NOFA-NH E-Newsletter: January 2020

Winter Conference is Almost Here!

Join us Saturday, February 8th at our 18th Annual Winter Conference for a day of fun, educational workshops, book signings, delicious food, the Green Market Fair and a keynote address by Steve Gabriel, co-author of Farming the Woods and author of Silvopasture.

Workshop Tracks will cover: Advanced Growers, Agricultural Business, Beginning Farmers, Carbon, Soils, Gardening, Homesteading, Health, Nutrition, Livestock, Animals, Permaculture, Policy, Advocacy, Social Justice, School Gardens, and More!

Haven’t been to a conference yet? Check out this short video to see what our Winter Conference is all about!

Bulk Order is OPEN!

NOFA-NH's 2020 Spring Bulk Order is open for ordering! Our annual Bulk Order is a collective buying program for organic farming and gardening supplies. Small-scale gardeners and large-scale farmers can participate. No minimum purchase required and no shipping charges. You don’t have to be a member to order, though members pay less. Special Orders Accepted.

Registration is Open for the "Feeding the Family" Organic Gardening Series

Registration is Open for the "Feeding the Family" Organic Gardening Series! Join organic farmer Ron Christie for 9 workshops, and learn how to grow your own nutritious organic food. Workshops will cover vegetable garden planning, healthy soil, container and raised bed gardening, managing pests, a four-season harvest, and much more! NOFA-NH Members save 15%!

Plant a Row for Your Neighbors in Need

As you plan for this growing season, consider planting an extra row for your neighbors in need and keep in mind that NH Gleans is an available resource to help you donate your excess produce to local social service organizations. You don’t have to be a farmer to help increase access to fresh foods within your community — anyone can participate! Contact our Gleaning Coordinator Laura Angers at plymouth@nhgleans.org to learn more about food donations and NH’s statewide gleaning program.

We're Hiring! NOFA-NH Seeks an Office Assistant

NOFA-NH is seeking an enthusiastic office assistant to join our team! This is a part-time, permanent, approximately 20 hours per week position at our office in Concord. The Office Assistant primarily supports our Operations Manager with office administration, member and public relations, marketing, program assistance, and other duties as assigned. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to nikki@nofanh.org. Read the full job description at the link below.

Legislative Updates

Some bills that are highly relevant to building a healthy, New Hampshire-based food system are currently being debated in Concord.

HB 1638, for example, would double the value of SNAP benefits to needy families when they use those dollars to purchase fresh local produce. This could be a win-win situation for families, farmers, and the local economy.

Other bills support soil health improvements, pollinator protections, or playgrounds and sports fields that are free from toxic pesticides. To learn more and help with public outreach, please consider joining the NOFA-NH Policy or Education Committees.

Applications for Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund Due February 1, 2020

Applications for the Monadnock Food Co-op and Cheshire County Conservation District’s Farm Fund are open! The Farm Fund’s mission is to support local farmers in increasing sustainable food production and wholesale sales to contribute to a thriving local farm economy. $27,000 is available to support proposals of $500 to $10,000. Applications are due February 1, 2020.

Applications for NH Farm Future Fund Due February 15, 2020

"The NH Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District, requests proposals from land trusts who seek funding to work with NH farms to conserve their land and improve the viability of their farm business. This is an integrated approach to funding farm viability, farmland conservation, and farmland access."

Applications are due February 15th.

Applications for Monadnock Localvores Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Scholarship are Open

The Monadnock Localvores are now accepting applications for the 2020 Jeffrey P. Smith Farm Camp Scholarship. This Scholarship endeavors to connect young people with agriculture & the natural world in hopes of inspiring the next generation of local farmers & local food supporters by giving regional children an opportunity – through summer camp, after school programs, or membership to NOFA-NH – to experience sustainable farming practices first-hand and watch their efforts bear fruit.

Applications are due March 31, 2020.

More Proof That "The Key to Saving Family Farms is in the Soil"

Here's an article by geologist and MacArthur Fellow, Dr. David Montgomery. It concisely describes the multi-leveled benefits that can result from growing food with living soils, no pesticides, no-till, cover crops, and animal rotations on small farms.

While Dr. Montgomery uses the term 'regenerative' rather than 'organic,' the parallels between such practices will be clear.

Pair this article with Ken Meter's thought-provoking statistics on the use of cover crops and rotational grazing on NH farms between 2012 and 2017 and you'll see why we all need to redouble our efforts to support more sustainable, low or no-till, local organic agriculture (p. 6 of his report on "New Hampshire's Farm, Fish, and Food Economy," presented at the November 2019 Food Solutions Forum).

Support NOFA-NH in February at Nature's Green Grocer

Nature's Green Grocer in Peterborough, NH, will be donating a portion of proceeds to NOFA-NH through their Green Giving Program this winter, starting with a Round Up program in February! Throughout the month, customers will have the option to "round up" their total to the nearest dollar and the difference will be donated to NOFA-NH. Thank you Nature’s Green Grocer, and your customers!

Meet Our Members: Introducing Ray Conner and Mermaid Hill Vineyard

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 2019 & January 2020.

New Members:

Ann Bennett, Cris Blackstone, Emily Cook, Beth Draper, Christin Kaiser, NH Food Alliance, Chas Ryan, Sweet Hill Farm, and The Kailyard

Renewing Members:

Allison Cummings, Berkana Wellness, Briscoe Family Farm, David Foster, Hungry Bear Farm, Linda Lindgren, Living Land Permaculture, Sanborn Mills Farm, Carolyn Sheehan, Matthew Silvestro, SOS - Success On STEAM, Stout Oak Farm, Leslie Wiedmann and Winniwoods Farm

Classifieds

Monadnock Food Co-op Annual Growers Meeting

The Monadnock Food Co-op invites farmers to our Annual Growers Meeting on February 18, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm in Keene, NH. Whether you currently grow for us, or have sold to us in the past, please attend. Free snacks, coffee and tea provided. More info and RSVP.

Stonewall Farm Seeks Herd Manager

Stonewall Farm, a non-profit educational farm in Keene, NH seeks a Herd Manager responsible for its' organic dairy herd. Qualified applicant will have 5 years experience including a proven track record of AI, milk quality and production, herd health, nutrition and grazing. Email cover letter and resume with salary requirements to jdavenson@stonewallfarm.org. No calls or drop-ins please.

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.