NOFA-NH E-Newsletter: February 2021

Dear Friend of NOFA-NH,

It may still feel wintery outside, but spring is just around the corner. Get excited about the upcoming growing season with us!

Farmers and gardeners can save on supplies during our Bulk Order Program, open now through February 28. No order is too large or too small!

Gardeners of all experience levels can benefit from our Organic Gardening Series, 15 online classes taught by organic farmer and gardener Ron Christie of Living Earth Farm. The first class is Tuesday night, February 23 from 6 – 8 PM. Attend one or multiple classes. Workshop recordings are included in the ticket price, and scholarship tickets are available.

We are looking forward to continuing our Farm Share Program in 2021, connecting community members in need with local, certified organic CSAs. Applications are now open for participating farmers. Please apply by March 5. Stay tuned – applications for CSA recipients will open soon.

We also wish to extend a huge thank you to all who participated in our virtual Winter Conference. The event was a great success because of your involvement!

Yours in Good Health & Healthy Food,

Team NOFA-NH

Organic Gardening Series Kicks Off on Tuesday

Our “Feeding the Family” Gardening Series kicks off on Tuesday, February 23rd with a workshop on Vegetable Garden Planning. Join NOFA-NH and organic farmer Ron Christie for 15 classes on garden planning, healthy soils, pests and diseases, container gardening, building raised beds, and so much more! Plus, get technical instruction and personal assistance in the monthly classes during the growing season. *Scholarships available. Free tickets for NH Electric Co-op members (limited availability). Contact us for more information.

Learn More & Sign Up

The Bulk Order Deadline Is February 28th!

The deadline for our annual Spring Bulk Order is coming up! It’s a collective buying program for organic farming and gardening supplies — save on supplies and support NOFA-NH at the same time. NOFA-NH membership is not required, although members pay less.

Suppliers include: Brookdale Fruit Farm, Coast of Maine, Fertrell/North Slope Farm, Ideal Compost Co., Lakeview Organic Grain, North Country Organics, Organic Growers Supply/Fedco, Vermont Compost Co.

Learn More / Shop

Organic Farmers Invited to Apply for Farm Share Program

We are seeking certified organic CSA farmers to participate in our Farm Share Program, which provides limited-income New Hampshire residents with certified organic farm shares at a discounted rate. Participating farmers contribute 25% of CSA costs, NOFA-NH contributes 50%, and farm share recipients cover the remaining 25%. Farms must be NOFA-NH members, certified organic, and have an active CSA program in order to participate. We hope to expand the program in 2021 as the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact economic stability and food security in the Granite State.Please help us improve the lives of our neighbors in need! Applications are due March 5, 2021.

Apply

Thank You for a Wonderful Winter Conference!

Thank You to our Speakers, Sponsors, Exhibitors, Staff, Board of Directors, and Attendees for a fantastic 19th annual Winter Conference! The weekend made us feel connected, energized and inspired!

Workshop recordings will be made available to all ticket holders in the coming week. Thank you again for a wonderful Winter Conference, and a great kick off to NOFA’s 50th year!

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A Look at Black Farming History in the U.S. and Possible Developments at the USDA

Historically, the Department of Agriculture has discriminated against Black farmers. Disparities in access to loans and aid have driven them off the land, so now less then 3% of farmland is owned by farmers of color.

Tom Vilsack, the nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, drew criticism for his record on addressing discrimination at the agency during his previous stint in the role; this time around, so far it looks like things may be a bit different.

This is evident in terms of legislation as well. Earlier this month, two significant bills were introduced to "strengthen farmers of color and attempt to respond to injustices and discrimination long suffered by farmers of color."

Joumou, A Stew to Celebrate Black Liberation

In 1804, following a peasant and slave rebellion lasting 13 years, Haiti achieved independence from French rule and the distinction of being the first postcolonial Black republic.

Joumou was a stew savored as a delicacy by French enslavers and plantation owners, not accessible to enslaved Haitians. After the revolution, it came to be recognized as a symbol of a hard-won liberation.

Today, Haitians celebrate the new year with Joumou. No doubt, recipes are as varied as the people preparing this special dish. The one we’re sharing is from Soul Fire Farm.

Get the Recipe

Nutrition, Our Food System & COVID-19

This trio of articles underscores how healthy, nutritious food and local production can help protect people from some of the ravages of COVID-19.

Why Healthy Food and its Local Production Should be Part of the COVID-19 Response provides a global assessment.

How the American Diet Turbocharges COVID-19 focuses on nutrition and resilience in disadvantaged communities. It describes how an expanded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) can benefit both local farmers and those who are food insecure. This is especially relevant to Senate Bill 98-FN under consideration by the NH Legislature.

How to Feed a Hungry and Pandemic-Ravaged Planet is a beautiful reflection on the spiritual and social justice impact of growing food agroecologically, in the aftermath of COVID’s wake-up call.

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Farmers Strike in India

The Farmers Strike in India has implications for the global transition away from climate damaging, industrialized farming, and the movement towards food sovereignty and more resilient, diversified local food systems. As it becomes apparent that the status quo in U.S. agriculture will likely continue under President Biden, will American farmers follow suit?

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Soil Health and Community Resilience: Stories from the North

The Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition and Littleton Food Co-op, in addition to more than 30 local community organizations and businesses, are offering a six-part online webinar series focused on soil health and community resilience in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the North Country of New Hampshire. The series will cover topics such as the connections between soils, climate, food, and human health; Abenaki land, stewardship, and current projects; building soil and community composting; social justice issues related to land, agriculture and food; and how to partner with a diversity of plants, animals, and others for healthy and resilient ecosystems.

Every Other Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00 pm: Feb. 10, Feb. 24, Mar. 10, Mar. 24, Apr. 7, Apr. 21

Local Programs & Successes

Take Out Hunger — A new initiative on the Seacoast is establishing partnerships with restaurants and local nonprofits to get meals for those who need them. It's a creative way to address food insecurity during the pandemic while also helping keep restaurants afloat.

The Monadnock Restaurant Project — In Keene, The Local Crowd (TLC) Monadnock, Culinary Journeys, and Food Connects partnered to launch a homegrown stimulus project this winter. Three local businesses purchased $10,000 in gift cards to locally owned restaurants and are distributing them to their employees, encouraging them to spend.

Scholarship Memberships & Referral Discounts

Thanks to many generous donations from our members, we have raised enough to fund 50 Scholarship Memberships. Community members who are unable to pay the full standard or student/senior member price are invited to join NOFA-NH for $20.

Learn More

Help grow our network! Refer a new member and receive $5 off a NOFA-NH educational program. You must be a current member to use the discount.

Opportunities for Farmers and Landowners

BIPOC Farmer Micro-Grant: A grant offered by the Rodale Institute to support small-scale BIPOC farmers, whether organic, transitioning to organic, or an aspiring organic farmer.
Northeast SARE Partnership Grant: Funds projects conducted by researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers in partnership with farmers. Attend the free webinar on March 2nd at 12:00 pm to learn more. Deadline: April 13, 2021.
Farm & Food Systems Fellowship: with the Allegheny Mountain Institute: An 18-month educational program that fully sponsors, trains, and empowers individuals to become teachers and advocates for a food system that is socially, environmentally, and economically just.

Welcome to the Board, Bill Wardwell!

Bill Wardwell joined NOFA-NH's Board of Directors at our January meeting. Bill is currently the owner and operator of Applecroft Farm in Dunbarton, NH, a diverse, organic farm growing fruits, nuts, mushrooms, vegetables and herbs as well as raising quail, chickens and soon ducks and geese for eggs. He has lived and worked in Baku, Azerbaijan for the past 9 years managing a print and design company. Previously he managed print, design and distribution operations in Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

Invitation to Join NOFA-NH's Board Committees

Passionate and enthusiastic volunteers are invited to join our Board of Directors and/or Board Committees: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Finance; Fundraising & Marketing; Governance; Membership; Outreach and Education; Policy; and Quality Assurance.

You do not have to be a Board Member to join a committee. Prospective members are welcome to join a meeting — please contact us for more information.

Learn More

Meet Our Members: Introducing Sue Greene & Slopeside 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 or renewed their memberships in January 2021.

New Members:

Allison Kerwin, Michael Lauze, Neurosport NP, Sayer Palmer, Jean Rogers, Pamela Young

Renewing Members:

Lorna Austin, Allison Cummings, Complete Land Organics, Carl Davis, Sonke Dornblut, Georgia Elgar, Grow Nashua, Joan Marie Harris, Daniel Kane, Denise Myles, Thomas O'Brien, Stout Oak Farm, The Kailyard, Leslie Wiedmann Herd, Winnipesaukee Woods Farm

Classifieds

Farming Position

Kroka is searching for a FARMER interested in living and working in community on an educational/production farm with vegetables and livestock. MUST have at LEAST 5 years of farming experience with interest in transitioning into Farm Manager position. Visit https://kroka.org/about/hiring/. Questions: Lynne Boudreau, Kroka Expeditions, Marlow, NH 603-835-9087

FOOD DEHYDRATOR (Concord Area)

FOOD DEHYDRATOR, New, NESCO Gardenmaster 1010, Jerky Maker, Fruit Roll Sheets, 8 Trays, Includes Clean-A-Screens, Manual. $190. Location: Canterbury/Concord area. Must pick up. Contact forthemary@gmail.com.

Work Song Farm Seeking Year-Round Employee (Hopkinton)

Work Song Farm is looking for a year-round employee to help with all aspects of vegetable production and marketing. We’re a small, family run organic vegetable farm that sells locally through CSA and farmers markets. We are seeking someone for long-term employment, not just seasonal, who can commit to a full schedule and is interested in expanding their agricultural knowledge and skills. Room for professional growth will be boundless for the right person. Pay will begin at $10/hour for a trial period, increasing to $12, and then to $15 after the first year. On-farm housing is not available. Please inquire by email at worksongfarm@gmail.com or phone at (603) 219-0297 to speak with Dan or Abby. We’ll want to see references and work history.

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.

Please Note: The views and opinions expressed in these classifieds are those of our members and sponsors, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NOFA-NH, its staff, or Board of Directors. We reserve the right to reject content deemed unsuitable or inappropriate for our readership and distribution.