NOFA-NH E-Newsletter: January 2019

NOFA-NH's annual Spring Bulk Order is a discounted, collective buying program for organic farming and gardening supplies. Shop Online now through February 28, 2019. Mail order catalog coming soon.

Apply to Participate in the Farm Share Program

Are you certified organic, a member of NOFA-NH and have a CSA? If so, apply to participate in our Farm Share Program for financial assistance providing a subsidized farm share to limited-income individuals and families. Applications due February 15, 2019.

NOFA-NH E-Newsletter: August 2019

NOFA Launches New Organic Farm & Food Map

NOFA-NH’s Organic Farm and Food Map is a web-based searchable map that features all of New Hampshire’s organic farms and producers. This freely available web resource allows you to determine where you can purchase organic products throughout the state. NOFA-NH’s member farms are highlighted in a story map where you can learn more about each of them. We hope our readers take advantage of this new resource throughout the year, and especially during NH Eat Local Month which is happening now. Please note that not all farms are open to the public. Please call ahead before visiting any farm to confirm.

August is NH Eat Local Month

Celebrate NH Eat Local Month! You can support our state's farmers, fishermen, and producers by pledging to spend just $5 a week on locally produced food, and by attending local food-based events near you all month long. Farmers, fishermen, restaurants, organizations, co-ops, and more are invited to share their stories, challenges, and successes; why people in your community should support NH Eat Local Month; and how local eating impacts you.

The CRAFT of Farming: An Update from Work Song Farm

Our second CRAFT farm tour at Work Song Farm on August 3rd was exciting! Established and beginning farmers, gardeners, and eaters discussed season extension, asked questions, and made new connections as part of NOFA-NH's CRAFT Program (Collaborative Regional Alliances for Farmer Training). Thank you to our hosts Dan and Abby Kilrain!

Save the date for the third and final tour of the season at Kearsarge Gore Farm on October 5th where we'll be discussing soil health. Tickets: $5 per person, $10 per family. All proceeds go to the hosting farms. Registration Required. Refreshments will be served.

"Round Up" in August for NOFA-NH at The Co-Op Food Stores

The Co-op Food Stores are donating a portion of proceeds to NOFA-NH from their Pennies for Change program! Throughout the month of August, customers will have the option to "round up" their total to the nearest dollar at the register. The difference will be donated to NOFA-NH and other community partners. This program is running at The Co-op Food Stores in Hanover, Lebanon and Lyme, NH, and White River Junction, VT. Thank you, The Co-op Food Stores and your shoppers for your generous donations!

Monadnock Farm Tour & Film Festival August 23 - 25, 2019

The Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition is hosting it's annual Feast on This! Film Festival August 23rd - 25th. This year's festivities will also coincide with The Monadnock Farm Tour. Films include "The Need to Grow" and "Secret Ingredients." Check the MFCC website for a map of this year's farm tours, films and other information.

"Round It Up" for NOFA-NH at Monadnock Food Co-Op in September

The Monadnock Food Co-op will be donating funds raised from their September "Round It Up" program to NOFA-NH. Customers will have the option to round up their change to the nearest dollar at the register, and the difference will be donated to NOFA-NH to support our 2020 Farm Share Program, and particularly to expanding the program within the Monadnock region. Thank you Monadnock Food Co-op and your customers!

Join Us in September for Two More "Fundamentals of Organic Lawn Care" Workshops

The Merrimack County Conservation District and NOFA-NH are hosting two more FREE workshops presented by Britt Phillips, owner of Complete Land Organics in September. Join us in Bow on September 18, 6:00 - 7:30 PM and in Hooksett on September 19, 6:00 - 7:30 PM.

The soil holds the main clues in terms of why a lawn is thriving or struggling. By understanding your property’s soil structure and soil composition, we can take the next step to a healthy and sustainable lawn!

Support the Farm Share Program on "Share the Bounty Day" September 28, 2019

Support food access for all in your community during NOFA-NH's "Share the Bounty Day," a fundraiser for our Farm Share Program. As part of national Hunger Action Month, participating organizations will donate a portion of sales from Saturday, September 28th to the Farm Share Program, which provides limited income NH residents with discounted Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares. Donations will improve food security throughout NH while supporting small, organic family farms. If you are an organization that would like to partner in this fundraiser, please view our sponsorship package here.

Farmers: Apply for NOC Scholarships for the Pittsburgh Pre-NOSB & NOSB Meeting

The National Organic Coalition (NOC) is offering scholarships to farmers wishing to attend the NOC Pre-NOSB meeting (October 22, 2019) & National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting (October 23 - 25, 2019) in Pittsburgh, PA. Topics to be discussed during the NOC and NOSB meetings include: DC organic policy update, oversight and enforcement for imports and dairy sector, Origin of Livestock, Pasture Rule enforcement, and several others.

Please direct any questions about the scholarship application process to Abby Youngblood.

Apply Here

Northeast SARE is Hiring an Associate Director

Northeast SARE is hiring an Associate Director. This position supervises and supports five program staff, coordinates grant proposal review teams, assists grantees with administration of projects, works with an administrative council to assure overall program effectiveness, monitors program finances, and provides public information about the program. Applications are due September 15th.

State Farm to School Policy Handbook 2002 - 2018

The State Farm to School Policy Handbook is a tool for advancing the farm to school movement’s core elements: local procurement, nutrition and agriculture education, and school gardens. It summarizes and analyzes bills and resolutions introduced between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2018, from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. It enables users to search bills by both jurisdiction and topic. The Handbook also provides an analysis of state farm to school legislative trends and information and resources addressing several other important aspects of farm to school policy.

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Help NOFA & MOFGA Serve Beginning and Established Farmers

There is an opportunity to create regionalized networks of mutually supportive farmers working toward climate change resiliency and food security. NOFA & MOFGA feel an urgency to support new and established farmers to be successful in their ventures, and to foster a thriving independent farming community across the Northeast. To do so, we need your help in understanding how we can build a stronger suite of resources, trainings, network facilitation, and other farm viability programs to deepen your capacity for resilience and long-term success. If you are a beginning or established farmer in a phase of your career where you are seeking support, please help us to create programs and opportunities to support you by taking a few minutes to fill out this survey.

Take Action to Protect Organic Dairy Producers

In June, the House of Representatives passed a Fiscal Year 2020 agriculture spending bill that included a provision to level the playing field for organic dairy producers. It would require the USDA to issue a final regulation on 'Origin of Livestock’ – the rules for how conventional dairy cows are transitioned into organic herds. The regulation will protect organic dairy farms from loopholes that have allowed conventional dairy livestock to enter organic herds, creating an economic disadvantage for organic farmers who play by the rules, as it is more costly for them to raise calves organically. You can urge the Senate Appropriations Committee to take action to protect organic dairy producers.

Urge the EPA to Ban Glyphosate, the Herbicide in Round Up

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto (now Bayer)’s Roundup herbicide, and is taking public comments until September 3, 2019 as to whether or not glyphosate should be re-registered. This open comment period presents an opportunity to tell the EPA why glyphosate should be banned. The herbicide has been listed as “probably carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and there are currently an estimated 13,000 plaintiffs with pending lawsuits against Monsanto concerning glyphosate, according to the Washington Post.

Agriculture and Climate Policy Listening Session with Congresswoman Annie Kuster

Stonewall Farm hosted a listening session with Congresswoman Annie Kuster, NH farmers, and business leaders to discuss the impact of climate change on food and agriculture in NH, and how to address it. Stonyfield Organic’s Britt Lundgren facilitated a panel discussion about the effects climate change is having on food production, how farms and businesses are adapting and helping to mitigate climate change, and how federal policy can do more to support their efforts. Panelists included: Roger Noonan, Middle Branch Farm/President of New England Farmers Union, Jess Baum, W.S. Badger Co., Julie Davenson, Stonewall Farm, Beth Hodge, Echo Farm Pudding, and Steve Normanton, Normanton Farms.

Meet Our Members: Introducing Maggie and Ben O'Brien and Three Sisters Farm

NOFA-NH's knowledgeable and passionate members make our organization great. That's why we offer our members with farms and farm-related businesses eligibility to be featured in the 'Meet Our Members' e-news column. Each month, we make our community a little closer by introducing you to someone new. Featured members are chosen by random lottery.

Welcome New & Renewing Members

Thank you to our NOFA-NH Members who became new members and renewed their membership in July & August 2019.

Renewing Members: Farm Credit East, Joan O'Connor

New Members: Mermaid Hill Vineyard, The Cornucopia Project

Classifieds

Work Song Farm Seeks Full-Time Year-Round Employee

Work Song Farm seeks full-time year-round employee to start before Aug. 2019. We’re a small-scale diverse organic vegetable farm located just outside Concord. No experience needed. Enthusiasm required. Contact Dan and Abby for more details. Worksongfarm@gmail.com; 603-219-0297.

NOFA-NH Members may post 1 free Classified per month on our Classifieds page and in this newsletter. Not yet members may post a Classified in the e-news and on our website for $45 per Classified per month. To inquire about this program and to share your Classified with our community, please contact info@nofanh.org.