New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation Holds 105th Annual Meeting – New Slate of Officers and Award Winners Announced

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation (NHFB) held its 105th Annual Meeting on November 13th at the Hampshire Hills Event Center in Milford, NH. The all-day event hosted by Hillsborough County Farm Bureau featured a lunch banquet, farm tours of local agricultural operations, Trombly Gardens in Milford and Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, as well as a presentation from American Farm Bureau’s Jessica Cabrera addressing farm stress and mental health resources. Attendees also had the opportunity to watch a video produced by NHFB showcasing Hillsborough County agriculture to go along with the meeting’s theme, “Keeping it Local.”

The culmination of NHFB’s grassroots policy development process occurred at the event during the Meeting of the House of Delegates. Each year, delegates representing their county Farm Bureaus meet to conduct the business of discussing and voting on policy resolutions and updates to the NHFB policy document. A number of issues were taken up this year including: hunting laws, labor, landowner rights, meat inspection, theft & vandalism, and water use reporting. The policy document guides NHFB’s policy work for its members.

The House of Delegates is also tasked with electing a slate of officers each year. With President Denis Ward from Monroe not seeking re-election after six years on the job, the elected slate of officers for 2022 is as follows: President – Joyce Brady of Columbia, 1st Vice President – Bob Cunniff of Langdon, and re-elected were 2nd Vice President – Tom McElroy of Newton, 2nd Vice President – Jay Phinizy of Acworth, and Treasurer – Howard Pearl of Loudon.

Newly elected President, Joyce Brady, owns and operates CJEJ Farm in Columbia, NH, along with her husband Chris. CJEJ Farm is a diversified livestock operation offering cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chevon, chicken, and turkeys and produces their own small grains for feed. The couple also own and operate Colebrook Feeds Farm & Garden Supply in Colebrook, NH. “I’ve been involved with Farm Bureau since I was in college and have held many leadership positions working up from the Coos County Board of Directors through the State Board of Directors and now President of New Hampshire Farm Bureau,” Brady said. “I’m excited to be a leader in this important organization and look forward to working with New Hampshire’s farmers to advocate for agriculture.”

  • (Left to right) NHFB Policy Director Rob Johnson, newly elected President Joyce Brady, outgoing President Denis Ward, Treasurer Howard Pearl, and 2nd Vice President Tom McElroy preside over the Meeting of the House of Delegates. Not pictured, 1st Vice President Bob Cunniff and 2nd Vice President Jay Phinizy.

Other NHFB members were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to agriculture. The following is a list of awards given out this year.

NHFB President’s Award

Outgoing NHFB President Denis Ward recognized the 2021 NHFB President’s Award winners Bob & Elaine Moore of Westmoreland, NH. Bob & Elaine have each served leadership roles in NHFB at the county and state levels. Bob has held the role of Cheshire County Farm Bureau President on multiple occasions, has been given the distinction of lifetime member to Farm Bureau, and is a previous recipient of the NHFB Profile Award. Elaine is currently the Cheshire County Farm Bureau Secretary and served as the Associated Women of NHFB President from 2018 – 2021. The President’s award is handed out annually to acknowledge an individual for their outstanding service to New Hampshire Farm Bureau.

Outgoing NHFB President Denis Ward, President’s Award winners Bob & Elaine Moore, and NHFB President Joyce Brady

Kenneth R. Marshall Memorial Award

The Kenneth R. Marshall Memorial Award was created in honor of long time Farm Bureau member and employee Ken Marshall to recognize current Farm Bureau members who exemplify not only dedication and service to the agricultural community, but those who do it with kindness, generosity, and selflessness. This year’s recipient is Barbara Angevine of Laconia, NH. Barbara has been a Farm Bureau member since 1986 and a member of the Associated Women of NHFB for over 18 years. She has given her time to countless meetings, events, like the Belknap County School to Farm Day, and projects, including the Associated Women’s 100-Year Farm Book.

NHFB Communications Director Josh Marshall presents Barbara Angevine with 2021 Kenneth R. Marshall Memorial Award.

Young Farmer Animal Husbandry Award

Hannah Morrill of Sunshine Pastures in Barnstead, NH, is this year’s recipient of the NHFB Young Farmer Animal Husbandry Award. Hannah demonstrated exceptional livestock practices on her family’s small farm raising beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and more. The Animal Husbandry Award has been developed by the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer program to promote sound animal husbandry. Candidates for this award are nominated by their fellow Young Farmers and the judging is based on a set of criteria, including best management practices.

Outgoing NHFB President Denis Ward, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau President Trevor Hardy, Animal Husbandry Award winner Hannah Morrill, and NHFB President Joyce Brady.

Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award

The 2021 NHFB Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award was given to Ben Davis of Canterbury, NH. The award acknowledges the efforts of Young Farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from farming, but are actively contributing to agriculture and to their community.

Ben grew up involved in agriculture spending time at his grandparent’s farm in Canterbury while being involved in 4-H and FFA. He followed those pursuits to SUNY Cobleskill where he majored in Agriculture Equipment Technology. Today he owns his own company specializing in forestry mulching, field reclamation, and pasture renovation. He also works at Apple Hill Farm and harvests roughly 50 acres of hay. Ben has been involved with the NHFB Young Farmers Committee for many years serving on their board of directors and volunteering in many community service projects.

Ben will move on to compete with other Excellence in Agriculture Award winners from across the country at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Outgoing NHFB President Denis Ward, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau President Trevor Hardy, Excellence in Agriculture Award winner Ben Davis, and NHFB President Joyce Brady.

Young Farmer Achievement Award

This year’s NHFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winner is Amy Matarozzo of LorrenJoyce Farm in Barnstead, NH.

The NHFB Young Farmer Achievement Award competition recognizes young people between the ages of 18 to 35 who have excelled in their farming operation and have shown leadership abilities through Farm Bureau and in their community. The ideal candidate for the award is an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with the majority of their income subject to normal production risk.

Amy raises a 60-head herd of registered Jerseys for milking and Hereford beef cattle on approximately 60 acres of farmland in Belknap County. Her love for dairy cows began at Windyhurst Dairy Farm as a young child and continued later at Echo Farm and eventually the University of New Hampshire. Amy and her husband Brian purchased a property in Barnstead in 2014 and started LorrenJoyce Farm from scratch. Today she sells beef cuts, raw milk, raw cream, hard aged cheeses, and raw butter as well as composted manure and cattle. Amy has also been involved with the NHFB Young Farmers Committee for many years spearheading the group’s Pumpkin Festival food booth, summer vegetable donations, and serving as Chair of the committee. Amy and her husband have two children, Hayden and Emerson.

As part of the award, Amy will receive the use of a new Kubota tractor for six months or 250 hours from Pinnacleview Equipment in Walpole. They will also move on to compete in the national Achievement Award competition at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia this January.

2021 Achievement Award winner Amy Matarozzo at her farm in Barnstead.

Profile Award

Each year, NHFB has the honor of presenting the Profile Award to recognize a New Hampshire person or persons for distinguished service to agriculture and rural life. Nominations for this award come from County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and are judged by a panel of past Profile Award winners.

This year’s Profile Award winner is Henry D. Ahern, Jr. of Plymouth, NH. Henry is the third generation to own and farm the property in Plymouth, NH that now supports his Red Deer farm, Bonnie Brae Farms. His first twenty-seven deer arrived in February of 1994 and the farm currently supports approximately 200 deer.

Henry has been heavily involved with several farm organizations and farm activities since the farm’s inception. That includes the NH Farm Bureau and Grafton County Farm Bureau. He served as County president from 2006-2008 and 2013-2015. He is currently chair of the Livestock and Energy committees, and is on the Policy Development and Government Affairs committees. In the past, he has been recognized for excellence in membership recruitment. He has been a Grafton County voting delegate to the NHFB House of Delegates for several years.

Bonnie Brae Farms and its venison have been featured on the Food Network (Food Finds), American Public Television, Chronicle (WMUR), Cooks Corner (WMUR), Outdoors with Bob (L’Heureux), and most recently, “State Plate” with Taylor Hicks.

The Profile Award was first given in 1941 as a tribute to Mary Lee Ware.  Miss Ware was actively involved in agriculture and conservation in New Hampshire. Henry is another deserving winner for his outstanding service to New Hampshire Agriculture and New Hampshire Farm Bureau.

Outgoing NHFB President Denis Ward, 2021 Profile Award Winner Henry Ahern Jr., and NHFB President Joyce Brady.

**Hi-Resolution Photos Available Upon Request

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New Hampshire Farm Bureau (NHFB) is a non-profit federation, established in 1916, of New Hampshire’s 10 county Farm Bureau organizations which consist  of nearly 2,000 NH farm families and over 1,000 supporting members. NHFB is dedicated to advocating for and educating the public about agriculture. NHFB is a general farm organization where the members establish policy and direction through a member driven policy development process.

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Elects Leaders and Sets Policy for Coming Year

New Hampshire Farm Bureau First Vice-President Joyce Brady leads a discussion on policy resolutions at this year’s House of Delegates Meeting alongside NHFB President Denis Ward.

On Saturday, November 7, the New Hampshire Farm Bureau (NHFB) “House of Delegates” consisting of 23 representatives of the county Farm Bureau organizations met at The Johnson Barn in Northwood to elect NHFB officers and set NHFB policy for the coming year. Those elected were:

President – Denis Ward, Monroe
First Vice-President – Joyce Brady, Columbia
Second Vice-President – Tom McElroy, Newton
Second Vice-President – Jay Phinizy, Acworth
Treasurer – Howard Pearl, Loudon

All were re-elected with the exception of Jay Phinizy, who was elected to a vacant seat on the Board. They will be joined on the NHFB Executive Committee by Associated Women’s President Elaine Moore from Westmoreland and Young Farmer Committee Co-Chairs Ammy Rice from Milford and Amelia Aznive from Concord. President Denis Ward was also elected to serve as NHFB’s Delegate to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting being held remotely this coming January.

In addition, the Delegates approved 19 of 25 proposed policy resolutions and/or changes to the existing NHFB policy document proposed by county Farm Bureau membership or NHFB Committees. These included policies dealing with enhancing meat processing options and encouraging milk production in the state as well as support for a state law limiting the liability of farmers providing agritourism activities to the public. Currently 31 states have agritourism immunity laws on the books. Newly adopted resolutions will be printed in the next edition of The Communicator.

#FarmingTogether: Farmers Support Farmers During Tough Times


Guest Blog by Emma Joyce, UNH Extension

UNH Extension is collaborating with the American Farm Bureau and the New Hampshire Farm Bureau to generate awareness around mental health issues and provide support to farmers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased stress upon the agricultural community. Farmers must navigate new health protocols and adapt to a changing economic landscape while experiencing greater isolation, due to social distancing.

Where can farmers turn to for help? Each other.

In a new campaign called Farming Together (using the hashtag #FarmingTogether on social media), UNH Extension and the Farm Bureau are encouraging farmers to connect with one another during these challenging times.

Josh Marshall, communications director for the NH Farm Bureau, said, “Farming is a stressful job in the best of times, but our greatest allies in mitigating that stress are our fellow farmers. We’re challenging farmers to pick up the phone and check in on one of their peers. A simple, ‘How are you doing?’ is a great way to be there for your farming friends and to show that we are all farming together.”

Continue reading →

Turkey Talk

It’s all turkey talk here in New Hampshire as we head into the Thanksgiving Holiday. Families and friends are preparing their menus and looking up recipes for their favorite holiday treats. The debates have already begun on how to best prepare the turkey (oven, deep fryer, or smoker?) and what is the best side dish.

One thing folks don’t have to argue about is what the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal will be this year. American Farm Bureau completed its 34th annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey to show that a meal for 10 people, complete with all the classic Turkey Day trimmings, costs $48.91. That works out to less than $5 per person!

Their findings are based on over 250 volunteer shoppers across the country price checking in their supermarkets of choice. You can view the full results here. Nine shoppers from New Hampshire submitted surveys to AFBF and the cost of a full meal here in NH is slightly higher than the national average at $54.14.

Giving Back

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and appreciate what we have and the NHFB Young Farmers have also made it a time to give back to those less fortunate. For the third year in a row, the NHFB Young Farmer Committee has collected and delivered Thanksgiving dinner baskets to families in need across the state.

This year 30 baskets including turkeys, potatoes, squash, apples, eggs, and cider all produced here in NH were delivered to the Salvation Army of Concord, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Concord, and various locations in Coos County. The NHFB Young Farmers solicited donations of those locally grown products and completed the baskets with donations of items like stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and canned vegetables thanks to Farm Credit East in Bedford.

  • (left to right) Olivia Pittman, Young Farmer Committee Co-Chair Ammy Rice, and Ben Davis deliver Thanksgiving Baskets as part of the Harvest for All project.

 

Pardon Me

One lucky turkey won’t be making an appearance at anyone’s dinner table as Governor Chris Sununu and Attorney General Gordon MacDonald asked the Executive Council on Monday to pardon ‘Joanna’, an 18-pound female turkey raised at Birch Rise Farm in Sanbornton. Kate Osgood, who serves on the Belknap County Farm Bureau board of directors, and her husband Ken brought their two sons Hunter and Henry to escort Joanna through the State House Monday morning to take part in the ceremony.

While Executive Councilors asked some tough questions, a unanimous vote ultimately granted the pardon for Joanna. She will now find a home at Crotched Mountain School in Greenfield where she will join last year’s poultry pardon recipient, Brooke.

  • The Osgood family of Birch Rise Farm in Sanbornton presents 'Joanna' the turkey alongside students and staff from Crotched Mountain School to Governor Sununu and the NH Executive Council in consideration of a pardon.

 

We here at New Hampshire Farm Bureau wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Celebrates 103rd Annual Meeting. Policy, Officers, and Awards Announced.

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation (NHFB) held its 103rd Annual Meeting on November 15th and 16th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lebanon, NH. As part of the multi-day event hosted by Grafton County Farm Bureau, attendees toured local agricultural operations Tullando Dairy Farm in Orford and Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon. “It’s inspiring to see the diversity of agriculture around the state,” said NHFB President Denis Ward. “Our members enjoyed learning about the robotic milking machines at Tullando Farm and the hard cider operation at Poverty Lane Orchards.” Workshops, speakers, and competitions covering production techniques, advocacy, and the future of agriculture took place throughout the day in support of the theme “Reflection, Innovation, and Diversification.”

The culmination of NHFB’s grassroots policy development process occurs during the Meeting of the House of Delegates as part of each year’s Annual Meeting. Delegates, elected by their county Farm Bureau, met the morning of November 16th to adopt nearly forty new policies on issues such as dairy production, climate change, and UNH Cooperative Extension. Those policies, along with established NHFB positions, will guide NHFB’s work in the coming year. The House of Delegates is also tasked with electing a slate of officers each year. The elected slate of officers for 2020 is as follows: President – Denis Ward of Monroe, 1st Vice President – Joyce Brady of Columbia, 2nd Vice President – Tom McElroy of Newton, 2nd Vice President – Leandra Pritchard of Pembroke, and Treasurer – Howard Pearl of Loudon.

  • NHFB members visit Tullando Farm in Orford for a tour provided by Nate Tullar (right) during the 103rd NHFB Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting Banquet, held the evening of November 15th, recognized outstanding achievements and contributions to agriculture from NHFB members. The following is a list of awards given out that evening:

Scott Mason, 2019 NHFB President’s Award winner.

NHFB President’s Award

NHFB President Denis Ward recognized the 2019 NHFB President’s Award winner Scott Mason of North Stratford at the 103rd Annual Meeting of New Hampshire Farm Bureau. Scott has been actively involved at every level of Farm Bureau with a focus on policy and advocacy. Through serving on the state Policy Development Committee and testifying on agricultural issues at the New Hampshire State House, Scott has contributed to the success of numerous NHFB initiatives. Scott also represented the northeast this year as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation Federal Milk Marketing Order Work Group. The President’s award is handed out annually to acknowledge an individual for their outstanding service to New Hampshire Farm Bureau.

2019 NHFB Kenneth R. Marshall Memorial Award winner Dr. Christina Murdock, DVM (right) receives her award from NHFB Executive Director Diane Clary.

Kenneth R. Marshall
Memorial Award

The Kenneth R. Marshall Memorial Award was created in honor of long time Farm Bureau member and employee Ken Marshall to recognize current Farm Bureau members who exemplify not only dedication and service to the agricultural community, but those who do it with kindness, generosity, and selflessness. This year’s recipient is Dr. Christina Murdock, DVM of Dunbarton. Dr. Murdock operates a mobile large animal veterinary practice that serves farmers across the state. She has shown a dedication to NHFB through her work serving on the NHFB Young Farmer Committee, at the county level through her annual Merrimack County Farm Bureau Veterinary Clinic providing affordable animal vaccinations, and to her greater community through volunteering and mentorship of FFA and Alvirne High School students.

2019 NHFB Young Farmer Animal Husbandry Award winner Peter Glines is presented his award by Dr. Christina Murdock.

Young Farmer Animal Husbandry Award

Peter Glines of Sloping Acres Farm in Canterbury, NH is the recipient of this year’s NHFB Young Farmer Animal Husbandry Award. Peter operates the farm along with his brother. They milk 140 cows, producing a rolling herd average of 23,500 pounds, and raise an additional 110 head of replacement  calves/heifers. The farm also grows 110 acres of corn for silage along with 60 acres of corn for snaplage and 160 acres of hay crops that they use for their own feed.

The Animal Husbandry Award has been developed by the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer program to promote sound animal husbandry and to recognize individuals who have implemented exceptional livestock welfare practices on their farm. Candidates for this award are nominated by their fellow Young Farmers and the judging is based on a set of criteria, including best management practices.

Also nominated this year was Erik Fredrickson of Top of the Hill Farm in Wolfeboro.

Young Farmer Discussion Meet

Caroline Crouch of Loudon, NH was named the winner of the 2019 NHFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet. Competitors in the Discussion Meet prepare thoughts and opinions on various subjects facing agriculture and cooperatively work towards a solution.

  • Caroline Crouch of Loudon (right) is presented with her award for winning the 2019 NHFB Young Farmer Discussion Meet by NHFB Young Farmer Committee Co-Chair Amelia Aznive.

The goal of the Discussion Meet is to develop leaders for effective problem solving through group discussion, similar to the organization’s grassroots policy development process. The competition provides an opportunity for Young Farmers to build basic discussion skills, give and receive criticism in a helpful manner, develop an understanding of important issues, explore and pool knowledge to reach consensus, and solve problems.

Caroline will go on to represent New Hampshire at the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet competition in Austin, Texas this January.

Ammy Rice of Milford, Joe Garcia of Strafford and Olivia Pittman of Deerfield also participated in this year’s competition.

2019 NHFB Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award winner Nicole Glines accepts her award from State Representative Barbara Comtois.

Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award

The 2019 NHFB Young Farmer Excellence in Agriculture Award was given to Nicole Glines of Canterbury, NH. The award acknowledges the efforts of Young Farmers who do not derive the majority of their income from farming, but are actively contributing to agriculture and to their community.

Nicole grew up in Milton, NH and her first agricultural passion was in equestrian sports, where she competed and gave riding lessons. After being introduced to dairy cattle at the University of New Hampshire, she changed course and eventually completed a master’s degree in Dairy Nutrition. She went on to be the herd manager for the UNH Organic Dairy Farm and currently works as a dairy nutrition and forage consultant for Agri-King Nutrition. Nicole has also served as Vice-Chair of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee.

Nicole will move on to compete with other Excellence in Agriculture Award winners from across the country at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Austin, Texas.

A panel of judges consisting of State Representative and Barbara Comtois, NHFB President Denis Ward, and John Scarponi from American National Insurance selected Nicole from among four nominees. Also nominated for the award were Ammy Rice of Milford, Morgan Mewkill of Chichester, and Zachary Mason of North Stratford.

2019 NHFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winners Jay & Leandra Pritchard accept their award from Grafton County Farm Bureau President Kristen May and State Representative Howard Pearl.

Young Farmer
Achievement Award

 This year’s NHFB Young Farmer Achievement Award winners are Jay & Leandra Pritchard of Pritchard Farms in Pembroke, NH.

The NHFB Young Farmer Achievement Award competition recognizes young people between the ages of 18 to 35 who have excelled in their farming operation and have shown leadership abilities through Farm Bureau and in their community. The ideal candidate for the award is an individual or couple involved in production agriculture with the majority of their income subject to normal production risk.

Jay & Leandra Pritchard were nominated by Merrimack County Farm Bureau. They are first generation farmers who own and operate Pritchard Farms in Pembroke, NH. They raise dairy replacement heifers and own a beef herd and laying hens. They farm over 300 acres of corn and grassland. They love living the lifestyle of a family farm along with their two kids, Millie & Walt, and are very passionate about the agricultural industry. They are both active members on the Merrimack County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and have been active members of the Young Farmer Committee.

As part of the award, the Pritchards will receive the use of a new Kubota tractor for six months or 250 hours from Pinnacleview Equipment in Walpole. They will also move on to compete in the national Achievement Award competition at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Austin, Texas this January.

State Representative Howard Pearl, Cheshire County Farm Bureau President Beth Hodge of Hinsdale, and Farm Service Agency State Director Jeff Holmes of Langdon conducted the judging for this award.

2019 NHFB Profile Award winner John Hodsdon of Meredith accepts his award from past NHFB President Jeff Holmes.

Profile Award

Each year, NHFB has the honor of presenting the Profile Award to recognize a New Hampshire person or persons for distinguished service to agriculture and rural life. Nominations for this award come from County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and are judged by a panel of past Profile Award winners.

This year’s Profile Award winner is John Hodsdon of Meredith, NH. John grew up on the farm in Meredith that his family has owned since 1804, today known as Picnic Rock Farm. John had many responsibilities as a youth and kept up with his farm chores, but he also showed promise as an excellent student, especially in mathematics. His education took him all over the world, eventually earning a PhD in Biochemistry from University of California Berkley.

From the time he returned from out west in the late 70s until 2005 John operated the family farm growing vegetables, small fruit and Christmas trees. The farm also sold local products and baked goods he made on the premises himself. In 2008 John’s nephew Ward Bird took over operation of the farm to be the 7th generation to continue the tradition.

John has been a NH Farm Bureau member since the 1980s and served at both the county and state level receiving the President’s Award in 2006. He served as Belknap County Farm Bureau’s voting delegate to the NHFB House of Delegates Meeting every year from 1988 – 2017 as well as serving as the Chairman of their Policy Development Committee for many of those years. At the state level, John was a member of the State Policy Development Committee for most of his years as a Farm Bureau member and most notably contributed to the issues of water quality standards, Current Use Law, and GMO legislation.

In addition to Farm Bureau, John has also been active in the Belknap County Conservation District. Following in his father’s footsteps (John’s father Marshall founded BCCD), he became a Supervisor of the BCCD in 1982 and served as Chairman for over 32 years. More recently he stepped back to serve as Associate Supervisor. John became the BCCD representative on the North Country Resource Conservation & Development Council in 1980, which he continues to be today. In 2016 John represented the Hodsdon family as the National Association of Conservation Districts recognized the family for their “decades of commitment to conservation.”

Partners in Advocacy Leadership Program Brings New Experiences for Cheshire County Farmer

Beth Hodge (Far right) is one of 10 participants from across the country taking part in the 10th class of American Farm Bureau’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) Program. The group spent time in New York City facing mock interviews and receiving training for various media situations.

Newly elected Cheshire County Farm Bureau President Beth Hodge has lots on her plate. Running Echo Farm Pudding along with her sister Courtney, being an active member of NH Farm Bureau, and she recently added one more item: American Farm Bureau Federation’s Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) Program! Beth is one of 10 members from across the country of the 10th PAL class which is designed to help today’s agricultural leaders accelerate their engagement abilities and solidify their role as advocates for agriculture.
 
Through a rigorous, two-year curriculum, participants of PAL use interactive real world experiences to encourage personal and professional growth.

“It’s been an incredible experience so far,” Beth said. “I’m learning so much about myself and really exploring how to use my skills to take my agricultural advocacy to the next level!”

Learn more about how the PAL program is growing agricultural advocates below through videos produced by the participants themselves! 
 
 

Advocacy and Education

Karen Wright of Trail Bend Farm in Belmont teaches fourth grade students about raising chickens at the Belknap County School to Farm Day. Their favorite part of the presentation was most definitely getting to pet a live chicken!

Our organization’s mission statement is pretty succinct: “New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation is a membership organization dedicated to advocacy for and education about agriculture.” Those two pillars, advocacy and education, are the foundation upon which all of our work is built.

Often it’s our advocacy work in the halls of the State House and Legislative Office Building that are our most recognizable contributions to agriculture. After all, these efforts, over 103 years, have resulted in successes like affordable expansion of power and lighting to rural areas in the 1930s, the establishment of Current Use law in the 1970s, and enabling local agricultural commissions in the early 2000s (just to name a few). The dedication of NH Farm Bureau staff and members alike has also prevented legislation potentially damaging to agriculture from being passed.

The fact of the matter is, however, that advocacy doesn’t exist solely at the Capitol. It starts on farms and woodlots across the state. It thrives in conversations farmers have in the supermarket or on social media. By offering your experiences and practices as a primary source to the non-agricultural world you are actively advocating for your own way of life while educating them at the same time.

An impactful and easy way to connect with the non-farming community is to participate in New Hampshire Agriculture in the Classroom’s School to Farm Days. These events, organized by NHAITC State Coordinator Debbi Cox and held across the state, invite fourth grade students to a local farm where they will visit dozens of stations explaining various aspects of agriculture. The fusion of education and advocacy was fully demonstrated at the Belknap County School to Farm Day on September 24th, hosted at Ramblin’ Vewe Farm in Gilford, where nearly all of the stations featured NHFB members.

  • Amy Matarozzo of LorrenJoyce Farm in Barnstead presents at the Belknap County School to Farm Day as NH Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut looks on.

“Interaction with the kids is what it’s about. There are so many people removed from agriculture,” Belknap County Farm Bureau President Brian Matarozzo said. He, his wife Amy, and their son Hayden brought one of their dairy cows from LorrenJoyce Farm in Barnstead to the event as part of their station on cows and milk.

Along with cows, the Belknap County School to Farm Day offered students a chance to see and learn about goats, chickens, oxen, garlic, soil conservation, maple sugaring, and more. “In the several hours that they are rotating stations they learn about the connections to agriculture in their daily lives,” NHAITC Coordinator Debbi Cox explained. “We try to incorporate history, math, science and more to really coordinate with teachers’ curriculum.”

The New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut stopped by as well to get a better understanding of just how important hands-on learning opportunities like School to Farm days are in the overall education system. “All of the various tactile things, the overall experiences are really a concrete learning opportunity for the kids,” Edelblut observed.

That’s the long way around getting to my point, which is that advocacy and education become the same thing when you share your story. Share it with your neighbors, your fellow church parishioners -anyone who will listen! But most importantly, share it with our youth. Someone is going to provide the next generation of leaders and thinkers with a depiction of agriculture. It’s up to us in the agriculture community to make sure that depiction is accurate.

New Hampshire Has Seat at the Table for Federal Milk Marketing Order Talks

American Farm Bureau Federation Federal  Milk Marketing Order Work Group Update

By Scott Mason, Coos County Farm Bureau

Scott Mason runs Northwinds Farm in North Stratford, N.H. and is one of three dairy farmer representatives from the Northeast region on the American Farm Bureau Federal Milk Marketing Order Work Group.

June is National Dairy Month and what better time to begin a discussion on amending the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO).  American Farm Bureau Federation has put together a work group to study the FMMO to suggest potential policy changes.  There are three dairy farmers from each of the four AFBF regions of the country serving on this committee.

The question before us: Do nothing, tinker with the system a bit, or build a new system of price discovery.

Currently less than 10% of milk solids are used to price all of the milk.  Most milk products do not qualify to be used in the pricing formula, especially the value-added products.  Is there a better price discovery system?  A no vote on an amendment to a FMMO does away with the federal order. Processors are calling for larger make allowances.  There are many dairymen calling for some type of a supply management system.  Are there too many classes of milk?  Has America become the balancing plant for the world’s milk supply?  European Union price is up and ours is down after they did away with supply management. We supply China with 14% of their dairy needs, but only 5% of their total dairy value. Do farmers and processors share price risk?

Members of the American Farm Bureau Federation Milk Marketing Order Work Group meet at AFBF headquarters in Washington, D.C. NH Farm Bureau member from Coos County Scott Mason, who runs Northwinds Farm in North Stratford is one of three dairy farmers representing the Northeast region. (Photo Credit: AFBF)

We will be meeting through conference calls throughout the summer to look at these issues and others impacting the Federal Orders.  The NHFB Dairy Committee will be meeting to discuss the issue of FMMO as well.  I plan to reach out to the other New England Dairy Committees for similar conversations.  You can follow our progress on the AFBF website: AFBF Federal Milk Marketing Order Reform Overview – Latest research from AFBF

The work group will get back together in September to write a white paper for the AFBF board and policy discussion.

NH Farm Bureau Celebrates National Dairy Month

It’s the time of year when cows head back out to pastures of plenty and green fields across the state sprout the familiar signs of summer. Appropriately enough, it’s also time to celebrate June as National Dairy Month.

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month way back in 1937 in hopes of promoting milk consumption during a period of surplus. Over the years National Dairy Month has evolved to spotlight all of the dairy industry’s contributions to society. From nutritious and tasty food products to open space conservation and economic activity, the dairy industry has a positive impact on our lives in many ways.

In coordination with National Dairy Month, the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee is again accepting the 10 Gallon Challenge and wants you to follow along as they do. Visit their Facebook page all June long to see Young Farmers crisscross the state purchasing 10 gallons of milk to support the dairy industry and donating it to food pantries and soup kitchens to help fight food insecurity. Last year they completed the challenge in every county in NH and inspired even more people to join in (check out the recap video of last year’s challenge below). This year they hope to triple their donations!

In other dairy-related news, New Hampshire Farm Bureau will have a seat at the table for American Farm Bureau’s Federal Milk Marketing Order Working Group. Coos County dairy farmer Scott Mason will head to Washington, D.C. this month as one of three farmers representing the Northeast Region.

So get a moo-ve on and start celebrating National Dairy Month. Raise a glass of your favorite milk, add an extra slice of cheese to that burger, or just thank your local dairy farmer!

NH Farm Bureau Members Featured on New HISTORY Series

(Left to Right) Si, Bram, Heather, Jamie, and Nate Robertson. The Robertsons own and operate Bohanan Farm & Contoocook Creamery in Hopkinton, NH. The family are featured in the new HISTORY series ‘The American Farm’ which debuts Thursday, April 4 at 10 PM. Photo courtesy of HISTORY/The American Farm

To be a successful farmer you have to be a jack of all trades. Some days you are an electrician, other days you may be a plumber, and sometimes –on a good day- you get to farm too! The Robertson family from Hopkinton, NH spent the last year adding yet another job title to that list: Television stars.

Jaime and Heather Robertson and their three sons Si, Nate, and Bram, who operate Bohanan Farm & Contoocook Creamery in Hopkinton, are one of five farms from across the country being featured on a new HISTORY series called ‘The American Farm’. HISTORY bills the show as, “an authentic portrait of the fight to go from seed to stalk, and from farm to fork. The series presents an up-close look at one full year of family farming.” A film crew spent most of last year documenting the lives of the Robertsons from the fields to the dinner table.

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NHFB Young Farmer Committee Connects with Legislators Over Breakfast

NHFB Young Farmer Committee Vice-Chair Nicole Glines speaks at the annual Young Farmer Legislative Breakfast, held this year at Pearl & Sons Farm in Loudon.

The New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer Committee held their annual Legislative Breakfast event at Pearl & Sons Farm in Loudon on Tuesday, March 26. Each spring, the group of agricultural enthusiasts between the ages of 16 and35 invites members of the NH House Environment & Agriculture Committee, federal lawmakers, and other movers and shakers in NH agriculture to join them for a hearty meal and an opportunity to hear concerns facing young farmers across the state.

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Senator Shaheen Hears Farmers’ Concerns Amid Shutdown Fears

Senator Jeanne Shaheen speaks with dairy farmer Jamie Robertson, who along with his family, operates Contoocook Creamery in Hopkinton.

Concord, NH. – New Hampshire’s senior Senator heard from a dozen or so NH farmers and agricultural specialists last Friday at the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation (NHFB) office in Concord. Senator Jeanne Shaheen wanted to know how or if the partial government shutdown, now in its third week, is weighing on farmers in the Granite State.

“Right now we aren’t hearing from our members about many problems due to the shutdown, but that could change,” Said NHFB President Denis Ward. Hopkinton dairy farmer Jaime Robertson echoed those sentiments and cautioned, “A lot of it depends on how long this drags out.”

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NH Farm Bureau 102nd Annual Meeting Recap

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation Holds
102nd Annual Meeting. New Slate of Officers and
Award Winners Announced

New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation (NHFB) held its 102nd Annual Meeting on November 2nd and 3rd at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, NH. The event, hosted by Coos County Farm Bureau, offered tours of local agricultural operations Fuller’s Sugarhouse and Forbes Dairy Farm, workshops, and competitions all in support of the theme “A Harvest of Farming History”

The culmination of NHFB’s grassroots policy development process occurs during the Meeting of the House of Delegates as part of each year’s Annual Meeting. Delegates, elected by their county Farm Bureau, met the morning of November 3rd to vote on the policies that will guide NHFB’s work in the coming year and to elect a slate of officers for 2019. The elected slate of officers is as follows: Denis Ward of Monroe – President, Joyce Brady of Columbia – 1st Vice President, Matt Scruton of Rochester – 2nd Vice President, Rebecca Stevens of Epsom – 2nd Vice President, Howard Pearl of Loudon – Treasurer.

The Annual Meeting Banquet, held the evening of November 2nd, recognized outstanding achievements and contributions to agriculture from NHFB members. To view the full list of awards given out that evening, click here.

  • The 102nd Annual Meeting of New Hampshire Farm Bureau started off with a farm tour of Fuller's Sugarhouse. Here owner David Fuller explains how sap flows throughout the facility while Stan Knecht looks on.

 

New Hampshire Apple Day Kicks Off Season at Sunnycrest Farm

(Right to left) Governor Chris Sununu joins NH Commissioner of Agriculture Shawn Jasper and Dan Hicks, owner of Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry, to mark the official start of apple season in New Hampshire.

Thursday, September 6th marked the beginning of apple season in New Hampshire as Governor Chris Sununu made the ceremonial first pick at Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry alongside Commissioner of Agriculture, Markets & Food Shawn Jasper, Sunnycrest owner Dan Hicks, and UNH Cooperative Extension Fruit & Vegetable Production Field Specialist George Hamilton. Also on hand were members of the New England Apple Association and New Hampshire Fruit Growers Association.

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NH Eat Local Month 2018

Throughout the month of August, New Hampshire Farm Bureau (NHFB) joins with 70+ partners throughout the state to highlight New Hampshire Eat Local Month — a month-long celebration of local food and New Hampshire farmers and producers.

“New Hampshire residents, and visitors alike, are showing unprecedented interest in local food, and this month-long celebration offers a great opportunity to feature New Hampshire grown foods and farms,” said Gail McWilliam Jellie from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.

With 70+ partners working together to bring you great NH Eat Local Month festivities, it won’t be hard for you to find a way to get involved!

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