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: February 2019

Apply to Participate in the Farm Share Program - Deadline Extended!

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 farm share to limited-income individuals and families.

Applications due March 1, 2019.

NOFA-NH's 2019 Spring Bulk Order Ends February 28th

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

Register for the Feeding the Family Organic Gardening Series

NOFA-NH, Grow Nashua, ReGenerative Roots Association, and The Greater Nashua Food Council are proud to present the "Feeding the Family Organic Gardening Series" in Nashua this spring. Join Farmer and NOFA-NH Board Member Ron Christie for 9 workshops about vegetable garden planning, healthy soil, container and raised bed gardening, a four-season harvest, and much more!

Classes begin March 6th!

Join Us for NOFA-NH's Winter Conference: Sat. March 16, 2019!

Register today for our 17th annual Winter Conference on Sat. March 16th at Merrimack Valley High School in Concord, NH, for 40+ workshops, organic meals, book signings, the Green Market Fair, and an evening Keynote Presentation by, Ben Hartman, farmer and author of The Lean Farm. Register by February 17th and be entered to win a 5-week Spring Greens CSA share from our sponsor Terra Organics in Contoocook, NH. Learn more about Sponsoring this spectacular event!

NOFA-NH's Annual Award Nominations - Vote by March 1st!

Each year, NOFA-NH recognizes the best of the best in our organic farming community at an Awards Ceremony during our annual Winter Conference. Help us choose this year's awardees by submitting nominations for: Outstanding New Farmer, Mentor Farmer of the Year, Community Partner of the Year, Leading Gardener of the Year, Policy & Advocacy Leader of the Year, Volunteer of the Year.

"The Bullish Farmer" Film & Food Night: February 24th

Save the date for Seacoast Permaculture's screening of the documentary film "The Bullish Farmer" on February 24, 2019 from 5 - 8 PM at the Waysmeet Center in Durham, NH. The evening will begin with the film, followed by a potluck & discussion. Donations welcome.

The Real Organic Project Symposium is March 2nd

A public gathering concerning the future of organic agriculture is taking place on March 2nd at Dartmouth College. For those of you who remember the thoughtful, serious conversation on this topic at the 2018 NOFA-NH winter conference, this day-long Symposium will be an excellent opportunity to catch up on issues such as hydroponics, Confined Animal Feeding Operations, the crucial matter of scale, and the meaning of USDA organic certification.

Action Alert: Saving NH's Pollinators Act

Please email or call members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee in support of HB646, the saving New Hampshire's Pollinators Act before Tuesday, February 19th when the Committee will consider this bill in an executive session. There are organic alternatives to bee-toxic pesticides, and with the support of state agencies (and others), farmers can learn from years of organic experimentation and can gradually transition to healthier practices. Given the pollinator declines, we need to use the precautionary principle to protect our food supply.

36838203_1908351749211276_41593264735361

Farmer Survey: Help NH Gleans Discover New Gleaning Opportunities

NH Gleans, a network of organizations around the state engaged in harvesting or distributing excess farm food, are interested in learning more about potential opportunities to capture and distribute more farm food to those in need. Please consider taking the survey. For more information about the program visit: http://nhgleans.org

A Tribute to Enid Wonnacott

NOFA-VT’s long-time Executive Director, Enid Wonnacott, passed away in December from cancer. Enid led NOFA-VT for 30 years, was a friend and mentor to many, and a stable fixture in Vermont’s sustainable agriculture community. Enid lived life to the fullest, and was surrounded by her family and friends until the very end. She will be missed by the NOFA community.

The Impact of the Government Shutdown On Farmers & Ranchers

The government shutdown caused significant disruption in federal services provided to family farmers and ranchers. With the shutdown over, for now, many frozen federal agricultural activities have resumed, many will be significantly delayed, while others have been granted extended enrollment deadlines.

Workshop Series for Farmers & Food Producers

Hanover Co-op Food Stores is hosting a workshop series focused on issues facing local farmers and food producers. This 10-session series offers insights to help farmers & producers grow and/or produce safer food. Sessions are scheduled for each Friday in March and include presentations on food safety, production and delivery, financing, direct sales, and more.

2019 -2020 Beginning Farmer Institute Applications Are Due April 15th

National Farmers Union's Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) is a free training program for new producers of all ages and operation type/size. Participants attend three in-person learning sessions over the course of the year, one each in Washington, D.C., Northern California, and Savannah, Georgia. The sessions include farm tours as well as seminars on a variety of beginning farmers’ issues, such as business planning, USDA programs, and acquiring land. Applications are open through April 15.

Biodiversity of Insects is Threatened Worldwide

The journal Biological Conservation recently released an analysis confirming that the biodiversity of insects is threatened worldwide in a comprehensive review of 73 historical reports of insect declines from across the globe that systematically assesses the underlying drivers. The study reveals dramatic rates of decline that may lead to the extinction of 40% of the world's insect species over the next few decades.

Organic Food Will Help Curb Insect Collapse

"Buying organic food is among the actions people can take to curb the global decline in insects, according to leading scientists. Urging political action to slash pesticide use on conventional farms is another, say environmentalists," Damian Carrington reports in The Guardian. Read the full article in the link below.

Study Finds Consuming an Organic Diet Reduces Pesticides in the Body

A Friends of the Earth peer-reviewed study that compared pesticide levels in the bodies of four American families for six days on a non-organic diet and six days on a completely organic diet found that an organic diet rapidly and dramatically reduced exposure to pesticides in just one week.

On average, levels across all pesticides dropped by 60.5 percent.

Meet Our Members: Introducing Gene Jonas and Hungry Bear 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 December 2018 & January 2019.

Renewing Members: David S. Coe, Andrew Messenger, Carolyn Sheehan, The SOS - Success On STEAM Network, and Dawn Waites

New Members: Susan Bedard Realtor, It's My Sustainable Life, Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success, Terra Basics

Classifieds

Create Your Own Farm

We are absentee landlords to a beautiful 230 acre farm in Bath NH, with some 150 acres of hay fields. We are looking for someone to live (rent free) in the new house we are building on the farm and run the haying operation. (We would continue to market and truck the hay downstate). As haying only takes a limited number of days each year, you would be free to use the 40 acres and the lower half of a huge barn for your own operation. If you have an entrepreneurial bent but don’t have the capital to get started, this could be a great opportunity. If interested, please email Jim at jdlogan@pobox.com.

FOR SALE: Highland Lake Apple Farm

Highland Lake Apple Farm, East Andover, NH. 65 bearing apple trees, assorted berry bushes and grapes, vegetable and flower gardens. 2.3 acres and easy to maintain. 4 bedroom home with 2 story barn. $345,000. Contact Susan Bedard, CB Lifestyles RE 526-4020 x 106.

ORIS is Hiring a Food Access Specialist

ORIS will hire a Food Access Specialist for its New American Sustainable Agriculture Project to 1) assist in operations and technical assistance for two incubator farm sites (Dunbarton and Concord) that provide land-based training and opportunities for new Americans to grow food, and 2) assist in coordination of a new Mobile Market program. Learn more here.

Seeking Farm Operations Manager

Seeking Farm Operations Manager for LEAF Project's 4 acre home farm. This includes supervising youth workers and managing all farm tasks. Ideal candidate is dedicated to LEAF’s mission, skilled in diversified vegetable production, and invested in the local food system. Full time March-October, $14/hour plus generous benefits. Apply here.

Kroka Expeditions is Seeking a Farm Manager

Kroka Expeditions is seeking a dynamic farmer-educator to join our team. Our diversified farm is comprised of 30 acres of pasture, hay fields and gardens amidst a beautiful 100-acre campus. Livestock includes dairy cows, laying hens, and a draft horse. Our gardens produce a variety of greens, root crops, fruit and berries to feed 1,000 students who join Kroka’s programs annually. The farm is managed by two full-time farmer-educators and aided by apprentices, staff and students. Working in a close-knit team our farmers plan and execute food production and farm education while caring for the land and the animals. Click here for more information and to apply.

WANTED TO BUY: 1-3 Acres 20 Miles of Antrim

Bear Tree Zendo, a local Zen group, needs a small piece of land (one to three acres) within twenty miles of Antrim to build a small local meditation hall (zendo). Woods, field, old pasture, going back to trees, etc. Quiet essential. Continued use arrangement, hay or sugaring possible. Call 603-748-5006 and leave a message.

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.