NEW HAMPSHIRE FARM BUREAU

A Voice for Agriculture in Government

NH Farm Bureau advocates fro agriculture's interests year-round in the Legislature, state government and all around the state through our active membership, dedicated county Farm Bureau and Federation Board of Directors, and Federation staff lobbyist. When it comes to animal welfare, Current Use, Extension programming, land use regulation and property rights, Farm Bureau makes a difference. We defend the ability of our state's agricultural businesses to operate and help preserve the quality of life enjoyed by all NH residents.

Policy Developed by our Members

The positions for which Farm Bureau advocates are developed by our members through a grassroots, democratic process. This time tested process gives Farm Bureau policy positions the attention and respect of our elected leaders and public officials.

• Once again helped lead the opposition against a proposal to eliminate the Department of Agriculture as an independent state agency. (2009)

• Assisted the Timberland Owners Association with ensuring all forestry activities could continue within prime wetland setbacks without prohibitive requirements (2009).

• Helped to defeat burdensome, unenforceable and/or unnecessary equine related bills including requiring: horses to have access to shelter at all times (2006); riders to wear helmets when riding horses (2006); and equines (2009) and horse boarding facilities (2006) to be licensed.

• Assisting a number of members with local land use issues. Examples: a proposed Central Business District would not have allowed for on-farm processing or the use of portable band mills and would have hampered an existing farm in the proposed district. Language suggested by Farm Bureau allowing for both was accepted by the local Planning Board (2009); when a manure pile was ruled an "obnoxious use", the local ZBA overturned its ruling after Farm Bureau assisted with an appeal. (2005)

• Worked to ensure the continued ability of agricultural enterprises and rural residents to use outdoor wood-fired boilers. (2008)

• Helped write and secure passage of a law enabling municipalities to asses farm buildings and the land under farm buildings at a rate lower than full market value (RSA 79-F). (2008)

• Worked to relax certain requirements in the state building code for agricultural structures. (2008)

• Led the effort to defeat a bill proposing to remove the word “worrying” from statute, making it more difficult to protect livestock. (2008)

• Led the opposition to defeat farm animal welfare legislation backed by the Humane Society of the United States. The proposed legislation was inconsistent with available science, with the judgment of respected professionals and in some instances lacked common sense. (2007 & 2008)

• Worked with DES to secure less burdensome water reporting requirements for agricultural water users. (2005 – 2008)

• Successfully advocated Farm Bureau’s position that the next Commissioner of Agriculture must have a good understanding and working knowledge of production agriculture. (2007)

• We vigilantly monitor and champion Current Use assessment, ensuring equitable property taxation for the state's farm, forest and open space landowners. This effort includes turning back a last minute budgeting proposal to increase the Land Use Change Tax from its current 10% to 16.5% with the increased revenue going to state coffers. (2007)

• Championed legislation enabling municipalities to form Agricultural Commissions, providing farmers a dedicated voice in local government. (2007)

• Helped pass the emergency dairy assistance program, securing $2.1 million in emergency funding for New Hampshire dairy farmers. (2007)

• We closely monitor RSA 21:34-a, the state definition of agriculture, and work to keep it strong and current. This effort includes assisting to develop and add a definition of “Agritourism” to the statute. (2007)

• Worked with the Timberland Owners Association to add a farm and forest representatives to the state Wetlands Board. (2007) A Farm Bureau proposal to add a seat for the Commissioner of Agriculture was successful in 2002.

• Led a statewide effort to "Vote Yes on Question 2" resulting in the passage of an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution assuring local representation in the State Legislature. (2006)

• Actively participated in the Legislature's recent review of NH's eminent domain laws. Farm Bureau's proposed definition of "public use" is the definition contained in the state's new eminent domain law. (2006)

Worked with DES to remove manure storage areas from legislation defining and regulating dams. (2006)

• Regularly articulate to Legislators and UNH officials New Hampshire farmers' need for Extension agricultural programming. We are also active in our support for the agricultural curriculum in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. Farm Bureau's input is regularly sought in the decision making process at the University.

• Secured representation for Farm Bureau and/or agriculture on a number of Commissions and Committees including: Animal Care Worker Study Commission, Invasive Species Committee, Groundwater Withdrawals Commission, Shoreland Protection Act Study Commission.