County Farm Bureau delegates along with NH Farm Bureau Federation (NHFB) officers and directors convened for the annual business meeting of the organization Saturday morning, November 9 University of New Hampshire Campus at Holloway Commons in Durham.
At the NHFB Annual Meeting on November 9, 2024, a member from each of New Hampshire’s ten counties was honored with the President’s Award. Traditionally presented to a single recipient or couple, this prestigious award was uniquely given in 2024 to a collective group of members, chosen by President Joyce Brady to recognize their dedication and service to the NHFB organization.
New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation
295 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, NH 03301 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Following breakfast, the business meeting convened just after 7:30 a.m. with President Brady’s call to order. After the Pledge of Allegiance led by Young Farmer Nyklaus Lytle provided by Associated Women President roll-call of the “House of Delegates” was conducted by Strafford County Farm Bureau host county President Ruth Scruton with 29 County Farm Bureau delegates in attendance (see accompanying list). Each county Farm Bureau is entitled to two delegates with one additional delegate for each 200 members or major portion thereof (100+) members in the county. Delegates have the
A BOVE PHOTO
Farm Bureau 2024 Annual Business Meeting Report by Rob Johnson, NHFB Policy Director/Administrator
Photo by Leandra Pritchard
AFBF President Zippy Duvall joined the 2024 NHFB Annual Meeting as the guest speaker.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Joyce
1st
2nd
Young
STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Vacant
Erick Sawtelle
Henry Ahern
Livestock & Poultry
Bridget Cummings
PRESIDENTS
NOTES FROM THE NORTH
By Joyce Brady, President New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFFBF) President Zippy Duvall has focused this past year on celebrating county Farm Bureau presidents. He hosted multiple “Townhall” Zoom meetings where county Presidents from all over the country were invited to join him as he spoke about the importance of their leadership role within Farm Bureau. He also wanted the opportunity to hear directly from those on the frontlines of our grassroots organization so that AFBF can serve county leaders better. I invited President Duvall to our state annual meeting, held on the campus of UNH in Durham on November 9th. We continued the celebration at that time with President Duvall, who joined our county presidents the evening before for dinner at Newick’s Lobster House and then during the meeting the following day when we recognized an exemplary county leader in each county.
(See cover photo.)
Glenn & Sandy Pierce
The Communicator
Bringing News to NH Farm Bureau Families
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The celebration wrapped up at the AFBF Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas in January with a reception and meet-and-greet with President Duvall for all county Presidents.
You will read more about our annual meeting and the convention inside so I am going to focus on the AFBF delegate session where two NHFB policy proposals not only made it to the delegate floor, but also passed and are now part of AFBF policy. One was: We support local oversight by state veterinarians in instances of animal health outbreaks and oppose overreaching federal mandates in responding to livestock health outbreaks. The other: We support exempting from federal USDA slaughter inspection requirements animals and meat sold to the end user that has been slaughtered and processed at a state-inspected custom-licensed slaughter facility. I was concerned this policy would not make it through the delegate session due to there being no inspection requirement at the time of slaughter and the meat then being sold as individual cuts. I strongly believe federal regulations must be changed so that we can move forward to allow more consumers to purchase locally produced, harvested, and processed animal protein. The new administration may provide an opportunity but we needed policy in the AFBF policy book for AFBF to help. I got together with our Livestock Committee leaders and put together language for me to propose as an amendment to this policy at the convention. The
amendment we put together was: We support USDA allowing a third party pre and post slaughter inspection at a state licensed facility, that has no state meat inspection program, and allow the owner of the animal to sell the meat as individual cuts directly to the end user.
During the delegate session I was able to speak to the amendment and gave reasons for its passage. I had previously spoken with a few other presidents around the country about it and knew there would be support. The amendment passed and I was feeling pretty good. Then, to my surprise, another delegate across the room proposed we add back the original language we sent to go along with the amendment that had just passed. This delegate said small processors need all the help they can get. With no further discussion, our original policy also passed. On top of our resolutions, Alaska Farm Bureau submitted a recommendation to the AFBF Board of Directors supporting small-scale processing facilities stating: We encourage Farm Bureau to take a larger role in urging examination and reform of requirements for small-scale meat, dairy, and value-added processing facilities. It was adopted without debate.
After the delegate session, I spoke with Brent Nelson, an AFBF staff economist. He was very positive about the direction provided to staff moving forward from here. With AFBF now having three policies focused on small processing facilities it will be interesting to see what comes next. This could be a game changer for livestock farmers in NH and around the country.
Free time was spent with my mother (who traveled to San Antonio and attended the convention with me), visiting the Alamo, riding the trolley around the city, taking a Riverwalk boat cruise, and many walks on the Riverwalk. State Presidents have the opportunity to get their picture with the guest speakers. After having my photo taken with CEO of Game Changers (a provider of non-traditional approaches to performance management) and former NFL football player 6 foot 3-inch-tall Eric Boles, on-looker Todd Fornstrom, the Wyoming Farm Bureau President asked me, “Joyce, do you know how short you are?”
New Hampshire Farm Bureau President Joyce Brady
Joyce Brady and Eric Boles at the 2025 AFBF Convention. Mr. Boles is a global expert in talent development, change management and cultural transformation, who addressed the group as the closing general keynote speaker on January 27th Photo courtesy of Joyce Brady.
Joyce Brady and Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, a decorated F-16 fighter pilot, at the 2025 AFBF Convention. Lt. Col. Rooney is founder and CEO of Folds of Honor and was the keynote speaker on January 26th Photo courtesy of Joyce Brady.
The NHFB officers and directors were joined by President Duvall at Newick’s Losbter House the evening prior to Annual Meeting. Photo by Leandra Pritchard.
Why Every Farmer Should Have Commerical Auto Insurance for Their Tractors
by Brandon Coffman, General Agent, American National Insurance
As a farmer, your tractors and other heavy machinery are essential to the daily operations of your business. They help you till the land, plant crops, harvest, and transport goods to market. But what happens if an accident occurs while you’re using your tractor on public roads, or if your equipment is damaged by someone else’s negligence?
Here’s why commercial auto insurance, including uninsured motorist coverage, is a crucial investment for your farm:
1. Protects Against Accidents and Liability
Tractors are often driven on public roads to move equipment or deliver crops, putting them at risk of accidents. In the event of a collision, commercial auto insurance covers not only the damage to your tractor but also the liability for any injuries or property damage caused. This ensures that your business is protected from the financial impact of an accident, including medical costs, legal fees, and property damage.
2. Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Extra Protection for the Unexpected
Uninsured or underinsured motorists are a risk on any road, and this is where uninsured motorist coverage becomes especially valuable. If you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages, your uninsured motorist coverage can help pay for repairs, medical expenses, and other costs—ensuring you’re not left to shoulder the financial burden yourself. This protection is vital, particularly when accidents occur on rural or less-trafficked roads, where uninsured drivers may be more common.
3. Coverage for Damaged or Stolen Equipment Tractors don’t just stay on the farm—they’re often out and about hauling goods or moving between fields. This increases the risk of theft, vandalism, or damage. Commercial auto insurance can help cover the cost of
repairs or replacement, minimizing the financial strain if something happens to your equipment. Additionally, some policies include theft protection for attachments and trailers, further securing your investment.
4. Comprehensive Protection for Your Farm Business
If your tractor is out of commission due to an accident or other covered event, it can halt your entire farming operation. Without it, you may not be able to complete critical tasks like planting, harvesting, or transporting crops. Commercial auto insurance offers repair or replacement coverage and, in some cases, may even cover losses due to business interruption, ensuring that your operation can recover more quickly.
5. Legal Requirements
In many states, if your tractor is driven on public roads, you are legally required to carry certain levels of insurance coverage. While personal auto insurance may offer some protection for limited use, commercial auto insurance is designed to cover the unique risks of farm vehicles, especially when traveling off the farm. Make sure you’re compliant with local regulations by ensuring your tractor is fully insured, including uninsured motorist protection.
6. Enhanced Coverage Options
With commercial auto insurance, you can customize coverage for your farm’s specific needs. This includes protection for not just the tractor, but any attachments, trailers, or specialized farm equipment that may be in use on the road. Additionally, many policies offer roadside assistance, ensuring you can get the help you need if something goes wrong while you’re out in the field, miles from the nearest service station.
7. Peace of Mind
Farming is a high-risk business—weather events, fluctuating crop prices, and labor shortages are just a few of the challenges you face every day. With the
added risk of accidents and potential property damage, having commercial auto insurance with uninsured motorist coverage gives you peace of mind. You’ll know that if an accident occurs—whether it’s with a driver who is uninsured or an unforeseen mechanical failure—you’ll be covered.
Conclusion
Your tractor is the lifeblood of your farm, and protecting it is essential for the continued success of your business. By adding commercial auto insurance with uninsured motorist coverage, you’re taking a critical step to protect not just your equipment, but also your livelihood. This affordable coverage helps ensure that you’re financially shielded from accidents, theft, and even situations where other drivers are underinsured.
If you’d like more information on how to customize your coverage or need help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you protect what matters most.
Contact Brandon Coffman, General Agent, to connect with an American National Insurance agent near you to get coverage at 603.724.1367 or brandon.coffman@ american-national.com
state. Find a local agent at an.insure/nhfb
NH Agricultural Events
*Young Farmer Tour Day
Saturday, February 15
More details: https://www.facebook.com/ NewHampshireYoungFarmers/
Food Safety for Poultry & Rabbit Producers
March 3 & 4, Online
More details: https://bit.ly/419xnGs
Scale Clinics
Various dates & locations March-October
The clinics are free to growers who have three or fewer scales under 100 lb capacity and no other commercial devices on their license.
More details: agriculture.nh.gov
Pruning Demonstrations
Various dates & locations March-April 2025
More details: https://extension.unh.edu/eventtags/pruning-demonstrations
Social Media for Farmers
Various dates March-May, Online
More details: https://bit.ly/419YSzR
*Coffee & Conversation
Wednesday, March 4, 2025, 9:00-11:00am
NHFB Office, Concord, NH
Join us for coffee and conversation and a featured presentation from Land For Good on succession planning! Anyone is welcome!
More details & future dates: https://www. nhfarmbureau.org/nhfb-coffee-conversation/
2025 Landscape Safety Day
Wednesday, March 26
More details: https://bit.ly/416BYZU
NH Farm, Forest & Garden
Friday, May 2 & Saturday, May 3
More details: nhfarmandforestexpo.org/
NH Sheep & Wool Festival
Saturday, May 10 & Sunday, May 11
More details: nhswga.org/nh-sheep-woolfestival/
*Events marked with an asterisk are hosted by Farm Bureau.
Grafton County Farm Bureau News
by Denis Ward, GCFB Secretary
Carroll County Farm Bureau Winter Social by
Lawrel Spera, CCFB Member
On January 24th, Carroll County Farm Bureau hosted a winter social “Crockpot Potluck” at the Ossipee Town Hall. All CCFB members were invited, as well as new people interested in local farming and homesteading, with the hope of rekindling our group and gaining new members!
County County NEWS
Our guest speaker was Chuck Souther and his wife Diane of Apple Hill Farm in Concord, NH. He spoke about Current Use in NH and had an attentive audience of 60+ people with lots of questions! We were also joined by members of Belknap County Farm Bureau and planned to meet at a later date to coordinate on spring/summer twilight meetings and farm tours. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and share ideas. We look forward to planning for 2025 with new members and exciting events.
Stay tuned to join us this year!
Do you know someone who wants to join NHFB? Have them visit https:// www.nhfarmbureau. org/join-today/
Coos
by
County Farm Bureau Celebrations
Stan Knecht, CCFB Board Member
The end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have been times of celebration for Coos County Farm Bureau. President Mary Tichy held our annual Christmas Party for the Board of Directors at her home and although attendance was light, the great food and fun annual Yankee Swap kept everyone in a festive spirit.
Because of the light attendance at the Christmas party it was decided to have a “New Year’s Celebration” at NHFBF President Joyce Brady’s (and husband Chris) Colebrook Feeds store for our first meeting of the new year. However, this was a diversion so that we could honor our county secretary Maggie Thompson with an impromptu Baby Shower in recognition of the upcoming birth of a daughter to her and husband Kenny. We were able to pull off the surprise and enjoyed eating pizza and watching Maggie open her shower gifts.
The next board meeting in Coos is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19th. Members are welcome to attend. For time and place call Stan at 603-788-3544.
The Grafton County Board met on December 9th via Zoom. President Robie opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Attending were Deb Robie, Kristen May, Heather Bryant, Denis Ward, and Treasurer Liz Bayne. Also attending were potential board member Joanna Bligh and forever attendee Henry Ahern.
The minutes of the October meeting were approved, along with funding to upgrade the treasurer’s accounting software. One of the more significant things that GCFB does is support Agriculture in the Classroom in Grafton County. Along with Deb Robie’s work in schools, we encourage teachers to attend the AITC national conference each year and provide financial support. To expand on that this year, we will award up to $1500 each to two teachers from the county to attend the next conference. A letter explaining our plan was approved and will be sent to all SAUs in Grafton County.
Two college students, Dory Roy and Griffin Barnes, were awarded $1500 each by GCFB in the spring and have completed their fall semester. Griffin majored in agricultural mechanics at SUNY Cobleskill, and Dory is in a pre-vet program at UNH. Board discussion covered anticipated legislation on the taking of animals in potential cruelty situations, and President Robie reported on building maintenance issues at the NHFB office property.
We are continuing to look for board members. Contact Denis Ward at denwar1951@gmail.com if interested. Our next meeting is set for February 10th. Happy New Year!
Sullivan County Farm Bureau Happenings
by Lisa Holmes, SCFB President
The Sullivan County Farm Bureau Board of Directors met in November to start the new year with a planning meeting, featuring pizza and dessert! We were excited to have our new insurance agent, Valerie Armstrong, join us. We will miss Andy Jellie and send him a big thank you for all of his hard work and dedication to Sullivan County Farm Bureau over the years. His shoes are big ones to fill, however we are confident Valerie is up to the task with her enthusiasm and energy. Valerie gave us a brief update on American National Insurance happenings and jumped right in to offer her help with membership. The meeting continued with the board proposing a calendar of events and a budget, as well as brainstorming strategies for increasing our membership in 2025.
Our SCFB group gathered again in December for a holiday social with our spouses at Holmes Farm. A variety of delicious appetizers and dishes from all were shared with an abundance of cheer! A brief meeting was held to approve our proposed budget which will support events to include School to Farm Day and our Legislative Dinner in the spring.
Our next meeting will be in February, destination and time to be determined.
SCFB Members gathered in November and December to plan for the new year and celebrate the old. Photos courtesy of Lisa Holmes
Carroll County drew a large crowd for their potluck winter social, featuring CUB Chairman Chuck Souther (left). Photos by Lucie Brown.
AFBF President Duvall Shares Agriculture Challenges with U.S. Senate
American Farm Bureau Federation, February 5, 2025 [Press Release]
America’s farmers and ranchers need a new, modernized farm bill, a strengthened farm safety net, and open trading markets. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall traveled to the Capitol to emphasize those priorities to the Senate Agriculture Committee today as he testified in the hearing “Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part I.”
“Farm families across the country are grateful that you recognized the incredibly hard times across the agricultural economy and included much-needed economic assistance and emergency aid for communities devastated by natural disasters in December’s Continuing Resolution,” Duvall said. “Despite the assistance in the CR, farmers still are looking to you all to pass a modernized, fiveyear farm bill as soon as possible.”
President Duvall took questions from lawmakers, including Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), who asked about the challenges farmers face without a new, modernized farm bill. Duvall said, “We are hearing that maybe 20% or more of our farmers are having difficulties getting operating loans. We’re in a time where that should have already been done, and they should have seed in the barn, ready to start planting. And, it’s really hitting them at a hard, difficult time. They’re telling us they’re losing money per acre – corn over $100 an acre losing. They’re having to make a decision to plant and not to plant.”
Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) asked about the impact of tariffs. “We need more access, not less,” replied Duvall. “We need this administration– because we haven’t seen it for almost a decade – really getting fair trade deals to be put in place and stick with good rules and keep people working under it. The other issue is the cost of production. I think you said it yourself, over 80% of the potash comes out of Canada that goes on our cropland. And, that would be devastating to our farmers – just that one example is difficult for our farmers.”
As public discussions increase about efforts to make the food system healthier, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) asked President Duvall to elaborate on the importance of maintaining scientifically proven farming methods. He responded, “It is absolutely critical that we continue to have faith in the system that provides the sciencebased tools that we use on our farm… It takes almost 11-years to get a product to the market. They got 350 scientists at the EPA… making sure that those things are safe. And, our farmers apply it according to the label.”
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) observed that some farmers are not eligible for risk management assistance. President Duvall said access to the farm safety net needs to be expanded, “Any farmer out there that’s putting a crop in the land, and depending on the good Lord to give him things to grow it with, and with the markets like they are deserve to have some risk management program. Now, the difficulty comes by making it very complicated. And, the smaller farm it is, the more difficult it is. It needs to be simplified. A lot of people aren’t going to do it because it’s just too difficult. They’re in the field working. A lot of these are farm to table, farm to market people, and they deserve a shot to be able to have that risk management tool, too.”
Testimony as submitted by Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry “Perspectives from the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part I” February 5, 2025
Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar, and other distinguished members of the committee, I want to begin my testimony by thanking you for what you do for America’s farmers and ranchers.
Farm families across the country are grateful that you recognized the incredibly difficult agricultural economy by including muchneeded economic assistance and emergency aid for communities devastated by natural disasters in December’s Continuing Resolution (CR).
Keeping our farmers and ranchers in production is vital to our food security and our national security, as the members of this committee know, and this assistance was desperately needed.
As Farm Bureau looks at the opportunities and challenges facing American agriculture, there is no doubt that this committee will play a vital role in the successes or failures of farm families across the country.
My testimony today is not much different than it was two years ago when I was asked to testify in front of you. Despite the assistance in the CR, farmers still are looking to you all to pass a modernized, five-year farm bill as soon as possible. In addition to the farm bill concern of two years ago, farm families are now facing the prospects of the largest tax increase in U.S. history if Congress does not pass critical tax reform legislation this year. These are two of the many issues that I will cover in my testimony today. Farmers face several concerns related to their region, weather, trade barriers, and crop protection, all of which will be addressed in my written testimony.
FARM BILL
As Congress begins its work on the 2025 farm bill, Farm Bureau supports the following principles to guide the development of programs:
• Increase baseline funding commitments to farm programs;
• Maintain a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; and
• Prioritize funding for risk management tools, which include both federal crop insurance and commodity programs.
Farmers and ranchers have faced unprecedented volatility in recent years. From pandemic lockdowns and supply chain disruptions to highly pathogenic avian influenza, and record-high input costs, farmers have dealt with a barrage of impacts to their farms outside of their control.
It has now been seven years since Congress has passed a farm bill. Farm Bureau is again asking Congress to roll up its sleeves and pass a modernized five-year bill early on in this Congress.
In 2025, farmers will plant one of the most expensive crops ever. Thanks to rising interest rates, higher energy prices, and input costs that have gone unchecked, choosing whether to plant or not is one a decision that many farmers face. It is in this context that we are asking for an increase to the farm bill’s Title I safety net.
USDA’s most recent Farm Sector Income Forecast has shown a $41-billion decrease in net farm income, down nearly 25% from 2022.
Since crop prices peaked in 2022, they have taken a nosedive. Corn and wheat are down 37%, soybeans down 28% and cotton down 22%.
At the same time, input prices have remained high. As compared to 2020, the cost to produce an acre of corn has grown by nearly 30% nationally. The combination of low crop prices and high input costs has many farmers facing losses on every acre they plant.
Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, a poultry, cattle and hay producer from Greene County, Georgia, is the 12th president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Photo courtesy of AFBF, Philip Gerlach
NHFB Meat Producers Directory
Buy Local buy from a NH Farm Bureau Member!
Belknap County
Arándano Farm - Belmont
Paul Gareau
603-409-2871 or paul@arandano.farm https://www.arandano.farm/
We specialize in organic-fed, pastureraised chicken and conventional-fed, pasture-raised pork.
Shane & Jenn Forest603-345-5277 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 - 603-630-5551
Heidi Loring - 603-630-6493 hdloring@hotmail.com
Grass-fed, farm-raised, USDA Angus beef. We sell individual cuts in our farm store, whole and half shares.
LorrenJoyce Farm - Barnstead
Amy & Brian Matarozzo - 603-235-5780 lorrenjoycefarm.com
Naturally raised beef. USDA approved. All cryovac packaging.
Shepherd’s Hut Market - Gilford
Jeff & Joyce Keyser - 603-393-4696 or jekeyser1958@gmail.com
Certified USDA freezer lamb. Various cuts fresh frozen and vacuum sealed.
We offer our own farm-raised beef and pork by the piece, half, or whole. Wholes and halves choose their own cuts. All processed in a USDA facility. Pick up and hours by appointment.
Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm - Tamworth
Sheena Harte - 603-323-7591 info@remickmuseum.org
Farm-raised ground beef, breakfast and sweet Italian sausage.
Top of the Hill Farm - Wolfeboro
Alan Fredrickson - 603-569-3137 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 - 603-352-3198
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 - 603-876-4036 www.earthhavenfarm.com
Grass-fed low-fat Beefalo. USDA labeled pkg. hamburger, roasts, steaks at our farm store or 1/4, 1/2, or whole for cuts to customer specifications.
East Hill Farm - Troy
Dave Adams - 603-242-6495
info@east-hill-farm.com
Whole, half, or individual cuts available of pork, beef, lamb and goat.
JHF Stable & Livestock - Alstead
John & Hazell Fuller - 603-835-6509
USDA vacuum-packed Beefalo and grass fed on the farm in Alstead.
Manning Hill Farm - Winchester
Sarah Costa - 603-239-4397
Grass-fed heritage beef, pastureraised heritage pork, by the individual cut or in bulk-half and whole sides Pasturerasied whole roasting chickens.
Up Top Farm - Winchester
Kathy Beaman - 603-355-0818
kathy@kbsunspaces.com
Black Angus Beef - hormone and antibiotic free, pasture raised. Grass fed, corn finished, premium freezer beef. Whole or half. Processed in a USDA facility to your specifications.
Coos County
CJEJ Farm Meat House - Columbia
Chris & Joyce Brady - 603-922-3305
USDA inspected cuts of beef, pork, 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.
Northwinds Farm – N. Stratford
Scott & Heidi Mason - 603- 631-5953
northwindsfarm1@yahoo.com
USDA inspected, vacuum-packed beef, lamb and pork. Sold by the side or cut. Also available through the Barn Store of New England in Salisbury, NH.
Farm-raised Red Deer venison, velvet antler, hard antler and hides. Also breeding stock. The deer are primarily grass and hay fed. USDA inspected.
Maple Ridge Farm – Wentworth Lance Rand - 603-726-1984
Farm Raised Red Deer / Elk Cross Meat for Sale $6 a lb. - hanging weight.
Rocky Road Tunis Farm - Bath Deb Robie - 603-747-3869 wehunt4@myfairpoint.net Local Lamb.
Hillsborough County
Barrett Hill Farm - Mason
The LeClairs - 603-878-4022 barretthill@myfairpoint.net or visit our website: barrethillfarm.com Beef, pork, and lamb.
Best Life Farm - New Ipswich
Chris Bille - 603-546-8786 cbille@bestlifefarmnh.com or visit our website bestlifefarmnh.com
Forest pastured Berkshire pigs, grassfed Suffolk and Dorset lambs, and fresh eggs. Pigs and lambs are sold by the half or whole share. USDA inspected frozen retail cuts are available yearround.
Broken Bow Farm - Hillsborough Joy LePage - 603-702-2135 trilepage@gmail.com
We are a small, family farm, specializing in producing the best pasture raised Cornish Cross meat birds, delicious eggs from our spoiled hens, and artisan sourdough breads. Our Nigerian Dwarf goats provide hugs and laughs with expected milk and kids in 2025.
Buckledown Farm - Francestown
Jack & Chris Hopfenspirger603-546-5835
We sell grass fed beef by the whole, half or quarter. 30 pound variety boxes are available on a limited basis.
Yankee Farmers’ Market - Warner Brian & Keira Farmer - 603-456-2833
yankeefarmersmarket@gmail.com
https://yankeefarmersmarket.com/
Farm and store are open year-round and offer all natural, USDA buffalo (bison), grass fed beef, venison, elk, lamb, chicken, turkey and pastured pork. Wide variety of individual cuts, CSA shares, 1/2’s & 1/4’s, hides, skulls & breeding stock. Farm tours are also available. Wholesale available. We ship nationwide.
Rockingham County
Brookvale Mercantile - Nottingham
Brenda Barthelemy - 603-693-7291 mercantile@brookvalepinesfarm.com www.brookvalepinesfarm.com/
Selling grass fed beef, non-GMO chicken, non-GMO pork, other local meats, eggs, raw milk, and a variety of products sourced locally.
Gravel Pit Farm - Nottingham
Samantha & Allan Trant603-715-6283 gravelpitfarmnh@gmail.com
We raise and sell pasture-raised pork, beef, and poultry.
J&F Farms Inc. - Derry
Phil Ferdinando - 603-437-0535 farmstand@JFfarms.com
Farm-raised, grass-fed Highland beef. Strafford County
Coppal House Farm - Lee
John & Carol Hutton - 603-659-3572 coppalhouse@comcast.net
USDA certified pasture-raised lamb and pork products. All cuts flash frozen and vacuum-sealed. Various cuts available at the farm stand, special requests are filled when available.
Diamond B Farm - New Durham Meghan Bickford - 603-762-0190 diamondbfarm14@gmail.com www.bickfordsdiamondbfarm.com
All natural, pasture-raised beef, pork, chicken, turkey and eggs.
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-Sawtelle & Erick Sawtelle603-235-7908
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.
Raising beef and lamb. For sale at our retail store on the John Stark Hwy between Newport & Claremont. Open year-round.
Eccardt Farm Inc. - Washington George, Sandy & Ryan Eccard603-495-3830
Eccardtfarm@gsinet.net
Our home-grown grass-fed, USDA certified beef. We have an array of steak cuts and roasts all vacuumpacked for longer freshness. Lamb & pork when available.
Far View Farm - Langdon
Marilyn Stuller - 603-313-7115
m.stuller@yahoo.com
Lamb - naturally raised on pasture. Icelandic lamb is naturally lean with a mild flavor.
Hill Place Farm - Acworth
David Clark - 603-835-9086 www. hillplacenh.com
USDA Inspected beef and pork.
Hay Directory Ag Products & Services Producers of Other Edibles
Coos County
Northwinds Farm - N Stratford
Scott and Heidi Mason603-631-5953
1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Pick-up or Local Delivery Available
Thibeault Farm - Pittsburg
Richard Thibeault - 603-246-8227
1st Crop, Dry Round. 2nd Crop, Dry Round. Pick-up or Local Delivery Available
Hillsborough County
Connolly Brothers Dairy Farm LLC
- Temple Chris Connolly - 603-924-5002
connollybrothersdairyfarm@yahoo.com
1st Crop, Square. Pick-up or Local Delivery Available
Hollis Ranch - Hollis
603-465-2672
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
Rough cut field mowing (bush hogging) available within 20 mile +/- radius of Meredith Center NH. $125/hour, four hour minimum (2 hr minimum within Chemung conservation district in Meredith). Light tractor work also available.
Grafton County
Cardigan Veterinary Clinic - Canaan 603-632-7500 https://www.cardiganvet.com/ 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.
Improve crop yields with wood ash, a natural potassium source that also increases soil pH. OMRI listed. Order biosolids as a balanced and slowrelease nitrogen source. Use paper fiber for animal bedding and organic matter on fields. Call for a delivery quote for products to improve your soil health and crop performance.
Merrimack County
Ancora Imparo Equine CenterBoscawen Stacia Langille - 603-731-3144 stacialangille@gmail.com
Multidisciplinary private horse boarding facility with indoor, outdoor, round pen, trails. Full service farrier, serving equines in central NH.
B.R. Davis Land Services - Canterbury Ben Davis - 603-998-3642 brdavisland@gmail.com
B.R. Davis Land services provides forestry mowing, vegetation control services and general excavation, plus produces high quality hay to central NH.
Hastings Welding and Fabrication, LLC - Pembroke
Avery Hastings 603-239-2485 aehastings1@gmail.com
Call or text me 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
Jay Pritchard - 603-828-1307 pritchardfarms13@gmail.com
We repair: Farm equipment, implements, tractors, construction equipment as well as perform welding & fabrication jobs. Reasonable hourly rates at our shop in Pembroke.
Belknap County
Kenyon Acres - Northfield kenyonacres@gmail.com https://www.kenyonacres.com/ Local honey
Main Street Maple & Honey FarmBelmont
Kevin Day kevinday7171@gmail.com www.mainstreetmapleandhoney.com Honey and maple syrup is what we do. We also offer services such as swarm catches, hive removals, cutouts from homes or buildings and offer many other products based on honey and maple syrup. We have a Facebook presence and an online store.
Grafton County
North Facing Sugarworks - Wentworth Ray Welch Instagram.com/northfacingsugarworks/ rwelch.jkloggingllc@gmail.com Local maple syrup
Hillsborough County
4 Peaks Farm - Lyndeborough Michael Crombie mcrombie@tds.net Local honey
Peter and His Bees, LLC - Amherst Peter de Bruyn Kops Facebook.com/NHlocalhoney/ dbk@acugen.com Local honey. All our hives are in NH and we only sell honey we produce.
Merrimack County
Lamb’s Maple Syrup - Canterbury David & Janet Lamb 603-783-9912
https://www.davidlambfurniture.com/ maple-syrup
NH Maple Syrup is made by concentrating the sap of the sugar maple tree. 100% pure, nothing added.
Rockingham County
Dill Family Farm - Deerfield Alden Dill Facebook.com/DillFamilyFarm alden_dill@hotmail.com NH maple syrup
Sullivan County
Clark’s Sugar House - Langdon David Clark
Facebook.com/clarkssugarhouse/ Award winning wood fired pure maple syrup been being produced since 1893.
Cutting Farm - Springfield
Keith & Susan Cutting cuttingfarm@myfairpoint.net NH maple syrup
YOUNG FARMER COMMITTEE YOUNG FARMER COMMITTEE
Learning, Leading & Networking with the Ag Industry
Introducing the Young Farmer Committee Board Members
Young Farmer Chair - Caroline Crouch
Caroline Crouch got her start in agriculture by showing beef cattle as a teenager. After graduating from SUNY Cobleskill, she returned back to New Hampshire and started raising sheep, her true passion. After a stint of teaching high school animal & plant science, she now works in the office of Osborne’s Farm & Garden Centers. After aging out of FFA & 4-H, she joined Farm Bureau, and specifically Young Farmers’ Committee, to be involved in agriculture on the state level while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow agriculturalists. She looks forward to the work the committee will do to further agriculture and young farmers in the state. Caroline lives in New Hampton with her partner, Nick, her southdown & shropshire sheep, cats, and their beloved English Shepherd, Marlow.
Young Farmer Vice Chair - Katrina Klobucher
Katrina Klobucher brings along a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience from her work on various farms. Her passion for agriculture was sparked at a young age when she joined 4-H, and has only grown since then. She currently raises pigs, chickens, and turkeys on her small but thriving farm, with hopes of adding beef cattle in the future. Katrina is excited to serve on the Young Farmer Board, where she looks forward to connecting with fellow farmers and promoting the vital work of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau.
Young Farmer Board Member - Lucie Brown
Lucie Brown, her husband, Nick, and three children live on a small farm in New Hampton. They raise Horned Dorset sheep for meat and fiber, a small herd of beef, meat chickens, and hay. Lucie joined NH Farm Bureau in 2022. She was first introduced to the Young Farmers by Caroline Crouch and then became more involved after her county reached out to ask for a farm tour and to host a meeting. Since then, she has served as a Belknap County delegate twice and was awarded the Young Farmers Animal Husbandry Award. She currently serves as the Belknap County Farm Bureau Vice President, and was most recently elected as the NHFB 2nd Vice President and a Young Farmer board member.
Young Farmer Board Member - Jay Pritchard
Jay Pritchard owns and operates Pritchard Farms in Pembroke. Alongside his wife, Leandra, and three children, Millie, Walter, and Warren, they raise hay, corn silage, beef cattle, and laying hens. Jay also operates a farm equipment repair business and machine shop. Jay and Leandra won the NH Young Farmer Achievement Award in 2019. Jay is actively involved in Merrimack County Farm Bureau and is in his first term as a Young Farmer board member. He has been involved with the Young Farmers since he became a NH Farm Bureau member 13 years ago.
Si Robertson is continuing his first two year term as a NH Young Farmer board member. Si owns and operates Contoocook Creamery at Bohanan Farm with his parents and two brothers; they milk 130 cows and bottle and distribute all their milk around the state. He has become involved in the Young Farmers program with his wife, Megan, over the past few years. They traveled to Salt Lake City last year for the AFBF Annual Convention to represent NH in the Achievement Award competition, after receiving the award in NH in 2023.
Young Farmer Board Member - Si Robertson
You! Thank
In November 2024, the Young Farmers collaborated with local farms and businesses to provide for their annual Thanksgiving Basket Initiative!
They were able to provide 10 Thanksgiving baskets to the Concord Salvation Army, 10 baskets to the Concord Boys & Girls Club, and 10 baskets to Coos County area food pantries. These baskets were filled with an abundance of local agricultural produce, including farm-raised turkeys, local apple cider, farm-fresh milk, squash, stuffing, potatoes, onions, gravy, and cranberry sauce, among other delightful items. This initiative not only nourished families in need but also showcased the incredible bounty of our local farms, highlighting the importance of community collaboration in making a difference.
Thank you so much to all of the generous donors:
• Associated Women
• Contoocook Creamery
• Emily and Matt Pincince
• Gould Hill Farm
• Highland Riders 4-H Club
• Josh Marshall
• Katrina Klobucher
• L&S Angus Farm
YOUNG FARMER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER:
DANNY HICKS
Danny Hicks is the 2024 NH Young Farmer
• Little Lakeman Farm
• Meghan Lapointe
• Moulton Farm
• Olivia Camara
• Star Highland Farm
• The Gibson Family
• Three Creeks Farm
• True North Canine
• Whitney Hill Farm
NH Young Farmers strive to do good in their community, while supporting our local farmers. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact the Young Farmer Coordinator, Amy Matarozzo, at nhyoungfarmers@gmail.com.
The next Young Farmer event is on February 15th with farm tours at Bascom Maple Farm and Cadillac Farms. See the YF Facebook page for more details: facebook.com/NewHampshireYoungFarmers.
Despite these increased costs, 2024 payments to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982 – over four decades ago. Again, highlighting this reinforces the need for increased coverage in Title I.
2025 TAX BILL
We also can’t ignore that at this time of great economic uncertainty, farmers, ranchers and many other small businesses are staring down what may be the largest tax increase in American history. Failing to extend the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would take billions of dollars out of farmers’ pockets when they have no dollars to spare. Congress must find a way to create a stable business environment by making permanent the expiring TCJA provisions and ensure America’s farms and ranches can continue to provide the food, renewable fuel and fiber this country needs.
AG WORKFORCE
Without diminishing the previous two issues, the greatest domestic policy threat to American agriculture is the persistent inaction to find a solution to our workforce needs.
In short, the costs are too high, the domestic willingness to work is too low, and family farms are closing down. This is heartbreaking and has direct and tangible impacts to our rural communities. While not under this committee’s jurisdiction, labor is by far the leading issue I hear about when I visit with my members. I implore the members of this committee and this body to meet us at the table to get this done – to do right by our farmers and their employees who labor in the fields so you and I don’t have to.
CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS
Costs and access are concerns surrounding crop protection tools as well. This includes the fertilizer, fuel, and pesticides that must be safely used and available to farm families.
Ongoing inflation, supply chain disruptions, and diverging approaches to regulations all threaten a perfect storm for farmers and ranchers. Sound, risk-based science has always guided our approach, and we should not stray from that.
Casella Organics
Farm Bureau has always stood on the side of science-based decision making and we will continue to do so, but we need your help to ensure that regulators are performing their roles appropriately and efficiently in accordance with those principles of sound science. Farmers seek to live healthily, just like every other American. That pursuit of a healthy lifestyle must include a domestically produced food supply that is resilient, safe, and meets needs.
FREE AND FAIR TRADE
U.S. agriculture is foundational to the American economy – reaching beyond farms and rural communities to support millions of jobs across the country.
Key to its economic contributions and its sustainability, the food and agriculture sector exports about 20 percent of production. In 2024, American food and agriculture exports totaled over $170 billion, providing jobs and economic opportunity throughout the supply chain in every corner and coast of the country.
The 2024 marketing year showed a food and agriculture trade deficit of $32 billion, a stark contrast to the United States’ historical trade surplus in agricultural exports, averaging $12.5 billion over the past ten years.
While our two million U.S. farms and ranches are the backbone of America’s food and agricultural sector, the impact of decreased exports and resulting economic fallout reverberates throughout the economy.
We believe an agricultural trade agenda must focus on maintaining existing markets and completing trade agreements that expand market access for U.S. agricultural products. By eliminating and reducing foreign tariff and nontariff trade barriers, American producers will gain export market opportunities.
Congress must protect American agriculture and modern production practices from undue burden, and respect farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to innovate and solve problems.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today’s hearing. I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee might have.
MJM Associates Inc
Colebrook Feeds Farm & Garden Supply LLC
Darrell A. Louis Insurance & Financial Services
Dr. Christina Swanson
LAVender Veterinary Services
East Hill Farm
J & F Farms
Jeremy Hiltz Excavating, Inc.
Longview Forest Products LLC
Michael Sharp Enterprises LLC
Mike Bertolone Insurance
Monadnock Food Co-op
Monroe Tractor
MontShire Packing
NH Veterinary Technician Association
Northern Tire of Colebrook, Inc.
Pete & Gerry’s Organics LLC
Pleasant View Electric LLC
Poulsen Lumber Co., Inc.
Resource Management Inc.
ReVision Energy Inc.
Summit Eggs & Produce
The Grooming Shop by A Furry Affair
Windy Ridge Orchard LLC
LEGISLATIVE CORNER LEGISLATIVE CORNER
by Robert Johnson, NHFB Policy Director/Acting Adminstrator
Current Use Board Update
Farm Land and Forest Land Ranges for 2025-2026 Tax Year Approved
At the Current Use Advisory Board’s (CUB) November15 board meeting, immediately following its four public forums, the CUB approved assessment ranges as follows:
Current Use Assessment Ranges (Effective for the tax year, 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2026)
Farm Land: $57 - 473 per acre ($25 - 425/acre)*
Forest Land WITHOUT Documented Stewardship:
White Pine $130 – 196 per acre ($122 – 184/acre)
Hardwood $72 -108 per acre ($67-101/acre)
All Other $42 -62 per acre ($39 – 59/acre)
Forest Land WITH Documented Stewardship:
White Pine $78 – 118 ($74 – 110/acre)
Hardwood $43 – 65 ($40 – 60/acre)
All Other $25 – 37 ($24 – 36/acre)
Wetland & Unproductive Land: $25 per acre (currently is $24/acre)
*Assessment ranges effective for the current tax year, 4/1/2024 – 3/31/2025 are in parenthesis.
The Farm Land range adopted by the CUB reflects a five-year planned phase-in of its new Agricultural Land Assessment Model. The phasein will be accomplished at a rate of 20% in the first year, with an additional 20% each year over the phase-in period until fully implemented in tax year 2029-30. If the new model were to be fully implemented in 2025-26, without a phase-in period, the proposed range with 2024 model inputs would be $189 - $669/acre. To minimize volatility, once fully phased-in, a 5-year rolling average will be used to set the high and the low end of the range each year. A similar phase-in was used when the CUB implemented the current Forest Land Assessment Model over ten years ago. A 5-year rolling average is currently used to set the high and the low end of the Forest Land ranges each year
If you remember, at the 2023 CUB Public Forums, the CUB proposed an Agricultural Land Assessment Model that would have set the Farm Land range for this tax year (2024-2025) at $82-471/acre and without a phase-in period using 2023 model inputs would have set a range of $312 - $657/acre. After hearing public comment at the forums, the CUB withdrew its proposal and continued to work on the model. Farm Bureau expressed concerns at the 2023 Forums that the proposed model did not factor in lower value agricultural crops (pastureland) and which makes up nearly one-third of all cropland in the state. We also had the concern that the Capitalization Rate used in the model did not account for agricultural land loan rates available to all borrows. As proposed it appeared to factor in solely USDA Farm Services Agency loan rates, which are not available to all borrowers.
As the CUB addressed these concerns in the model it brought to the 2024 Forums, and understanding the model is a work in progress, Farm Bureau was in support. In our support we also cited the need for the CUB to set the Farm Land ranges based on a defensible model – which by its own admission it did not previously have - for the acceptance of the program amongst non-Current Use landowners moving forward.
Stay Informed with The Friday Review!
Are you keeping up with the latest legislation affecting farm, forest, and rural interests? The Friday Review is your go-to source for weekly updates on key legislative issues impacting New Hampshire’s agricultural community.
• Exclusive to NH Farm Bureau members
• Delivered weekly—straight to your inbox
• Focused on legislation that matters to you
Sign up today! Request your copy and stay ahead of the issues shaping our industry. Call the NHFB office at 603-224-1934 or email assistant@nhfarmbureau.org to get added to the list!
Committee & County News Continued!
by NHFB Staff Rob Johnson & Leandra Pritchard
Merrimack County Farm Bureau Memos
MCFB kicked off the year with a January meeting to map out an exciting agenda for 2025. One of our key events, the annual Large Animal Veterinary Clinic, will be returning! This valuable service for our members is being scheduled earlier in the fair season to better accommodate livestock shows. Stay tuned for the official date and location, which will be announced in The Post!
Get Ready to Dance! Planning is underway for the third annual MCFB Barn Dance, and we’re gearing up for another fantastic event! More details will be released this spring, so mark your calendars and get ready for a night of fun, music, and community spirit.
Scholarship Opportunities – Applications are now open for the MCFB Scholarships, with a deadline of May 15, 2025. Each year, we proudly award the Trudy Gay Memorial Scholarship and the “Chip” McNamara Memorial Scholarship to deserving students pursuing post-secondary education. These scholarships are available to all MCFB members, and the application—along with many other scholarship opportunities—can be found on the NHFB website: NHFB Scholarship Information.
Industry tours will start back up this spring! If you have any suggestions on what farms you would like to visit in Merrimack County send them our way!
Our next MCFB Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20th, at 6:00 PM at the NHFB office in Concord. All MCFB members are welcome to attend! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to MCFB Secretary Leandra Pritchard at merrimackcountyfb@gmail.com or 603-224-1934. Let’s make 2025 a great year for MCFB!
Strafford County Farm Bureau Special Meeting
On the evening of Thursday, January 9th, Strafford County Farm (SCFB) gathered in the Jeremiah Smith Grange in Lee for a specially called meeting of members. As they always do, Jim Brady had the wood-stoves roaring in the Hall and Betty Brady had a treat ready to serve. At this past years October SCFB annual meeting, President Bruce Cilley appointed a committee to review the organizations constitution and by-laws, which had last been amended in 1992. The committee of Jackie Cilley, Glenn Pierce, and Erick Sawtelle reviewed the constitution and by-laws of the other NHFB county Farm Bureau organizations as well as the Federation constitution before drafting the proposal presented to county members. Following discussion their proposal was adopted with minor changes on a unanimous vote of the seventeen members present. Following the vote NHFB Policy Director Rob Johnson discussed bills impacting agriculture and landowners that had been introduced in the Legislature. This was followed by a meeting of the Board of Directors. The SCFB constitution States: The purpose of this organization shall be to strive to assure the viability of agriculture within Strafford County by advocating for agriculture and by educating the public about agriculture and rural Strafford County and it should cooperate with other organizations having similar objectives.
Brewing Connections: NHFB’s Coffee & Conversation Series
In December 2024, the NH Farm Bureau (NHFB) began hosting monthly “Coffee & Conversation” gatherings at the NHFB office in Concord. What started as a small meeting on a snowy December day has quickly grown into a popular event! In January, 19 attendees gathered to engage with Josh Marshall, Assistant Commissioner of the NH Department of Agriculture, to discuss pressing agricultural issues and ask important questions. February’s meeting saw 22 participants join us for a conversation about the municipal, state, and federal resources available to New Hampshire farmers. We were also joined by Carrie Stengel from USDA Wildlife Services and Kat Wadiak from NH Fish & Game, who discussed how their agencies support farmers and landowners, particularly regarding wildlife management.
Looking ahead, our next “Coffee & Conversation” will take place on March 4th at 9:00am, where we will be joined by our friends at Land For Good and NH Community Loan Fund . They will lead a discussion on farm succession planning and the process of connecting landowners with individuals seeking access to farmland.
We invite you to join us! Bring your questions, enthusiasm, and willingness to share. Together, we’ll weave a tapestry of experiences and insights to help elevate our agricultural community. Let’s brew some great conversations and strengthen our community, one cup at a time!
NHFB Member Offers Spotlight
UNH COLSA/NH Agricultural Experiment Station News
Harnessing Manure to Heat Greenhouses
For New Hampshire farmers, the short growing season—typically 135 days—and increasingly unpredictable weather limit local food production. While greenhouses offer a solution, their high energy costs put them out of reach for most small and medium-sized farms. Researchers at the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES) are testing an innovative, cost-effective alternative: using manure to heat greenhouses. “New Hampshire farmers face substantial obstacles in maintaining production during the winter months,” said Md Sazan Rahman, an assistant professor at UNH’s College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. “The core idea of this project is to turn waste into a resource.”
The team is piloting two systems at the Woodman Horticultural Research Farm to explore whether manure can provide a renewable, low-carbon heating solution. Both systems utilize manure from UNH’s dairy and equine facilities, blended with waste hay to maximize heat generation during composting. The first system captures heat from composting manure piles to warm a water reservoir, which then distributes the heat throughout the greenhouse via a pump system. The second system uses a biofilter that extracts hot air from the compost while removing harmful gases, allowing the clean, heated air to circulate within the greenhouse.
These methods are being tested with hydroponic lettuce, a crop chosen for its short growing cycle and sensitivity to temperature. “Manure is often seen as just a disposal problem, but it holds so much untapped heating energy potential,” Rahman explained. “Our project seeks to demonstrate whether this energy can be harnessed to benefit farmers and the environment.”
A Sustainable Solution for Winter Farming
New Hampshire livestock operations produce approximately 372,900 tons of manure annually, a resource farmers often use as fertilizer during the growing season. However, frozen ground in winter makes spreading manure difficult, leading
and High Tunnels
to storage challenges. By repurposing manure as a heating source, the NHAES project aims to address this seasonal issue while reducing costs for farmers. The composting systems are monitored using sensors that collect data on heat output, air quality, and energy efficiency. This information allows the research team to refine the systems for real-world application. The manure-hay mixture is designed to balance aeration and nutrient content, optimizing heat production. Automatic aeration through perforated pipes enhances the composting process by introducing oxygen, which supports higher temperatures and minimizes methane emissions.
“We’re focused on making these systems efficient and scalable for small and medium-sized farms,” Rahman said. “Renewable solutions like this allow us to reduce dependency on fossil fuels while giving farmers the tools to make protected agriculture more efficient and sustainable.”
Winter temperatures in New Hampshire often drop well below freezing, leaving high tunnels and unheated greenhouses at 35–45°F—too cold for most crops. Traditional heating systems, while effective, are costly and environmentally unsustainable. Rahman’s systems offer an alternative, with the potential to enable year-round farming by maintaining optimal growing conditions even during harsh winters.
Practical Applications and Environmental Benefits
The early results of the pilot systems suggest the approach could be applied to other high-value crops like tomatoes and cucumbers. Rahman sees this project as a steppingstone to fully sustainable greenhouses that integrate other renewable technologies, such as solar and geothermal energy.
“Eventually, we hope to integrate multiple renewable energy sources
Predicting Better Colostrum for Healthier Calves
to create a low-carbon greenhouse system that is both cost-effective and scalable,” Rahman said. The environmental benefits are equally promising. By replacing fossil fuel-based heating systems with compost-generated heat, farmers can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Aerated composting also minimizes methane emissions compared to traditional methods, making it a more sustainable approach to waste management.
“This is just the beginning,” Rahman noted. “The system demonstrates how farmers can use existing resources to extend their growing seasons and contribute to environmental sustainability.”
With construction beginning in spring 2025, the research team will continue to evaluate the systems’ energy efficiency, economic feasibility, and impacts on crop yields over the next three years. Funded by USDA-NIFA and the state of New Hampshire, the project offers a glimpse into the future of renewable energy solutions for cold-climate agriculture.
Learn more about the research and work of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES) by visiting colsa.unh.edu/nhaes
Data-driven modeling could help dairy farmers maximize colostrum quality and improve herd health
Colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk from cows, plays a critical role in calf health, providing essential antibodies such as immunoglobulin G (IgG) to boost immunity and support early growth. Pete Erickson, a researcher with the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES) at the University of New Hampshire, has developed data-driven models to identify key factors affecting colostrum yield and quality—insights that could help dairy farmers improve calf health as well as long-term productivity and health of adult cows.
“Colostrum is essential to setting up calves for success,” said Erickson, a professor in the agriculture, nutrition and food systems department at the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. “It’s the foundation of their immunity and overall health.”
For New England farmers, managing colostrum quality can be particularly challenging due to the region’s variable weather and shorter growing seasons. Environmental stressors such as temperature fluctuations during a cow’s dry period can significantly impact colostrum production. These challenges make it even more critical for regional dairy producers to adopt effective strategies to improve colostrum quality.
Data-driven models are tools that analyze information from farms, cows and environmental conditions to identify patterns and factors that influence outcomes. In a study led by Erickson, these models highlighted three key factors affecting colostrum yield and quality: timing, environment and nutrition. The models revealed that colostrum quality decreases significantly if it is not harvested within six hours of calving. Delaying the first milking reduces IgG levels, limiting the milk’s ability to deliver the protective benefits calves need.
“Our research shows that the timing of colostrum harvest is one of the most critical factors. Even a few hours’ delay can significantly reduce its quality,” Erickson explained.
Temperature extremes during the dry period—both very hot and very cold—were shown to negatively affect colostrum yield and quality. Environmental stress disrupts the biological processes that cows rely on to produce colostrum rich in nutrients and antibodies.
Additionally, balanced, energy-dense diets for dry cows were also found to improve both colostrum yield and IgG concentration. Proper nutrition in the weeks leading up to calving ensures cows have the energy reserves necessary to produce highquality colostrum.
The study’s results can guide farmers in making targeted management decisions, such as adjusting milking schedules, improving cow comfort and refining feeding practices. Based on the findings, three actionable strategies that farmers could consider implementing to improve colostrum production and calf health are:
• Harvest Timing: Ensure colostrum is collected within six hours of calving to preserve its IgG levels and overall quality.
• Environmental Management: Protect dry cows from extreme temperatures using appropriate housing, such as well-ventilated barns in summer or insulated shelters during winter, to minimize stress.
• Nutritional Support: Provide dry cows with energy-rich diets during late gestation to ensure they are prepared to produce high-quality colostrum at calving.
“Making small adjustments, like focusing on timing or improving nutrition, can make a big difference in colostrum quality,” Erickson said. “It’s about giving farmers practical, research-backed steps they can implement easily.”
This material is based on work supported by NHAES through joint funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (under Hatch Multistate award number 1016574) and the state of New Hampshire.
For more information about colostrum management and to explore insights into improving herd health, check out the latest issue of INSPIRED Dairy
Visual representation of factors influencing colostrum quality in dairy cows, including nutrition, genetics, and environment.
Diagram of a manure-powered heating system, detailing components like the biofilter and heat pump for sustainable farming.
Colostrum yield is crucial for dairy farmers because it directly impacts the health and survival of newborn calves. New fact sheets authored by UNH Professor of Dairy Management and Extension Dairy Specialist examine factors such as dry period length, prepartum nutrition, hormones, mastitis, calf size, udder size and environmental temperature and photoperiod.
FACT SHEETS
unh.how/colostrum
GIBBERA TWIG BLIGHT
Gibbera twig blight primarily affects blueberries in the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada. It is known to be in Merrimack, Sullivan, Cheshire and Grafton counties. This disease will affect fruit yield; affected twigs are more prone to winter damage, and severe cases can cause the twigs to die when the fungus forms cankers that cut off their nutrients. Heavily infected twigs are often killed when fruiting bodies form girdling cankers.
FACT SHEET
unh.how/gibbera
Featured News
2025 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPECTIVE PESTICIDE APPLICATORS ANNOUNCED
Those planning to take the state exam to become licensed to apply pesticides in the production of agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, forage and ornamentals, may want to take an Extension course to help prepare. The $60 course spans three weeks and consists of two, half-day sessions, and a third to take the exam.
The course is available in: Goffstown (March 4, 11, 18), Brentwood (March 5, 12, 19) Lancaster (March 6, 13, 20).
REGISTER unh.how/certification
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Direct inquiries to unh. civilrights@unh.edu. Accommodations available, including language access services, upon request before any event at unh.how/request
Reach out to the lab at unh.pdl@unh.edu or 603-862-3043. unh.how/plant-diagnostic
SOIL TESTING
Questions?
Email soil.testing@unh.edu or leave a message for Shyloh Favreau at (603) 862-3200
unh.how/soil
VISIT OUR WEBSITE!
Explore upcoming events and programming.
unh.how/extension-ag
Strength in Community: The Impact of the Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship by Deb Robie, Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship Trustee
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss
At the recent NH Farm Bureau annual meeting at UNH, we had the privilege of hearing from AFBF President Zippy Duvall. As always, his words were both inspiring and deeply meaningful for everyone in attendance.
I had the pleasure of inviting Dory Roy, one of the recipients of the Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship, to join us for the luncheon. This gave her the opportunity to meet some of the generous individuals who make this scholarship possible. She chose to be there, and I believe she gained valuable insight into Farm Bureau’s mission and the values we uphold.
During his speech, Zippy shared personal stories of hardship and the importance of seeking support during difficult times. Anyone who has had the privilege of knowing Dory understands just how impactful that message was—not only for her but for all of us in the room that day.
As a member of the Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship committee, I see firsthand the many deserving applicants who apply each year. This scholarship exists solely because of generous donors like you. Every contribution makes a difference, and if you’re able, a donation with a few extra zeros at the end would be especially appreciated!
To learn more about how you can support students like Dory, contact the Trustees at abbie.sargent.scholarship@ gmail.com or call the NHFB office at 603-224-1934.
Left to right: NHFB President Joyce Brady, Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship Trustee Deb Robie, Scholarship recipient Dorothy “Dory” Roy, and AFBF President Zippy Duvall, at the NHFB Annual Meeting on November 9, 2024. Photo by Ryan Mattews.
Benefits of Your NH Farm Bureau Membership
Farm Bureau policy is established through a “grassroots” time-tested policy development process in which members set the direction that guides our leaders and staff advocacy efforts. Ways you can participate include:
D Proposing a policy resolution for discussion at your county Farm Bureau annual meeting
D Serving on a Farm Bureau policy development committee
D Representing your county Farm Bureau by serving as a voting delegate at the NHFB Annual Meeting
D Staying informed by reading The Friday Review and contacting your legislators in support of priority legislation
D Hosting or helping to organize a farm tour for legislators and other NH decision makers
D Volunteering to serve on one of the numerous advisory and study committees in which Farm Bureau or the agricultural community has a seat at the table. These include the Invasive Species Committee, Rivers Management Advisory Committee, & Wetlands Council
Advocacy Networking Resources
Meet other NH farmers:
D At your county Farm Bureau annual meeting or other county Farm Bureau event, NHFB summer picnic, or the NHFB annual meeting
D By serving on your county Farm Bureau Board of Directors or an NHFB committee
D Participating in the Young Farmer program (ages 18-35)
D Attending a meeting of the Associated Women who have a mission of communicating the story of NH agriculture
D The best information and advice on insurance for your farm as a result of Farm Bureau’s special relationship with American National and the relationship available to you through Farm Bureau with their NH agents
Make sure you are receiving and making us of the following:
D The Communicator, our member publication bringing you Farm Bureau and agricultural news. As a member your farm business is entitled to free listing under: Ag Services, Fruits & Vegetables, Hay, Meat Producers, or Other Edibles, and to free advertisements in the Farmer to Farmer Classifieds section
D Our weekly e-newsletter The Post, containing a listing of upcoming agricultural events and workshops
D The Friday Review, our public policy newsletter, published on Friday’s when the NH Legislature is in session
D Coming this winter, our ag policy podcast “The APP”
D Access to other information published for members periodically such as the New Farmer Toolkit, containing pertinent information on running a farm business in New Hampshire
NHFB Member Offers
& Business
American National Insurance Special Rate Plans for NHFB Members
Farmer to Farmer Classifieds
Connecting NHFB members! See what others have to sell AND what you 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 603-224-1934.
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 4 yr. old Triplet East Friesian Ram throws beautiful uniform lambs- a big boy with a brown fleece. Halter broke $400 or B/O. Call Claire at 603-239-7098.
FOR SALE: Full-time and part-time seasonal help needed starting late March-early April. Greenhouse work, order pulling and shipping. $20/hr. South Hampton. Call Richard at 603-682-0399.
FOR SALE: Various 3 & 4 med. frame bee hives w/
FOR SALE: 3 Tunis ram lambs, 1 born 12/23, 2 born 3/24. Weaned. Can be registered if wanted. 4-H & FFA discount. $150 each or $400 for all. Delivery possible. Phone Deb Robie at 603-747-3869 or email wehunt4@ myfairpoint.net.
FOR SALE: IH Model 27 Baler with bale thrower. Always under cover. For parts only. $500. Call Wayne at 603-225-9656 Concord, NH.
FOR SALE: Irrigation Pipe - Hook and Latch, 2” pipe
FOR SALE: Hardee long reach cutter - $9,000. Concord. Call Robert at 603-224-3036.
FOR LEASE/RENT
FOR LEASE/RENT: Horse/Livestock Boarding, A la carte pricing, reasonable rates, stall run out to separate pasture, 3 stalls currently available. Farmings, NH. Call Bob at 603-834-3240.
WANTED
WANTED: Pasture with good fencing for temporary short time turnout of horses. Phone Richie at 603-465-2672.
20-25 acres of hay/crop land (open to more or less) and located somewhere near I-91/I-89 or other reliable access roads. We are open to NH or VT. We are open to agriculturally conserved land. Our hope is to have a productive field that we can responsibly manage to meet our hay needs as we continue to grow. If you know of any fields that may be a good fit, please reach out to us! Call Seth at 603-715-0067 or email mooserunfarm@gmail.com.
HELP WANTED
Full time and part time seasonal help needed starting late March-early April. Greenhouse work, order pulling and shipping. $20/hr. South Hampton. Call Richard at 603-682-0399.
Seeking motivated person to join our Certified Organic vegetable farm and kitchen. Experience with mechanical, agricultural, sales, and kitchen protocols a plus! Pay negotiable based on experience and interest. Base pay $14/hr. Drivers license required. Strafford, NH - text John at 603-781-2931.
are updated weekly on our website! https://www.nhfarmbureau.org/classifieds/
A Step-by-Step Guide to becoming a Certified Organic Farm
The process of organic certification can be a rewarding journey and ensures that agricultural products are produced using methods that align with specific national standards for sustainability, soil quality, animal welfare, and more To be labeled as USDA Organic, farms must meet strict guidelines established by the National Organic Program (NOP) Certified organic status can boost your marketability, customer trust, and overall impact on environmental sustainability These rules pertain to everything from seed selection to pest control and even the handling of farm waste
Step 1: Understand What Organic Farming Entails
Familiarizing yourself with the basic principles of organic farming can be helpful before starting this process Organic agriculture prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Instead, organic farmers must rely on natural methods like composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, and biological pest control to maintain soil health and prevent diseases
National Organic Program (NOP): The NOP regulates all organic crop and livestock production, handling, and labeling in the United States The official guidelines can be found at https://www ams usda gov/about-ams/programsoffices/national-organic-program
NOFA-NH (Northeast Organic Farming Association
- New Hampshire): offers educational workshops, resources, and community support for those transitioning to organic farming in New Hampshire
Read more about organic certification at https://www nofanh org/organiccertification
Step 2: Develop an Organic System Plan
One of the first tasks in the organic certification process is creating an Organic System Plan (OSP)
This plan outlines your entire farming system, from soil preparation to harvesting, selling and how you will document adherence to the USDA organic regulations The key areas to cover include soil management practices, crop management, pest and weed control and livestock management
The OSP serves as your roadmap and will be reviewed during the certification process Keep detailed records of everything you do for good business practices, and this will help you during inspections
Step 3: Choose an Accredited Certifying Agent (ACA)
The USDA accredits independent organizations called "accredited certifying agents" (ACA) to review OSPs and ensure they meet organic standards NOFA-NH is an excellent resource to assist farmers through the certification process and connect you with an ACA https://www nofanh org/organiccertification
An ACA will review your OSP, conduct inspections, and determine whether your farm complies with organic standards Some ACAs also offer organic consultations and workshops to help you prepare
Step 4: Transition Period (Typically thirty-six months or less)
The USDA requires that land must be free from prohibited substances (such as synthetic chemicals or GMOs) for at least thirty-six months before it can be certified organic
During this transition time eliminate synthetic inputs and introduce organic methods to start your transition period Practices like cover cropping to improve soil health and suppress weeds will help to build soil nutrients without the need for synthetic fertilizers
Build your recordkeeping system to include all your practices and inputs, which is a major component of your organic system plan
Step 5: Organic System Plan (OSP) Submission
Your OSP will be submitted to your chosen ACA at the end of your transition time
The OSP details how your farm operates under organic principles and is used by the certifier to ensure compliance with USDA organic regulations
Your OSP will include the following:
Field maps, including boundaries and buffer zones
Crop rotation practices
Input materials used (such as compost, seeds, or livestock feed)
Pest management strategies
Animal health and welfare documentation (if you have livestock)
Step 6: On-Site Inspection
After your certifying agent reviews your OSP, they will schedule an on-site inspection During the inspection, an organic inspector will verify that your OSP accurately reflects your farming practices by observing farm
operations, reviewing records and input materials, assessing crop and animal health and asking questions
The inspector will also assess potential contamination risks from non-organic sources, such as neighboring conventional farms Be sure your buffer zones and contamination prevention measures are welldocumented and visible
Step 7: Certification Decision
After the inspection, your certifying agent will review the inspector’s report and decide whether your farm meets the USDA organic standards If any issues arise during the inspection, you may be asked to make adjustments before certification is granted If everything is in order, you will receive your USDA Organic Certificate
Step 8: Maintain Certification
Organic certification is not a one-time event it requires ongoing compliance Every year, you’ll need to update your Organic System Plan and undergo an annual inspection Maintaining thorough records of your practices and inputs is crucial for staying certified Resources for New Hampshire Farmers
Becoming USDA certified organic is a process that requires patience, dedication, and a commitment to sustainable farming practices By following these steps and staying involved in the organic community by attending workshops, webinars, and field days as well as tapping into the resources available, including NOFA-NH, you’ll be well on your way to growing certified organic products that benefit your farm, your customers, and the environment
NOFA-NH can help support your transition to organic farming through a wealth of resources, from certification assistance to field workshops and a mentorship program with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) These free technical support and mentorship services can guide you through the organic certification process
Interested in learning more?
Contact NOFA-NH at info@nofanh org, 603-225-5022 or the TOPP Coordinator at teresa@nofanh org to learn more
Find more information at nofanh org/topp or at organictransition org
DISCOVER AN ENTIRE ORGANIZATION WORKING FOR YOUR SUCCESS.
Nobody serves your ag credit needs like Farm Credit East.
Farm Credit East was made in agriculture. It’s all we do. So every product, every service and every person is dedicated to meeting your financial needs and growing your success. We know agriculture, we understand your business needs, and work to achieve your goals.
Discover the difference at Farm Credit East.
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USDA Issues its Final Decision for Changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders by
Chris Laughton, Farm Credit East Knowledge Exchange
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released its final decision for changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) on November 12. Now producers, and their coops have to vote to approve (or reject) these changes.
With a lot at stake for producers, processors, and consumers of milk and dairy products, obviously these changes are a result of a great deal of negotiation. The final changes are a result of testimony by numerous producers, producer groups, processors, and other stakeholders. The changes are numerous, but the significant ones can be organized in five broad categories:
1. Milk Composition
For FMMOs, USDA formulas assume certain milk composition levels in skim milk. The current assumption is that 100 pounds of skim milk (cwt.) contains 3.1 pounds of protein and 5.9 pounds of other solids. However, due to improved farming practices, protein levels have risen since these assumptions were last updated in 2000.
USDA will increase the assumption of protein to 3.3 pounds and of other solids to 6 pounds for a total of 9.3 pounds of nonfat solids, which corresponds to higher Class prices across the board. On average, from 2020-2023, Class I prices would have increased 46 cents/cwt; Class II prices would have increased by 32 cents/cwt; Class III prices would have increased by 57 cents/cwt; and Class IV prices would have increased by 32 cents/cwt. This change more accurately reflects milk’s current composition and market value.
2. Surveyed Commodity Products
FMMO prices are based on surveys of wholesale dairy product prices. Currently, cheddar cheese prices are determined using 40-pound blocks and 500-pound barrels, though the barrel price has become increasingly volatile and less reflective of the broader market.
USDA proposes eliminating 500-pound barrels from the survey, which would stabilize prices and better
reflect market realities. If implemented over the past four years, this change would have increased the Class I price by 24 cents/cwt and the Class III price by 53 cents/cwt.
3. Class III & IV Make Allowances
Probably the most discussed changes were those to make allowances. Make allowances account for the manufacturing costs of dairy products such as cheese and powder, including labor, energy and packaging. USDA’s changes include significant increases to make allowances, which reduces the prices farmers receive. USDA recommends the cheese make allowance increase by 5 cents, the butter make allowance increase by 5.4 cents, the nonfat dry milk make allowance increase by 5.9 cents and the dry whey make allowance increase by 6.6 cents. Had these higher values been in place between 2020-2023 they would have reduced Class prices by between 74 cents and 89 cents per hundredweight.
4. Base Class I Skim Milk Price
The Class I skim milk price is currently based on the average of Class III and IV skim prices. However, market volatility revealed flaws in this system, as large discrepancies between these Class prices led to a substantial reduction in the class I price for farmers. USDA recommends reverting to the previous “higherof” Class III or IV formula, which would have increased Class I prices by 64 cents/cwt over the past four years. This change aligns with dairy farmer priorities. However, instead of a simple switch back to the easy to understand “higher-of,” USDA recommends the addition of an adjuster for extended shelf life (ESL) milk. The adjuster is calculated as the rolling average of the differences between the higher-of and the average-of the advanced Class III and Class IV skim milk pricing factors over the prior 13 to 36 months. This adjuster, announced 12 months in advance, aims to account for fluid milk cost differences but introduces significant complexity and may not effectively stabilize ESL milk prices.
5. Class I Differentials
Class I differentials account for the cost of transporting milk to fluid markets and have not been comprehensively updated since 1998. USDA proposes increasing differentials across most regions, with the largest increases in the Southeast and Appalachian orders. The average increase would be $1.25/cwt, with some regions seeing as much as a $2.60 increase. For FMMO one, which covers much of the Northeast, the average increase is about $2.00/cwt.
Conclusion
One of the key elements of the FMMO system is its pooling mechanism, which ensures that farmers receive a uniform price for their milk, regardless of what it is used for. The intention is to ensure handlers in a similar location who produce similar products pay the same minimum classified price for the raw milk and that farmers producing milk in the same area receive the same price (i.e., uniform pricing). Each month, the total Class values of milk within an order are aggregated, and an average uniform price is calculated. The contributions of different Class prices to the pool can vary significantly depending on the supply and demand conditions within an order. Consequently, the effects of adjustments to Class price formulas on individual orders are best understood once differences in Class utilization and production volumes are accounted for.
The proposed increases in make allowances have significant negative impacts to order pool values, ranging from a pool value impact of -$20 million in the Florida order to -$223 million in the Upper Midwest order. For the Northeast order, the increased make allowances are estimated to have a -$216 million annual impact to the pool value. However, all other adjustments mentioned above will positively impact pool values, and, for the Northeast, should outweigh the impact of make allowance increases. When both the positive and negative impacts are accounted for, the reforms will have an estimated annual impact of +$67 million.
Associated Women Adventures
by Jozi Best, Associated Women President
Celebrating Winter: Friendship, Farming, and Festivities
Yippee! Daylight is gaining, and the moon has been so bright I have often been able to see my shadow in the field after my last check out back at dusk to say goodnight to Annie, the mini donkey; senior grey Araby mare Misty; ten plump Tunis brood ewes; and the last remaining “appy” alpaca. I always pause in the precious complete stillness when the snow is pink and blue to give thanks for so many blessings, sometimes even laughing and taking a slide in the empty sled-toboggan that carries out the grain and hay, with Aussie JillyJo’s sleigh bells jingling as she races around me. The light climb back up feels good too.
December and January have been busy and cheery with meetings and gatherings. Our December Associated Women meeting included a morning visit to open the doors to celebrate the annual Christmas Bazaar event at Naomi Scanlan’s historic Clough Tavern Farm in Canterbury. All four or five rooms on the main floor of her classic old “four square” colonial house were filled floor to ceiling with so many handcrafted treasures that it took several rounds of looking before being able to make any choices. All created by local artists—mittens to jewelry, pottery to scarves, paintings to blankets, and of course, ornaments for trees and everywhere you might wish to decorate. Too many to remember, too many to write… just a feast of treasures—shiny, fluffy, dazzling, exquisite things so artfully displayed.
From there, we drove to Judy McPhail’s spacious home in Penacook for a brown bag lunch and an informal meeting. Over lunch, we discussed plans for having a table booth at the NOFA conference in February for the first time, as well as ways to grow member participation in our counties. Conversations about membership often come up when speaking with those interested in organic farming, and we emphasized that NH Farm Bureau is not against organics, even having a dedicated section in our policy document addressing the topic.
In January, our new regular meeting time of First Tuesdays of the month (instead of First Mondays) coincided with the new “Coffee and Conversation” event at the NHFB office. So we joined in and thoroughly enjoyed the banter with “guest”—our own Josh Marshall, presently NHDAMF Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture. There were thoughtful questions from NHFB members and a couple of non-members. Josh was very articulate on all subjects and straightforward on state budget concerns.
After doing our quick bag lunches, we had a brief business meeting, then adjourned to try to help Leandra and Mindy with some of the archives, especially trying to identify some old photos.
Please keep an eye on The Post for our upcoming events, including some farm tours we are planning for the springtime!
AW members (L-R standing) Naomi Scanlon, Ruth Scruton, Judy McPhail, Jolee Chase, Ruth Mann, Leandra Pritchard, (L-R sitting) Jozi Best & Tina Daniels at Clough Tavern Farm Christmas this past December. Photo courtesy of Leandra Pritchard.
NOFA-NH Winter Conference
Mike Bertolone & Maureen DuffyBertolone, proud NHFB members, at the American National Insurance booth. Photo courtesy of Mike Bertolone.
Jolee Chase was one of the representatives at the NHFB & Associated Women booth during the NOFA-NH Winter Conference. Photo by Mike Bertolone.
There were 250 attendees at the NOFA-NH Winter Conference! Photo by Tina Daniels.
NHFB was pleased to attend the NOFA-NH Winter Conference on February 8th at SNHU, demonstrating our commitment to supporting all farmers in New Hampshire. Our members were available to answer questions, share insights about Farm Bureau, and connect with the organic farming community.
We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with NOFANH and its members, fostering meaningful engagement to support and advocate for New Hampshire’s agricultural industry.
Interested in learning more about NOFA-NH and supporting their upcoming Bulk Order? Visit: https://www.nofanh.org/.
WELCOME - NEW Members!
(October 26, 2024 - February 6, 2025)
Name Solicitor
Alton Bob Burton Farmer Randy Joyner
Antrim Steve Blair Farmer NHFB Website
Barnstead Amy McCarthy Farmer Mike Bertolone
Barnstead Brian Bissonnette Farmer Amy Matarozzo
Barnstead Leah Glazier Student Amy Matarozzo
Belmont Jason Pochily Supporter
Boscawen Sarah Millard Farmer Mike Bertolone
Boscawen Lorrie Carey Farmer Mike Bertolone
Bradford Patrick Smerczynski Farmer NHFB Website
Brookline Gavin Knudsen Student
Campton John Bates Farmer NHFB Website
Canterbury Allan Wolf Supporter Mike Bertolone
Concord Angela Raymond Farmer
Concord David Potter Farmer Mike Bertolone
Concord Karina Mitchell Student The Post
Concord Jim Figueira Supporter Mike Bertolone
Concord Paul Ebbs Supporter Mike Bertolone
Concord Renee Denis Supporter Mike Bertolone
Conway Jason Richardson Farmer Olivia Saunders
Dalton Doug Morin Farmer NHFB Website
Danville Mary Burnett Supporter Mike Bertolone
Deerfield Andrew Hackett Supporter Christie Brown
Deering John Thyng Farmer NHFB Website
Dover Daniel Ayer Farmer
Dover David Watters Supporter Rob Johnson
Dracut Warren Shaw Farmer Joyce Brady
Durham Sarah Wrocklage Farmer Durham Ag Commission
Epping Emily Stearns Farmer NHFB Website
Epsom Brenda Corliss Farmer Charles Corliss
Goffstown Tina Daniels Farmer Associated Women
Hancock Jacob Krashan Farmer
Henniker Ken Hadley Farmer Mike Bertolone
Henniker Leo Aucoin Farmer NHFB Website
Hinsdale Julia Jochums Farmer Jozi Best
Hollis Jeff Begin Farmer John Porter
Hudson James Rowe Student Victoria Scarbro
Lancaster Dana Southworth Supporter Sally GaynorKnecht
Londonderry Chrissy Breault Supporter Daniel Hicks, IV
Lynbrook Jason Curley Farmer Susan Lange
Lyndeborough Phil Fremont-Smith Farmer Mike Bertolone
Manchester Christopher & Krista Crotty Farmer Mike Bertolone
Melrose Ronald Alley Jr Farmer NHFB Website
Milan Adam & Sadie Bilodeau Supporter
Monroe Pleasant View Electric LLC Business Supporter Denis Ward
Newbury Michael Plunkett Farmer Mike Bertolone
Penacook Glenn Shepherd Supporter Mike Bertolone
Plaistow Christopher Peach Supporter NHFB Website
Raymond Nicklas Kruger Farmer Mike Bertolone
Richmond Claire Jahnke Farmer NHFB Website
Strafford Eric Sideman Farmer Mike Bertolone
Troy Matthew Meacham Farmer NHFB Website
Warner Rebecca Mock Farmer Mike Bertolone
Weare NH Veterinary Technician Assoc. Business Supporter
The start of a new year is always a great time to reflect on how far we’ve come. As I look back to last year, I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed with a list of “firsts” I was about to dive into—like leading seven School to Farm Days and stepping into my first NH Farm, Forest, and Garden event. While there were plenty of unknowns, I embraced the challenge, and now, with a whole year of new experiences under my belt, I feel a lot more confident. Sure, there’s still plenty to do, but now there’s less guessing and a whole lot more knowing!
Exciting things are happening this year, and I’m thrilled to share them with you. By the time you’re reading this, NH Ag in the Classroom, in partnership with 4-H, will have already hosted its first-ever Maple Symposium for educators. This event will help teachers break down barriers to incorporating maple education into their classrooms, with over forty educators joining us to explore everything from how to tap maple trees to creating interactive classroom stations. There will even be a school sugar house tour and a deep dive into what makes the life of a maple tree so fascinating. It’s sure to be a fantastic learning experience!
We’re also continuing our collaboration with 4-H in delivering Agsplorations in Maple Tales, which has seen incredible growth. What started with a small cohort of seven last year has expanded to more than twenty participants in our second round. This year-long curriculum is designed to help educators teach solid science lessons to younger students using maple trees as a foundation, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
On top of that, we’re developing a brand new agroforestry program through an exciting grant from UNH, in partnership with Dartmouth and Yale. This initiative will target middle and high school educators, but it’s open to K-12 teachers as well. We’re still in the development stages, but we envision a hands-on program filled with field trips and site visits, giving educators a chance to see agroforestry in action and connect directly with farmers and researchers involved in the project.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the planning for this year’s School to Farm Days is well underway. Schools are signing up, presenters are getting lined up, and all the pieces that seemed like a challenge last year are falling into place this year. All in all, things are looking good.
If any of this sparks your interest and you’d like to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me or stop by the office on Sheep Davis Road—I’d be more than happy to chat.
Lastly, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to NH Farm Bureau members for their generous donations this year. Your support truly makes a difference!
Mike Smith, NH Agriculture in the Classroom, Michael.Smith1@unh.edu
2025 NH Agricultural Policy Forum Recording Available
NH Food Alliance, January 3, 2025 [Press Release]
On January 3, the NH Food Alliance and the Monadnock Farm & Community Coalition held the 2025 NH Agricultural Policy Forum as part of its monthly Network Café part of their 2024-2025 Network Café Series. In preparation for the 2025 legislative session, we were joined by New Hampshire’s most well-informed food policy minds as they provided insights on the state level legislation being considered this session and shared what individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses can do to get involved in the legislative process and support positive change in our food system.
Theresa Walker, of the Durham Agricultural Commission, spoke about HB 339 (relative to municipal master plans), a legislative change proposed by Representative Peter Bixby after consulting the Land Use Planning brief part of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. The bill will add agriculture as a land use and activity to be addressed by municipal master plans, encouraging the development of farm-friendly land use regulations and elevating the importance of increasing local food production, consumption, and protecting farmland.
Amanda Littleton, of the Cheshire County Conservation District, spoke about HB 246-FN-A (directing the state conservation committee to implement the conservation district climate resilience grant program and making an appropriation therefor), legislation that will support the NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant. The grant supports farmers in pursuing climate resilient practices and project.
A special bill hearing update! One of the bills covered during the forum, HB 246-FN-A (directing the state conservation committee to implement the conservation district climate resilience grant program and making an appropriation therefor) which will provide state funding for the conservation districts’ NH Climate Resilience grant program, is scheduled for a hearing on January 23 in the House Finance Committee. Voice your opinion by signing into the bill hearing and officially noting your support or opposition to this bill and view contact information for representatives on the House Finance Committee if you’d prefer to contact them directly.
Rob Johnson, the Policy Director for the NH Farm Bureau Federation, and Julie Davenson, the President of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) spoke about multiple policy priorities and proposed bills on behalf of their organizations and the farmers they represent, including the state budget and its effects on the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food and legislation in support of a Granite Stater’s right to clean air, water, and other natural resources.
More details and the recording are found here: https://www.nhfoodalliance. org/blog/2025/01/recording-2025-agricultural-policy-forum
2025 NHFB Policy Watch List Topics Include:
• Labor
• Pesticides & Fertilizer
• Right to Farm
• Care of Livestock
• Climate Mitigation
• Homestead Food Production
• Affordable Housing
• State Funding
• State Budget Bills for FY 2025-2026
NHFB Policy Director Rob Johnson was a featured presenter at the 2025 NH Agriculutral Policy Forum on January 9, 2025 over Zoom, where he reviewed NHFB’s “Watch List” topics (see list below).
Members Share WHY they Belong to NH Farm Bureau
Why Join NHFB?
by Katy Peternel of Carroll County
Our family has been farming for 25 years. We joined the NH Farm Bureau in our early days to obtain farm insurance. My husband attended a few meetings, but I never had much to do with the organization besides paying for our membership. Eventually, we could obtain insurance without a membership, so we let it lapse. When I chose to run for State Representative in 2022, I wanted to be certain constituents knew that farming is important to me, so I renewed our membership. Over the last two years, I have kept a close eye on legislative priorities for the Farm Bureau. HB 1215 caught my attention about the value of NHFB membership. This bill allowed the Town of Hampton to close a road, which seemed out of the scope of the organization. However, the NHFB works while we are all sleeping. Concerned about how this legislation might affect any landowner prompted a statement in opposition from the NHFB. While I had no intention of supporting the bill, my interest was renewed in becoming more involved with NHFB. Since then I have had opportunities to attend a Carroll County meeting that was long overdue and joined a Coffee and Conversations in the main office. Both events reconnected me with friends and deepened my interest in the bureau. While some may see the social aspects of the NHFB as a necessity, I now see the importance of membership as an insurance policy for our rights of land ownership and agriculture. While you are might fall asleep reading legislation, the NHFB is making sure that your rights are protected.
Why NH Farm Bureau is Valuable to Me
by Amy Matarozzo of Belknap County
My Story
My story with NH Farm Bureau began as a young girl, when Beth Hodge, an active young farmer, took me to Young Farmer events. Growing up at Echo Farm in Hinsdale, NH, I am forever grateful to Beth, Courtney, and Shelley for teaching me all about cows. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those early experiences.
Some of my first Young Farmer memories include helping at the Keene Pumpkin Festival and NHFB Annual Meetings. I assisted with the NH Dairy Promotion, first in an ice cream truck and later at a food booth serving our famous macaroni and cheese, shepherd’s pie, and Echo Farm’s Indian pudding. As I got older, I began attending meetings in Concord and met my future husband, Brian Matarozzo. Together, we traveled to Washington, D.C., for agricultural lobbying and national Farm Bureau conferences. We got married on our farm in 2015, and I served as vice chair and chair of NH Young Farmers. One of our proudest projects was raising a calf, donated by Hatchland Dairy, which was then processed and donated to local soup kitchens in NH. We received donations for grain, hay, and processing from Russ and Kristi Atherton, and the project earned national recognition for NH Young Farmers in 2017. I was so honored to receive the award and to shake hands with American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall! This recognition, along with a grant from Hannaford, has helped fund many more “Harvest for All” projects, and continues to do so today. I’m deeply grateful to Maureen Duffy (Bertolone) for her outstanding leadership of NH Young Farmers during this time.
When my children were born and our farm expanded, I stepped back from leading the Young Farmers program. We found a new home in Belknap County Farm Bureau, where we’ve both served on the board—Brian as president and me as secretary before becoming president. I value the relationships we’ve built, both locally and nationally, through Farm Bureau.
Networking Opportunities
One reason is the networking opportunities Farm Bureau offers farmers, both locally and nationally. I have had the opportunity to make friends with other young farmers from around the country, and we keep in touch with one another via Facebook. I have also made friendships with other farmers from NH that will be lifelong friends of mine. Being able to grow as an adult with a group of farmer friends to celebrate all the highs and lows of life is priceless.
Legislative Connection and Protection
Another reason NH Farm Bureau matters to me is the legislative connection and protection for farmers. NH Farm Bureau provides farmers with a direct connection to our legislators both nationally and locally. There truly is no dollar amount you could put on the value of having a policy director, Rob Johnson, representing NH farmers in Concord. Many times over the years I have been really passionate about a bill that they are hearing in Concord but I am not able to attend in person. Rob Johnson cares about farmers and protecting our rights to farm in New Hampshire. The legislative breakfast that the Young Famers host has been an incredible annual event that develops relationships with our local representatives. When the Young Farmers traveled to Washington DC yearly to speak to their congressmen this also made a great connection and impact. We were able to speak on specific issues that we were struggling with on our farms.
Leadership Development
Lastly, NH Farm Bureau is important to me because it grows and develops leaders. Farm Bureau taught me the value of service and volunteerism. My husband and I have spent countless hours over the last decade serving alongside other farmers for Farm Bureau because we valued the organization and wanted to see it succeed. I wouldn’t be the leader I am today without the many leadership opportunities I have had with Farm Bureau (both on the local level and nationally). Along with the long list of member benefits and resources that Farm Bureau offers, they also offer many opportunities for farmers to get involved and make a difference in their communities.
Connection with NH Ag in the Classroom
One of my favorite connections with Farm Bureau is the connection with Ag in the Classroom. I have really enjoyed going to the schools to read books prior to the pandemic and being involved in School to Farm Days. The education of young children on where their food comes from is a topic that’s very important to me! There have been so many generations now off the farm that even parents of children today don’t know where the food is coming from. I remind myself when it’s close to zero degrees outside in February that I am still farming for my boys. I want them to have strong work ethics, a well-rounded agricultural knowledge, and deep respect for agriculture. Even if they don’t choose to farm as an adult, they will certainly know the hard work and sacrifices that go into farming.
I want to thank the board of directors for allowing me to have the opportunity to be the Young Farmer coordinator. I am looking forward to helping the group develop a
and
strong
thriving Young Farmer program statewide.
The Peternel family during a day of farm chores. Pictured left to right are: Sarah, Annie, Bill, Mary, Becky, and Katy Peternel. They operate Rock Farm in Wolfeboro, NH, where they raise beef cattle as a beloved hobby. They currently have four Angus cows, two heifers, two steers, and a bull on their farm. They have raised/sold beef, chickens, eggs, pork and lamb. Photo courtesy of the Peternel family.
The Matarozzo family operates LorrenJoyce Farm in Center Barnstead, NH. Pictured left to right are: Hayden, Amy, Emerson, and Brian Matarozzo. They started their farm in 2014 with beef, dairy, and laying hens, and it has changed over the years. Currently, they milk registered Jersey cows and sell all of their milk and raw cream direct to consumer from their farm. They also raise Hereford beef cattle to sell beef by the side and have 75 laying hens to supply eggs to their farm fridge. Amy homeschools her sons, while operating the farm alongside Brian, who also has an off-farm job as a forestry mechanic.
Photo by Anna Elaine Photography.
Help the Associated Women of NH Farm Bureau celebrate historic NH farms in their upcoming expanded edition of Our Farming Heritage Lives On
Get your Farm INCLUDED!
100years+
Due by June 1, 2025
bit.ly/42nqX7O
Almost 10 years ago, the Associated Women published Our Farming Heritage Lives On: Celebrating 100 Years Of New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation 1916-2016. They are now working on an expanded edition and seeking those farms 100 years old by 2027. The expanded edition will also include all of the previous stories. If your farm was featured in the first edition and you have some revisions to make, please contact us. The deadline for any new stories or revisions to previously published stories will be June 1, 2025.
The NH Farm Bureau office has more information, including a list of suggested questions available to help you write the farm’s story. Associated Women members are available and happy to help write your story as well.
More details can be found using this link: bit.ly/42nqX7O or by calling the NHFB office at 603-224-1934.
Submit your story by June 1st to be entered to win a copy of the expanded edition!
Below is an excerpt from the first edition of Our Farming Heritage Lives On:
Huntoon Farm was established in 1856, by Harvey Huntoon, passed to William and then to Willard. The farm is now operated by Donna Huntoon Sprague and has five continuous generations farming the land with the sixth generation born July 6, 2016. Maple production and cows have always been a part of the farm. Milking Shorthorns and dairy cows were phased out in the late 1990’s, and replaced by Herefords and Angus crosses.
Today, this diversified farm produces maple products, beef and pork, laying hens, broilers and turkeys. There is a commercial kitchen producing bakery items and prepared foods.
Donna is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire College of Life Sciences and Agriculture with a degree in Animal Science. The family is working toward preserving the farm for future generations and to share the farm with the public. The farm was recognized as a Century Farm by the New Hampshire State Grange in 1962, when owned by Willard and Marjorie Huntoon.
Donna is a member of Blazing Star Grange #71 and manager of the Danbury Winter Farmers’ Market. She is a member of Merrimack County Farm Bureau.
Historical photos from Huntoon Farm. The bottom picture is labeled as “Willard and Will, 1938.” Photos courtesy of Huntoon Farm.
NHFB 107TH ANNUAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2024 - UNH Holloway Commons
responsibility of electing officers, approving changes to the constitution, and determining the organization’s policies. Only delegates, and not officers, vote on these matters.
The first major order of business was to elect the officers to lead NH Farm Bureau in 2025. A slate of candidates was put forward by the chair of the Nominating Committee, Denis Ward. The slate presented consisted of four incumbent candidates as well as two candidates for one of the Second Vice-President positions for the retiring Jay Phinizy (Acworth) – Lucie Brown and Mark Florenz (Keene). The officers elected for 2025:
*Second Vice President – Tom McElroy, Newton (Ornamental Greenhouse Production)
Second Vice-President – Lucie Brown (Sheep)
*Treasurer – Seth Wilner, Newport (Garlic)
* Denotes incumbent
Primary farming enterprise is in parenthesis.
In additional voting, Delegates elected President Brady as NHFB’s representative to the Farm Family/American National Insurance Company advisory board and as NHFB’s delegate to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention held this January in San Antonio, Texas. Elected as the alternate delegate was Beth Hodge. Language making clarifications and updates to the constitution was also approved by the Delegates.
Treasurer’s Report
Delegates also received a condensed financial report from Treasurer Seth Wilner. He pointed out membership dues accounted for about half of revenue generated, with other significant sources being related to our partnership with American National, the Putnam Fund (set-up at the NH Charitable Foundation and used to support NHFB philanthropic work), the Deerfield Fair Dairy Booth, Communicator advertisements, and rental property income.
On the expense side, he pointed out employee salaries, wages & benefits made up nearly half of total expenses. Other major expenses included office administration costs, expenses related to The Communicator, the Deerfield Fair Dairy Booth, building maintenance and repairs, property taxes, meetings & events, and funds allocated to counties. He also reviewed significant expenses anticipated for 2025, which consist of replacing heating & air conditioning systems in both buildings, upgrades to our financial record-keeping system, and necessary sewer system work.
During the meeting, President Brady recognized four UNH Students from Professor Wendy Johnecheck’ s Ag and Food Policy course who were on hand to observe the policy development process in action!
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
New Farm Bureau Policy Adopted for 2025 Delegates deliberated 20 new policy proposals for addition to the existing NHFB policy document. The proposals came from resolutions adopted at county Farm Bureau annual meetings, put forward by NHFB committees, and introduced from the floor during the meeting. First Vice-President & Chair of the Policy Development Committee Beth Hodge introduced the proposals with President Joyce Brady moderating the discussion. In addition to discussing new policy, changes and deletions to language in the policy document recommended by the Policy Development Committee were reviewed and approved. These changes were made with the purpose of clarifying and/or updating the document.
Reprinted below are newly adopted policy resolutions. The underlined headings indicate the section of the policy document to which the resolutions have been added. Those followed by an asterisk* were forwarded and adopted by Delegates at the national American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) convention and are now part of AFBF policy.
The NHFB policy document guides the Board of Directors and staff in our advocacy work on behalf of Farm Bureau members. The complete document can be found on the NHFB website at www.nhfarmbureau.org.
Dairy
Add the following language in bold italics print to the existing Dairy policy as follows:
We support allowing milk producers to sell raw milk directly to consumers, provided it is labeled as such and purchaser name and contact information are collected for recall purposes. We encourage inspection and licensing and oppose dairy cooperatives restricting raw milk sales
Fish and Game
We support search and rescue expenses being covered by the state out of the General Fund instead of from the Fish and Game Fund.
Federal Government
We oppose Corporate Transparency Act requirements on small businesses.
Livestock
We believe when livestock are removed from a location due to a charge of animal cruelty, their relocation must allow for the animal’s welfare. (Philosophy section)
We support State Police and County Sheriff Departments employing at least one officer with jurisdiction in each county who has completed a training course in the humane care and needs of animals, including livestock.
We support requiring an officer trained in the humane care and husbandry of all animals,
including livestock, be present and consent to the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian with expertise in the class of animal being investigated, on the intervention and/or relocation of animals including livestock.
We support relocation of livestock in an alleged animal cruelty care case, prior to a conviction, seek to minimize any adverse effect on the farm business.
We oppose overreaching federal mandates in response to livestock health outbreaks.*
We support local oversight by state veterinarians in instances of animal health outbreaks.*
We support a law prohibiting confiscated animals from being used to solicit donations or in fundraising efforts prior to a conviction of animal abuse
We support exempting from federal USDA slaughter inspection requirements animals and meat sold to the end user that has been slaughtered and processed at a NH Department of Health and Human Services inspected custom licensed slaughter facility in NH.* - We modified this resolution prior to sending it to AFBF so that it made sense at a national level as follows:
We support exempting from federal USDA slaughter inspection requirements animals and meat sold to the end user that has been slaughtered and processed at a state inspected custom licensed slaughter facility.
Marketing
We support defining a “farmers’ market” in state law as events in which a majority of the vendors meet the definition of farm contained in RSA 21:34-a Farm, Agriculture, Farming.
Nutrition and Food Programs
We support the Granite State Market Match program which doubles SNAP/EBT benefits.
State and County Government
We support state funding for the NH Conservation District’s Climate Resilience grant program, promoting climate resilience on NH farms.
We support the establishment of a state assistance fund for farmers who experience losses due to natural disasters.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) We support raising USDA payment limitations.
Water Resources and Environmental Regulation
We oppose locating wind turbines off the New Hampshire coast.
Internal Affairs
We will inform our members of their legal rights and of resources available related to livestock ownership.
ANNUAL MEETING (From front)
Profile Award (above photo)
The Profile Award, originally the Mary Lee Ware Trophy (est. 1941), honors distinguished service to agriculture and rural life in New Hampshire. It was renamed in 1987 and is awarded to a Farm Bureau member or couple with significant contributions to Farm Bureau and agriculture. Priority is given to those in production agriculture, with winners selected by past recipients from county nominations.
The 2024 Profile Award, the first since 2021, was awarded to Denis Ward of Monroe, nominated by Grafton County Farm Bureau.
Denis began his dairy career in the 1970s, pioneering innovations such as round bale haying and greenhouse barns for cattle. He received the NH Green Pastures Award in 2000 for outstanding pasture and dairy farm management. After selling his herd, he managed Hatchland Farm until retiring in 2016.
Beyond farming, Denis has dedicated his life to service, holding leadership roles in his community, Farm Bureau, and agricultural organizations. His contributions include:
• Community: Chair of Monroe’s Board of Adjustment, Planning Board, School Board; longtime Town and School District Moderator.
• Farm Bureau: Past President of Grafton County Farm Bureau, President of NH Farm Bureau (2015-2021), currently Secretary/ Treasurer of Grafton County Farm Bureau.
• Agriculture: Chair of NH Department of Agriculture’s Advisory Board, Supervisor for Grafton County Conservation District, and various Extension advisory committees.
Denis credits his wife Jeanne for their shared success, acknowledging her unwavering support throughout their journey.
Congratulations to Denis Ward and his family on this well-deserved honor!
President’s Award (as seen in the front cover photo)
At the NH Farm Bureau annual meeting, President Joyce Brady honored county Farm Bureau leaders with the President’s Award, in recognition of their leadership and dedication.
Recipients:
• Belknap County Farm Bureau – Amy Matarozzo
• Carroll County Farm Bureau – Vin & Cindy Blandini
• Cheshire County Farm Bureau – Beth Hodge
• Coos County Farm Bureau – Mary Tichy
• Grafton County Farm Bureau – Deb Robie
• Hillsborough County Farm Bureau – Henry Kunhardt
• Merrimack County Farm Bureau – Christina Swanson
• Rockingham County Farm Bureau – Phil Ferdinando
• Stratford County Farm Bureau – Erick Sawtelle
• Sullivan County Farm Bureau – Jozi Best
This award aligns with American Farm Bureau’s emphasis on county leaders, echoing President Duvall’s sentiment that the most important person in Farm Bureau is the county Farm Bureau leader.
Congratulations to all honorees for their dedication and service!
County Farm Bureau Delegates 2024 NHFB
Belknap County
Amy Matarozzo (Center Barnstead)
Lucie Brown (New Hampton)
Barbara Comtois (Center Barnstead)
Carroll County
Nadia Carpenter (Brookfield)
Lawreen Strauch (Ossipee)
Cheshire County
Beth Hodge (Hinsdale)
Bridget Cummings (Hinsdale)
Frank Linnenbringer (Winchester)
Coos County
Mary Tichy (Milan)
Ted Tichy (Milan)
Grafton County
Deb Robie (Bath)
Henry Ahern (Plymouth)
Kris May (North Haverhill)
Denis Ward (Monroe)
Hillsborough County
Trevor Hardy (Hollis)
Bob Haefner (Hudson)
Sean Trombly (Milford)
Merrimack County
John Porter (Boscawen)
Chuck Souther (Concord)
Christina Swanson (Deering)
Rockingham County
Andrew Chisholm (Hampstead)
John Fernald, III (Nottingham)
Nyklaus Lytle (Sandown)
Strafford County
Bruce Cilley (Barrington)
Erick Sawtelle (Lee)
Ruth Scruton (Farmington)
Sullivan County
Jozi Best (Unity)
Lisa Holmes (Langdon)
Seth Wilner (Newport)
of the Convention attendees visited the
the
Youth Perspective: Colton Bornkessel’s Take on the AFBF Convention
What was your favorite aspect of the Convention?
My favorite aspect was the insight into different types of farming.
Who was your favorite speaker?
My favorite speaker was definitely the Top Gun instructor, Lt. Col. Dan Rooney. He was super cool and really motivational.
What was the most relevant message you heard at the Convention?
The most relevant message I heard was from an Iowa dairy farmer about the consumption of technology. He said that we need to consume technology, but we don’t need to overconsume.
As a youth, what do you think about the future of farming?
As a youth, I think farming is going to change and have different rules and laws in place. In the next ten years, I think new equipment will make people’s lives easier.
Would you recommend this Convention to others (especially other young people)?
I would strongly recommend this to younger people to see the potential threats going on in farming. Also, to meet new people, find new resources, and show that farming is not bad.
What was your favorite tour and what did you learn?
My favorite tour was of the Alamo. I learned a lot that I didn’t know like how Davy Crockett was involved and how important the battle was.
And lastly, what was the best Texas-sized food you ate?! My favorite food was the Buc-ees brisket sandwich.
Overall, I had a great time and I would love to go again!
Iowa Dairy Farmer Dan Venteicher, an online ag-vocate, @iowadairyfarmer (left), and Colton Bornkessel (right) at the AFBF Convention.
Colton Bornkessel and aunt Beth Hodge pose for a selfie with the Buc-ees mascot during their trip to San Antonio, TX.
Many
Alamo during their time in San Antonio. This is a plaque recognizing
one defender of the Alamo from New Hampshire.
American National Insurance treated AFBF convention attendees from partner states –NH, NJ, ME, & RI to a reception held in one of the private dining rooms in the Tower of the Americas. The Tower was built for the 1968 World’s Fair held in San Antonio to celebrate its 250th anniversary. The Tower is 750-feet tall and a staircase of 952 steps takes you to the top –or you can take one of its elevators, at 800 feet-per-minute, it climbs to the top in 43 seconds.
Pictured clockwise starting bottom left: Eleanor DeBow (Joyce’s mother), Joyce Brady, Chrissy Breault, Dominique Hicks, Danny Hicks, Dan Hicks, Rob Johnson, Carrie Johnson, Stephanie Lamere, Mabel Johnson, & Jozi Best.
NHFB Voting Delegate to the AFBF Convention Joyce Brady and NHFB Alternate Voting Delegate Beth Hodge pictured on the convention floor during a break in proceedings. When a delegate wants to speak from the floor, they raise the numbered yellow paddle each delegate is provided. A total of 348 delegates were seated on the floor. State Farm Bureaus with the largest number of delegates (based on state membership numbers) were Tennessee (36), North Carolina (32), and Texas (28). Alternate delegates are seated in the gallery. When a delegate takes a break, they meet their alternate at the “Credentials Desk” and the switch is made.
Jozi Best & Rob Johnson in front of the Tower of Americas
Joyce Brady & Eleanor DeBow with the famous AFBF sign
FARM BUREAU SCHOLARSHIPS
APPLICATIONS OPEN!
AGRICULTURE STUDENTS & COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
NHFARMBUREAU.ORG/ SCHOLARSHIP-INFORMATION
Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship
Applicants for the 2025 Abbie Sargent Memorial Scholarship must be a resident of New Hampshire, a graduate of an approved public/private high school with average or better grades. Additionally, they must demonstrate acceptance of responsibility and financial need. Applicants must be a full or part-time student at an institute of higher learning. Preference will be given to those enrolled in an agriculture related study.
De adline: April 15, 2025
Applications are available at www.nhfarmbureau.org.
Contact NHFB Financial Manager Leandra Pritchard at 603.224.1934 for more information.
For a list of these scholarships as well as others related to agriculture studies, visit: https://www.nhfarmbureau.org/scholarship-information/
Cheshire County Farm Bureau Scholarship
scholarship was established in honor of Bob Moore, long-time CCFB member, to help a Cheshire County resident wishing to attend a leadership or agricultural advocacy event/ conference. The scholarship will be awarded up to $500. Submissions accepted year-round
Grafton County Farm Bureau Scholarship
is for any Grafton County resident who is a Senior in High School, has graduated High School, or is a college student pursuing a career related to agriculture. Grafton County Farm Bureau will be awarding as many as two scholarships in the amount of $1500.00.
follow the instructions on the application form available on the NHFB website and return by email to Grafton County Farm Bureau, Denis
May 3,
2025
Merrimack County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Trudy Gay Memorial Scholarship and the “Chip” McNamara Memorial Scholarship are awarded annually. For full eligibility details and application, please visit the NHFB website. For more information, contact the Merrimack County Farm Bureau Secretary, Leandra Pritchard at merrimackcountyfb@ gmail.com.
De adline: May 15, 2025
Rockingham County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Th is scholarship is available to members/residents of Rockingham County with preference given to members of Rockingham County Farm Bureau families. A selection committee will evaluate applications and select the student receiving the award. The winner will be contacted by RCFB Secretary, Heather Fernald. Application must be submitted to RCFB by April 11, 2025. For more information or to obtain a hard copy of this application, contact the secretary of RCFB, Heather Fernald, 603.679.1066 or RCFB.NH@gmail.com, or pick one up from the high school guidance office. Applications will be made available to high schools in Rockingham County.
De adline: April 11, 2025
Strafford County Farm Bureau Scholarship
A scholarship/grant award program offers funding to small to medium sized projects designed to promote agricultural education, programs, and opportunities for youth. Awarded annually. For application information, visit the NHFB website or contact Strafford County Farm Bureau President Bruce Cilley at bcilley@horseshoesplus.com.
