5277 or 603-591-2910 www.halfapennyfarm.com We carry pasture-raised black angus beef. USDA Certified. Cryovac packaging. Individual assorted cuts of beef. Whole, Half and Quarter shares available. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram.

HT Farm LLC - Belmont Tim Duval - 630-5505 tcbw275@gmail.com Find us on Facebook at HT Farm LLC. Grass-fed, farm-raised, USDA beef. Produce and maple syrup.

LorrenJoyce Farm - Barnstead Amy & Brian Matarozzo - 235-5780 lorrenjoycefarm.com Naturally raised beef. USDA approved. All cryovac packaging.

Shepherd’s Hut Market - Gilford Jeﬀ & Joyce Keyser - 527-1873 or 393-4696 or jekeyser@metrocast.net Certified USDA freezer lamb. Various cuts fresh frozen and vacuum sealed.

Run Away Farm - Ossipee

French Hill Farm – Milan

Kinney’s Farm - Brookline

Dave Babson - 539-4928 davbab@worldpath.net Naturally raised beef. Fed grain, hay and grass only.

Jason Huter - 326-9778 jasonhuter@gmail.com Whole frozen chicken, duck, and rabbit. Beef and pork on the hoof.

Travis & Marcalyn Kinney - 673-5956 kinneysfarm@yahoo.com Selling our own naturally raised grass-fed beef, pork, poultry and fresh eggs at our farm stand. Check us out on Facebook for all our products and hours. Open year round.

Top of the Hill Farm - Wolfeboro Northwinds Farm – N. Stratford Alan Fredrickson - 569-3137 topofthehillfarm@metrocast.net Beef - pasture exposed and all natural by the piece, 1/4, 1/2 or whole.

Cheshire County Archway Farm - Keene Mark Florenz - 352-3198 mark.florenz@gmail.com http://www.archway.farm/ Pasture-raised heritage pork; whole, half, or individual cuts. See our website for details.

Earth Haven Farm - Marlborough Mary & George Iselin - 876-4036 www.earthhavenfarm.com Grass-fed low-fat Beefalo. USDA labeled pkg. hamburger, roasts, steaks at our farm store or 1/4, /2, or whole for cuts to customer specifications.

East Hill Farm - Troy Dave Adams - 242-6495 info@east-hill-farm.com Whole, half, or individual cuts available of pork, beef, lamb and goat.

JHF Stable Livestock - Alstead John & Hazell Fuller - 835-6509 USDA vacuum-packed Beefalo and grass fed on the farm in Alstead.

Manning Hill Farm - Winchester Sarah Costa - 239-4397 Grass-fed heritage beef, pasture-raised heritage pork, by the individual cut or in bulk-half and whole sides. Pasturerasied whole roasting chickens.

Velvet Flats - Gilmanton IW

Up Top Farm - Winchester

Sabrina Hufschmid - 491-1687 vrflats.reddeer@gmail.com Farm-raised venison.

Earl Beaman - 355-0818 kathy@kbsunspaces.com Born and raised in New Hampshire, these beef cattle are pasture-raised and corn finished, making the meat much more tender than just plain grass fed beef. They are hormone and antibiotic free and are processed in a federally inspected USDA facility. They are sold as “freezer sides”, meaning that you would purchased a side of beef (or split one with a friend or relative), have it cut to your specifications (steaks, roasts, size of packaging, etc) and pick it up in Athol, Massachusetts.

Wooded ValleyAcres - Gilmanton IW Elizabeth and Cory Bower 393-1083 Woodedvalleyacres@gmail.com Pasture-raised pork, free range chicken and duck eggs, free range turkey, free range rabbit.

Carroll County Mountain Laurel Farm - Sanbornville Robert Bevard - 986 - 8480 rbbevard@yahoo.com USDA labels, homegrown, pasture-raised pork, lamb, and chevon.

Coos County CJEJ Farm Meat House - Columbia

Scott & Heidi Mason - 922-8377 northwindsfarm1@yahoo.com USDA inspected, vacuum-packed beef, lamb and veal. Sold by the side or cut. Also available through the Barn Store of New England in Salisbury, NH.

Grafton County

lamb, and chevon. Chicken (whole and parts) and Thanksgiving turkeys also available. All grown on our farm with our own homemade grain. Store open year round.

Leel Farm – New Ipswich Butch Leel - 562-0860 bleel@comcast.net Pasture-raised beef. Old Homestead Farm - New Ipswich

Henry Ahern - 536-3880 bonniebraefarms.com Farm-raised Red Deer venison, velvet antler, hard antler and hides. Also breeding stock. The deer are primarily grass and hay fed. USDA inspected.

Ben & Chelsea Hatcher -978-407-6280 oldhomesteadfarmnh@gmail.com Pasture-raised USDA beef & farm fresh eggs. Greenhouse vegetables & meat birds coming soon! We also oﬀer horse boarding. Find us on Facebook & Instagram.

Pines Hill Farm – Lisbon

Paradise Farm - Lyndeborough

Bonnie Brae Farms - Plymouth

Jessica Morin - 603-986-0359 jessmorin912@gmail.com pineshillfarm.com We are a small family farm selling pasture-raised USDA processed beef and pork. We also have whole chickens and turkeys available seasonally.

Rocky Road Tunis Farm - Bath Deb Robie - 747-3869 wehunt4@myfairpoint.net Local Lamb.

StoneFen Farm, llc - Haverhill Lora Goss - 481-0017 STONEFEN FARM, LLC - the better beef. Our beef is 100% GRASS FED & FINISHED! Ask what diﬀerences grass vs grains make in the nutritional value of our beef. Raised on our farm using soil enriching and regenerative practices. No additives just sunshine and fresh or dried grasses.

Hillsboro County Barrett Hill Farm - Mason The LeClairs - 878-4022 barretthill@myfairpoint.net or visit our website barrethillfarm.com Beef, pork, and lamb.

Best Life Farm - New Ipswich Chris Bille - 546-8786 cbille@bestlifefarmnh.com or visit our website bestlifefarmnh.com Forest pastured Berkshire pigs, grass-fed Suﬀolk and Dorset lambs, and fresh eggs. Our pigs and lambs are sold by the half or whole share. USDA inspected frozen retail cuts are available year-round.

Gus’s Farm - Mason Remick Country Doctor Museum Chris & Joyce Brady - 922-3305 USDA inspected cuts of beef, pork, Gus Franchi - 978-400-8521 Farm - Tamworth Sheena Harte - 323-7591 sharte@remickmuseum.org Farm-raised ground beef, breakfast and sweet Italian sausage.

May/June 2022

gusfarmnh@gmail.com www.gusfarm.com Pork, beef, chicken, and turkeys

Wayne & Adrienne Colsia - 345-0860 wayne@paradisefarmnh.com www.paradisefarmnh.com 100% grass-fed beef, grass-fed lamb, pasture-raised pork, free-range eggs, all natural goat milk.

Temple Mountain Beef - Temple Mark Salisbury - 878-4290 Beef by the side – cut and packaged to order.

Trombly Gardens - Milford Sean Trombly - 673-4725 Beef, pork, lamb and chicken.

Merrimack County AOR Farm - N. Sutton John and Erin Maynard (719) 424-0589 aorfarmstead@gmail.com www.aorfarmstead.com We sell pasture raised: whole heritage chickens, heritage turkeys, Kune Kune pigs, sheep shares, and eggs. We use regenerative practices as we restore our farmland. Visit our website to get more information or contact us to come out and see what we do.

Bokaja - Webster 731-5381 or 648-2520 Local turkeys - various sizes.

Miles Smith Farm - Loudon Bruce Dawson or Carole Soule 783-5159 Locally raised beef in retail packages with USDA labels.

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Off A Bit Farm LLC - Danbury

Diamond B Farm - New Durham

Laura Kilkenny - 530-2496 offabitfarm@yahoo.com We are a small family farm offering naturally raised, USDA processed and packaged goat meat. We also sell rabbit meat, eggs, raw goat milk and raw goat milk yogurt. See our website: www.offabitfarm.com for all our offerings. Like us on Facebook!

Meghan Bickford - 762-0190 or diamondbfarm14@gmail.com All natural, pasture-raised beef, pork, chicken, turkey and eggs. Visit our website at http://www. bickfordsdiamondbfarm.com for more information.

Schroeder Farm - South Newbury Bill Schroeder - 938-5911 bangus@tds.net Black Angus beef by the side or individual cuts. USDA inspected, all grass-fed. Roaster Chickens 10-12 pounds, all natural grain fed.

Tilton Hill Goat Farm - Danbury Noreen Rollins - 738-5133 nikkinomar@yahoo.com USDA goat meat, farm fresh eggs, alpaca fiber and cashmere fiber.

Yankee Farmers’ Market - Warner Brian & Keira Farmer - 456-2833 yankeefarmersmarket.com Offering farm-raised, all natural certified USDA buffalo, venison, elk, grass-fed beef, lamb, chicken, turkey and pork. Our farm has an on farm store open year round, distributes to retail and wholesale acounts, offering a wide variety of individual cuts.

Rockingham County Gravel Pit Farm - Nottingham Samantha & Allan Trant- 715-6283 gravelpitfarmnh@gmail.com We raise and sell pasture-raised pork, beef, and poultry.

Great Bay Farm - Greenland Allen Smith - 969-9948 greatbayfarm@gmail.com Various cuts USDA inspected frozen beef.

J F Farms Inc. - Derry Melissa Dolloﬀ - 437-0535 farmstand@JFfarms.com All cuts of frozen beef.

Mandico CattleCo.-Nottingham

His Harvest Farm - Madbury Bruce Smith - 603-834-5012 farmer.hisharvestfarm@gmail.com hisharvestfarm.com Pasture-raised chickens and eggs.

Pinewoods Yankee Farm - Lee Tina Fottler & Erick Sawtelle 659-8106 or esawtelles@aol.com Grass-fed beef. Belted Galloway and Angus crosses. Individual retail cuts and custom cut sides. Find us on Local Harvest and Facebook.

Sullivan County Beaver Pond Farm - Newport Bennie Nelson - 542-7339 beaverpondfarm1780@gmail.com tinyurl.com/bpondfarm Raising beef and lamb. For sale at our retail store on the John Stark Highway between Newport & Claremont. Open year-round.

Eccardt Farm Inc. - Washington George, Sandy & Ryan Eccard 495-3830 or Eccardtfarm@gsinet.net Our home-grown grass-fed, USDA certified beef. We have an array of steak cuts and roasts all vacuum-packed for longer freshness. Lamb & pork when available.

Stone Farm - Cornish Charlie Stone - 469-3559 5cstone@comcast.net USDA inspected, vacuum-wrapped, seasonal turkeys. Fresh eggs. Saturday farm stand May-October 9-12.

Conrad & Kathy Mandsager - 7701948 cmandsager@gmail.com Farm-raised, grass-fed Highland natural beef.

Seacoast Farmhouse - Stratham Raychel Baczewski - 828-6045 seacoastfarmhouse@gmail.com SeacoastFarmhouse.com Forest-raised USDA certified pork by the whole/ half / individual cut. Fed organic, soy-free feed.

Strafford County Coppal House Farm - Lee John & Carol Hutton - 659-3572 coppalhouse@comcast.net USDA certified pasture-raised lamb and pork products. All cuts are flash frozen and vacuum-sealed. Various cuts available at the farm stand, but special requests are filled when available.

Merrimack County Aznive Farm - Loudon

Grafton County Scott and Heidi Mason 631-5953 1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Pick-up or Local Delivery Available

Thunder Ridge Ranch - Piermont Peter Trapp 677-3568 etrapp@charter.net 1st Crop, Square. 2nd Crop, Square. 1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Balage, Round. Pick-up or Local Delivery Available

Hillsborough County Connolly Brothers Dairy Farm LLC - Temple Chris Connolly 924-5002 connollybrothersdairyfarm@yahoo.com 1st Crop, Square Pick-up or Local Delivery Available

Hollis Ranch - Hollis 465-2672 1st Cut, Timothy mix horse quality.

Old Homestead Farm- New Ipswich Ben & Chelsea Hatcher 978-407-6280 oldhomesteadfarmnh@gmail.com 1st Crop, Square. 2nd Crop, Square. 1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Balage, Round. Local Delivery Available

Dumont Farms - Loudon Patrick Dumont 318-9337 patrick.dumont@baesystems.com 1st Crop, Square. 2nd Crop, Square. 1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Sometimes 3rd Cut. Pick-up or Local Delivery Abailable

Rockingham County Gov Dale Farm - N. Hampton Hank 964-0674 hank@govdalefarm.com 1st Crop, Square. Local Delivery Available

Weeks Point Farm - Greenland John Weeks 431-1823 robinweeks@comcast.net 1st Crop, Square. 2nd Crop, Square. Pick-up or Local Delivery Available

Sullivan County Peachblow Farm - Charlestown Robert Frizzell 398-8090 peachblowfarm@comcast.net 1st Crop, Square. Mulch Hay. Seedless Straw. Pick-up Only

B.R. Davis Land Services Canterbury

Carroll County Mountain Laurel Farm Sanbornville We will raise your piglets for you. Robert Bevard 986-8480 rbbevard@yahoo.com Our piglets are born on our farm. They are the result of many years of breeding to have excellent meat hogs. Many people do not have space, time or experience to raise piglets up to slaughter but still want “home grown” pork. We have space, time and experience! Buy piglets from Mountain Laurel Farm and we will raise them.

Grafton County The Meat Producer Listing is a New Hampshire Farm Bureau member benefit. If you are a Farm Bureau member and would like to have your farm included on this list and in The Communicator, visit www.nhfarmbureau. org/agriculture/meat_ listing

Charlie & Pearl Aznive 435-7509 1st Crop, Square. 2nd Crop, Square. 1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Pick-up Only

Northwinds Farm - N. Stratford

Far View Farm - Langdon Marilyn Stuller - 313-7115 m.stuller@yahoo.com Lamb - naturally raised on pasture. Icelandic lamb is naturally lean with a mild flavor.

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Resource Management, Inc ₍RMI₎ - Holderness Wood ash, biosolids, and paper fiber soil amendments for building better soils Charley Hanson 536-8900 rmi@rmirecycles.com - rmirecycles.com Improve crop yields with wood ash - a natural potassium source that also increases soil pH. OMRI listed. Order biosolids as a balanced and slow-release nitrogen source. Use paper fiber for animal bedding, and organic matter on fields. Call RMI for a quote on delivery of these products to improve your soil health and crop performance.

Merrimack County Ancora Imparo Equine Center - Boscawen Horse boarding, hoof balancing, and horsemanship Stacia Langille 731-3144 stacialangille@gmail.com Multidisciplinary private horse boarding facility with indoor, outdoor, round pen, trails. Full service farrier, serving equines in central New Hampshire.

Forestry mowing and vegetation control services. Ben Davis 998-3642 brdavisland@gmail.com B.R. Davis Land services provides forestry mowing and vegetation control services as well as general excavation and produces high quality hay to central NH.

Hastings Welding and Fabrication, LLC - Pembroke Mobile Welding and Fabrication Avery Hastings 603-239-2485 aehastings1@gmail.com Mobile welding service, shoot me a call or text with your welding needs. You can bring it to me or I can come to you. You can check out my business page on Facebook for many of my past projects (Hastings Welding and Fabrication) .

Pritchard Farms - Pembroke Farm Equipment Repair Jay Pritchard 828-1307 pritchardfarms13@gmail.com Pritchard Farms Equipment Repair. We repair: Farm equipment, implements, tractors, construction equipment as well as perform welding & fabrication jobs. Reasonable hourly rates at our shop in Pembroke.

Rockingham County Precision Cut Pruning Traveling Custom Pruning Service for Orchards and Landscaping Tyler Brodie 919-478-3788 precisioncutpruning@gmail.com Precision Cut Pruning is a traveling custom pruning service for the management of orchard crops and landscape specimens. We’re equipped to prune standard, dwarf, TSS, peaches, berries, and canes, to maximize productivity and increase disease resistance. Significant experience pruning on medium-large scale parcels. References available. Network of associates to facilitate completion of job.

The Communicator

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Belknap County Green Acres Berries New Hamton 203-533-9090 greenacresberries@gmail.com We are a family owned U-Pick Blueberry farm with sweeping views of the mountains. We have six diﬀerent varieties of no spray highbush blueberries and raspberries available for pick your own or already picked for purchase. In addition we also have our own maple syrup, honey and jam.

Still Seeking Farm 317 Loon Pond Rd, Gilmanton 267-5326 ssfarmllc@yahoo.com stillseekingfarmllc.com Nutrient dense vegetables, blueberries and much more! Stop by the Laconia Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, or at our Farm Stand.

Carroll County Bly Farm 620 Center St. Route 28, Wolfeboro 569-1411 blyfarm@comcast.net Stop by the farm stand for fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, zucchini, summer squash, lettuce, beets, peppers, carrots, eggplant, swisschard, onions, winter squash, pumpkins, potatoes, stawberries, and blueberries.

Cheshire County Whittaker’s Homestead Greenhouses 236 Forest Road, Alstead whittakershomestead@gmail.com Produce can be purchased at the farm stand during our normal season AprilOct as well as at our booth at the Keene Farmers’ Market.

Hillsboro County Brookdale Fruit Farm Inc. 38 Broad Street, Hollis 465-2240 brookdalefruitfarm@yahoo.com brookdalefruitfarm.com Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, peas, cucumbers, pickles, green beans, wax beans, shell beans, summer squash, zucchini, sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, various winter squashes, apple cider, and other specialty vegetables. Produce can be purchased at our farm stand and various Hanniford and Shaws supermarkets throughout the state, and other farm stands within the state.

Butternut Farm-Milford 483 Federal Hill Rd, Milford 673-2963 tocnoc@comcast.net butternutfarmmilford.com For a fresh variety of produce and flowers visit us at the farm stand or at the Bedford, Milford and Nashua Farmers’ Markets. Currier Orchards 9 Peaslee Rd, Merrimack 881-8864 currierorchards@yahoo.com Visit our farm stand. U-pick apples and pumpkins PLUS apple cider, jams, jellies, vegetables, pickles, apple pies, pumpkin bread and peaches. McLeod Bros. Orchards 749 North River Rd, Milford 673-3544 mcleodorchards@gmail.com www.mcleodorchards.com A large variety of spring and summer vegetables, apples, pumpkins, squash and fall ornaments are available. Visit our farm stand from September 1 to late October or at the Bedford Farmers’ Market. Oasis Springs Farm 79 Groton Road, Nashua 603-930-1294 sarah@oasisspringsfarm.com Oasisspringsfarm.com Year round Hydroponic Grown Lettuces, Kale, Chard, Herbs and Microgreens. CSA pick ups in Southern, NH

Merrimack County Autumnview Farm 1010 Upper City Rd, Pittsfield 435-5503 autumnviewfarm@hotmail.com An assortment of vegetables, such as corn, green beans, zucchini, many squash varieties, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and much more! Fruit includes, strawberries, peaches, rhubarb and cantaloupe. Autumnview Farm items are also available at Hannafords and Shaws. LaValley Farms 1801 Hooksett Rd, Hooksett 485-3541 info@lavalleyfarms.com www.lavalleyfarms.com We grow and sell sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, beans, greens, pumpkins, bedding plants and more! Open from April to December.

Local Meat Producer, Fruit & Vegetable Grower, Hay, and Service Listings Another Farm Bureau benefit! List your farm online at nhfarmbureau.org

Spring Ledge Farm 37 Main Street New London, NH 03257 603-526-6253 greg@springledgefarm.com Springledgefarm.com Two Sisters’ Garlic of Clough Tavern Farm 23 Clough Tavern Rd, Canterbury, 603-783-4287 / 731-5574 twosistersgarlic@yahoo.com GARLIC - scapes, garlic scape pesto, bulbs green and cured, dried garlic spice blends Find our products at the farm stand, Golden Harvest in Hooksett, Concord Farmers’ Market (Wed & Sat) also at the Canterbury Country Store and Harmens in Sugar Hill. We also have P.Y.O Raspberries. Windswept Maples 845 Loudon Ridge Rd Loudon, NH 03307 603-267-8492 wmfmoore1@comcast.net windsweptmaples.com Year-round maple syrup & maple products. Sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, green beans, potatoes, cucumbers available when in season. Ornamentals, corn stocks, haybales, mini pumpkins available during the harvest season. Visit the farm stand from late June to Labor Day. Weekdays - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farm stand is open year-round on Saturdays - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rockingham County Dowie MicroFarm 2 Collettes Grove Rd, Derry 603-809-2215 jon@dowiefarm.com www.dowiefarm.com Farm stand with home delivery available. Heron Pond Farm 29 Main Ave, South Hampton 603-394-0129 andre@heronpondfarm.com Heron Pond Farm is a four season farm that grows over 250 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Farming year-round has allowed us to grow and maintain an incredibly skilled and experienced staff whose passion brings higher yields, quality and flavor to our food all year long. J F Farms 124 Chester Road, Derry 437-0535 jandffarms@gmail.com jandffarms.net Visit our farm stand for a wide variety of fruits and veggies!

May/June 2022

Oliver Merrill Sons 569 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry 622-6636 Merrillfarmsnh@gmail.com Facebook.com/olivermerrillandsons Visit us at our farm stand and find our eggs, apples, peaches, pears and vegetables at various gocery stores in Manchester, Derry and Londonderry. Scamman Farm 69 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham 686-1258 scamman_farm@comcast.net scammanfarm.com Farm stand open September and October for pumpkins and corn maze. Also at Statham Farmers market on Saturdays. Sunnycrest 59 High Range Rd, Londonderry 432-9652 sunnycrestfarmnh.com Family owned and operated apple farm with pick-your-own apples, strawberries, blueberries and cherries, as well as a market with fresh local vegetable & fruits and honey, syrup and milk. We also have a bakery that oﬀers apple donuts and home-made breads.

Strafford County Butternut Farm 195 Meaderboro Rd, Farmington 603-335-4705 butternutfarm.net/home

Sullivan County Bascom Road Blueberry Farm 371 Bascom Rd, Newport 603-359-7703 kristy@bascomroadblueberryfarm.com www.bascomroadblueberryfarm.com Pick-your-own blueberries and farm store with our own produce, honey and local meats and syrups. Beaver Pond Farm 50 McDonough Road, Newport 603-543-1107 beaverpondfarm1780@gmail.com tinyurl.com/bpondfarm Beaver Pond Farm retail store, John Stark Highway between Newport & Claremont. Open year ‘round. Our own beef, lamb, vegetables, berries, apples, cider, Christmas trees, pumpkins, handmade wreaths, THE BEST homemade pie and jam, maple syrup and PYO raspberries at the farm in July. Localmade and produced products as well. We also wholesale to Shaws and Grazi’s in Newport and Jiﬀy Mart in Claremont. Cutting Farm 266 Sanborn Hill Rd, W. Springfield cuttingfarm.com A wide variety of fruits & veggies and much more!

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Page 9

Past NHFB President Gordon Gowen Passes Away at Age 95 Former NHFB President Gordon Gowen of Acworth, NH, passed away Thursday, March 24 at the age of 95. Gordon was very active in Sullivan County Farm Bureau and was elected NHFB President in 1991, serving nine years through 2000. He also served for six years on the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors beginning in 1994. Gordon and his wife Betty owned and operated Tamarack Farm in Acworth, a dairy and maple

operation currently run by the 7th generation of the Gowen family. Some of Gordon’s other agricultural leadership positions and accomplisments include: Trustee of the Eastern States Exposition for over 28 years, Director of United Farms of New England, Director of the Dairy Council of New England, induction into the National Maple Hall of Fame, and Farm Family Insurance Director for 12 years.

Remembering Gordon By Wayne Mann, NHFB President 2000 - 2007

I Gordon Gowen and his wife Betty recieiving a lifetime New Hampshire Farm Bureau membership from Sullivan County Farm Bureau in 2008.

never knew Gordon Gowen until I was elected First Vice President of NH Farm Bureau. Little did I know the relationship that would result. Gordon and I served on the Farm Family Board of Directors for approximately eight years. We spent many hours in the car driving to quarterly meetings in Albany. I think we got to know each other quite well. We discovered we had a lot in common. We had grown up on dairy farms under austere conditions. We shared similar ideals and beliefs. Those being honesty, integrity, respect for our fellow man and love of country. Like me he served his country, he enlisted in the Army at the close of WWII. It was during this time while serving in Japan that he developed a fondness for rice. NOT TRUE! He refused to eat it. In our travels with Farm Bureau and the insurance company we ate in many restaurants. There were two things that he insisted upon, the milk served had to be icy cold and woe be to the waitperson who served him margarine instead of butter. The Farm Bureau Staﬀ made sure that any meeting that served a meal iced the milk and oﬀered REAL butter.

Gordon was extremely proud of his family and their accomplishments. He talked constantly about them, especially the times he visited his grandchildren’s schools to talk to the kids about dairy farming and maple sugaring. He and Betty had a strong marriage which spanned sixty-eight years plus. They relied heavily on each other. He spoke of the many times that Betty accompanied him to evening meetings and drove on the way home so that he could rest because mornings started early for a dairy farmer. They made the perfect farm team. During Those road trips to and from Albany we discussed every imaginable topic. We were confident that we had the answers to the day’s problems. While serving as a pilot in the Air Force we had a saying to describe a pilot who had the charisma, professionalism and exceptionalism that caused them to stand out. Someone that other pilots looked up to. We referred to these individuals as a “pilot’s pilot”. Gordon Gowen was a “farmer’s farmer”.

Wood Ash - OMRI Listed®, fast-ac ng soil liming, organic source of potassium, magnesium, calcium and zinc that naturally improves soil pH Biosolids - most eﬀec ve form of slow-release nitrogen Paper Fiber - builds organic ma er, improves water holding capacity and is a good source of lime Paper Fiber Bedding - alterna ve for animal bedding, and can be used in manure bulking and compos ng Engineered Topsoil - alterna ve to na ve loam, erosion resistant on 3:1 and steeper slopes, and eliminates need to strip topsoil for reclama on All Heart & Soil® products are produced locally and designed to enhance soil produc vity and crop yields in a cost-eﬀec ve and environmentally sound manner. RMI partners with farms throughout the Northeast to BUILD HEALTHY SOILS! RMI@rmirecycles.com • www.RMIrecycles.com • (603) 536-8900 1171 NH Route 175 Holderness, New Hampshire 03245

Wayne Mann (left) served as First Vice President of NH Farm Bureau under the leadership of Gordon Gowen, President from 1991 - 2000. Gordon passed away at the age of 95 in late March.

The Communicator

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May/June 2022

County, Committee & Member News SULLIVAN COUNTY The Sullivan County Farm Bureau (SCFB) Board of Directors met February 26, 2022 at Bascom’s Sugarhouse in Acworth. Bruce Bascom led the group on a tour of the expansive facilities at the sugarhouse including the evaporator, huge drum and silo storage areas, and equipment retail space. Of particular interest to the group was a large wall in the sugarhouse that displayed a layout of their various sugarbushes in the area and tracked vacuum levels at various spots and holding tank levels. Bascom noted that US syrup production is seeing a decided upswing currently and is being accompanied by an increase in demand. These factors together point to the need for a big crop in 2022 to meet that new demand and prevent retail syrup price spikes that could limit future growth of the industry. A mediocre 2021 crop has left the syrup supply on the tight side. NHFB President Joyce Brady and husband Chris made the trip down from the North Country to meet with the BOD and take part in the tour. Joyce updated the group on some of the happenings at the State Oﬃce such as staﬃng changes, a new agreement with the American National Insurance Company, and ongoing membership committee discussions. SCFB President Phil Warren presided over an agenda that included approving a budget, Legislative Dinner planning, a May School to Farm event in Unity, and a meeting schedule for the remainder of the year.

Above: Gail McWilliam Jellie, Director of the Division of Agricultural Development in the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food addresses attendees of Sullivan County Farm Bureau’s Agricultural Policy Dinner. The event, typically held annually, brings members of Sullivan County’s Legislative Delegation to the Sugar River Valley Vocational Technical Center in Newport to hear policy priorities from the Department and Farm Bureau and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by students from the school. Below: NHFB Oﬃce Assistant & Young Farmer Coordinator speaks to students from the New Hampshire Technical Institute’s Sustainable Agriculture class. The class’s instructor, Carole Soule, brought the students to Farm Bureau to learn about the organization, resources and rules for farming in NH, and scholarship opportunities.

Legislative Policy Dinner On Tuesday evening April 13th, following a two-year hiatus, Sullivan County Farm Bureau resumed its “Annual” Agricultural Policy Dinner. SCFB was thrilled to have 11 of the 13 members of the county’s Legislative Delegation in attendance at the event held at the Sugar River Valley Vocational Technical Center at Newport High School. Tacos with ice cream for dessert were prepared and served by the Sugar River Valley FFA students and their advisors. The ever dashing Seth Wilner acted as master of ceremonies, captivating the gathering with his humor and intellect. Gail McWilliam Jellie, Director of the Division of Agricultural Development (pictured addressing the gathering) provided information about High Path Avian Influenza and spoke about legislation in the works important to the Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food and NHFB Policy Director Rob Johnson spoke about legislation requested by NHFB - requiring written landowner permission for the placement of a game camera on the property of another & H2-A agricultural guest worker drivers licensing. He also touched on issues surrounding farmers with finding local processing for their livestock. AROUND THE OFFICE The New Hampshire Farm Bureau office has been a much busier place in early 2022 than it has in the past two years. Office staff are happy about that, as we interact with more members and partner organizations to fulfill our mission. In April, Office Assistant & Young Farmer Coordinator Sydney Wilson and Communications Director Josh Marshall hosted students from New Hampshire Technical Institute’s Sustainable Agricultur Class (taught by Merrimack County Farm Bureau board member Carole Soule) to talk about Farm Bureau, agriculture in NH, and getting started in farming. The students brought great questions and enthusiasm. Staff provided them with information and resources on a number of topics including regulations, funding, scholarships, and more. Later in the month, Associated Women of NHFB (AW) members Ruth Mann of Canterbury and Ruth Scruton of Farmington held a mini membership drive of their own. The two Ruths made phone calls to expired members from their county with terrific results. AW members plan to continue making phone calls to expired members at each monthly meeting going forward.

Above: After the Associated Women of New Hampshire Farm Bureau’s April meeting, Ruth Mann (left) of Canterbury and Ruth Scruton of Farmington made phone calls to expired farmer members from their respective counties. The mini membership drive was a success as each of the Ruths brought back multiple expired members. AW members from other counties plan to conduct similar activities in the future. Below: New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom State Coordinator Debbi Cox prepares the lineup of 8 diﬀerent maple syrup samples sent in by schools from across New Hampshire. After being tested for density, clarity, and grade, a panel of judges put each sample through a taste test. Those scores are combined with a look at the educational content of the project to find an overall winner.

New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom (NHAITC) conducted judging for the Tucker Mountain Challenge in April as well. Each year NHAITC puts maple syrup samples sent in from schools across the state through a series of tests to determine a winner to recieve a $1,000 dollar classroom grant. Our favorite part of this judging process is the taste test! NHFB staﬀ joined NHAITC board members to test 8 samples and vote on a winner.

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Page 11

County, Committee & Member News YOUNG FARMERS March Meeting: Our Young Farmers have had a busy spring so far and we are extremely excited to have such a great group to restart our program after COVID. So far in 2022 we have had a meeting each month, with our most recent meeting doubling as an industry tour. On March 18th the group visited Heritage Farm Pancake House in Sanbornton, NH, where they received an amazing tour from the Swain Family. Matt Swain conducted a tractor-drawn wagon tour of the family’s sugarbush and property. He explained some of the history of the family and land, while showing us a section of sap lines. It is clear that there is a deep appreciation for the landscape and nature at this generational farm. From there, the group returned to the pancake house for a brief business meeting and social. The family made fresh pancakes for the group to enjoy, topped with the farm’s syrup of course. Rachel Swain also treated the members to a demonstration on the art of crafting handmade maple candy, which is a bit more complicated than you would think! Business items included electing the necessary final YF board member, the legislative breakfast, FFA ice cream social, and spring clean-up. After the meeting adjourned members mingled with each other and the Swain Family. Overall, we had an amazing experience and a fantastic turnout of 23 members and 7 counties represented!

Young Farmer members Emily and Matt Pincince (middle and right) served ice cream to FFA members at the Granite State FFA Convention. Other YF members (not pictures): Patrick Marcoux, Jordan Bell and Hunter were in charge of toping options at the next table over. Having so many YF members in attendance allowed for ice cream to be distributed and other members to tell the FFA crowd about the Young Farmer program. The ice cream was sourced from Farm Bureau members Hatchland Farm in North Haverhill. Chocolate was the favorite flavor of the night with two tubs being used!

FFA State Convention Ice Cream Social: On Friday, April 1st a group of our Young Farmers traveled to the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH. This trip was to promote YF by attending the annual Granite State FFA Convention. Our YF program has strong ties with FFA here in the granite state, with many of our current members being actively involved with FFA in the past. From chapter members to past state officers, we have a variety of members with all types of FFA experiences. Nine YF members hosted an ice cream social, where they networked with FFA members. In addition, YF Coordinator and past state FFA president Sydney Wilson was at the convention for its duration. She assisted with events and served as a superintendent and a member of the state officer nominating committee, all while promoting Farm Bureau. She gave a speech in session 4 of the convention and encouraged FFA members to join Young Farmers. You may have seen social media updates highlighting achievements of current and past FFA members who are also Young Farmers. Congratulation goes to YF member Abby Allen who comes to us from the Winnisquam FFA chapter. She received first in the senior division of Employment Skills as well as third place in the team competition of the same category. Most notably, she was the state winner in her Supervised Agricultural Experience competition in the Diversified Agriculture category. This qualifies her project to be judged at the national level this year in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also had current YF board member Joe Garcia and his fiancé Laura Swain on stage to read off the

The Swain family treated our YF members to a tour of the family’s farm and sugarbush. The tractor drawn wagon was the perfect way to bring our whopping 23 members across the farm. Matt Swain drove and stopped the tour occasionally to explain about the farm’s history, the sap lines and maple operation.

names of all the competition winners. A fun fact is that both are past FFA state presidents. In addition, YF board member Caroline Crouch was in attendance as an agriculture educator and advisor of the Winnisquam FFA chapter. She also served as a past state Vice President and this was her first opportunity to guide her students through a state convention. Her members received many achievements and she delivered a heartfelt speech when one received a special award. This is an experience that means so much to our Young Farmer members. It allows them to stay connected with an agricultural organization that means so much to them, while also promoting one that they are thriving in now. A special thank you to the Granite State FFA for having us again this year! Young Farmer Legislative Breakfast: Our Young Farmers were finally able to host their first legislative breakfast since 2019. In attendance was the entire YF board of directors consisting of Chair Ben Davis, Vice-Chair Townsend Carmody, and board members Caroline Crouch, Joe Garcia, and Patrick Marcoux. This group, along with NHFB staﬀ, welcomed members of the NH House Environment & Agriculture Committee and other state legislators to the NHFB oﬃce in Concord. This annual event allows YF members to interact with legislators and discuss topics and issues that they

feel are important. A few topics discussed were labor shortages, the importance of funding for state fairs, farmers’ markets, agritourism, and youth agricultural organizations. The legislative members asked questions about what issues our YF members felt were important and how they could potentially be solved. There was a great dialogue throughout the breakfast on issues and solutions, which left everyone in attendance feeling hopeful about the future of agriculture in the granite state. This year’s legislative breakfast had an extra component that made it all the more memorable. Most of the breakfast menu was sourced from Farm Bureau and Young Farmer members from across the state. Five counties and six farms were represented at the table. This allowed the YF members to bring the meal full circle and highlight the importance of local producers. Syrup was sourced from Heritage Farm Pancake House, the location of our last YF meeting and home of YF member Laura Swain. Bacon came from YF board member Patrick Marcoux of Yellow Leaf Farm and sausage from Farm Bureau president Joyce Brady of CJEJ Farm. Eggs were provided by Randy Joyner of End of the Trail Farm. Milk was supplied by Contoocook Creamery at Bohanan Farm and blueberry muﬃns were made with homegrown blueberries by our very own Policy Director, Rob Johnson of Johnson Bros Farm. A special thank you goes out to all the farms who made this, and every meal, possible! -Sydney Wilson, YF Coordinator

NHFB Policy Director Rob Johnson (left) prepares food for the Young Farmer Legislative Breakfast with help from sous chef and YF Chair Ben Davis.

The NHFB Young Farmer Committee hosted their annual Legislative Breakfast at the NHFB oﬃce in Concord on April 5th. Members of the NH House Environment & Agriculture Committee along with other state legislators and stakeholders spent time discussing agricultural and legislative priorities with the YF board members. American National insurance agent Darryn Martin joined the YF members and NHFB staﬀ to help prepare and serve the meal of locally grown and raised products.

The Communicator

Page 12

HPAI (From front) avian influenza viruses of concern in the United States. It is an early warning system for the introduction and spread of avian disease. It is because of this program that we knew that HPAI was present in the U.S. three and a half weeks before the first detection in a domesticated flock. This program allows APHIS and the poultry industry to take timely and rapid action to reduce the risk of spread to the poultry industry. However, according to Penn Vet, the AI virus can survive long periods of time in nature, especially in water at colder temperatures. The spring migration period, which occurs before and while water temperatures are rising, is an especially vulnerable time for the spread of HPAI from wild birds to domesticated

birds. It is likely that detections of HPAI in domesticated birds will continue until the spring migration is over and water temperatures rise substantially. HPAI makes its way into domestic flocks as infected wild birds travel across the landscape, shedding the virus through their droppings. Susceptible domesticated birds become infected when they have direct contact with wild birds or their droppings or, more commonly, indirectly through a contaminated environment. A contaminated environment can include straw and animal bedding, equipment and clothes and shoes. HPAI is easily transferrable, but it is also vulnerable to most detergents, disinfectants, heat and drying. This means that early alerts can lead to stronger biosafety protocols that, if followed strictly, can disrupt the spread of HPAI.

May/June 2022

Due to the important role that wild bird migration plays in the spread of HPAI, it’s helpful to look at the number of cases by flyway. For the most part, flyway boundaries follow state lines. However, the boundary between the Pacific and the Central flyways generally follows the Continental Divide. For this analysis, we have chosen not to divide states, but rather to define flyways with entire states. Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas make up the Central flyway. The Pacific flyway includes Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. At 62%, the most active flyway for detections in wild birds is the Atlantic flyway. Next up, the Mississippi flyway has had 137 detections, representing 23% of detections. The Central flyway has had 97 detections of HPAI in wild birds, 15% of the total. The Pacific flyway has not had any detections in either wild or domesticated birds. Detections in domesticated flocks are more evenly divided. Among domesticated flock detections, 32 (27%) have been in the Atlantic flyway, 44 (37%) have been in the Mississippi flyway and 42 (36%) have been in the Central flyway. Outbreaks in Domesticated Flocks Disease outbreaks in wild birds happen more often than we’re aware because most of the time the disease doesn’t get transmitted to domesticated poultry. And even when it does make its way into domesticated flocks, growers are able to isolate and minimize the spread. For example, in the modern era, strains of HPAI were found in domesticated flocks in 1983-1984 in Northeastern states, 2004 in Southern states, 2014-2015 in 21 states, 2016 in Indiana and 2017 in Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia. The current outbreak is most often

being compared to the 2014-2015 outbreak in which HPAI was detected in 21 states across the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways between December 2014 and June 2015. In total, APHIS reported 232 cases of HPAI in domesticated flocks across 15 states, of which 211 cases were in commercial premises in nine states. The outbreak led to the depopulation of more than 50.5 million commercial chickens, turkeys and other poultry to limit the spread of the disease. It is clear why comparisons between the 20142015 outbreak are making the poultry industry nervous. But, to make accurate comparisons between the current outbreak and the 2014-2015 outbreak it is important to drill down further. We do that here. Making Comparisons Wild Birds As mentioned earlier, APHIS in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the National Flyway Council conducts active, scientific monitoring for avian influenza in wild waterfowl. In both the 2014-2015 and 2022 outbreaks, HPAI was first detected in wild birds. In the 2014-2015 outbreak, the virus was discovered through passive monitoring of wild birds by USDA and USGS in December 2014. Once HPAI was detected, over 7,000 birds were sampled through collaborative surveillance eﬀort, predominately in the Mississippi and Pacific flyways (29% and 48% of total samples, respectively). However, samples were also collected from the Atlantic flyway, Central flyway, and American Oceania. Between December 2014 and June 2015, there were 98 detections of HPAI influenza across 14 states. As a result of the 2014-2015 outbreak, in 2015, USDA led an interagency eﬀort to revise the National HPAI Surveillance Plan. A priority of the revised plan was

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May/June 2022 to “determine the areas where HPAIV is located so poultry producers can be alerted and subsequently increase their biosecurity measures to help prevent direct or indirect introduction of HPAIV from wild birds. If HPAI-infected areas are detected, additional sampling eﬀorts can then be undertaken to estimate prevalence in high-risk bird species.” The revised plan has led to annual public implementation plans that lay out which species will be monitored and the number of wild bird samples to be collected by state and watershed, among other details. The annual plans help ensure that research and surveillance eﬀorts fill data gaps rather than collect redundant information. During the winter season (December 2021-February 2022) national implementation plan dictated that 6,745 wild bird samples across 25 states in the Atlantic and Pacific flyways were to be collected. This is nearly as many planned samples as were conducted in 2014-2015 in response to the outbreak. Through April 7, 637 detections in wild birds have occurred across 31 states. The Atlantic, Mississippi and Central flyways (62%, 22%, 16% of total detections, respectively) have all had detections. Only the Pacific

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture flyway remains detection free. It is likely that at least some, and perhaps a significant portion, of the higher number of detections in the current outbreak are a result of increased sampling through the surveillance program. Time will tell if the more than six-fold increase in the number of detections in wild birds is an indication of a more severe outbreak or better surveillance or a combination of the two. Domesticated Birds High path avian influenza strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock-to-flock. To prevent suﬀering in the aﬀected flocks and help curb the spread of the virus to other flocks, when HPAI is detected in a flock, the entire flock is depopulated. This is a heart-wrenching event for the grower, regardless of the size of the grower’s flock. However, to more clearly understand the impact that an outbreak of HPAI will have on poultry and poultry products, it is important to divide detections into flock type. In both the 2014-2015 outbreak and the current 2022 outbreak, detections can be divided into four categories: backyard/

non-commercial, layers (including pullets), turkeys and other. During the entire 2014-2015 outbreak, there were 211 detections of HPAI in domesticated birds. Thus far in the 2022 outbreak, according to data through April 7, there have been 158 detections. This gives the impression that the 2022 outbreak may have a larger impact than the 2014-2015 outbreak, but nearly 40% of detections in 2022 have been in backyard flocks. The two outbreaks have followed a similar pattern, with the largest share of detections occurring in turkey flocks, followed by layer and pullet flocks. The “other” category is exclusively broiler chickens, at this time. To isolate the market impacts of the ongoing HPAI outbreak, the rest of the article will focus exclusively on commercial flocks. In addition to the diﬀerences (and similarities) in flock type, there are considerable diﬀerences in where detections are happening. During the 2014-2015 outbreak, 91% of detections in commercial flocks occurred in the Mississippi flyway. The remaining 8% and 1% of detections occurred in the Central and Atlantic flyways, respectively. Today, the Mississippi flyway is also the hardest hit, but not as overwhelmingly as 2014-

Page 13 2015, with 49% of detections in commercial flocks. With 35 detections, the Central flyway has 36% of commercial detections. The remaining 15% of detections have occurred in the Atlantic flyway. Describing the incident of detection by flyway is important to appreciating the potential impact to diﬀerent poultry and poultry product markets. The Mississippi flyway was home to more than 50% of commercial production of turkeys, broilers and layer hens and more than 40% of broilers in the last year. Growers in the Atlantic flyway were responsible for 40% of broiler production and more than 20% of turkey, layer and pullet production each. The latest data shows growers in the Central flyway were responsible for 10% or more of the production of broilers, layer hens and pullets. An increasing number of detections in commercial flocks in these critical flyways are likely to roil the markets. The “other” category includes state estimates that are not shown by USDA and states withheld by USDA to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. Read the full Market Intel Report at https://www.fb.org/market-intel/breakingdown-the-hpai-outbreak1

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Page 14

The Communicator

May/June 2022

Connecting with the Community Through Plants

he story of Sarah’s Windsock Gardens in Swanzey, NH, is a prime example of the bond between agriculture and family. As a fifthgeneration farmer, Sarah Bradeen carries on a tradition that demonstrates how commodities and locations of a farm can change while the connections to the craft and the consumers remain strong. In approximately 9,000 square feet of greenhouses nestled near the end of Keene Airport’s long runway Sarah grows and sells a wide variety of flowering annuals, perennials, vegetable, and herb plants. The operation’s name is a nod to the airport, where windsocks guide pilots with a general idea of wind direction and speed. This iteration of agriculture has been in existence since 2003 when Sarah moved several greenhouses from ‘the old farm,’ aka Ellis Farm in Keene to where they sit today. Ellis Farm is where Sarah was introduced to and hooked by farming. “My first job was filling pots at four years old,” she said. Her parents would set her in a livestock feed tub with soil and empty pots and the natural horticulturist began her journey. She experienced all sorts of agriculture through her early life as the farm’s focus shifted from dairy cows to replacement heifers and, eventually, to fruit, vegetable, and plants. It wasn’t always a given that she would grow up on Ellis Farm. Had it not been for her father’s decision to forgo a career opportunity in Washington, D.C., to return to New Hampshire in 1973 with his wife and two small

children to take over the operation, who knows what would have been. Nearly three decades later, when her parents approached retirement, Sarah looked at the 50-acre spread, the two houses, and the mountain of property tax and decided to transplant her roots ten miles down the road and focus on her passion: growing plants and sharing knowledge. She is essentially a one-woman operation growing out of four greenhouses of various sizes and functions. She has a strategy for how the greenhouses are utilized. She sells out of the main house, closest to parking, and moves plants up through the other houses as they mature. One house that isn’t heated is used for starting crops that don’t mind the cooler weather. “Things like broccoli, cauliflower, petunias, and pansies,” she explained. Sarah gained much of her knowledge first-hand on her parent’s farm growing up and during an internship in Minnesota at Bachman’s Floral, Gift & Garden following a formal horticulture education at North Carolina State University. Here she experienced a larger-scale operation with ten acres of growing space, multiple store locations, and container stock facilities. “It was a fabulous internship and a wonderful experience,” she said. One of the biggest takeaways from the experience, however, was that she didn’t want to manage an operation that sprawling. Sarah appreciates taking part in the various tasks from potting to watering to interacting with the customers. “This I love,” she said. “This is what I really wanted to do.”

Sarah Bradeen waters plants in one of four greenhouses at Sarah’s Windsock Gardens in Swanzey, NH. She has operated the business in this location since 2003 after growing up on her family’s farm, Ellis Farm, in Keene.

With the right location, a properly scaled business plan, and some occasional help from her friends and family, Sarah has developed a model that works for her and a customer base that is excited to come back. “Customer service is probably my biggest thing,” she explained. “There is no dumb question.” That interaction is a driving force that many farmers can relate to. “I love having people in that are interested in how things are growing.” When a consumer makes a connection with a farm or a farmer, they are going to go back to them. When the customer feels good about their interactions and transaction,

it solidifies that relationship. One example of that connection is Sarah’s collection of hot pepper plants that she grows specifically for a few enthusiastic customers. She has no interest in enjoying the fruits of that labor since she is not a fan of peppers but she is willing to learn as much as she can to help guide her customers who do. It’s those rewarding interactions that keep farmers and consumers alike connected Sarah explained, “It gives you that rapport with your customers because they are looking for something and they know they’re going to find it here.”

(Above left)The brightly colored buildings at Sarah’s Windsock Gardens in Swanzey, NH, stand out to passersby and helps draw in new customers. The name of the operation, which produces annuals, perennials, vegetable, and herb plants, comes from the windsocks that help pilots navigate the wind when landing at nearby Keene Airport. (Above right) Trays of fibrous begonias, also known as wax begonias in one of four greenhouses at Sarah’s Windsock Gardens.

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Page 15

The State Of - The Advocate Journey, Level 1 - Get Informed AFBF Advocacy and Political Aﬀairs Team

Through a series of articles we call The State, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Advocacy and Political Aﬀairs team is providing analysis related to “the state of” various aspects related to advocacy and political trends impacting farmers and ranchers and rural Americans.

can water down your calls to action. By using a series of emails over time, you can educate, inform and motivate advocates to engage on behalf of the organization. Suggested emails: •

very advocate takes a journey when they decide “to do something,” from making the decision to take an initial action to becoming a key advocate for an organization or issue. Over the past few years, legislative advocacy has evolved by adapting current marketing strategies employed by the business community, using a customer-centric approach called the customer journey. The approach builds trust with customers by rewarding them for their continued engagement, moving them from satisfied to loyal customers. The same approach can be applied to advocates. For the FB Advocacy program, we strive to build trust with advocates and move them along an advocate “journey,” guiding them from early-stage sign-ups to reliable key advocates with relationships with lawmakers. The business community defines the customer in personas, and for each persona, there are purposeful, deliberate and coordinated interactions that support engagement. In advocacy, we have similar personas, and by coordinating our interactions, we can move advocates from an entrylevel to a higher level of engagement. Below is an example of using deliberate interactions between Farm Bureau and our advocates to bring them along the advocate journey motivating them from level one to another.

•

Thank you email: An email sent several weeks after an advocate first signed up for advocacy information to thank them for their interest and provide a quick overview of recent advocacy eﬀorts. Suggested reading email: An email sent a month after new advocates signed up to inform them where they could get more information about policy issues and encourage continued engagement. Power of advocacy email: An email sent several months after they signed up to again thank advocates for their interest and motivate them to take several steps to get to the next level. For AFBF, that could be to act on an Action Alert, participate in a meeting with a lawmaker or contribute to a political action committee.

American National Insurance Celebrates Earth Day with Community Cleanup On Friday, April 22nd, in recognition of Earth Day, the crew from the Michael N. Bertolone Insurance Agency, representing American National Insurance, picked up roadside trash in community cleanup event. Cleanup was done on streets near their 1 Fisher Avenue location in Boscawen, cleaning about a mile and ahalf of the town! Mike, Maureen, Ben, Portia, Tanya, and Sue collected enough trash to fill a large truck bed and then celebrated with a celebratory lunch. “We feel Earth Day is a great time to recognize our clients, many of whome are farmers,” Mike said. “They are such great stewards of the land all year round, this is is our way to honor them.”

Do you receive

The Post?

Suggested content: Content is used to reward advocates for their engagement. Supplying information that they would not necessarily receive through other channels gives them a sense of exclusivity. Examples: • •

Level 1 – Get Informed

•

Once advocates provide contact information to receive emails and communication on advocacy-related issues and calls to action, they enter the advocate journey at level one. For the AFBF, this level also includes advocates educating themselves about policy issues that impact agriculture or following lawmakers on social media. The following purposeful, deliberate and coordinated interactions can be used to motivate advocates to take the journey from level one to higher levels. Email continues to be the best vehicle for communicating with advocates. However, only using email to ask your advocates to act on an issue

•

Access to new policy analysis Virtual meeting with a key Hill staﬀ member Reports on how their participation has helped the organization Social media content that can be shared

The tactics above are just an example and can motivate and engage advocates at any level. Instituting an advocate journey program takes planning and time. However, by using a variety of advocacy, email and marketing platforms to automate the process, you can implement an advocate-centric program to build trust with your advocates and move them along an advocate “journey” from early-stage sign-ups to reliable key advocates with relationships with lawmakers.

The Post is a weekly e-mail blast from the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Oﬃce providing you with an extensive list of workshops, events, resources, and much more. Want to keep up to date with the latest in New Hampshire agriculture in between issues of The Communicator? Then make sure you are opening up The Post in your e-mail inbox. If you aren’t receiving The Post in your e-mail inbox or aren’t sure if you are, Call us in the NHFB Oﬃce @ 603-2241934 or e-mail assistant@nhfarmbureau.org to get on the list! You can also find The Post on the NHFB Facebook page: Facebook.com/nhfarmbureau

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The Communicator

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Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

May/June 2022

Page 17

Eye on Extension Select Food and Agricultural Events

Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety

Sprayer Calibration Workshop

Reaction and building a honeycomb

ages 12-18 years old. Register through

structure that can hold 5+ lbs in the 4-H

4H Online by May 2. Space is limited.

Honeycomb Home Challenge.

A limited number of scholarships are

Have a need for speed? In the

The Universities of Maine and New

for Women Farmers

Hampshire

Cooperative

Extension

Mousetrap

Car

SPEED

Challenge,

available to individuals unable to pay. If payment presents a barrier, please contact michelle.bersaw@unh.edu.

June 4

programs have joined forces to help

participants will build and enter a

From 10:30 AM -3:00 PM

produce farmers start, or improve,

mousetrap car that can travel as fast as

Grafton County Farm Stand

their Farm Food Safety Planning with

possible. The Grilled Cheese Challenge

NH 4-H Teen Conference

3855 Dartmouth Coll. Hwy.

Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety.

will showcase culinary skills, while

June 25 - 28

This yearlong technical support

the Artisan Showcase will feature

University of New Hampshire

from UMaine and UNH Extension

garments, quilted projects, knitted/

Durham, NH

educators is at no charge to you. Once

crocheted items and other sewn objects.

you sign up with the project, we will

In the Makers Share Fair, participants

Teen Conference is an event that

come to your farm and have a walk-

can show oﬀ homemade items, give

many teens in New Hampshire look

around with you to help identify

a public demonstration or set up an

forward to all year! It is open to any

and prioritize needed food safety

exhibit based on cool things made in

teenager that has completed 8th grade

modifications. Then, together we will

4-H project areas.

through to 12th grade. It is a multi-day

Rout 10, North Haverhill, NH Regardless

whether

you

use

organic or conventional pesticides, environmental

and

economic

risks

are major factors to consider prior to making any pesticide application. Calibrating your pesticide application equipment each year minimizes risk of damage to the crop and prevents unnecessary spraying. Join us for this hands-on workshop for women farmers to learn how to calibrate a backpack sprayer and a boom sprayer for your farm operation. We will talk about the types of equipment used in pesticide application,

demonstrate

sprayer

calibration and discuss minimizing environmental

and

economic

risks

associated with pesticide application. A brief introduction to crop insurance

develop a plan to improve food safety

experience, held right in the heart of

and increase the keeping-quality of your

unh.edu/event/2022/05/4-h-makers-

UNH campus. All participants stay in

fresh produce. We will also help you via

expo (current 4-Her’s will be directed

the dorms and experience a multitude

phone calls and emails, whatever works

for you. After providing this technical

Preregistration is required for several

opportunities that range from a day of

support for one year, all, or at least

challenges.

service learning to field trips around

McAdam

diﬀerent

youth

development

the seacoast to a full day of hands-

Farms of any size can participate.

Discovery Club

dances, games, karaoke and a closing

However, we will give priority to small

May 11 and June 8

semi-formal banquet. Cost: $325. View

and medium-sized farms to enter the

From 4:00 - 5:30 PM

project and receive technical support. program and to apply, visit: https://bit.

Kelly

Online).

on workshops and nights filled with

Safety Plan could be in place.

also be covered. contact

4-H

Feeling Electric With the 4-H

For

Please

through

important parts, of your Farm Food

to further minimize economic risk will Register early, as space is limited.

information

about

the

ly/jumpstartfarm

STEM Discovery Lab at UNH Manchester 88 Commercial St., Manchester, NH What does electricity feel like? How do

schedule

https://extension.unh.

edu/nh-4-h-teen-conference-2022 and register through 4-H Online.

Barry Conservation 4-H Camp

you work with electricity safely? Join

us to find out! Learn skills in electrical

Barry Conservation 4-H Camp (BCC)

5475 ext. 106 for questions, if special

engineering by creating a variable tone

is a great program for kids who love

accommodations are needed or if unable

police type siren that could be used as

the outdoors, enjoy hands-on learning

to pay the registration fee. No participant

an alarm. Suitable for youth grades 7

and like a small camp environment.

will be turned away for inability to pay

- 12. This is an ongoing program that

Staﬀ take pride in creating a special

the registration fee. Participants should

runs on Wednesdays. Register via 4-H

place where kids can discover their

wear closed toe shoes and comfortable

Online or if you are a new 4-H member,

individual strengths. BCC’s six cabins

clothing for working with equipment

use the survey on our website: https://

are located in the White Mountain

in the field. Registration Fee: $20 (lunch

extension.unh.edu/event/2022/02/

National Forest at the Berlin Fish

is provided). Registration Deadline:

feeling-electric-4-h-discovery-club.

Hatchery and is run by the UNH

kelly.mcadam@unh.edu or (603) 527-

Select 4-H Events

Cooperative Extension 4-H Program in

May 30, 2022. https://extension.unh.

Explore the Squam Lakes Natural

edu/event/2022/06/sprayer-calibrationworkshop-women-farmers

Science Center with the NH

Food Safety for Poultry & Rabbit Producers: Initial Class June 14 - 16 From 9:00 - 10:30 AM New Hampshire producers can sell

4-H Ag Ambassadors

cooperation with the NH Department of Fish & Game. Barry Conservation 4-H Camp has been making summer magic happen

4-H Makers Expo

May 21

May 7

for New Hampshire youth since 1984

From 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

From 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM

and educates young people about

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

wildlife, natural resources and helps

Sandiwch Fairgrounds

23 Science Center Rd., Holderness, NH

them develop life and leadership

Main St., Sandwich, NH

skills. When camp is over, youth bring Join the NH 4-H Ag Ambassadors for a

those new skills back home to their

poultry and 1,000 rabbits per calendar

The 4-H Makers Expo provides STEM

behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like

communities.

year)

and craft demonstrations, fun activities

to have a career that combines animal

2022 sessions will include: 4-H

For

and exciting challenges. Join us for an

care and environmental education. The

Shooting Sports (June 19–24), Fish

producers to legally sell their products

exhibition and celebration of all things

day will include a live animal program

Camp (June 26 - July 1), Mini Camp

in this way, they must complete this

creative, hands-on and fun! This event

to learn about the natural history of the

(July 5 – 8), Mini Camp, (July 5 – 8),

initial certification course with UNH

is free and open to the public. Carroll

animals and how that informs the care

Hunter Education (July 17–22), North

Cooperative Extension and recertify

County 4-H will be selling food so

provided in captivity. The program

Country Adventure (July 24–29), 4-H

after

bring an appetite.

will also include a hands-on activity

Shooting Sports, (July 31 – August 5),

focusing

enrichment.

Junior Conservation Oﬃcer (August

poultry and rabbits (up to 20,000 directly

without

USDA

five

years.

restaurants

inspection.

Topics

include

equipment,

Makers will be tasked with a

health animals, cleaning and sanitizing,

variety of challenges to unleash their

Participants will also have the chance

7–10). For full details and registration

personal hygiene, temperature control,

creative genius such as designing and

to explore the live animal exhibit trail.

information,

labeling, recordkeeping and steps to

sharing an innovative chain reaction

A $10 fee is charged for this Extension

unh.edu/new-hampshire-4-h/barry-

certification.

machine in the STEaMpunk Chain

program to cover costs. Open to youth

conservation-4-h-camp

regulations,

facilities,

animal

visit

https://extension.

Page 18

High Stakes at the High Court By Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau President

very year, I watch a trailer full of calves leave my farm, headed to another farm to continue growing. As the truck pulls out, I feel a sense of pride because I raised healthy calves in a humane and caring way. And I know that farmers and ranchers across the country work hard every day to do the same thing on their farms. As the Voice of Agriculture in Washington, the American Farm Bureau advocates for policies and regulations that respect America’s farmers and ranchers and the thoughtful choices we make every day in caring for our land and animals. Sometimes our eﬀorts lead us to the nation’s highest court, which is the case this week. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a lawsuit we filed with the National Pork Producers Council to stop California’s Prop 12 from going into eﬀect. California’s proposal would ban the sale of pork unless the sow that gave birth to the pig was housed according to the state’s arbitrary production standards. Here’s the giant red flag, the California law would apply to pork raised on farms outside of California, too, essentially giving one state the power to set the law of the land across the country. That’s why we filed a lawsuit to challenge Prop 12. The fact that the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case tells us they recognize how high the stakes are for agriculture. The Court only accepts 1% of the cases filed there, making this decision even more important for farmers, ranchers and consumers. The fact that at least four of the nine justices agreed to hear the case demonstrates how important this issue is. Their decision could set a precedent for how regulations in one state can impact food production across the country. Laws like Prop 12 can have significant unintended consequences.

May/June 2022

The Communicator

The costs to comply with new rules could be too great for small farms, making it diﬃcult to stay in business and driving more consolidation in agriculture. They could put animal welfare at risk. Or they could limit how farmers combat disease in crops and livestock. While voters in California wanted to ensure that animals were well cared for, Prop 12 doesn’t achieve that goal. And one state’s misguided law certainly shouldn’t dictate farming practices across the country. Prop 12 is the perfect example of how people’s good intentions can result in bad policy because of oversimplification of complicated issues. California voters were told that Prop 12 would lead to healthier and safer animals because pregnant sows would be able to move around with other pregnant sows and not be kept in gestation stalls. However, farmers know that sows become incredibly aggressive and dangerous at certain points during their pregnancy. Larger sows steal food from smaller sows, and often violently lash out at them. Gestation stalls keep pregnant sows apart from one another for their safety and to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition and care they need to keep themselves and their piglets safe. The animal welfare discussion about the design and use of gestation stalls is a separate issue from the question here: whether individual states should be able to dictate standards on farms far beyond their borders. The implications are substantial for interstate commerce— for farmers, consumers and the entire food supply chain. We are pleased that the Court has decided to hear our case. Now you can bet we’ll roll-up our sleeves and do our best to present an honest picture of the high stakes that hang in the balance for agriculture.

CCCD Announces 2022 Conservation Opportunity Fund Recipients Cheshire County Conservation District

he Cheshire County Conservation District is excited to announce the 2022 round of Conservation Opportunity Fund recipients: Leslie Casey of Sullivan, Georgina Carley of Hinsdale, Dian Matthews of Keene, the Friends of the Ashuelot River Park of Keene, and the United Church of Christ of Keene. Due to the quality of applications received from across Cheshire County, the fund is awarding $6,445 between the five recipients in 2022. The Conservation Opportunity Fund’s mission is to provide funding for owners of small tracts of land who are interested in improving the wildlife habitat on their property. This year’s projects will be the most diverse range of project types in the Conservation Opportunity Fund’s history. Leslie Casey of Sullivan will be regenerating forest edge. Georgina Carley of Hinsdale will install a native pollinator meadow. Dian Matthews of Keene will re-wild the edge of their yard utilizing native plants. The Friends of the Ashuelot River Park of Keene will install a rain garden with native plantings, and the United Church of Christ of Keene will install two native pollinator gardens. If you’re interested in applying for funding in 2023, visit the Conservation Opportunity Fund website for examples of past projects, resources, and check back for applications to be posted in Fall 2022: http://www. cheshireconservation.org/cof

The Conservation Opportunity Fund is a grant program that is made possible by the generous contributions of private donors, and administered by the Cheshire County Conservation District. If you would like to make a donation to support future funding of Conservation Opportunity Fund, please do so on our website: www. cheshireconservation.org/makea-donation. Donations to the fund may also be made by mail, checks can be made payable to “CCCD” and addressed to 11 Industrial Park Dr., Walpole, NH 03608. Please include “COF” in the memo line. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a diﬀerence!

GIVING (From page 5)

Help us stay in touch with you! Has your phone number, email, or mailing address changed recently? Call NH Farm Bureau at 224-1934 and update your contact info today!

and conducting campaigns with FFA and Collegiate Farm Bureaus were among the strategies used to raise funds. Florida Farm Bureau tallied the most volunteer hours, 4,510. This included 100 volunteers packaging more than 50,000 meals for local families through the “Farming for Hope” event in partnership with Meals for Hope, and a district project that brought together 85 volunteers to harvest and distribute sweet corn. Thanks to the generosity of Nationwide, these state organizations received a $500 grant (for each type of contribution) for donation to a local food bank of their choice or for another Harvest for All project. ond-place winners were New York Farm Bureau for 5.7 million pounds of food donated, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for $47,154 in donated funds and Illinois Farm Bureau for 4,063 hours of donated volunteer time. Each of the second-place winners received a $250 grant (for each type of contribution) from Nationwide to

donate to the local food bank of their choice. Most Innovative Winner In addition, the Florida Farm Bureau YF&R Committee received a $250 grant from Nationwide for “most innovative” program for the “Farming for Hope” event conducted in partnership with Meals for Hope. The success of this innovative project, which included packaging 50,000 meals for local families, was due to the collaboration of numerous county Farm Bureaus, YF&R programs and community volunteers. The awards were presented during AFBF’s 2022 Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference, which wrapped up Monday. Since Harvest for All was launched, Farm Bureau families have gathered 412 million pounds of food, logged more than 224,000 volunteer hours and raised more than $10 million in donations.

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Page 19

New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program Expands Services to Offer Free Mediation for Labor Issues and More New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program

he New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program (NHAMP) has been helping farmers resolve agricultural issues confidentially and for free since 2010. With support from the USDA and the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, NHAMP recently expanded the list of approved issues that qualify for free mediation to also include easements, contracts, and labor issues. “Although every situation is different, mediators often work with farms that have already tried to resolve issues on their own,” said Cara Cargill, a mediator with the New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program. “Even when you’ve tried everything to fix the problem, mediation can often be successful. A mediator is a neutral person who helps people negotiate their differences to get to a solution.” Recent NHAMP data show success rates of over 80% when mediation is tried before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or other dispute resolution methods. “It is important that we do all we can to encourage agricultural success in our state,” New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture Shawn Jasper said. “I have seen firsthand how effective mediation can be in resolving difficult disputes. One thing about mediating these types of disputes is there are no losers.” Sarah Laeng Gilliatt, a New Hampshire farmer, says NHAMP is a critical resource in solving the unique issues that can come up when you own a farm. “It is not an overstatement to say that I couldn’t have continued to farm without their help,” Laeng Gilliatt reflected. “In a cultural context that is less and less an agricultural one, with some neighbors espousing rural New Hampshire, but not always being willing to accept some of what that means in their backyard, NHAMP stepped in with much skillfulness in conversations with neighbors so

ERATION that creative solutions could be found that met everyone’s needs.” Agricultural mediation programs like NHAMP exist in states across the U.S. and are certified and funded through grants from the USDA. The program was created to help farmers, lenders, creditors, and USDA resolve issues informally and without the transaction costs associated with the legal system. The goal is to help the parties reach mutually agreeable solutions. Charlene Andersen of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund has connected farmers with NHAMP surrounding short-term debt challenges. “Cash flow is critical for farmers. Balancing accounts receivables and payables is crucial in their business,” Andersen said. “Mediators have helped our farmer clients consider new ways to balance cash flow and restructure accounts payables to help them pay oﬀ their short-term debt more easily.” The complete list of agricultural issues eligible for free mediation includes contracts, credit counseling, crop insurance, debt issues, easement issues, farm loans, family farm transitions, farmer-neighbor disputes, labor issues, land and equipment leases, organic certification, pesticide issues, USDA farm and conservation programs, USDA rural development loans, and wetlands determinations. NHAMP oﬀers on-site mediation sessions and teleconferencing sessions so that everyone has access to this service no matter where they live. For more information or to sign up for free mediation with NHAMP, visit www.NHamp.org to fill out an online request form. Or contact Cara Cargill at (603) 685-4780 or carac@emcenter.org.

Jeffrey Holmes Appointed to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in New Hampshire

5 Tips for Passing the Farm to the Next Generation Growing Solutions with NHAMP By Cara Cargill, Facilitator & Mediator, NH Agricultural Mediation Center

ome goals are harder than others to prioritize because they seem too daunting. If you’re thinking about how to pass the farm to the next generation, start planning now. Here are five tips to help you have successful farm transition conversations this year: 1.

Have a Champion & Prioritize the Discussion Have someone at the farm who is dedicated to moving the process forward. Often, transition conversations are put on the back burner because people get too caught up in the day-to-day.

Recognize Each Other’s Point of View It’s common for family members and stakeholders to have diﬀerent visions for the future. It’s important to listen and recognize each other’s point of view as valid, whether you agree or not.

Understand the Financial Picture The next generation should have access to the finances for the best chance of success. In the absence of information, people often make wrong assumptions, which can prevent a successful transfer.

Write Down Your Rough Draft for Transition of Assets and Management Write down your vision or ideas to ensure everyone is on the same page. This draft will help you finalize it with a professional.

Get Help as Needed from a Facilitator A facilitator or mediator with experience in family coaching and succession planning can help create a sense of fairness, set the agenda at family meetings, ensure nothing is missed, and encourage reluctant participants to become more involved. water in the ground, sequesters carbon, and

USDA Farm Service Agency

he Biden Administration recently appointed Jeffrey Holmes as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA New Hampshire Farm Service Agency (FSA). Holmes joined the New Hampshire FSA team on March 28, 2022. “Individuals selected to serve as FSA State Executive Directors are incredible public servants who have a proven track record when it comes to their commitment to advance their states and communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Each will serve on the frontlines, carrying out USDA’s mission at the state level and ensuring the voice of each and every USDA customer is heard. We are fortunate to have each of these talented individuals at this critical time for farmers and producers and rural communities across America.” Holmes is a fifth-generation farmer from Langdon. In the family since 1873, the land was home to registered jersey cattle for over 80 years and currently produces hay, corn, maple, timber, and firewood. His public service includes 22 years on the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Board of Directors, on which he served as president for eight years. Holmes served 15 years as the Langdon town moderator. Additionally, he has served as an FSA county committee member and County Executive Director in the Cheshire-Sullivan County office. As SED, Holmes will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of FSA programs to agricultural producers in New Hampshire. These commodity, conservation, credit, and disaster assistance programs ensure a safe, affordable, abundant, and nutritious food, fiber, and fuel supply for consumers. “The State Executive Director is a pivotal leadership position for the Agency and for the agricultural producers we serve,” said Marcus

Jeﬀrey Holmes

Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations. “These leaders, appointed by the BidenHarris Administration, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their respective states. We are happy to have them on board and wish them much success.” Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally, through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture.

Need help kicking off your first transition planning conversation or navigating differences in opinions about the future? The New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program (NHAMP) offers both on-site mediation sessions and teleconferencing sessions for free so that everyone has access to this service no matter where in New Hampshire they live. Farm transition discussions don’t have to be limited to only family members. Some may want to involve long-term employees in future ownership or young farmers outside the business. To sign up for facilitation visit our website and find the request form at the bottom of the page: www.NHAMP.org

The Communicator

Page 20

May/June 2022

Farmers’ Market Classified

Connecting NHFB members with what they have to sell and what they want to buy. NHFB’s Farmers’ Market is a free classified ad service to all NHFB members. If you have something to sell, buy or trade, this is your place to get noticed. Ads can be emailed to editor@nhfarmbureau.org Want more information? Call us at 224-1934.

FOR SALE

FOR SALE: Two Alpine does, sisters, bred, polled WANTED: Need someone who can work on from closed UNH inspected herd. Downsizing, $200 a john deere 24t baler in Center Conway NH 603447-5382.

FOR SALE: ATTENTION SPINNERS - Prime alpaca each, must go together. Milford NH, 603-732-2654. fleece, blanket portion. White, superfine. Approximately 4#. $30. Contoocook Alpaca, LLC - 603-746-3385.

FOR SALE: Rabbits. Giant Flemish, Californian, WANTED: Looking for a tree fruit/berry New Zealand. Babies $25, Adults $40. Westmoreland. PYO farm to purchase. Ideally there would be an existing residence, 30+ acres and an established, diversified retail business on the farm. This FOR SALE: Massy Ferguson 3635 65HP. 300 hrs. might include things like a farm stand, corn 4wd cab w/air & heater - $26,000. Hardee long reach maze, hayrides and other seasonal attractions. cutter - $11,000. Erskine snow blower, 70” front mount Looking to connect with farm owners who - $6,000. 6 ton 22’ low bed trailer - $2,000. Concord. Call may be considering to retire or transition in the next 1-3 years and would be open to having Robert - 603-224-3036. a conversation. Please contact Link at link@ FOR SALE: ALPACA PRODUCTS - WARM, linkmoser.com or 603-581-7345. HYPOALLERGENIC alpaca socks, throws, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, and other items, starting at $15. SERVICES Contoocook Alpaca, LLC, 746-3385. GROW YOUR PROFITS: Keeping honey bees as pollinators will increase your FARM HELP WANTED yield! White Mountain Apiary has everything HELP WANTED: Hurricane Hill Farm, Chichester, you need to become a successful beekeeper. NH has full or part time opening for farm help. 32 acre We oﬀer online beekeeping classes, honey bees, farm with barn, grass pastures, indoor and outdoor rings, queen bees, beekeeping equipment, and support. dressage arena and stadium and cross country fences. http://www.whitemountainapiary.com/store or Three daily shifts with some shift schedule flexibility. call 603-444-6661 for more information.

FOR SALE: Case IH 1394 Tractor $26,500 4WD Pictures on request. email mklmfarm49@gmail.com. Tractor Loader, 1,500 Hrs, 70 Hp Case 4-Cyl 3.6L Turbocharged Diesel, Block Heater, Synchronized, 12 Forward & 4 Reverse Speeds, Independent PTO 540/1000 Rear Location, 2 Auxiliary rear Hydraulics, 3 Point Hitch, Heater, AC (needs service), Stereo/cassette, 2 Door, Midwestern flattop cab, Hydraulic Power Steering, Quick Attach Loader, 84” Bucket Width, good rubber all way around, right brake sticky, 1 owner 1986 Text/call Bob 508-523-3278.

FOR SALE: Kvernland No. 110 3 Bottom Rollover Plow. Always stored inside. $9,850 call 603-620-2893.

FOR SALE: Howard 72 in TILLER mid 70s, well built, been sitting needs lubricating/service to work $2,000 or best reasonable oﬀer CALL or TEXT > Bob 508523-3278 dudsbuds1077@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: ROCK HOUND 72A-3 Great condition, three point or easily convert to skid steer mount, Ready to Work! $4,500 or best reasonable oﬀer CALL or TEXT > Bob 508-523-3278 dudsbuds1077@gmail.com.

PTO driven, Ready to Work! $6,500 or best reasonable oﬀer CALL or TEXT > Bob 508-523-3278 dudsbuds1077@ gmail.com.

One weekend day and some evening shifts required. Full time duties include dressing horses, turn out/in, feeding, haying, watering, stall cleaning, mowing, ring dragging, limited snow removal and general cleaning and maintenance. Will train, starting at $12 hour. Wages negotiable for experienced candidates. Reliability a must, including reliable transportation. Good second job for part-time or small farmer.

FOR SALE: Bobcat Skidsteer 543 (4ft wide). 450

WANTED

FOR SALE: Harley 8 ft ROCK RAKE Great condition,

Hours. Dirt bucket and materials bucket. Recently been serviced by Pinnacleview Equipment. $4,500 - call Ernie 603-756-3589.

VETERINARY

SERVICES: Now accepting new farm and equine clients in New Hampshire & Vermont within a 40 mile radius of Canaan, New Hampshire. Also specializing in Equine Dentistry with over 25 years of experience. Able to travel further for larger barns. Cardigan Veterinary Clinic. 603-632-7500.

AGRICULTURAL FENCING INSTALLATION: Some of the fencing we install is high tensile electric, woven wire stock

WANTED: New to the area mechanic looking to help fence and open to other requests. Other services

pickup. 100% grass genetics and hormone free. They are F1 crosses tremendous hybrid vigor. Also, bred cows due in May. Herefords mated to a fine-boned Red Angus. The Gosses - 603-481-0017 or stonefenfarm@gmail.com.

farmers in need in the Cheshire County Region. Looking available include field perimeter and fence line to give back to the farming community. Contact Brock at mowing with mini excavator with flail mower 336-612-5393. head. Please call Nate @ 603-648-6211 or email mockangus@tds.net WANTED: I am a young farmer looking for land to plant a vineyard in NH to help launch my small winery REAL ESTATE: Farms, Woodlots, business. I am looking for land that has already been Recreational Land. Broker Tom Howard is an cleared, that is on a South or East facing slope, and is Accredited Land Consultant with expertise between 5-20 acres. Ideally, the elevation is 800ft or in Conservation Easements, Agriculture and higher. Existing structures for living and making wine are a bonus! I am especially interested in working with Forestry. NH Conservation Real Estate, (603)253farmers looking to retire and creating a land transfer 4999. plan, to ensure land stays in agricultural production.

FOR SALE: 2 Modine Hot Dawg Propane Gas

WANTED: Used drum style chicken plucker in good

FOR SALE: 1960’s International Harvester B275 4 cylinder diesel. Runs well. New rear rims, tubes, one tire, axle seals, gear oil, and hydraulic fluid. Has two hydraulic hoses, can only engage PTO when not running. $4,000 603-731-5503.

FOR SALE: Prime feeders available now or for spring

Heaters. 45,000 BTU. Purchased in Oct 2020 from Home Depot. Never used. $650. each. Current price at Home Depot $850.00 chesleymtnfarm@yahoo.com.

FOR SALE: Maple syrup supplies: 5-gal $4 buckets. 5-gal $2 container. 1-gal Nalgene Bottles w/handles $5. 5-gal Nalgene bottle $10. 13-gal Nalgene bottle $20. 14gal blue drum with 1 bung and Handle. Food Grade $10. Heavy Duty 60-gal white translucent with covers $50 5/$200. 55-gal Nalgene clip barrels $75 5/$300. 275gal sap grade IBC TOTES $150 waiting list. 300-gal IBC TOTES For water collection, Like new On Sale $100. 8-gal STAINLESS Steel Drums with bung and handles $75 5/$300. Call or text John at 603-848-9595 Delivery available all of New England.

FOR SALE: 1968 Hudson trailer. 16’ deck. 59” between fender wells. Drop down gate. Gross weight 4400cvw. Brakes on all 3 axles. All new brakes recently. Good tires. $2,500 OBO. Call during the evening 603-7702965. Located in Exeter.

FOR SALE: Powered by you! 20” Sun Joe MJ502M Manual Reel Mower with Grass Catcher. 14” Scott Manual Reel Mower. Will sell separately for $80, or both for $140. New June last year. Each very lightly used and are like new. Claremont. 603-504-6671.

FOR SALE: Farmall Super C. Fully restored - $7,500. Boscawen - 603-796-2779.

condition to purchase or to rent (within 12 mile radius of Dover, NH please). Please call Charlie at 603-742-8581.

Tips for Avoiding Scams Unfortunately, from time to time folks listing items for sale in classified sections of newspapers and/or websites are the targets of scams. The easiest way to avoid falling victim to one of these scams is to be aware of suspicious replies to your listings, never give out private information via email, and try to meet in person when making transactions. Most classified listing scams are conducted via email. Be aware of suspicious email replies containing: • Poor grammar and spelling, vague or strange wording. • Responses from distant places (especially foreign countries or a far-off state). • Offers to pay using cashier checks, certified checks, or money orders. • Contact information that does not match (ex. phone number from different state than address). Although most scams are initiated through email, look out for these signs in telephone conversations as well. If you believe you have been targeted by a scam online, you can file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov. If you believe you have been targeted by a phone scam, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. For more resources on fraud and scams visit https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds.

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Page 21

The Communicator

Page 22

Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship Winners Announced

Scouts. Evelyn is a nationally ranked rifle shooter and was Captain of the Gold Team at the Ferry Brook Shooters. At UNH, she is active in the Dorm Council and a service fraternity. Her career goal is to be a Laboratory Scientist where she works with plant genetics. Allison Howald is a ’24 at Paul Smith’s College in Natural Resources Management. She grew up in Newport where she was a high school athlete and dancer. Allison volunteered in many community projects including the Sugar River Animal Hospital She also was active in FFA and especially enjoyed competing in woodsman competitions as she is proficient with the use of chainsaws and forestry hand tools. Her career goal is to be land steward as a Fish and Game Oﬃcer.

Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship Board of Trustees

of agriculture, land management, and community. Here are our most recent Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship recipients: Erin Taylor is a Biology/ Environmental Studies major at Southern New Hampshire University. She hopes to apply her STEM studies to solve issues in the agricultural community. Erin hails from Bradford and during her high school years was the state champion in barrel racing, volunteered at the local Food Pantry, and was a 4.0 Honor Roll student at Kearsarge High School. Erin is creative, a hard-worker, goal-oriented, and juggles an evening job while still keeping a flock of chickens and attaining straight A’s at SNHU. Evelyn Proctor is a ‘23 at the University of New Hampshire where she is majoring in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology. She grew up in Marlborough and during High School she was active in the National Honor Society, Toys for Tots campaign, Church mission work, and achieved the highest level in Girl

here is no better way to safeguard the economic stability of our state than to support our young people and their dreams of the future. Abbie Sargent (1876-1959) was a strong advocate for women, young people, and education at the national, state, and local levels. Born on a farm and having lived on one her whole life, Abbie promoted cooperative extension, 4-H, Farm Bureau, and Associated Women programs. She was one of the agricultural leaders of her time, who testified before U.S. Congressional committees on the importance of rural America, education, and child welfare. She won several awards and was a champion of farm families, home, and community and the vital role they play in everyone’s sense of well-being. Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship, Inc. is proud to sponsor a scholarship program in her name to help support New Hampshire college students who have a financial need and who will help keep Abbie’s vision alive of the importance

May/June 2022

Sydney Wilson

Alexis Longey is a ’23 at the University of New Hampshire pursuing a BA in Animal Science. She grew up in Nottingham where she was in the National Honor Society and served as President of the FFA. She has a passion for all animals and volunteered with the local Humane Society Shelter, Deerfield Fair Petting Barn and at the School Barn where she especially enjoyed caring for sick reptiles, rabbits and farm animals. She also worked at a goat farm where she helped with birthing, public relations and as a goat yoga monitor.

Allison Howald

Sydney Wilson graduated from Ohio State 2021 with a degree in Agricultural Communications. She grew up on a family farm in Nottingham where she raised angus beef, goats and lambs. She was active in 4-H and FFA where she received many awards as the NH FFA President. She served as a mentor to many young farmers and is a passionate advocate and articulate spokesperson for New Hampshire agriculture. She currently works at the NH Farm Bureau.

Erin Taylor

Evelyn Proctor

Alexis Longey

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After a two year wait, Christine Stillwell, our 2020 Teacher of the Year, was finally recognized in person. This deserving educator from Robert J. Lister Academy in Portsmouth not only includes her math students in the maple sugaring effort but has recruited a science teacher to join forces with her. Their students then take their lessons on the road visiting all of the Portsmouth 3rd grade classes along with some preschoolers. The younger students learn about tree identification, tree anatomy and collecting sap. The sap that is collected at the elementary schools is brought back to Robert Lister for processing into maple syrup. A celebration at the end of the maple season features a pancake breakfast, student exhibits displaying a historical timeline, graphs of collection data, tapping demonstrations and other examples of how maple was integrated into the classroom curriculum. Christine recently traveled to the Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods to receive her plaque at the Granite State FFA Convention. Commissioner of Agriculture Shawn Jasper and Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut joined forces to recognize her on stage. As many of you know, our School to Farm Day series of field trips is returning in person this year. While registration is low compared to our last event, we are excited to see a number of schools planning to join us in different counties. Although this has been mentioned many times, it bears repeating: we cannot share the importance of agriculture with students without your help. There are so many wonderfully knowledgeable people around the state that would be amazing in sharing their specialty with students on School to Farm Days. It takes less than a day of your time to help these 4th-graders realize the importance of agriculture and how it affects their daily lives. We are always looking for people to share the basics of pollinators, maple sugaring, dairy, poultry, forestry, soil, history, crop production, and more. You just need to know the basics of a topic and we can help you prepare a 15-minute presentation. If you are interested in helping, please email us at nhatic@ nhfarmbureau.org.

2020 Teacher of the Year Christine Stillwell of Robert J Lister Academy in Portsmouth is presented her award at the 2022 Granite State FFA Convention in Bretton Woods by NH Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut and NH Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets & Food Shawn Jasper.

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Farmers, gardners, local food consumers, nature fans, teachers, property owners, and anyone who enjoys rural New hampshire are the kinds of people involved with Farm Bureau.

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Degree of Farming ___Full- me Farmer Phone _______________________________ E-mail _______________________________________________ DOB ___/____/____ ___Part- me Farmer Solicitor _____________________________ NHFB# ________________________________________________________________ ___Re red Farmer ( For Oﬃce Only) ___Agribusiness Membership Dues (Please circle one) Credit Card Payments Dues $ _________________ ___Ag Professional Farmer Members (Based on Gross Ag Income) American Express Visa MasterCard Discover Membership Dues NHAITC Dona on $ _________________ ___Farm Employee $1 - $25,000. ........................................ $75 CC#________ ________ ________ ________ $25,001 - $75,000 ............................... $100 Please consider a donaƟon. ___Ag Student CVV ____________ Exp. Date ______/______ $75,001 - $200,000 ............................. $125

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Educators across the state, like 2020 Teacher of the Year Christine Stillwell, add maple sugaring to their curriculums for an agricultural connection.

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New Hampshire AITC Coordinator

New Members - Please Tell Us About Yourself

Ag Education is in Bloom Across the State By Debbi Cox,

Support NH Farmers - Join The New Hampshire Farm Bureau!

May/June 2022 Page 23

May/June 2022

Farm Bureau - The Voice of N.H. Agriculture

Page 24

The Many BENEFITS of Farm Bureau American National Special Rate Plans for NHFB Members American National Insurance Company oﬀers two special rate plans for NHFB members personal auto, SFP-10® and Country Estate insurance! The personal auto special rate plan will represent about a 5% savings on your American National personal auto policy if it’s associated with an active NHFB membership. The SFP-10® and Country Estate special rate plan will aﬀord about a 3% savings on your American National farm policy if it’s associated with an active NHFB membership

New Hampshire Farm Bureau members receive $500 Bonus Cash on purchase or lease of an eligible new Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty Farm Bureau Exclusive Cash Reward is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Exclusive Cash Reward on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2021/2022/2023 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty®. This incentive is not available on F-150 Lightning, F-150 Raptor, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty®. This oﬀer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply. Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2023. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details.

Please contact your local American National agent for special rate plan information. To find an agent in your area call:

Brandon Coﬀman, General Agent

American National is endorsed by the New Hampshire Farm Bureau

603-223-6686 - www.americannational.com

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New Hampshire Farm Bureau members get special member prices on selected categories and brands from Grainger, PLUS get free standard parcel shipping on all standard Grainger products*

New Hampshire Farm Bureau members receive an upgraded John Deere Rewards membership (Platinum 1) – which unlocks extra discounts on equipment, parts, and merchandise. Register today, and explore all that Rewards has to offer. Check out the savings on the following equipment categories: Commercial Mowing $200 - $1,00 off, Residential Mowing - $50 - $150 off, Tractors - $150 - $250 off, Compact Construction - $550 - $1400 off. Don’t wait! Visit JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau today!

New Hampshire Farm Bureau members can save up to $5,000 on the purchase or lease of eligible Cat® vehicles.

Go to https://www.grainger.com/farmbureau and establish a new Grainger.com® account using your NHFB Account #: 855922498

or visit

Call 1-877-202-2594 grainger.com/farmbureau

Visit nhfarmbureau.org/member-benefits

*FREE standard shipping* on all orders shipped ground transportation. Other freight charges will be incurred for services such as expedited delivery, special handling by the carrier, sourcing orders and shipments outside the continental United States.

Call us toll free at (800) 718-1169 For more information

for more info

New Hampshire Farm Bureau

800-258-2847

Members can save up to 20% oﬀ the Best Available Rate

Life Line Screening can evaluate your risk for most critical – and often undiagnosed – healthcare conditions. Stroke, Vascular Disease and Heart Rhythm Package … $135 for NHFB members. Because you are a valued member of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau, call to make an appointment today and receive a FREE Osteoporosis Risk Assessment.

New Farmer Toolkit

at over 8,000 participating hotels worldwide. Visit https://www.wyndhamhotels. com/hotel-deals/farm-bureau

Excl u NHFsive Mem B Bene ber fit

NHFB oﬀers this his is guide, filled with individual fact sheets addressing topics pertinent to planning and operating a farm business, as a NH Farm Bureau Member benefit. Call the oﬃce at 603-224-1934 or visit www.nhfarmbureau.org to view the toolkit!

SAVE 20% WITH YOUR N.H. Farm Bureau Rate Code: 00209700

Health & dental insurance available for qualifying Farm Bureau members. Call NEEBCo, our exclusive broker at (603) 228-1133 for more information.

Farm Bureau members enjoy exclusive savings when renting from AVIS.

Do you need wireless payment capabilities at farm stands or farmers’ markets?

- Credit & Debit Card - E-Commerce Solutions - Gift & Loyalty Card Programs - Terminal Sales & Servicing - Wireless Payments

Use Avis Worldwide Discount code: A298829. Visit: http://www.Avis.com/nhfb

For information call Joel Breton at (603) 623-0561 or email sales@mjmassociates.net.

Farm Bureau members also enjoy exclusive savings when renting from BUDGET. Use Budget Customer Discount Number (BCD): Y775729. Visit: http://www.Budget.com/nhfb

Farm Bureau members receive a 10% discount on Carhartt apparel at The Barn Store in Salisbury and Osborne’s Agway locations in Concord, Hooksett, and Belmont. Present your membership card at checkout.

10% DISCOUNT

FREE Prescription Drug Card

Call the NH Farm Bureau at 224-1934 to receive your prescription card. NOTE: This card is being provided to you at NO COST. There are no forms to fill out. Simply take this card into a participating pharmacy with your Rx to qualify for discounts on medication.

New Hampshire Farm Bureau members save $200 - $500 per unit on the purchase or lease of Case IH Maxxum® and Vestrum® tractors; self-propelled windrowers and large square balers. A $200 per unit incentive is available for Case IH Farmall® C series utility, U series utility, A series utility and 100A series tractors; Farmall® C series compact and Farmall® A series compact tractors; Farmall N series and Farmall V series tractors; Other hay tools, including round balers, small square balers, disc mower conditioners and sicklebar mower conditioners.

along with valid ID, must be presented to the Case IH dealer in advance of delivery to receive the discount.

If you have questions or need help Visit your dealer and make your best deal. Then obtaining the certificate, please call present your discount certificate to subtract another 603-224-1934 or visit your local FB $200 - $500 from the bottom line. Your certificate, oﬃce.